Metal Slug Tactics Reviews
Metal Slug Tactics lives up to its stone-cold classic namesake from SNK’s golden era with its painstakingly detailed pixel art, head-bopping soundtrack, and snappy structure. It magnificently translates the run-n-gun series into its first turn-based tactics game, but doesn’t sacrifice substance for cheap nostalgia, either.
A smart, stylish adaptation that beats the odds to capture Metal Slug's spirit in another genre, with a few irritating bugs
"They've successfully encouraged the always-keep-moving approach of Metal Slug proper."
To quote the Metal Slug series' now-iconic POWs, "Thank you!!"
It's got a hell of a steep learning curve, but once you learn the ropes Metal Slug Tactics is a wonderful tactics game full of nostalgia.
It nails the run-and-gun feel of Metal Slug, and somehow transforms that into a tactics game, and that’s a hell of an accomplishment. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got an itch, and the only salve is another run.
From the moment it was announced Metal Slug Tactics was a winner in our eyes. Marrying the SNK classic with the turn-based tactics genre is a golden idea on paper. Hearing it’s a roguelike in the vein of Into the Breach was the coup de grâce for this game being anything but a banger. And we’re happy to say it lives up to those lofty expectations.
Leikir Studio has successfully reimagined a classic franchise for a new genre, and despite some issues with system clarity, the addictive gameplay loop offers a fun and innovative twist on tactical strategy.
But where this game truly shines is in the excellent strategic elements, even if they are more difficult than I would have liked. MST might not be the return to the Metal Slug series that many fans are hoping for, but it is, nevertheless, a fun and worthy entry into the series ongoing legacy.
Metal Slug Tactics tends to play it safe while simultaneously encouraging players to not play it safe. With few bells and whistles, everything just feels slightly different, rather than a mind-blowing change in gameplay.
There's a decent, tactical experience in Metal Slug Tactics, but the roguelite elements and repetition that stems from that make things feel old too quickly. Messy, confusing UI and infrequent bugs also hinder this title from reaching its true potential.
Metal Slug Tactics takes SNK's iconic 2D side-scrolling run-and-gun shooter and transforms it into a 3D tactical RPG with roguelite elements that work better than expected. The game shows plenty of love for the Metal Slug series, featuring fantastic artwork, fluid animations, and engaging gameplay mechanics.
Leikir Studio combines the fast paced Run & Gun action with tactical turn-based gameplay in Metal Slug Tactics!
Despite any nostalgia factor, Metal Slug Tactics fails to reach its full potential as a tactical game, mainly due to its performance issues and crashes. Being just “more of the same”, the roguelite mechanics even offer more replayability, but with little variation in enemies and missions, it becomes just a simple and forgettable title for the genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
Metal Slug Tactics is an excellent adaptation of the franchise to an entirely new genre. It doesn't play anything like the older Metal Slug games, but in some ways, it still does. It's fast paced, engaging, and frequently funny and clever. The core mechanics are instantly engaging and a genuine delight to experience. Perhaps the only real complaint I can think of is that the roguelike style might not be for everyone, but even that is true to the style of the original arcade games. Both fans of the franchise and those who can't tell a Metal Slug from a Metal Gear will find a lot to like in Tactics.
Players with a longtime love of the Metal Slug franchise must cautiously approach Tactics. I's fun when it's all working correctly, but menus that seem to disobey logic, multiple bugs and more keep this from being the return of a great, misunderstood franchise. If Leikir and Dotemu can make the necessary changes to refine gameplay to a smooth state, then this release can hold fans over until Metal Slug 8 arrives, and even get them more excited for its arrival.
For fans of the franchise who aren’t usually RPG fans, this one is going to be fun. Tactical RPG fans who don’t generally play run-and-gun platformers are going to have fun with it. And if you’re a fan of both? This is a must-buy. It’s a sign of how you can do interesting things in a familiar space with novel implementation.
Metal Slug Tactics doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, it respects the essence of the original, keeping the spirit of Metal Slug alive while bringing a new perspective to the series' universe. It's a perfect combination of nostalgia and innovation, creating an experience that promises to please the fans and win over a new generation of players.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
This strategy title offers some neat-yet-short challenges, a replayable roguelike structure that lets you mix and match new units as well as tons of unlocks and Metal Slug backstory lore to uncover, as well as features a slew of new mechanics that other future strategy titles should borrow from. [...] Metal Slug Tactics is a strange entry in the series, but a fresh and welcoming one indeed.