Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Play Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty first. It is the essential game for understanding Raiden’s early story. If you intend to continue into Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, add Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for useful continuity context. You do not need to play every Metal Gear Solid game before starting Raiden’s arc.
The shortest sensible route is MGS2 → MGS4 (optional but recommended before Rising) → Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 3 are not established by the official material reviewed as prerequisites for understanding Raiden’s story.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The recommended order at a glance
Your ideal order depends on whether you want Raiden’s introductory story only or the wider setup for his later starring role. Use this distinction rather than treating the entire series as mandatory homework.
| Game | Role in Raiden’s story | When to play it | How necessary is it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty | Raiden’s central early story; Konami’s material identifies Rose as his girlfriend and describes her support during his mission. | First | Essential |
| Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots | Context for the world and relationships that carry into Rising. | After MGS2, before Rising if you want fuller continuity | Optional context |
| Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance | The follow-on Raiden game; Konami describes it as an action title centered on Raiden, a former child soldier turned cyborg. | After MGS2; ideally after MGS4 | The continuation, not a prerequisite |
| Metal Gear Solid | No prerequisite relationship for Raiden’s story is established in the official material reviewed. | Play only if you want the broader series | Not required for this path |
| Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | No prerequisite relationship for Raiden’s story is established in the official material reviewed. | Play only if you want the broader series | Not required for this path |
This is a narrative-relevance order, not a claim that the other games lack value. It answers the narrower question: which games give you the information needed to follow Raiden?
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Why Metal Gear Solid 2 is the essential starting point
It is Raiden’s central early appearance
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is the key entry for Raiden’s introduction and early character arc. If your goal is to understand who Raiden is before his later cyborg identity, this is the game that supplies the foundation. Starting elsewhere can give you background about the wider series, but it does not replace the entry built around Raiden’s early story.
Rose gives the story a personal anchor
Konami’s official MGS2 material identifies Rose as Raiden’s girlfriend and says that she supports him during his mission. That relationship is part of the basic context a new player needs when following Raiden as a character rather than treating him as only a playable figure. You do not need a separate game to establish this starting point: MGS2 does it.
What you should expect from this choice
Play MGS2 when you want the minimum complete entry point into Raiden’s early story. You will be encountering the character in the game that officially presents this phase of his life, rather than trying to reconstruct it from later references. This makes MGS2 the correct first stop even if you eventually plan to play only Rising.
Why Metal Gear Solid 4 is useful before Rising
It explains the transition into the later game
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is not required to begin Raiden’s story, because that story starts in MGS2. Its value is different: it provides context for the circumstances and connections that lead into Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. If your destination is Rising, playing MGS4 makes the transition easier to follow.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The timeline is explicit
Konami’s official support article states:
“The events of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance are set four years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.”
That four-year gap is the clearest reason to place MGS4 before Rising when you want the fuller continuity. It identifies MGS4 as the preceding setting, while still leaving room for players to approach Rising after only MGS2 if they prefer the shortest route.
Sunny connects the two games
The same official background identifies Sunny as a returning character from MGS4 and describes her as Raiden’s friend in Rising. That connection is useful context rather than a gatekeeping requirement. You can play Rising without first seeing every earlier appearance, but MGS4 gives the return of this character and the surrounding circumstances a clearer place in the sequence.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhere Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance fits
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is not another prerequisite to Raiden’s story; it is the later Raiden-focused game you play after establishing the earlier context. Konami describes it as an action game centered on Raiden, a former child soldier turned cyborg. That description signals a major point of continuity: Rising follows an already established character rather than introducing Raiden from scratch.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
For that reason, the most coherent full route is:
- Play Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. This supplies Raiden’s essential early story and the Rose relationship identified by Konami.
- Play Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots if you want the bridge to his later circumstances. It is optional for basic comprehension, but useful before the game set four years afterward.
- Play Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. This is the action-focused continuation centered on Raiden as a cyborg.
Do you need Metal Gear Solid or Metal Gear Solid 3 first?
Metal Gear Solid
No prerequisite is established for Raiden’s story by the official material reviewed. Metal Gear Solid may be worthwhile if you want the wider series context, but it is not part of the minimum Raiden route supported here. Treat it as an expansion of your overall series experience, not a required prologue to MGS2.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
The same qualification applies to Metal Gear Solid 3. The reviewed official sources do not establish it as necessary for understanding Raiden’s early story or the transition from MGS4 to Rising. You can add it for broader series history, but doing so is a preference rather than a requirement for this character-focused order.
Choose the route that matches your goal
Goal: understand Raiden with the fewest games
Play MGS2 and stop there if you only want the essential early story. This is the minimum supported route. It gives you the game in which Raiden’s early narrative is central, without asking you to commit to the larger chronology.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsGoal: go directly from Raiden’s early story to his later starring role
Play MGS2, then Rising. This is the shortest route that reaches the later Raiden-focused action game. You should expect some world and relationship context to be less developed than it would be after MGS4, but the official material does not say that MGS4 is mandatory.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Goal: get the fullest supported Raiden continuity
Play MGS2 → MGS4 → Rising. This order preserves the explicit timeline relationship, places the four-year jump in sequence, and lets you encounter Sunny in the earlier context before her return as Raiden’s friend.
Goal: experience the whole series
Add MGS and MGS3 wherever your broader series plan places them, but do not confuse a complete franchise run with the prerequisite list for Raiden. The character-focused answer remains MGS2 first, with MGS4 as optional context before Rising.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to start if you already own a collection
Konami says METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 includes MGS2 alongside MGS and MGS3. That makes the collection a practical access route to the essential game if it is available for your system and region. The official material cited here does not establish current physical stock, platform compatibility, regional listings, or pricing, so verify those details at the time you buy.
Recommended Free Tools
- Check that the edition or collection you are considering actually includes Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
- Start with MGS2, even if the package also contains MGS and MGS3.
- Locate MGS4 separately if you want the optional bridge before Rising; current platform options and listings are not established by the material cited here.
- Play Rising after those games in the order that matches your desired amount of context.
Common mistakes in planning Raiden’s story
Assuming every numbered game is mandatory
The series is large, but the official evidence for this question supports a focused route. Requiring every title would turn a useful recommendation into unnecessary homework. Start with the game that actually carries Raiden’s early story, then add the one that supplies context for his later game.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Starting with Rising and expecting a complete introduction
Rising centers on a former child soldier who has become a cyborg. Because it follows an established character, it is better treated as a continuation than as the first explanation of Raiden. If you begin there, you can still follow the action, but you will be approaching the character after the foundational entry rather than before it.
Treating MGS4 as compulsory
MGS4 is the useful middle step for players who want fuller continuity, not a universal prerequisite. The four-year timeline and Sunny’s returning role explain why it is recommended before Rising, while the absence of an official requirement leaves the shorter MGS2 → Rising route valid.
Assuming the collection solves every access question
A collection that contains MGS2, MGS, and MGS3 can simplify access to the essential entry, but it does not automatically confirm access to MGS4 or Rising. Check the specific edition, region, platform, and current listing before purchasing.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The practical answer
For Raiden’s early story, play Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. For the fuller path into his later role, continue with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, then play Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Konami places Rising four years after MGS4 and identifies Sunny as a returning friend of Raiden. MGS and MGS3 remain optional additions for broader series context, not established requirements for this route.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
