Samurai Jack: The Game That Almost Wasn't

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In an alternate universe where time-traveling samurais weren't enough to satiate our thirst for action-adventure games, Konami might have given us Metal Gear Rising: Samurai Revengeance instead of the excellent but ultimately unrelated Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes.

As it turns out though, this never-to-be scenario actually did come close to reality thanks in large part due to one man - Goichi 'Hideo' Kojima. The legendary creator behind both the critically acclaimed Metal Gear series and Konami's more recent attempt at reviving Castlevania was reportedly keen on exploring a new direction for his long-running franchise.

According to sources within Konami, Kojmi had been secretly pitching ideas for an action-packed spin-off starring none other than Solid Snake himself but set hundreds of years earlier during feudal Japan. Dubbed simply 'Metal Gear Rising: Samurai Revengeance,' this potential prequel would have followed a grizzled and battle-hardened Snake as he navigated treacherous landscapes filled with ninjas, samurai warriors - and even giant robots!

Unfortunately for fans eager to see their favorite stealth hero trade in his trusty silenced pistol for an katana however, Konami ultimately decided against greenlighting this ambitious project. Instead, developer Platinum Games (known best for the Bayonetta series) was handed the keys to create a very different take on the Metal Gear IP.

And so we got Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - a fast-paced action game starring protagonist Raiden as he sliced his way through hordes of monstrous enemies in an apocalyptic Neo-Eden City. While not directly related to Kojima's original vision for 'Samurai Revengeance,' this new interpretation still managed to capture some of the same intense, over-the-top spirit that fans had been hoping for.

In many ways you could say Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance served as a consolation prize - an olive branch thrown our way by Konami in recognition of their earlier decision not to pursue what might have otherwise become one of gaming's most talked-about releases.

Still though, even without ever actually seeing it come into existence on store shelves worldwide today thanks largely due to corporate politics and creative differences within the company at large back then - 'Metal Gear Rising: Samurai Revengeance' remains an intriguing footnote in video game history nonetheless...

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