Metal Slug Tactics review

Metal Slug Tactics review

As a die-hard Metal Slug fan with decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Metal Slug Tactics has both satisfied my nostalgic cravings and left me scratching my head in confusion – much like trying to solve one of Marco’s tricky puzzles after a long night at the pub.


When a game takes much longer than anticipated to come out, there’s usually an undercurrent of apprehension when it finally arrives. Labels like “development hell” don’t exactly ease our minds, and I’m sure we can all recall a game that didn’t live up to expectations after such a long wait. However, there are certainly games that make us patiently wait for years only to completely win us over, supporting the notion that a late game is eventually good, but a rushed one is bad forever. So, where does Metal Slug Tactics stand in this debate? That’s the question on everyone’s lips.

In Metal Slug Tactics, as with every Metal Slug game, the narrative is straightforward: the world faces a grave terrorist threat, and it’s up to the familiar heroes from the Metal Slug series to neutralize the troops, tanks, and even zombies that comprise the enemy forces. Though chatting with the commander does provide additional insights into how these villains impact each new location you encounter, during most of your tactical battles, there’s little time for contemplating the storyline.

Metal Slug Tactics review

In this game, strategies for battle may seem familiar to genre enthusiasts as each of your top-tier troops carries multiple types of weapons and can move a predetermined distance during their turn. A unique feature is the ability to coordinate attacks where characters can follow up on one enemy, making the action particularly thrilling and crucial in tougher missions. Mastering the use of Eri’s grenades and Marco’s machine gun will be key to taking out those pesky terrorists, but with limited ammo and an overwhelming enemy force, victory won’t come easily.

When it’s your adversaries’ turn, they will charge towards you, firing a variety of weapons, and if you aren’t ready for this onslaught, you’ll probably be defeated by the first shot. To stay true to the run-and-gun heritage of the game, you can minimize damage by moving as far as possible during your turn. Moving the maximum distance will lower the damage you receive from each attack slightly, and if you can add this with taking cover, you’ll likely suffer no harm at all. It’s a unique system that certainly requires some practice to grasp, but it’s worth learning if you want to win.

Besides preventing some harm, your movement additionally triggers an adrenaline rush that can be utilized for unique skills. Each character possesses a distinct set of these abilities, varying from tactical options such as throwing bouncing grenades or deflecting bullets off surfaces, to the power to shift allies or enemies a few spaces for strategic advantages. At first glance, it might seem that employing these skills is less beneficial than simply attacking in a turn; however, as you progress and enhance them through leveling up, they prove indispensable.

Metal Slug Tactics review

In Metal Slug Tactics, there are numerous methods to enhance your character’s strength, such as leveling up to acquire new abilities or getting modifications for your weapons. However, deciding which of the three mods or upgrades is most beneficial for your team of heroes can be tricky, as it often requires a significant amount of experimentation due to the game’s mechanics that aren’t always clearly explained. Ultimately, mastering these tactics will help you achieve victory and secure freedom for the good guys.

In my previous discussions, I haven’t delved much into the Roguelike aspect of Metal Slug Tactics, but let me assure you it’s a significant part of the game. Upon selecting your team of three heroes from a diverse roster of characters hailing from SNK’s classic series (once they are unlocked), you will be presented with a map displaying numerous missions to undertake. Each section of the game necessitates completing three missions before a boss appears to challenge you, after which you move on to the next area. The game offers an option to bypass defeating the minions and go straight for the final boss, but this is not for the timid-hearted. There’s no character permadeath in the game, but a run will be lost if all characters die during a mission or if an objective fails.

As a devoted Metal Slug Tactics enthusiast, in every skirmish, I choose three heroes to join the fight. Each battle presents me with a primary and secondary objective to accomplish. Typically, the main goal is to eliminate specific enemies or clear the entire stage, but there are times when the objective is more creative, such as guarding innocent characters or taking down a boss. The side objectives also vary widely, offering bonus loot or XP upon completion whenever possible.

Metal Slug Tactics review

It’s noteworthy how deeply Metal Slug Tactics seems to pay tribute to the original arcade series. The visuals, reminiscent of both nostalgic memories and modern beauty, are a big part of this. Moreover, the audio features some iconic sounds that long-time fans will find endearing, especially the “Mission Start” which gave me a slight shiver. To top it off, many of the secret characters are familiar faces from our past, making their return after such a long time truly delightful.

Metal Slug Tactics offers a wealth of detail and content for exploration, yet this richness can also be its downfall. The game provides only a brief tutorial, which leaves many essential mechanisms unexplained and hands-off experience minimal, making the initial playtime arduous. I found myself struggling to understand the multitude of terms that boosted my characters, and even after numerous hours and countless attempts, I remained bewildered when specific effects were triggered. The game’s intricate mechanics coupled with a lack of guidance from the game itself is disheartening, potentially causing some players to lose interest quickly.

Metal Slug Tactics offers an engaging tactics experience that’s rich in nostalgia. If you’re willing to tackle a rather challenging learning curve, you’re in for a treat! Its innovative and distinct gameplay mechanics, coupled with a vast amount of content, make it a must-try if grid-based warfare is your preferred style of gameplay.

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2024-11-05 17:16