Metal Slug Tactics

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 103 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Metal Slug Tactics Game Cover
Metal Slug Tactics' move from the arcade to a tactical RPG has turned out better than I ever expected, this game is both challenging and rewarding to play.
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Metal Slug Tactics is a tactical RPG that combines the classic, arcade action of the Metal Slug series with roguelike elements. Assemble your team of iconic brothers-in-arms and lead them to victory through strategic battles, unlocking new weapons and skills as you go. Experience the nostalgic charm of Metal Slug in a whole new way!

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 103 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
stability5 negative mentions
  • The game successfully combines the Metal Slug aesthetic with innovative tactical gameplay, offering a unique experience that emphasizes movement and synchronized attacks.
  • Graphics and animations are praised for their charm and quality, capturing the essence of the original Metal Slug series while providing a fresh take on the genre.
  • The gameplay is engaging and encourages strategic thinking, with a variety of characters and loadouts that enhance replayability.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs, including crashes, visual glitches, and issues with the tutorial, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • There are complaints about the lack of content and variety, with some players feeling that the game becomes repetitive after a few runs.
  • The user interface, particularly text size and clarity, has been criticized for being difficult to read, especially on handheld devices.
  • story32 mentions

    The game's story is considered minimal and straightforward, primarily revolving around the conflict against the antagonist General Morden and his forces. Players engage in a series of missions with basic objectives, supplemented by codec-style conversations and character dialogues that unlock as players progress, but overall, the narrative depth is not a focal point, allowing gameplay to take precedence. While the missions offer some variety, the lack of meta-progression and mission diversity may lead to repetitiveness over time.

    • “The plot is standard (I find it doesn't need to be more than that for this genre - gameplay takes precedent) - the evil general Donald Morden (the main and long-established antagonist of the series) has freed his old friends from the rebel army and declared martial law in Sirocco City.”
    • “The missions range from very straightforward stuff like 'kill all enemies' to convoy interception, miner defense, or straight-up boss battles that show some of the best sprite work the game has to offer.”
    • “I've survived escort missions, simply racing my team through a level as quickly as possible, assassinating specific targets, destroying convoys before they reach a destination, etc. Each level has a main mission and a secondary objective.”
    • “Seems very light on the story; there's codec-style conversations at the start of each region and each character has a bunch of story dialogues with other characters that unlock as you complete certain personal objectives, but that's about it.”
    • “The plot is standard; the evil general Donald Morden has freed his old friends from the rebel army and declared martial law in Sirocco City.”
    • “As a roguelite, it keeps the action moving: no substantial story.”
  • gameplay27 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its unique mechanics that emphasize tactical positioning, fast-paced action, and combo setups, encouraging players to engage aggressively rather than defensively. While the tutorial may leave some elements unexplained, the addictive gameplay loop, short levels, and innovative features set it apart from traditional tactics games like XCOM, making it a refreshing experience for fans of the genre. Overall, it offers a dynamic and enjoyable gameplay experience, though some controls may require adjustment for optimal play.

    • “The game has its own mechanics, like using cover to block attacks and setting up combos, which work well and feel satisfying.”
    • “Designed for replayability, individual runs are short, and the gameplay is tactical and heavily positioning-based.”
    • “Overall, it's a gameplay-first title and it's a lot of fun!”
    • “The tutorial just kind of gives up and doesn't explain numerous gameplay elements.”
    • “Thought it would be the JRPG I knew (FF Tactics, Disgaea, Sword of Convallaria, etc.), turns out to be a rogue-like RPG, feeling like you are being rushed out to meet the objective. Can't take it slowly and enjoy the exploration of the entire map. Optimization with the controller is also very bad, not forgetting it doesn't support widescreen gameplay too.”
    • “Decent controls - my only issue with controls is when selecting a target there is no 'intuitive' deselect attack button, which when I first started did cause me to friendly fire a few times.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style reminiscent of the Metal Slug series, which many players appreciate for its vibrant visuals and personality. However, some users have reported technical issues such as graphical glitches and animation problems that detract from the overall experience. While the artwork generally holds up well, there are mixed feelings about character design and animation choices that may not align with the game's intended aesthetic.

    • “The visuals are brimming with charm and personality, and I really enjoy the core gameplay loop.”
    • “And good lord does the game look pretty if you at all like the Metal Slug art style.”
    • “Metal Slug Tactics is a roguelite SRPG with Metal Slug flavor - great looking graphics and sound, feels very Metal Slug.”
    • “Art style looks so different from the older games that I am used to.”
    • “I've had bosses stop existing, kill trackers don't count the vehicles for some inane reason, characters will not jump gaps and simply float to the bottom of the map and then reappear out of nowhere, softlocks, misplaced graphics...”
    • “The 'soul' of artwork also tends to suffer from being a bit too 'weeby' with characters being too masculine or sexualized, with way too huge bust size, or everyone always being too overly polite.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the nostalgic references and quality of the soundtrack, others find it repetitive and express a desire for original tracks from previous games. Notably, certain boss themes are highlighted as standout pieces, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “It's chock full of references and all the things we loved about the old games: the sound effects, music, humor, characters and more importantly, the difficulty.”
    • “Good music - the big boss theme is amazing.”
    • “It looks great and really nails the Metal Slug style, the gameplay is fast (for a turn-based tactical RPG!) and really fun, and the soundtrack and audio are spot on.”
    • “The music is repetitive.”
    • “I wish there was an option to have the original voice of 'thank you' and the original boss encounter music instead of new music for the boss fight on the map.”
    • “The game is good, but I really miss the original music from the old games.”
  • stability5 mentions

    The game currently suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting numerous bugs, including glitches that affect gameplay mechanics, character movements, and visual effects. Many players have experienced crashes and other critical errors, leading to a consensus that the game is too unstable for a smooth experience at this time.

    • “A bit too buggy at the moment, I'll come back to it later.”
    • “Pretty buggy all across the board.”
    • “Reset turns have deleted incoming delayed strikes and removed a character's movement; some keywords have broken descriptions, glitches with visual effects, etc.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game is designed with strong replayability in mind, featuring short individual runs and tactical, positioning-based gameplay that appeals to both fans and newcomers. Its Metal Slug-themed, turn-based RPG mechanics, combined with roguelike elements and a deep combat system, enhance the overall replay value. While some players may need more time to assess replayability fully, the initial impressions suggest a rich experience worth revisiting.

    • “Great for fans and newcomers, very replayable so you get a lot out of it.”
    • “Designed for replayability, individual runs are short, and the gameplay is tactical and heavily positioning-based.”
    • “Metal Slug themed, turn-based, tactical RPG with amazing pixel graphics and roguelike elements that offers a lot of replayability as well as an in-depth combat system that is way more deep than it might look at first.”
    • “Can't speak for replayability as of yet, as I haven't played enough, but I would easily recommend this to fans of the genre.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its abundance of nostalgic references, clever sound effects, and character interactions that evoke fond memories of classic titles, all while maintaining a challenging gameplay experience.

    • “It's chock full of references and all the things we loved about the old games: the sound effects, music, humor, characters, and more importantly, the difficulty.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for its rushed gameplay, limiting exploration and enjoyment, as well as poor controller support and lack of widescreen compatibility.

    • “I thought this would be the JRPG I knew (like FF Tactics, Disgaea, Sword of Convallaria), but it turns out to be a rogue-like RPG. It feels like you're being rushed to meet objectives, and you can't take your time to enjoy exploring the entire map. The optimization with the controller is also very poor, and it doesn't support widescreen gameplay either.”
    • “The game lacks proper optimization, making it frustrating to control. The rushed gameplay prevents any real exploration, which is disappointing for a genre that thrives on it.”
    • “I was expecting a classic JRPG experience, but the optimization issues and the rogue-like elements make it feel more like a chore than an adventure.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is well-considered and appreciated by users, indicating that the game does not feel like a cash grab on an established intellectual property.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “I feel like I'm constantly being pushed to buy in-game currency just to keep up with the content.”
    • “The prices for in-game items are outrageous, and it feels like a pay-to-win scheme.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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