METAL SLUG DEFENSE

About

“Metal Slug”, the pinnacle of 2D action-shooting on NEOGEO returns in a brand new strategy game on Steam!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

49%

Audience ScoreBased on 717 reviews

story9 positive mentions

monetization21 negative mentions

The game features classic Metal Slug characters and nostalgic pixel art, appealing to long-time fans of the series.
Gameplay is easy to pick up and can be enjoyable for short bursts, making it a decent time-killer.
Despite its flaws, players can still complete the game without spending money if they are patient and strategic.

The Steam version lacks the ability to purchase units with in-game currency (medals), forcing players to buy expensive DLC packs.
The controls are poorly optimized for PC, making gameplay cumbersome and frustrating compared to the mobile version.
The game has a pay-to-win structure, with many powerful units locked behind a paywall, leading to an unbalanced experience.

story
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
80%
8%
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as underwhelming, with players noting a lack of depth and preparation for challenges, particularly in later missions. While the game features familiar characters and a variety of missions, many feel that the narrative is overshadowed by frustrating gameplay mechanics, such as time gating and a reliance on premium currency for progression. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling element, leading to mixed feelings among players.
- “But despite that, the gameplay is fun and follows the plot of the story, and we can see the levels and the worlds in other ways.”
- “If you like the Metal Slug universe and wave vs wave type games, this game was fun to complete the story and get all achievements.”
- “While the campaign is a no-thrills trek through every arena, what I truly enjoy is the mission mode.”
- “You can't play the game and progress through the story without being time-gated.”
- “The whole game feels like a cash grab; there will be missions where you will keep losing because you do not have the appropriate unit/character/vehicle to deal with the mobs of enemies they will throw at you.”
- “Originally a mobile game, this was actually pretty good at some point, but then developers ruined it by adding single-player missions that could only be beaten by using units upgraded with real money.”
gameplay
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
57%
20%
The gameplay of Metal Slug Defense has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its simplicity and repetitive nature, often likening it to a basic tower defense or real-time strategy game. While some appreciate the nostalgic elements and the fun mechanics, others criticize the pay-to-win aspects, energy mechanics, and lack of depth, leading to a grindy experience that can feel tedious over time. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable in short bursts but may not hold long-term appeal due to its limitations and monetization strategies.
- “It's a type of gameplay that's easy to learn but can be difficult to master.”
- “The gameplay itself is quite simple and fun to play with many missions, various strategies you have to play in order to defeat each stage.”
- “That's it for my rant, as I said in the beginning the gameplay is really good, they gave the series a new approach while keeping the whole Metal Slug feeling on it.”
- “The gameplay is rather bare bones and generic; every unit works almost the same, and the only attractive aspect is that the game uses the animations of the Metal Slug series.”
- “Gameplay consists of basic screen tapping to do simplistic soldier defense battles, where you will quickly find you're time/paygated and must buy in-game currency with real-world money to progress.”
- “The fact of the matter is that this game having the Metal Slug name on it is a disgrace, and not even nostalgia can save a flawed lane-gameplay button clicker that doesn't provide enjoyment at any level.”
graphics
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
68%
8%
The graphics of the game are a mix of nostalgia and disappointment, with many praising the classic pixel art and animations reminiscent of the original Metal Slug series. However, several reviews criticize the lack of updates for higher resolutions, resulting in pixelation and a subpar experience on larger screens. Overall, while fans of the series may appreciate the retro aesthetic, the port's graphics feel outdated and poorly optimized for modern platforms.
- “Metal Slug has always been a side-scrolling run-and-gun action game known for its charm, graphics, animation, and quirky appeal.”
- “Great pixelated visuals like the usual from the SNK Metal Slug series.”
- “The graphics, sound, and art can all be traced back to the original fun-loving games from our childhood if you grew up with these games like me.”
- “The port screams lazy: there is no real difference between playing this on an Android emulator than on Steam, the graphics didn't get any rework so they look pixelated even in the lowest resolution.”
- “Even in windowed mode, the jaggies and low-res graphics will slice your eyeballs, and the game's menus and movement are still very much based around tapping and dragging.”
monetization
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
27%
64%
The monetization aspect of "Metal Slug Defense" has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers labeling it as a pay-to-win (P2W) model that heavily relies on aggressive microtransactions. Players express disappointment that the game, which is a mobile port, prioritizes profit over quality, with in-game purchases totaling over $100 and essential units locked behind paywalls, detracting from the overall experience. Despite some fun mechanics, the overwhelming presence of monetization strategies has led to a negative reception, particularly among fans of the original franchise.
- “Fun mechanics, has some microtransactions.”
- “In-game purchases aren't really pushed on the player either.”
- “It seems the mobile version has more units and doesn't have in-app purchases.”
- “Metal Slug Defense is a pay-to-win mobile app that's been dumped on Steam as a nasty, greedy cash grab from morally void mobile app developers.”
- “This game is an awful pay-to-win; it isn't a Metal Slug game, and the fact that all the microtransactions total costs more than $100 is scary.”
- “They have taken a wonderful franchise and turned it into a mobile cash grab shovelware.”
grinding
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with players needing to replay levels multiple times to unlock content or upgrade units. While some find the grind rewarding initially, many express frustration over the repetitive nature and the presence of paywalls that exacerbate the grind. Overall, the game offers a significant amount of content, but the grinding can detract from the enjoyment, especially for those seeking a more strategic experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “To reach all stages, it probably takes about 40 hours by normal, and the gameplay might become repetitive and a bit grindy for quite a while.”
- “Freeing POWs for unlocks is very tedious though, and I've had to replay some levels up to 20+ times to get all of them since it's down to RNG whether or not you'll encounter any.”
- “Even if you manage to S rank a stage, somehow, by not using items, it was merely luck because the game is built for you to just continue to waste your time grinding currency to basically cheat on each stage with overpowered items... fairly lame game design.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is a standout feature, with players enjoying its funny take on the tower defense genre infused with characters from the 'Metal Slug' series. The gameplay is described as hilariously absurd, with short and senseless battles that evoke laughter, despite some criticisms regarding monetization and game mechanics. Overall, it offers a nostalgic and entertaining experience that keeps players engaged through its comedic elements.
- “A very fun and unique take on the tower defense game, infused with Metal Slug characters and humor.”
- “It's a nostalgia trip and a delightfully funny action romp that could eat your time away.”
- “For what it is, it is pretty damn good, with a fantastic and hilarious unit variety.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The music in the game is heavily inspired by classic Metal Slug titles, featuring familiar tracks that evoke nostalgia for fans of the series. While many players appreciate the memorable soundtrack and its contribution to the overall atmosphere, some criticize the lack of originality and the inability to customize audio settings. Overall, the music is a highlight for those who enjoy the retro aesthetic, though it may not appeal to everyone.
- “One of the things that makes me keep playing is the soundtrack of the game; it has some really memorable tracks. I hope it had more.”
- “Basically the free OST from all the Metal Slug games, but you have to play the game in order to listen to those good ol' classic tunes.”
- “Metal Slug fans will appreciate the old school art style, sound, and music pieces.”
- “There's no option to turn off the music or the sound; it's both or nothing, and I always hate that.”
- “The combat is unengaging; the little bit of music I heard was obnoxious and just unmatched, the interface is crap... Jesus.”
- “Basically the free OST from all the Metal Slugs, but you have to play the game in order to listen to those good ol' classic tunes.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game's optimization is primarily tailored for touch screens, enhancing control responsiveness; however, some users feel that this focus detracts from the overall experience, likening it to a decline from nostalgic gameplay to subpar performance. Additionally, certain missions reward players based on their performance, adding a layer of incentive to optimize gameplay.
- “The controls are optimized specifically for touch screens, enhancing the overall user experience.”
- “Some missions even reward players with units based on their performance, adding an extra layer of motivation.”
- “From childhood memories to poor optimization.”
- “The controls are optimized for touch screens only.”
- “Some missions even award units based on performance.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The atmosphere of the game is appreciated by fans of the Metal Slug series, as it retains the signature animations and music that define the franchise. While some feel it lacks the original's essence, many agree that it still captures the nostalgic charm that true fans will enjoy. Overall, it offers a familiar yet slightly different experience for players.
- “For free, you aren't losing anything by playing it, and a true Metal Slug fan will appreciate the atmosphere.”
- “I don't say that with tearful nostalgia blinding me, but the animations, the music, the atmosphere—all of it comes from the Metal Slug series and it still holds up here.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with frequent crashes and freezes reported by users, alongside numerous bugs affecting gameplay. Many players feel that the game is not well-optimized for PC, leading to a frustrating experience marred by technical issues.
- “I can't play the game; it crashes every time and freezes.”
- “Miserably translated, overpriced character packs, short repetitive campaign, unbalanced online play, and buggy.”
- “For example, when Resident Evil 6 came out, the graphics were off and it was acting super buggy because they didn't prepare it for PC properly.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that while the game features challenging enemies, it lacks emotional depth or impactful moments. Additionally, the overpriced DLC has left even dedicated fans feeling disheartened.
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players appreciate the game's high replayability, noting that the levels are thoughtfully designed to provide ongoing challenges and entertainment, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
- “It's a great game with excellent replay value and entertainment.”
- “Levels are designed for replayability and are structured to provide a challenge based on player choices.”
- “The variety of paths and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”

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2h Median play time

7h Average play time

1-24h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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