Metal Gear Battle

Metal Gear Battle is a fighting video game developed by Mad Man Ninja Studios and published by Konami. It is a spiritual successor to the Metal Gear series and features many of the same characters from the latter.

The game was released for PlayStation 4 and 5 in January 2023, with ports for Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series S/X, Switch and Arcade released the following November.

Gameplay
Metal Gear Battle is a fighting video game played in a 2.5D environment. Battles take place in closed arenas, which vary in size and width. The gameplay is different from previous games of the series, adapting the universe and characters to a fighting game ambience.

Included, Super Cancels, juggling and running mechanic. Additionally, the game features ground chain combos, an auto-combo system, and an optional Progressive mode which simplifies command inputs. Metal Gear Battle also introduces Gougi Boost, which grants players additional bonuses and enhancements during a match.

Characters
The Metal Gear franchise features a large number of characters created by Hideo Kojima and designed by Yoji Shinkawa. Its setting features several soldiers with supernatural powers provided by the new advancements of science.

Metal Gear Battle was released with 21 playable characters, all of whom made appearances in the Metal Gear series of games.

Reception
Heidi Kemps of GameSpot gave the game an 9/10 rating, praising the fighting mechanics and implementation of the Gougi system. The characters have also been praised for their actions within fight scenes, resulting in appealing cutscenes.

Chris Carter of Destructoid gave the game a 8/10, praising its colorful character design and naturally flowing combat.

Trivia

 * The characters from the Metal Gear series have been well received by gamers with Solid Snake and Raiden appearing in a Famitsu poll that listed the fifty best video game characters; while the former was at the top, the latter was 42nd.
 * Solid Snake has also appeared in multiple lists of best characters in gaming history, while Raiden and Revolver Ocelot were found as characters who should have their own spin-off games.
 * Metal Gear Battle is the first fighting game in the Metal Gear series universe.