Metal Gear Solid: Rising is prequel to MGS4

Konami revealed earlier tonight the first story details regarding Metal Gear Solid: Rising during its press conference.

The golden nugget is that it takes place after Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and before Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. It'll explain how Raiden became a ninja in MGS4.

We'll stick some money on it being related to Sunny.

By the way, that glowy spine he ripped out in the trailer on Monday night?  Those will actually be key in progressing throughout the game from progressing through the story and the gameplay, from all new weapons to story and game information.

Director Minesh Kimura confirmed that, despite the title is mostly a hack and slash, there will be "stealth elements" to it, although will be faster than it was in previous MGS titles.

As well as his sword, Raiden will have sub-weapons in the game to take on foes.

Producer Shigenobu Matsuyama, who has taken over from Hideo Kojima due to him stepping aside for the next generation, ended the presentation by saying more story information would be coming very soon.

We'll hold you to that Matsuyama-san. We're not looking to go on another year-long blackout again.

No date was provided during the presentation, but it will be available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Watch the trailer shown at the Microsoft press conference on Monday night here.