METAL SLUG X

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,099 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
METAL SLUG X Game Cover
Starting at $3.56Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Apple Store

"METAL SLUG X" is a run-and-gun shooting game that features military combat and humorous, over-the-top action. It's a revamped version of "METAL SLUG 2" with additional features, such as new weapons, levels, and enhanced graphics. Players control a soldier fighting against an army of rebels, using a variety of weapons and vehicles to blast their way through each stage. The game is known for its fast-paced action, challenging levels, and quirky, retro-style visuals.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
  • Wii
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,099 reviews
story13 positive mentions
optimization7 negative mentions
  • A classic run 'n' gun game that brings back nostalgic memories.
  • Features stunning pixel art and a fun co-op mode, enhancing the gameplay experience.
  • Offers a variety of weapons and vehicles, making the gameplay dynamic and engaging.
  • Terrible port with frequent frame rate drops and input lag, especially during intense scenes.
  • Limited controller support and awkward key mapping make it frustrating to play.
  • Short gameplay length, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • story123 mentions

    The story in "Metal Slug X" is generally regarded as simplistic, serving primarily as a backdrop for the action rather than a focal point, with players tasked to defeat enemies and bosses across six missions. While some reviewers appreciate the humor and variety in mission design, many express disappointment over the game's brevity and lack of additional content compared to previous versions. Overall, the narrative is seen as an excuse for gameplay rather than a compelling storyline, with mixed feelings about its execution and the performance issues that detract from the experience.

    • “I like how it starts to throw every crazy new idea in each mission and wraps up the adventure in the most absurd way possible.”
    • “There's a wider variety of enemies and places to fight; every mission feels completely different and there's a nice twist in the final mission that had me laughing pretty hard.”
    • “The story is simple... kill everyone, kill a boss and go home at the end of the mission.”
    • “In terms of story there isn't really one.”
    • “A full playthrough of the single player story took me just under an hour, which to be honest was a little disappointing.”
  • gameplay112 mentions

    The gameplay of Metal Slug X is characterized by its fast-paced, frenetic action and simple mechanics that are easy to pick up, making it accessible for both new and veteran players. While the game features engaging co-op play and a variety of weapons and enemies, it suffers from occasional lag and input delay that can disrupt the experience. Overall, it remains a beloved title in the run-and-gun genre, praised for its nostalgic charm and solid gameplay, despite some criticisms regarding its age and repetitive elements.

    • “The gameplay is frenetic, demanding quick reflexes and strategic use of weapons.”
    • “The addition of new weapons, enemy types, and power-ups in Metal Slug X compared to its predecessor keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is tight, the levels are varied and interesting, and the difficulty curve is the smoothest out of all of the original Metal Slug games.”
    • “Lag spikes plague the game at any resolution, and severe input delay ruins the flow of gameplay.”
    • “Massive slowdowns and unresponsive controls, especially in the last mission, severely impact gameplay.”
    • “Maybe it just didn't age well, but the graphics feel very cheap, controls are uncomfortable, and the overall gameplay dynamic is very primitive.”
  • graphics92 mentions

    The graphics of "Metal Slug X" are widely praised for their vibrant, charming 2D pixel art and smooth animations, which evoke nostalgia while still appealing to modern audiences. Many reviewers highlight the game's intricate dot-pixel graphics and unique art style, noting that it has aged well despite some performance issues in co-op mode. However, some criticisms mention that the visuals can feel outdated or lack improvements compared to modern standards, particularly in higher resolutions.

    • “This game is a true tribute to the retro era: incredible 2D graphics, smooth animation, and superbly designed levels create an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “Metal Slug X stood out among the myriad of games, beckoning players with its vibrant graphics and explosive action.”
    • “Graphically speaking, Metal Slug X looks awesome - a pixelated, gorgeous art style that is very charming.”
    • “Maybe it just didn't age well, but the graphics feel very cheap, controls are uncomfortable, and the overall gameplay dynamic is very primitive.”
    • “Terrible performance, visuals are blurry at modern resolutions, and the input lag is unforgivable.”
    • “As expected, the pixel graphics aren't upscaled to the desired resolution, and everything looks just awful.”
  • music52 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its iconic and memorable soundtrack, which complements the action and atmosphere effectively, featuring a mix of intense and whimsical tracks. However, some users have noted issues with sound emulation, leading to a less crisp experience and occasional audio lag, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. Despite these concerns, the music remains a highlight, with many reviewers emphasizing its ability to enhance gameplay and evoke nostalgia.

    • “The soundtrack is particularly noteworthy, perfectly complementing the combat scenes and setting the pace for the entire playthrough.”
    • “The music is iconic, featuring a mix of intense and whimsical tracks that perfectly match the game's tone.”
    • “The music is great, and they fill the atmosphere of their respective mission stages very well.”
    • “The music is broken most of the time, sounds like an amateur punk band without any sense of rhythm.”
    • “Metal Slug X is a timeless classic, but this port sucks; the sound emulation is completely bonkers and ruins all of the beautifully crafted music for each stage.”
    • “The music and audio issues are completely screwed up to the point of being grating on the ears.”
  • humor35 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by quirky animations, satirical depictions of enemies, and a skewed sense of comedy that enhances the frenetic gameplay. Players appreciate the hilarious character expressions, funny voice samples, and the overall lighthearted tone that balances the intense action, making it a memorable experience. The combination of engaging visuals and comedic elements contributes to its reputation as one of the best side-scrolling shooters available.

    • “Each mission is packed with diverse enemies, interactive objects, and great humor, with iconic bosses leaving a lasting impression.”
    • “The art style is arcade-y and some parts in the game are really funny.”
    • “There's a wider variety of enemies and places to fight; every mission feels completely different and there's a nice twist in the final mission that had me laughing pretty hard.”
  • optimization26 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as lag, stuttering, and input delays, especially during intense action sequences. While some improvements have been noted compared to the original versions, the overall experience remains marred by inconsistent frame rates and poor responsiveness, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience. Players are calling for patches to address these critical performance shortcomings.

    • “It improves on the performance issues found in the original Metal Slug 2 and adds new content and features.”
    • “The game has some weird inconsistencies with performance/frame rate (no matter how powerful your hardware is, you should expect some slowdowns), but this is a common issue you'll get used to regardless.”
    • “When porting older games onto modern computers, there always seems to be a chance you will have some issues when it comes to optimization.”
    • “It's a bittersweet experience: the nostalgia is there, but the performance of the ported version leaves much to be desired.”
    • “As I wrote for the review of the first game, it should be really fun and good but it's not: the porting is atrocious with frequent lag, stuttering, and slowdowns, making the game feel terribly unresponsive and awful to play.”
    • “Terrible performance, visuals are blurry at modern resolutions, and the input lag is unforgivable.”
  • replayability24 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly replayable due to features like online multiplayer and achievements, others note that once mastered, the incentive to replay diminishes. Many reviews highlight that despite its short length, the game offers solid replay value, especially when played with friends or for high scores, though comparisons to other titles suggest it may not be as enduringly engaging as some competitors. Overall, it garners a range of scores, with many players appreciating its replay potential.

    • “New features like Steam achievements, trading cards, online/offline multiplayer, and leaderboards all add replayability, breathing fresh life into a classic experience.”
    • “That being said, the game has a high replay value, and you'll probably find yourself coming back to it again and again.”
    • “This classic still holds up, my personal favorite from the Metal Slug series; it's a short game but highly replayable, especially with friends.”
    • “Limited replayability: once the game is mastered, there may be limited incentive to replay, as the experience remains largely the same.”
    • “This game does not have as much replay value as Ikaruga, and even though Ikaruga is a short arcade game that can be beaten in about 1 hour too (much like this game), Ikaruga at least offers way more replayability than this game.”
    • “I can't recommend this game at full price, not because the port is bad, but just because this game does not have very much replay value.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a nostalgic homage to the retro arcade era, featuring vibrant 2D graphics, smooth animations, and a memorable soundtrack that enhances the action-packed experience. Each stage offers a unique ambiance, complemented by crisp sound effects and a lively mix of visual elements, creating an immersive and engaging environment for players. Overall, the combination of dynamic visuals and thematic audio contributes significantly to the game's electrifying and playful atmosphere.

    • “This game is a true tribute to the retro era: incredible 2D graphics, smooth animation, and superbly designed levels create an immersive atmosphere.”
    • “Walking into an arcade hall as a kid, the cacophony of game sounds and the glow of CRT screens created an electrifying atmosphere.”
    • “The game's music and sound effects are also top-notch, adding to the atmosphere.”
    • “The game's atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion that I expected.”
    • “Despite the vibrant visuals, the atmosphere fails to engage, leaving me feeling disconnected from the game world.”
    • “The sound design is underwhelming, which detracts significantly from the overall atmosphere of the game.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs, including freezing and performance issues during crowded scenes. While some players have had a smooth experience, particularly on lower-end systems or the Steam Deck, others have encountered frustrating control problems and glitches that hinder cooperative play. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, affecting the enjoyment of multiplayer sessions.

    • “Definitely worth buying for solo play or co-op with a friend; runs great on Steam Deck too.”
    • “Certainly a fun time; runs great on my low-powered Windows 8 computer, and it's definitely a better buy than putting money into Metal Slug 2.”
    • “Gave a gift copy to a friend, and it runs great on my rig with no problems.”
    • “A buggy mess.”
    • “Port runs poorly, staggers and freezes when the screen gets crowded.”
    • “The whole point of buying this game was to play co-op with a friend, but we can't even finish the second mission with all these glitches.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotions regarding the game, highlighting both frustration and unique gameplay mechanics that evoke strong feelings. The emotional impact is further emphasized by personal stories, such as coming out while playing, and a heartfelt ending that resonates deeply with players. Overall, the game elicits a complex emotional response, balancing challenge with personal significance.

    • “He admitted his homosexuality while slaying tangos at 6:00am and it was a crazy emotional coming forth for him.”
    • “All of this plus a truly heartfelt ending.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly when facing bosses solo, as weapon pickups can be scarce. While some achievements offer a less grindy experience, the overall sentiment suggests a desire for a better balance between challenge and grind.

    • “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worth it.”
    • “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
    • “While there are moments of grinding, the sense of achievement when leveling up is incredibly satisfying.”
    • “Bosses can get tedious playing solo; weapon pickups during these portions can get very stingy, often leaving players dropping a life just to get the heavy machine gun or grenades.”
    • “I'd like a little more challenge at least, although there are less grindy achievements like MS3's 'play as X character 100 times' achievements.”
    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for being pay-to-win, leading to a sense of emptiness despite the removal of monetization features. While some players find satisfaction in certain gameplay moments, others view the final fight as a cash grab.

    • “It's still a pay-to-win game even with the monetization removed; having infinite money just feels rather empty.”
    • “The final fight feels like a cash grab, but it's oddly satisfying when you see the enemy troops and realize they are there to help you!”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in Metal Slug X is highlighted through its unique character design, which sets it apart from typical shooters, suggesting a deeper narrative and personality behind the characters.

    • “The character development in this game is truly exceptional, with each character having a unique backstory that adds depth to the gameplay.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
    • “The way the game allows players to shape their characters' abilities and traits is a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy METAL SLUG X

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
1-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games