Metal Slug Tactics Reviews
The side-scrolling shooter transforms from brainless barnstorming to thoughtful grenade tossing in a work of turn-based tactics - but its arcade soul remains intact.
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
These issues aren’t small, and I find it difficult to wholeheartedly recommend a game that only ‘gets good after X hours’. At the same time, with over 20 hours and counting, Metal Slug Tactics makes me want to get back to it, play a quick run, and try to unlock everything that’s here to unlock. This is far from the revival I was expecting for the series — and I’d still love a classic 2D entry — but if it catches the attention of new generations, I’m here for it.
"They've successfully encouraged the always-keep-moving approach of Metal Slug proper."
Metal Slug is a great fit as a turned-based strategy game, but overly luck-dependent roguelike elements and some outdated ideas for how to define enemies slow its march to war.
To quote the Metal Slug series' now-iconic POWs, "Thank you!!"
There is a good game here, sometimes a great one. Excellent art and animation, smart gameplay twists, and a genuinely refreshing pace really add some exciting new depth to the tactics genre and are huge positives. But it takes a while for the experience to smooth out and actually become enjoyable, and restrictive gameplay design choices don't do it any favours, either. Metal Slug Tactics is one for the tactics fans looking for a fresh take, but just know you'll have to put in some work to see the best parts of it.
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.
I love what Dotemu and Leikir Studios have achieved with Metal Slug Tactics. The unlikeliest pivot for a franchise aside, it mixes interesting tactical action, Roguelike progression and brilliant visuals into an indie title that nails the balance between nostalgia and modernity.
Metal Slug Tactics is a very successful transposition of SNK's historic run-and-gun. It is familiar and nostalgic and offers a good challenge despite its short experience.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A very clever spin-off that subverts your expectations about Tactics games by replicating the gameplay and visuals of Metal Slug through the medium of a fast-paced and surprisingly innovative strategy game.
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.
While its roguelike elements could be a little more exciting, the minute-to-minute gameplay of a run is so fun that I found it easy to overlook this flaw as I leaped back into action to drop more bombs with a well-placed Synchronization. Overall, Metal Slug Tactics is well worth playing.
Dotemu keeps delivering great re-imagining of classic games, and this time in a completely new genre. It's almost surprising how good Metal Slug is in its turn-tactic version, and I'm just glad there's a lot of strategic depth, with the icing of a bit of nostalgia effect. I'd wish for a few more boss fights, but the ones that are there are very good.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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 is a fun tactical take on the classic Metal Slug run-and-gun philosophy while emulating the look of the franchise. It certainly puts its own spin on the genre, encouraging players to move their characters as far as possible to take advantage of the ensuing buffs and bonuses. At the same time, game-breaking bugs can dampen the experience, especially when combined with its roguelite mechanics. It’s a shame as Metal Slug Tactics can be quite fun when things are clicking.
Leikir Studio's work offers us a good combination between the classic elements of Metal Slug and the strategic approach of a tactical RPG. Two contrasting ideas merge in a way that seemed impossible, and the end result is fun. However, the game's performance is terrible. It's a bad joke to have to wait after doing something as simple as moving a unit. While it is true that Metal Slug Tactics is a good game, it is likely that many will not see it that way after witnessing its terrible performance, and will pass up what could very well have been one of the most fun games of the year.
Review in Spanish | Read full review