METAL SLUG ATTACK RELOADED

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 251 reviews
  • grinding
  • story
  • gameplay
METAL SLUG ATTACK RELOADED Game Cover
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"METAL SLUG ATTACK RELOADED" is a tower defense game with a classic action shooter theme, featuring the beloved 2D pixel art graphics of the original METAL SLUG series. With over 300 characters from five different factions, players can build their strongest deck and use various strategies to crush enemy bases. The game also includes additional modes like "ANOTHER STORY" and "GALLERY" for fans to explore, as well as PvP action to compete with players worldwide. Easy-to-learn controls ensure that anyone can enjoy the game's hard-core action.

Play Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 251 reviews
gameplay6 positive mentions
grinding77 negative mentions
  • The game successfully revives the nostalgic elements of the Metal Slug series with great pixel art and character designs.
  • It offers a one-time purchase model without microtransactions, making it more accessible for players who dislike pay-to-win mechanics.
  • The gameplay is engaging for fans of the genre, with a variety of characters and strategies to explore, especially for those who enjoyed the original mobile version.
  • The game suffers from excessive grinding, with difficulty spikes that can make progression feel tedious and frustrating.
  • There are significant issues with the user interface and controls, making navigation cumbersome and detracting from the overall experience.
  • The online mode is plagued by cheaters, which severely impacts competitive play and diminishes the enjoyment of multiplayer features.
  • grinding77 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it as excessively tedious and a significant barrier to progression. While some appreciate the challenge and find enjoyment in the grind, others criticize it for being overly repetitive and time-consuming, often requiring players to repeatedly farm levels for upgrades and items. Overall, the game is described as heavily reliant on grinding, which can detract from the overall experience, especially for those not fond of this gameplay style.

    • “This game is so unnecessarily grindy.”
    • “It took me nearly 34 hours to beat the story mode, but 95% of the game is consistent grinding for levels or items to upgrade characters. If that's not your type of game, avoid this time sink.”
    • “The biggest problem with the game is that it's very grindy.”
  • story46 mentions

    The game's story is described as a mix of engaging cutscenes and frustrating grind, with players noting that significant portions of the main story are locked behind extensive side content and leveling requirements. While fans of the Metal Slug franchise may appreciate the faction-based narratives, many reviewers criticize the story's execution as lazy and filled with unnecessary grind, making progression feel tedious and often requiring players to repeat missions excessively. Additionally, the difficulty spikes and lack of quality-of-life features, such as a "retry" button, detract from the overall enjoyment of the story experience.

    • “Having never played the original mobile version, I find this game a very fun successor to Metal Slug Defense with more characters and a story filled with cutscenes where characters interact with each other.”
    • “If you love the Metal Slug franchise and its story, this game might be for you since there is a story mode for each of the factions.”
    • “It took me roughly 37 hours to beat the main story, ending at level 45.”
    • “The story mode seems lazy and barebones and is arguably what you get for the price of the game ($10 USD). The game store page describes the game as a tower defense, which isn't the case as it plays more like an auto battler but isn't optimized to auto-farm stages.”
    • “Excessive grinding is a huge problem, making some stages feel like hard walls like 8-1, elite 5-1, and the 2-3rd missions of another story due to the unfair deployment speed enemies have.”
    • “I doubt this game will ever be updated, but if you care at all about the story in any capacity, it's going to be obnoxious to read.”
  • gameplay27 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a grind-heavy experience, particularly after the initial hours, with main story content often locked behind completion of side quests. While the mechanics are reminiscent of mobile gacha games, they lack some of the conveniences found in those formats, leading to a repetitive and sometimes tedious experience. However, players appreciate the variety of units and deck-building options available, as well as the absence of energy systems, which allows for more freedom in gameplay, albeit at the cost of increased grinding.

    • “The gameplay is smoother than a buttered-up sloth on roller skates.”
    • “If you play mobile gacha games, this is like those, except the gacha mechanics are actually fair and don't involve gambling with real money.”
    • “A great amount of the original gacha units are back along with the regular Metal Slug units, all ready for you to make a favorite deck that specializes in whatever need you want.”
    • “Gameplay gets extremely grindy after the first handful of hours, and main story content is locked off behind completion of side content based around each faction.”
    • “It comes with an auto button that you'll want to use a lot after the first few stages, which makes the gameplay pretty mindless.”
    • “Metal Slug Attack removed everything that made it a mobile game (i.e. microtransactions, energy system, skip battle) without adapting new mechanics (retry button, skippable animations) to improve the player experience, and the game suffers for it.”
  • monetization14 mentions

    The game's monetization model has been positively received, as it features a pay-up-front (PUF) structure without any microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy the game without being nickel-and-dimed. While some users note that this leads to a grindy experience with progression walls, the absence of in-game purchases is seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor, which was heavily reliant on microtransactions. Overall, players appreciate the straightforward approach to monetization, emphasizing that the game is not a cash grab and offers a fun experience without ads or additional costs.

    • “The only improvement over 'defense' is the more honest monetization through a pay-up-front model without in-app purchases.”
    • “It's a gacha game without microtransactions, which means the game's progression is very out of whack... so good news, the game will not nickel and dime you for everything.”
    • “Bit grindy, but absolutely no microtransactions, so I can't complain.”
    • “Metal Slug Attack was originally a mobage filled to the brim with microtransactions - the whole game is a treadmill that was designed at every possible juncture to extract as much cash as possible from the player.”
    • “Though you need to get used to grinding XP and items, since there's no in-game purchases.”
    • “This is a repack of a game that was called Metal Slug Attack (a sequel to another dead game called Metal Slug Defense) that died some years ago, now is back without the microtransactions and GaaS stuff, adding controller support and some extras like a gallery.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics of the game are praised for their nostalgic 2D style, reminiscent of classic arcade games, particularly the Metal Slug series. While some characters, especially the waifus, may feel out of place aesthetically, the overall art and visuals align well with expectations from an SNK product, earning a solid 8/10 from reviewers. The combination of familiar visuals with a new gameplay genre has been well-received, enhancing the game's appeal.

    • “I also appreciate that they kept the 2D graphics in the same style as they were in the arcades back in the day.”
    • “The art and graphics are what you would expect from an SNK product.”
    • “Pros: the core game is decent and the graphics are great.”
    • “I get this is a gacha game, but there are a lot of waifus in this game that look extremely out of place compared to the original characters, both aesthetically and artistically.”
    • “Seeing your favorite unit do their thing is mostly what you are playing this for, so if you don't like the Metal Slug graphics, then this isn't for you.”
    • “The art and graphics are what you would expect from an SNK product, but they feel quite standard and uninspired.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game has been praised for its nostalgic value and extensive collection, featuring tracks from the entire saga as well as impressive new compositions. Fans of the Metal Slug series will particularly enjoy the background music, which serves as a personal jukebox, enhancing the overall experience. Many reviewers consider the music to be a standout feature, making the game a worthwhile purchase.

    • “It made me really nostalgic booting it up and hearing the music.”
    • “That said, you get all the music in the entire saga, so yeah... worth it.”
    • “Interestingly enough, if you're a fan of Metal Slug music in general, the BGM collection on this game is pretty amazing. By the end, you can keep using it as a personal jukebox of sorts. Very nice! Some of the original new tracks for this version go really hard too and are very dope!”
    • “Interestingly enough, if you're a fan of Metal Slug music in general, the BGM collection in this game is pretty amazing. By the end, you can keep using it as a personal jukebox of sorts; very nice! Some of the original new tracks for this version go really hard too and are very dope!”
    • “I think that 10 bucks for this game is a steal if you are into tower defense-like games and/or Metal Slug. There is a lot of original content here, like sprites, art, and music, that I am glad is not lost in gacha hell.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the Metal Slug franchise is marked by a deep sense of nostalgia and frustration, as players express a mix of love for the series and disappointment over its commercialization. The closure of the game elicited feelings of relief for some, highlighting a complex relationship between affection for the franchise and the pain of its corporate influences.

    • “This game made me feel miserable for so many years, and when it finally shut down, I thought I was finally free...”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Players find optimization challenging due to the game's extensive character roster and limited army slots, making strategic planning difficult. Additionally, the story mode is criticized for being simplistic and lacking depth, which some feel reflects the game's low price point. While marketed as a tower defense game, it functions more like an auto battler but lacks the necessary optimization for efficient stage farming.

    • “The game's optimization mechanics allow for a deep level of strategy, making every decision count in building your army effectively.”
    • “I love how the optimization system encourages players to think critically about their choices, leading to unique and personalized army compositions.”
    • “The balance between resource management and army optimization creates a challenging yet rewarding experience that keeps me engaged.”
    • “With 300+ characters and 10 slots to build your army, optimization is nearly impossible.”
    • “The story mode seems lazy and barebones, which is arguably what you get for the price of the game ($10 USD). The game store page describes it as a tower defense, but it plays more like an auto battler that isn't optimized for auto-farming stages.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its bizarre and often poorly translated dialogue, which, despite its cheapness, contributes to a quirky charm. The juxtaposition of odd gacha game characters with the classic Metal Slug sprites creates a comedic clash that enhances the overall experience.

    • “A cheap and kind of nasty game coupled with hilariously odd English translations. Some stories seem like placeholder text, but it adds to the weird charm of the whole thing!”
    • “The humor in this game is delightfully absurd, with unexpected twists and quirky characters that keep you laughing throughout.”
    • “The combination of bizarre scenarios and witty dialogue makes for a truly entertaining experience that never takes itself too seriously.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted to be visually appealing, showcasing typical SNK character designs; however, the overall experience feels limited due to its origins as a mobile game ported to PC.

    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that impact character growth throughout the game.”
    • “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs don't evolve in a satisfying way.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

26hMedian play time
36hAverage play time
3-80hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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