METAL SLUG XX

About

Metal Slug XX is a classic 2D run-and-gun action shooting game now available on Steam with upscaled graphics and 4k resolution support. The game features 7 missions, hidden routes, and unlockable bonuses, as well as the addition of Leona Heidern as a playable character. With over 70 mini-games and the return of the fan-favorite "Combat School," Metal Slug XX offers intense action and replayability.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

54%

Audience ScoreBased on 276 reviews

story7 positive mentions

optimization4 negative mentions

Classic Metal Slug gameplay with familiar mechanics and characters, providing nostalgic fun for fans of the series.
The addition of unique character abilities and the Combat School mode adds variety and replayability to the game.
The game runs well on various systems, and many players have enjoyed the experience when using a controller.

The port suffers from significant technical issues, including crashes, input lag, and poor keyboard control options, making it frustrating to play.
The level design is often criticized for being bland and repetitive, lacking the creativity and charm of earlier entries in the series.
There is no online multiplayer support, which limits the co-op experience that many players expect from a Metal Slug game.

story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
78%
7%
The story in this game has been widely criticized for being weak and uninspired, lacking the engaging narrative elements found in earlier titles of the series. Many players noted that the plot feels disjointed and simplistic, often reduced to a basic conflict without meaningful character development or memorable themes. Overall, the game is perceived as having little to no substantial story, with some missions feeling like repetitive chores rather than a cohesive narrative experience.
- “At least in Metal Slug 3, there was some kind of driven story where the characters work together to try and stop something that appears out of nowhere.”
- “There's no story, yet again for the game.”
- “The 'story' of Metal Slug games has never been super important to me, but the 'narrative' of this title just seems weak and uninspired compared to earlier titles.”
- “The story, such as it is, seems to be a simple attack on the rebellion army who have somehow mastered strange portal technology, without anything as fun as the Mars people ever making an appearance.”
gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
71%
11%
The gameplay of the latest Metal Slug title retains the classic frantic action fans expect, enhanced by some improvements from Metal Slug 6, though it suffers from issues like repetitive stage design and overwhelming enemy fire that can detract from the experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic mechanics and new features like mission modes, others criticize the lack of innovation compared to earlier entries and report technical problems such as crashes and performance issues. Overall, the gameplay is a mixed bag, appealing primarily to series veterans while potentially alienating newcomers.
- “The gameplay does not suffer from slow-down (it may actually be the best performing Metal Slug game on Steam in this regard) and the menus and UI were fine.”
- “So to wrap things up, XX is a fine entry in the Metal Slug series from a visual, sound, and gameplay perspective.”
- “As expected of the Metal Slug series, there's the same classic frantic gameplay we love, and as a fighting game player, it was a blast playing with the Ikari team, especially Leona, moonslashing everything on my path.”
- “The gameplay design is average compared to the other Metal Slug games.”
- “Most common enemies are foot soldiers that appear a lot, to the point that bullets were flying everywhere, making it impossible to dodge them. This results in a lack of fluidity in gameplay.”
- “This game doesn't even attempt to reach the bars set by any of the previous titles; mechanically, it can't compete with Metal Slug 6. Honestly, even Metal Slug 1 or 2 had more content than this!”
graphics
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
56%
12%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the ability to modify visuals and the overall improvement over previous titles, while others criticize the inconsistent art styles and lack of proper rendering. Many users express disappointment with the game's aesthetic, feeling it strays from the beloved pixel art style of the series. Overall, while there are commendable aspects, such as good performance and visual options, significant issues with graphical fidelity and control options detract from the experience.
- “The graphics are greatly improved over MS6, the music is epic as always, and you still get a lot of amazing action, enemies, bosses, and vehicles like you would expect from any Metal Slug game.”
- “Good gameplay, good controls, and good visuals.”
- “A lot of graphics options.”
- “Another problem that I had with the game is that when you play, the art styles are very different.”
- “It has bad controller support, input lag, bad UI, and one of the worst graphics I've seen in a Metal Slug game.”
- “Not gonna lie, when I saw its trailer on Steam, I knew I would be disappointed with its DS graphics, since they just plopped it in for PC support.”
music
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising it as "epic" and a highlight of the experience, while others find it forgettable compared to earlier entries. Technical issues, such as stuttering and lag in certain menus, have also been noted, but overall, the soundtrack is considered enjoyable and fitting for the game's action.
- “The graphics are greatly improved over MS6, the music is epic as always, and you still get a lot of amazing action, enemies, bosses, and vehicles like you would expect from any MS game.”
- “It is an okay game though, thanks to the various environments, many characters, and great soundtrack.”
- “Beautiful game and great soundtrack; it's very good if you want more Metal Slug.”
- “The music is meh and forgettable.”
- “The OST is not on the same level as earlier entries, but in fairness, not many games are.”
- “Then it ran alright, except when going to the options and ranking menu, where the music became laggy; it was as if there were too many things on the menu and the music had to be cut in half.”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
46%
31%
Overall, the game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting severe frame rate drops, stuttering, and crashes across various hardware setups, including high-end GPUs like the 2080 Ti and GTX 980 Ti. While some users note improvements in performance compared to previous versions, many still experience significant lag, especially in co-op mode, and find the control setup cumbersome. Despite its nostalgic appeal and decent graphics, the lack of customizable options and persistent performance issues detract from the overall experience.
- “Performance is far better, and no issues opening the game.”
- “Putting aside that players cannot play this game with a keyboard, this game is the best optimized and best looking Metal Slug game on PC.”
- “On top of that, it's much more optimized than Metal Slug X.”
- “The game's FPS is a joke, jerky and unoptimized.”
- “And after that, a variety of issues welcome you; from numerous crashes to desktop, to severe FPS issues and massive stuttering upon starting gameplay.”
- “That's fine and all, but the game itself is poorly optimized and runs slowly, and once I paused the game only to find when I returned the FPS dropped to slideshow levels and only until 5 minutes later it returned to normal speed.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent and often falls flat, with some players finding the comical elements of enemy deaths amusing while others feel it lacks genuine wit. Critics note that the humor seems to be diminished compared to previous installments in the franchise, particularly in character selection and overall design. Overall, while there are attempts at humor, they do not resonate well with all players, leading to mixed reactions.
- “The game also has its style of humor that makes even the deaths of enemies a little comical.”
- “- considering there's almost no power whatsoever, it's funny they actually had a power tracker in the main menu.”
- “Otherwise it's the same classic Metal Slug gameplay that's defined the franchise for 20+ years, although some of the signature humor that made it so popular seems to be missing.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
Overall, the game is highly praised for its replayability, with multiple users rating it a perfect 10/10. Players enjoy the classic Metal Slug experience and find it easily replayable, although some suggest that adding online co-op could enhance the experience further. While the Steam version is considered a significant upgrade, some users recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing.
- “Overall it is very replayable and enjoyable. Before this, I had to force myself to play it through a PSP emulator, but I have to say the Steam version is a total upgrade.”
- “And, these other Metal Slug games are actually fun and easily replayable whenever.”
- “Classic Metal Slug fun with a ton of replayability.”
- “Good single player experience, but online co-op would add more replay value to this experience.”
- “I will continue playing this on the weekends to see if its replayability is like MS3 and MSX.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, often feeling forced to repeat stages and battles to progress, particularly when starting with basic weapons like the default pistol. This can lead to frustration, especially for those looking to enjoy the game casually with friends.
- “I just want to run through the game with my friend once or twice, and I found myself in many tedious situations when an enemy or boss takes forever to kill because all I have is the default pistol.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You get better by grinding and repeating the stages over and over again.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have numerous visual glitches and bugs, which can hinder the overall experience. While some issues have been patched, players still encounter stability problems, though the game can be enjoyable once it is properly set up and functioning.
- “There are tons of little visual glitches with sprites that I heard were patched but still happen.”
- “Unfortunately, the game is buggy, but it's fun once you get it up and running and working with your controller.”
- “The game is quite buggy.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a lazy cash grab, with many reviewers feeling it lacks originality and should have been offered as a weak expansion instead.
- “Very lazy cash grab.”
- “This game is a total cash grab, nothing new at all.”
- “It should've been an expansion instead, and even then I would've considered it a very weak and uninspired cash grab.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Reviewers express a desire for enhanced visual elements, such as shadow effects reminiscent of Metal Slug 6, to create a more vibrant and immersive atmosphere in the game.
- “I wish there were more visuals like the shadow effects in Metal Slug 6 to enhance the living atmosphere.”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the world.”
- “Every detail contributes to a rich atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you engaged.”
- “I wish there were more visuals like the shadow effects in Metal Slug 6 to bring back a more vibrant atmosphere.”
- “The game feels lifeless and lacks the immersive atmosphere that I was hoping for.”
- “The environments are bland and fail to create any sense of tension or excitement.”