Metal Slug Tactics Review – Run And Gun Reimagined

Metal Slug Tactics faithfully 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 about Metal 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 any Metal Slug game, 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 Tactics isn’t too focused on providing a story, it’s all set dressing to stitch together its addictive gameplay loop.

Keep Those Feet Moving And Your Head On A Swivel

The defining aspect of Metal Slug Tactics is 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.

It’s fair to say that movement is everything in Metal Slug Tactics since 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 with Metal Slug but the 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.

It’s Easy To Find A Favorite Squad

Metal Slug Tactics does 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 Skills to the field that solidifies him as a 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 bring Metal 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 and the 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. Considering Metal 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.

Even If The Upgrades Could Be A Little More Exciting

While I can see the actual battles of Metal Slug Tactics resonating 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 Tactics isn’t shy about throwing a lot of things at the player at once but the 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 works well 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 to Metal Slug Tactics but 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 experience Metal Slug Tactics provides 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 Tactics is well worth playing.

8/10

Metal Slug Tactics

Reviewed on PC

Pros

• Addictive combat that provides a unique twist on the tactical RPG genre.
• Fantastic pixel art that honors and elevates the Metal Slug series.
• Plenty of content and achievements to unlock.
• Great soundtrack.

Cons

• Roguelike elements can feel a little underwhelming.