METAL SLUG XX

About

METAL SLUG XX is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by SNK CORPORATION and was released on January 31, 2019. It received neutral reviews from players.

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.

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53%

Audience ScoreBased on 237 reviews

story5 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game retains the classic Metal Slug gameplay, providing an action-packed experience with familiar mechanics.
The addition of new characters with unique abilities adds variety to the gameplay.
The Combat School mode offers extra challenges and replayability for players looking to improve their skills.

The port suffers from significant technical issues, including input lag, crashes, and poor control mapping, making it frustrating to play.
The graphics and level design are considered bland and uninspired compared to earlier entries in the series.
There is a lack of online multiplayer and limited options for adjusting display settings, which detracts from the overall experience.

story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
82%
7%
The game's story is largely criticized for being weak and uninspired, lacking the engaging narratives found in earlier Metal Slug titles. Players note that there is minimal plot development, with missions feeling disconnected and lacking a cohesive storyline, ultimately rendering the experience devoid of meaningful context. While some appreciate the gameplay mechanics and character design, the overall narrative fails to leave a lasting impression.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
76%
10%
The gameplay of the latest Metal Slug entry is described as a mix of nostalgia and frustration, with some players enjoying the classic mechanics and fun up to a certain point, while others criticize it for lacking innovation and fluidity, particularly due to overwhelming enemy fire. Although it performs well technically, with minimal slow-down, many feel it doesn't reach the heights of earlier titles in the series, and the absence of the franchise's signature humor is noted. Overall, while there are some new gameplay options and improvements, the experience remains largely familiar and may not appeal to 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.”
- “Good gameplay, good controls, and good visuals.”
- “The gameplay design is average compared to the other Metal Slug games.”
- “Most common enemies are foot soldiers that appear so frequently that dodging bullets becomes impossible for a casual gamer, resulting in a lack of fluidity in gameplay.”
- “This game doesn't even attempt to reach the standards 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
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
60%
15%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the ability to modify visuals and the overall performance, while others criticize the inconsistent art styles and poor rendering quality. Many players express disappointment in the lack of the series' signature pixel art, noting that the graphics feel outdated and poorly executed compared to previous titles. Overall, the game struggles with graphical options and controller support, leading to a less satisfying visual experience.
- “The game has a mix of different art styles within the game.”
- “• graphics: 9/10”
- “Good gameplay, good controls, and good visuals.”
- “All in all, this game is a poor sequel with a boring aesthetic. You want something fun while gunning down enemies?”
- “It has bad controller support, input lag, a 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
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
15%
23%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising it as one of the best in the series and highlighting its great soundtrack, while others find it forgettable or plagued by technical issues like stuttering. Overall, it seems to be a strong point for some players, but not universally appreciated.
- “The only positives I can say about the game is that the gameplay up until mission 5 is fun, and that the music is some of the best in the series.”
- “Music: 9/10”
- “Beautiful game and great soundtrack; it's very good if you want more Metal Slug.”
- “The music was okay.”
- “Stuttering music (probably a 144Hz problem).”
- “The music is meh and forgettable.”
optimization
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor frame rates, particularly in co-op mode. While some users appreciate the graphics and nostalgic elements, they criticize the lack of control options and the cumbersome setup process for keyboard configurations. Overall, the game is seen as poorly optimized, with a need for further improvements to enhance the gameplay experience.
- “Overall great, very nostalgic, but there is an issue if you play co-op; the game is a bit laggy and needs optimization.”
- “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.”
- “One could think 'oh all those reviews are old' and some even mention that, however, maybe performance got fixed and features added but...it's far from perfect: first you must set up controls in the tiny launcher that appears, then you still have to go to in-game key binding to change this ridiculous combination that activates special action to something else...like unmapped Y button (in game's mind, you set up keyboard key for Y earlier...).”
- “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 has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it unfunny and lacking the charm of previous installments, particularly in character selection and overall comedic elements. While there are moments of humor, such as the comical portrayal of enemy deaths, many feel that the signature wit that defined the franchise has diminished. Overall, the humor seems to be a point of contention, with some appreciating its style while others find it lacking.
- “Considering there's almost no power whatsoever, it's funny they actually had a power tracker in the main menu.”
- “The game also has its style of humor that makes even the deaths of enemies a little comical.”
- “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
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game is highly regarded for its replayability, with users rating it a perfect 10/10 and expressing enjoyment in revisiting it, especially in comparison to previous versions. While the single-player experience is solid, the addition of online co-op could enhance its replay value further. Overall, it offers classic fun and is best enjoyed when on sale.
- “Replay value: 10/10”
- “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.”
- “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 reviewers feeling it lacks originality and should have been offered as a mere expansion rather than a standalone title.
- “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 immersive atmosphere.”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly captivating, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and sound design.”
- “Every detail contributes to a rich atmosphere that makes you feel like you're truly part of the environment.”
- “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.”