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Leikir Studio has managed to turn SNK's classic arcade into a highly addictive turn-based game.
It was the jewel of the nineties arcades and has left its mark on a whole generation of players. So, when it was announced that SNK's famous run and gun saga was going to move into tactical strategy, many of us had a hard time assimilating it... but we were also eager to try it. Now, after having squeezed it out, we have to say that Metal Slug Tactics has not been a bad idea at all, and in fact in many aspects it has managed to connect us with the classic spirit of the license. The first thing you have to know about this tactical turn-based game is that it has a very important roguelike base, without which you cannot understand its essence of gameplay. Just like when you went to the arcades and inserted a coin to see how far you got, here each game is an attempt to go further and further and obtain the greatest number of rewards. Each time you play, your units get better, they have better attributes, new skills and, ultimately, you have more chances of success. This causes a huge addiction, more than we expected. We are not going to ignore that it can be a bit hard at first, especially after years of associating Metal Slug with the most overflowing 2D action. However, once you get in tune with the concept, the truth is that it is very stimulating. The game is made up of several territories with several missions each, and once you overcome them you face huge final bosses that are of course based on those you could enjoy in the arcades.
The tactical strategy in Metal Slug Tactics is very precise and you have to move units wisely. The progression is based on experience levels that give you access to more attributes, but also on the purchase of upgrades that enhance both active and passive skills (so many that they can overwhelm you). As a good roguelike, it takes a lot of time to get the hang of it all, and even if you've seen most of the levels in a few hours, it will take you around 20-30 hours to get all the characters, weapons and unlockables that the game contains. That's why you should know very well what you're getting into before playing it, because it doesn't have the typical structure of Final Fantasy Tactics, Fire Emblem or Triangle Strategy. This is very different... and risky. More than anything because it's easy for the player to end up tired of repeating missions, always going through the same scenarios without a traditional progression. Each "run" is designed to last about an hour, with a limited possibility of reviving your units and an increasing difficulty that means that sooner or later you'll bite the dust. In the end, you're rewarded with coins based on your performance, and only then can you access new equipment that will make your next "run" go a little further.
There is a certain freedom to choose between missions within each territory, each with its own rewards. Metal Slug Tactics takes the roguelike essence of a strategy and tactics game to its ultimate consequences. That is commendable, and in a certain sense it fits with the arcade spirit of the license. But it is also a double-edged sword. Still, in our case it has gone very well, because we have been hooked to the max, and we believe that a good part of the blame lies with its magnificent design. Each mission is like a small chess game in which the units have to move with great precision. Even on the "recruit" difficulty, a false move can lead to total defeat. The types of missions are not very varied or very innovative, but they do their job. There is the typical one to kill all the enemies, but also others to escort a unit to the extraction point, finish off a convoy before it leaves the map or resist enemy fire for a certain number of turns. Each mission provides specific rewards, and one very positive thing is that you have a certain freedom to choose between several missions in each of the territories you visit.
The bosses are huge and pose a bigger challenge than the other missions. But the best thing is undoubtedly how the Metal Slug essence is transferred to the tactical board. Each unit has a different range, and there are some that focus more on melee attacks (with a clean machete), on short or long-distance weapons (shotguns or even laser rifles)... or also on explosives, with a wider range and capable of hitting several enemies at the same time. Then each unit has its own specific abilities, such as firing a burst of shots or calling in an aerial bombardment. Studying the order in which we position each unit is essential, because each square gives us a different amount of adrenaline (to execute abilities), as well as the opportunity to use cover to protect ourselves from enemy fire. Likewise, if our units are correctly positioned, they will be able to carry out synchronized attacks and increase attack efficiency, something that we already told you is essential to succeed. Because of this, each movement is like a small mathematical exercise that cannot be done at random.
Progression is key, with experience and new skills. In other words, it's not a game for the impatient, because you have to think about what to do at any given moment, always considering the type of threats we have in front of us, and of course taking advantage of the tanks and armor that appear in the original games. Do you remember the iconic SV-001? Well, it's here for our units to use and enjoy, and we can already tell you that it makes a difference in certain situations. Also the Slugnoid, a mechanical suit that sows chaos among the enemies without us fearing for our physical integrity. They appear only at certain times, but enough to provide variety. As you can see, there is a lot of depth, which is especially appreciated in the final bosses. They are huge, just like in the arcade games, and they pose a brilliant challenge at the end of each of the routes. You will have several enemy units around you, so here the challenge is to take advantage of your turns to concentrate fire on the boss while protecting yourself from other units, or simply avoid coming into contact with them so as not to waste time. It's easier said than done, as we've already told you. However, in general they are very satisfying and especially challenging situations.
Repeating missions over and over again can be a double-edged sword, although the roguelike idea is not badly resolved. Everything else is what you can see in the images, pixel-art graphics that respect 100% the original designs of previous Metal Slug installments. The audiovisual finish is magnificent, with themes also rescued from the classics... and even the mythical voice at the beginning and end of the mission. The only thing missing is a better presentation, with more elaborate menus, because it gives a bit of the feeling that you are playing a demo version rather than a final game. That, and that there may not be as much content as would have been desirable. There is a lack of more missions, variety and territories, but that doesn't mean we are faced with a bad video game, but quite the opposite. In fact, it may be surprising how well this curious strategic-tactical experiment with roguelike elements has turned out. The gameplay is solid, the unit possibilities are deep, and the way it translates run-and-gun action to a new genre is talented. So if you're a die-hard Metal Slug fan and you connect with the style of gameplay that's been conceived, you might find yourself hooked like us.
The game was played on my PS4
I got the images from the console using the game and the cover photo I got from Google
The (thanks for reading) and (credit) signs were created on the blog gif page
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