Metal Slug Tacticsfaithfully adapts the beloved run-and-gun action of the franchise into a deep tactical roguelike RPG loaded with content and some of the best pixel art of the year. When one thinks aboutMetal Slug, it’s difficult to imagine a game that isn’t a side-scrolling romp filled with explosions, massive guns, and some of the coolest-looking tanks the world has never seen.Taking that concept and pivoting into a genre that’s arguably the counter-opposite of a shoot-‘em-up was a bold idea, but thanks to some clever mechanics, it works better than one might expect.
As with anyMetal Sluggame, it’s not important to know the (surprisingly) extensive lore behind the franchise to simply pick up the game and drop into a run. The premise is as basic as the evil General Donald Morden returning to the fray with another plan to destroy the World Government, requiring the Peregrine Falcon Squad to assemble and stop the dictator before the conflict spills over into all-out war.Metal Slug Tacticsisn’t too focused on providing a story, it’s all set dressing to stitch together its addictive gameplay loop.
Metal Slug Tactics Is All About Movement
The defining aspect ofMetal Slug Tacticsis its reliance on movement to stay alive in even the most challenging encounters. That may sound counter-intuitive in a tactical RPG:the genre generally prefers users to approach missions carefully, locking down areas rather than darting around the map. Developer Leikir Studio has opted to go a different route by encouraging players to make the most of the movement, providing necessary resources to characters the more they navigate the map. It may be daunting to learn but it all clicked together faster than I expected.
Why Metal Slug Is The Perfect Choice For A Tactics Game
Metal Slug Tactics is poised to be a great XCOM-like thanks to the franchise’s deep well of fan-favorite characters and memorable enemies.
It’s fair to say that movement is everything inMetal Slug Tacticssince it generates the fuel to power characters’ skills, grants Dodges to avoid enemy attacks, and helps set up Synchronization attacks that, effectively, function as a free action. Leikir Studio should be commended for such an imaginative take on the run-and-gun formula. While it doesn’t seem like it should work with a tactical RPG,the fact that so many mechanics are linked to movement pushes players to make the most of the system.
Combat retains that explosive action that’s become synonymous withMetal Slugbutthe pace hasn’t suffered with the genre shift. Missions are still brief affairs as players are tasked with basic objectives like protecting an NPC until they reach a map’s exit or simply wiping out every enemy. Tying Dodges and Adrenaline to movement creates a kinetic flow as units are never bogged down, waiting for enemies to come to them. It’s an empowering take on the tactical genre that emphasizes careful strategy mixed with a bit of reckless fun.
Metal Slug Tactics' Characters Shine
It’s Easy To Find A Favorite Squad
Metal Slug Tacticsdoes an excellent job of providing players with characters that all bring something unique to the table. For example,Marco may not be an offensive powerhouse but he brings a wealth of buff Skillsto the field that solidifies him asa leadership figure who’s always encouraging the team. It’s easy for players to land on a lynchpin hero or favorite Falcon that holds a squad together; I found Eri’s ability to generate bonus moves and her use of explosives to often be the difference between victory and defeat.
It helps that the animation used to bringMetal Slug Tactics' cast to life is so vibrant and distinct.I can only imagine how time-consuming it must have been to animate the series' signature pixel art in an isometric perspective. Plenty of passion has been poured into the game’s art direction andthe result is consistently eye-catching.
I also appreciated the smaller touches like providing some minor character-building moments between the cast. Successfully completing missions or defeating bosses sometimes rewards a brief cutscene where a couple of members of the team take a moment to debrief and talk about themselves. ConsideringMetal Slug’s lore that’s rarely addressed in the games,it’s fun to have these glimpses of the characters even if they aren’t especially deep.
Metal Slug Tactics Is A Competent Roguelike
Even If The Upgrades Could Be A Little More Exciting
While I can see the actual battles ofMetal Slug Tacticsresonating with fans,the roguelike elements could be more diverse. Runs consist of completing three missions and a boss fight in an area before unlocking the next location on the world map, all leading up to the final encounter. The game features four zones but only one needs to be wrapped up before the Peregrine Falcon Squad can rush the final boss. Going through everything can take a while:my longest run clocked in at an hour and a half, but individual missions are only a handful of minutes.
Completing primary and secondary objectives unlocks a variety of upgrades for the squad but these are only viable for the current run so players are encouraged to experiment with unique builds and synergies. These improvements come in the form of Character Abilities, Weapon Mods, Supply Drops, and Coins to purchase additional ammo and gear upon defeating a boss.Metal Slug Tacticsisn’t shy about throwing a lot of things at the player at once butthe game does feature an extensive tutorial and some handy tooltips to help clarify anything on the fly.
I think this part of the roguelike formula workswell but unlocking new upgrades and mods never felt as exciting as I wanted. After a run, the Peregrine Falcon Squad returns to HQ where they can spend Coins to purchase new Mods, Abilities, and Loadouts. The latter is the most exciting since it provides entirely new weapons that can fundamentally change a character’s role.Yet Mods and Abilities lack a tangible sense of improvement since they’re never guaranteed to show up in a reward pool, making them feel like a gamble of an investment.
That’s not exactly a problem that’s exclusive toMetal Slug Tacticsbut a sense of growth when playing a roguelike helps keep interest strong.If I don’t feel my characters growing stronger with each upgrade, it’s a little disappointing. The sheer variety of improvements can also be difficult to keep in mind, especially in the middle of a mission. Having a massive variety is great for providing diverse build opportunities, but I would have preferred fewer, more distinct improvements.
Final Thoughts And Review Score
It’s Metal Slug For New And Old Fans
I understand that some purists may not want the experienceMetal Slug Tacticsprovides but I hope they do give it a try.It’s an excellent tactical RPG, providing a deep combat experience that thoughtfully recontextualizes the mechanics and style that have made the franchise so iconic.
While its roguelike elements could be a little more exciting, the minute-to-minute gameplay of a run is so fun that I found it easy to overlook this flaw as I leaped back into action to drop more bombs with a well-placed Synchronization. Overall,Metal Slug Tacticsis well worth playing.
Reviewed on PC
A PC code forMetal Slug Tacticswas provided to Screen Rant for the purpose of this review.
