Metal Slug Tactics Review
A Stylish and Strategic Tactics Game
Metal Slug Tactics successfully translates the classic Metal Slug franchise into a turn-based tactics game, maintaining the series’ unique charm while introducing fresh, strategic gameplay. The game’s retro-inspired pixel art, energetic soundtrack, and quick-paced structure make it an engaging experience. Although it’s occasionally marred by minor bugs and quality-of-life issues, it cleverly adapts Metal Slug’s frantic action into a more methodical format without losing its essence.
Strategic Depth with a Diverse Cast
In Metal Slug Tactics, players lead the Peregrine Falcons, an elite military force, through various missions. The game features a diverse cast of characters, each with unlockable loadouts that cater to different strategies. For instance, Marco is a balanced leader who excels in teamwork, while Trevor focuses on aggressive, close-range tactics, and Fio offers strong support and mobility. Players can experiment with different team compositions and loadouts, allowing for a variety of strategies during each run.
Visuals and Personality
The game shines with its attention to detail and quirky humor. Metal Slug Tactics is brimming with personality, from soldiers lounging by the sidelines to amusing in-game animations. Explosions, tanks, and characters all have an exaggerated, cartoonish flair, creating an immersive experience that feels both fun and dynamic. This sense of style is further amplified by the soundtrack, composed by Tee Lopes, whose retro-infused music adds to the excitement of each mission.
Fast-Paced, Accessible Combat
Unlike other turn-based tactics games like XCOM, Metal Slug Tactics favors quicker, more condensed skirmishes. The smaller, more tightly-designed maps ensure fast-paced battles, while mechanics like Adrenaline and Synchronization allow for fluid, action-oriented gameplay. Adrenaline powers abilities and dodge maneuvers, while Synchronization enables characters to automatically assist each other during attacks. This system enhances the game’s strategic depth and keeps combat exciting without the lengthy setup typical of other tactics games.
A Roguelite Structure with a Focus on Replayability
The game features a roguelite structure, with randomized missions and escalating difficulty as players progress through four stages, culminating in a boss fight. Each stage offers standard tactical objectives, like eliminating enemies or escorting NPCs, but secondary challenges encourage skilled play and reward efficient strategies. While the game does not allow for a highly customizable difficulty curve or branching paths, it provides enough variety in its encounters to keep the experience fresh.
Boss Battles and Tactical Innovation
Boss fights in Metal Slug Tactics test players’ mastery of movement and team coordination. Each boss requires careful positioning and strategic use of resources, such as Adrenaline. The Synchronization mechanic amplifies the satisfaction of executing well-planned attacks, allowing characters to team up and overwhelm enemies with a barrage of coordinated strikes. However, some bosses can only be hit by Sync attacks once per turn, adding an extra layer of challenge.
Minor Bugs and Frustrations
Though the game is highly enjoyable, a few bugs can occasionally disrupt gameplay. One issue occurred when a character’s abilities were locked after being transformed, though this was resolved after some trial and error. These bugs are relatively infrequent but can be frustrating when they interfere with a carefully planned strategy.
Verdict
Metal Slug Tactics is a well-crafted and innovative tactics game that successfully merges the chaotic energy of Metal Slug with a turn-based strategy format. Despite some occasional bugs, its engaging mechanics, lively art style, and fast-paced combat make it an enjoyable and unique experience. Fans of both the Metal Slug series and tactical gameplay will find plenty to love in this energetic and strategic spin-off.
