Metal Slug Tactics Reviews
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
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 is refreshing, leaning into its roots as a charming 90s arcade title while reinventing itself as a tactical RPG. You needn't be a Metal Slug fan to enjoy the amount of depth here – it's a treat of highly engaging gameplay and a must-listen of a soundtrack. I want more from Leikir Studio and sincerely hope they make the UI more user-friendly to ease the learning process.
Though it's not without some technical issues and frustratingly inaccessible small font in menus you have to squint at, Metal Slug Tactics is a blast of a rogue-lite adventure. It's a quality return to a long-running franchise and one that has translated its difficulty and style well by offering enticing risk vs reward mechanics at every turn and striking pixel art and visual flourishes to boot. With plenty of experimentation in character abilities and what feels like endless upgrades and unlocks to chase, it's a rogue-lite venture that is only complimented by the more hours you put into it. You get your money's worth here. SNK and Leikir Studio have successfully completed their mission of making Metal Slug exciting and relevant once more. Job well done.
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!
As a roguelike tactics game, Metal Slug Tactics delivers a solid overall experience, capturing much of what fans loved about the original series while introducing a fresh framework. However, a lack of player guidance, some awkward UI choices hold it back from reaching its full potential, leaving the experience feeling less polished than it could be.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
Metal Slug Tactics is a very fast and very nostalgic take on the turn-based tactics subgenre, with the roguelike element to turn the tables when the going gets repetitive. It's a love letter to one of the most beloved SNK franchises, but as a tactical game is just above average.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Still, just like the Metal Slug franchise in general, Tactics is ultimately stacked with a silly joy that's hard to deny. Getting to see fan favourites together again will give long-term fans plenty of reason to pick this up, and fans of difficult tactical titles will have enough to get their teeth stuck into. Some things may work better than others, but there's always room for a good strategy game, and Metal Slug Tactics is easily up there with the best in recent memory.
Regretfully, the lack of an emotional connection to anything and the roguelike and mobile game-inspired gameplay undermines Metal Slug Tactics‘ strongest features.
Metal Slug Tactics presents itself as a Metal Slug game first by keeping core soundtrack and atmosphere, but above all that it is also an essential tactics RPG that should be on the list of every tactics games fan
Review in Arabic | Read full review
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.
Metal Slug Tactics is a bold, addictive strategy game that lives up to the main entries in the series. It’s highly recommended for both Metal Slug fans and strategy enthusiasts, offering a challenging yet rewarding blend of genres for all players.
Review in Spanish | Read full review