Way back in 1996, the Metal Slug franchise started out as a fun, drop-a-quarter arcade game that some of us still remember. And the run-and-gun games created in the years since have kept that comical, side-scroller-with-a-grenade-launcher vibe going.
Until now, that is.
The new Metal Slug Tactics is the series’ first foray into turn-based strategy shootouts. It keeps a very similar feel and the look of older games but with a new focus.
Right out of the gate, Tactics reintroduces some iconic Metal Slug vets—Marco, Eri and Fio—and sets them off on a series of 2D, pixel-art inspired missions. It seems the evil mastermind Donald Morgan is back to unleash his revenge on the world through heavily armed troops and huge war machines. And it’s up to the outnumbered good guys to strategically invade bases and destroy that threat.
That’s pretty much all the story there is here. The rest of the gameplay comes down to turn-based shootouts on isometric grid battlefields.
Those seemingly randomly generated battlefields—filled with buildings, cover areas, foliage, explosive barrels and various types of terrain—start out small and littered with opposing soldiers. But the areas and enemy forces grow into much bigger, sprawling challenges as gamers learn the tactical ropes.
Each of your three soldiers has his or her own chosen weapons and movement patterns, as well as special attacks and abilities. And all of those elements grow more powerful with each victory. (The ranks of soldiers to choose from expand as the game progresses, too.)
One of the important tactical elements to keep in mind, though, is the ever-present opportunity for a “sync attack” between your troopers. If one of your soldiers blasts an enemy, for instance, and another teammate is lined up in the same grid row, that teammate will execute his own attack on the foe. And since a single blast from a pistol rarely takes down an opponent, lining up sync attacks can make a huge difference in your strategy. That’s especially true when it comes to big boss super soldiers and huge, robotic war machines.
The game also ties your soldiers’ abilities to their “adrenaline,” a resource that builds up based on how many spaces players move in a given turn. More adrenaline also increases the soldiers’ defenses, giving them a heightened chance to avoid incoming damage altogether.
Add all of these elements together, and Metal Slug Tactics’ gameplay becomes something of a chess match—a strategic challenge to effectively move three soldiers through a base or field packed with enemies while still somehow winning the conflict.
This is a single-player only game that does not require an online connection, other than for its initial download.
Metal Slug Tactics is, of course, a game about heroes who are using their skills to thwart evil. And as silly as the central characters can sometimes be, the retro graphics, the attitude of play and the bright musical score give this game a bouncy feel.
Gameplay-wise, this title’s strategic elements are solid. At first, younger players may find the challenge of overwhelming opposing numbers to be frustrating. But with enough time and experience, a well-planned victory is rewarding.
This is a third-person, birds-eye-view shooting game. And some parents may object to that gun blazing, explosive and deadly nature of play. Characters are shot at by tanks, run over by vehicles, targeted by artillery, bitten by snakes, set afire and have blades and bullets sent hurtling their way. Bested characters fall over with a moan and then disappear, and there is a light splash of blood when they’re wounded.
However, it should be noted that any really visceral mess is nearly nonexistent, and the battles are viewed through a distant, cartoony lens. The game sports a Street Fighter-like look that’s reminiscent of old arcade video games.
Players will definitely encounter cartoon-like shooting, thumping and ‘splosions aplenty in the mix of Metal Slug Tactics. But those who enjoy some challenging strategy play blended with silly, bombastic charm could potentially feel like they’ve found the right gaming foxhole.
After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.
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