METAL SLUG

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 812 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
METAL SLUG Game Cover
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"Metal Slug" is a classic run-and-gun shooting game where players fight against Gen. Morden's evil ambitions in 6 missions, with the ability to play the original arcade version or select stages in Mission Mode. The game also features online multiplayer and various settings for a customized experience. Fight solo or with a friend to thwart Gen. Morden's plans in this nostalgic 2D action shooter.

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  • Windows
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  • Play​Station
  • Sega Saturn
  • Tablet
  • Wii
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 812 reviews
gameplay19 positive mentions
optimization12 negative mentions
  • Metal Slug is a timeless classic with beautiful hand-drawn sprites and vibrant environments that have aged well.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and fun, featuring tight controls, a variety of weapons, and cooperative multiplayer that enhances the experience.
  • The game evokes strong nostalgia for players who enjoyed it in arcades, making it a great pick for both new and returning fans.
  • The port suffers from significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and input lag, which can detract from the gameplay experience.
  • The game is relatively short, with only six missions, which may leave players wanting more content for the price.
  • There are complaints about the lack of features compared to previous versions, such as missing art galleries and a clunky menu system.
  • gameplay65 mentions

    The gameplay of Metal Slug is widely praised for its tight controls, responsive mechanics, and engaging run-and-gun action, making it a standout in the genre. While the game offers a fun and challenging experience, some players note issues like input lag and slowdowns that can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these minor drawbacks, the game remains a classic with great replay value, especially in co-op mode.

    • “The combination of gorgeous pixel art, tight gameplay, and relentless action make it a shining example of the run-and-gun genre.”
    • “Tight controls, responsive shooting mechanics, and a variety of weapons keep the experience fresh and exciting.”
    • “Smooth controls, hand-drawn animations, detailed levels, and overall solid gameplay help to make Metal Slug a timeless classic, even after all these years.”
    • “Massive and very frequent slowdowns ruin the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is sluggish; the musical instruments stutter, jerk, and clump together making the music sound out of time.”
    • “Gameplay is repetitive, but it is what it is.”
  • story57 mentions

    The story in the game is minimal and often considered non-existent, with players noting that it primarily serves as a backdrop for the fast-paced gameplay rather than a focal point. With only six short missions totaling around 40-90 minutes of gameplay, many reviewers express disappointment in the lack of depth and content, suggesting that the game is more about action than narrative. While some appreciate the WWII setting and the vibrant environments, the overall consensus is that the story is not a significant draw for players.

    • “Nobody cares for the story, but the WWII setting mixed with a more comical feel makes this a strange world of larger-than-life heroes and big machines that don’t feel out of place while still being rooted in realism.”
    • “Story doesn't make its way into the gameplay that much, but the theme and fun of the Metal Slug world come through brilliantly in every level.”
    • “While the story can be completely ignored, for those wondering what plot the game has, let me explain.”
    • “It has only 6 missions and it feels quite short, especially in the lower difficulties.”
    • “If you expect some story or characters, you'll be disappointed as this game has neither of those things.”
    • “With the thinly veiled plot out of the way, Metal Slug was never about the substance of story, but substance of gameplay and blowing things up, which it does wonderfully.”
  • graphics48 mentions

    The graphics of the Metal Slug series are widely praised for their stunning pixel art and fluid animations, often described as a "living painting" that has stood the test of time. Reviewers highlight the game's unique art style and attention to detail, noting that it remains visually impressive even decades after its initial release. While some ports have faced criticism for technical issues, the overall aesthetic and nostalgic appeal of the graphics continue to resonate with players.

    • “The graphics really are astounding; the game looks like a living painting.”
    • “Metal Slug is a true classic and, in my opinion, marks a peak of development in terms of design for its time with an art style that has truly withstood the test of time.”
    • “The metal slug series features some of the best 2D visuals ever crafted.”
    • “Don't get baited into buying this game - the port is horrible with huge input delay and broken graphic options.”
    • “Released in 2015 with an ugly menu and shonky resolution issues, Dotemu’s Metal Slug port also features native Xbox controller support, difficulty settings, and an option to decide how many fake quarters you want to devote to this fake orgy of graphic violence.”
    • “Graphics are old school, which for me is a non-issue as I feel it adds to the game, but it may not appeal to everyone.”
  • music40 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as fantastic and well-suited to the game's atmosphere and level design. However, issues such as slowdowns and glitches detract from the experience, causing the music to occasionally sound out of sync. Overall, while the composition is celebrated, technical problems hinder its full potential.

    • “The soundtrack alone is reason enough to buy this one.”
    • “The soundtrack is very underrated in my honest opinion; Takushi Hiyamuta did a splendid job composing music that complements well with the level's atmosphere and pacing, fitting perfectly in various situations like fighting enemies or mini-bosses.”
    • “Fantastic soundtrack.”
    • “Even the music hiccups with the slowdowns.”
    • “The music isn't good.”
    • “The gameplay is sluggish (no pun intended), the musical instruments stutter, jerk, and clump together making the music sound out of time.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues such as frame rate drops, stuttering, and input delays, particularly during action scenes and when many objects are on screen. While some users noted improvements over time, the overall consensus is that the port lacks adequate optimization, making it feel unresponsive and frustrating to play, especially compared to other platforms or emulators.

    • “One would reasonably expect a video game that processes a significant amount of on-screen information to be optimized.”
    • “The only negatives I can come up with are some performance issues with frame rates at times, and the games are pretty short.”
    • “This version has little optimization problems, mostly with the FPS and the music.”
    • “Unfortunately, this particular game falls short in terms of optimization, evident in the considerable frame rate drops when a plethora of objects is displayed on the screen and the noticeable delay in key inputs.”
    • “The porting though is atrocious: lag, stuttering, and slowdowns are the name of the game, making it feel terribly unresponsive and awful to play.”
    • “Not to mention the performance issues, lots of players (if not all of them) noticed there are huge FPS drops in overcrowded situations, which is ridiculous considering the game and the engine.”
  • humor26 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its dark, satirical elements and quirky designs, often poking fun at various themes, including American culture and military absurdities. Players appreciate the nostalgic, cartoonish art style and the amusing interactions between characters, which add depth and personality to the gameplay. Overall, the blend of humor and engaging gunplay creates a memorable experience that resonates with fans of classic run-and-gun games.

    • “Metal Slug is an action side-scroller platformer game that's cartoonish and fun and has got all the right dark humor in the right places!”
    • “When you encounter groups of soldiers, you’ll often find them engaged in conversations, laughing, warming themselves over a fire or even sunbathing; it puts a face on the enemy, which is usually hidden by scripts that mold the game into a very 'you vs them', but the enemies in Metal Slug will often flee, try to run away and it’s your call whether you gun them down for those delectable points, or let them go [we know you just shot them, you monsters].”
    • “This sense of humor adds a lot of value to the game, shaping it into far more than just killing everything that moves.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability, particularly for those who enjoy challenges and competitive play, with many users highlighting its engaging mechanics and various difficulty modes. While the main campaign is relatively short, the inclusion of achievements and the option to improve personal scores enhance its replay value significantly. Overall, it is considered a fun and exciting experience that encourages repeated play, especially in cooperative settings.

    • “What a brilliant game kicking back from a retro age with massive replay value.”
    • “Metal Slug is really something special; while it is very short, it is a super fun run 'n' gun and great cooperative experience. The port works exceptionally with Steam achievements, online play, and tons of different modes of play, which makes this game super replayable.”
    • “If you're not a speedrunner or a high scorer, then the replayability drops quite a bit. Like all Metal Slug games, this one provides great challenges; it's up to you to beat them!”
    • “The total game took me about 45 minutes to beat, but I think it's made for replayability and beating your own score if you care about that kind of thing.”
    • “Replayability is guaranteed if you like challenges because they've added achievements which will require hours of gameplay to collect.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with users reporting significant slowdowns, freezes, and stuttering, even on high-end hardware. While some players find it generally playable, issues like buggy achievements in multiplayer and performance inconsistencies compared to the original version have been noted. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a concern that detracts from the experience.

    • “A classic game, ported to PC, and it runs great.”
    • “The game is incredibly stable, with no crashes or bugs during my playthrough.”
    • “I appreciate how smooth the gameplay is; it never lags or stutters.”
    • “When we tried playing it on one PC (split keyboard), the menu was stuttering and buggy.”
    • “Frankly, the slowdowns and freezes are entirely inexplicable.”
    • “It's a great game, but it's a very old game; I should not have sudden total freezes with an RTX 30 and a Ryzen 7 processor. This seems to happen regardless of your operating system.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its engaging soundtrack, composed by Takushi Hiyamuta, which enhances the gameplay experience and evokes nostalgia. Each stage features a unique atmosphere and iconic art style, contributing to a fun and immersive arcade feel that resonates with players, making it a standout title even years after its release.

    • “The soundtrack is very underrated in my honest opinion. Takushi Hiyamuta (Hiya! in the game credits) did a splendid job composing music that complements the level's atmosphere and its pacing, fitting perfectly in every situation, whether you're fighting a bunch of enemies or a mini-boss. As far as I'm aware, the soundtrack of the series has inspired video game composers like Jake Kaufman and Toby Fox.”
    • “More than a decade later, this game is still one of the funniest, most intense, well-designed, good-looking, and atmospheric games I've ever played.”
    • “The in-game atmosphere takes me to my childhood.”
    • “Each stage has its own atmosphere and iconic art style of the MS series.”
    • “It gives humor; it gives atmosphere.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the project is highlighted as a heartfelt tribute to classic games that have influenced the industry, evoking nostalgia and deep feelings in players. The unique gameplay mechanics further enhance this emotional experience, offering a fresh perspective that contrasts with traditional 2D games.

    • “This project goes beyond technology; it's a heartfelt tribute to the timeless games that shaped the gaming industry.”
    • “Shed a tear”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in some games can be excessively time-consuming, often requiring players to invest significant effort, likened to needing a "second life." In contrast, other games offer a more streamlined experience with minimal grinding, allowing players to enjoy gameplay without extensive downtime or repetitive tasks.

    • “Simple stuff, no leveling, no grinding, no downtime besides you putting a quarter in the machine, but in the Steam version you don't even have to do that, besides the initial purchase.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of Metal Slug has been criticized as a blatant cash grab targeting teenagers, with gameplay mechanics designed to frustrate players and encourage additional spending. This approach has led to a negative reception, as players feel manipulated by the game's design.

    • “Metal Slug, as it is more commonly called in the West, first popped up on SNK Corporation’s Neo Geo arcade machines and was poorly received due to being a blatant cash grab aimed at teenage kids.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, targeting players with aggressive in-game purchases that detract from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see a game that could be enjoyable turned into a money-making scheme, with essential content locked behind paywalls.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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