Metal Slug Tactics Review

The iconic Peregrine Falcons are back once again and while the mission remains the same, the big difference is how Metal Slug Tactics approaches this task from a completely new perspective for the series. A turn based tactical RPG complete with rogue-lite elements infused with the essence of the run and gun franchise.

The success of Metal Slug Tactics is hinged upon three different things. How well does it honor the legacy of Metal Slug? How good of a tactics game is it? And how good of a roguelite is it? The good news is that the game does two of these very well and one adequately, which ultimately makes Metal Slug Tactics a successful mission.

METAL SLUG

First and foremost this is a Metal Slug game. Metal Slug Tactics is filled with a plethora of quintessential audio and a video nostalgia. The sprites are gorgeous, and the effects sounds better than ever. The Peregrine Falcons have been successfully transplanted from 2D side scrolling run and gun to a grid style turn based tactics inspired by Into The Breach with extremely satisfying results.

Metal Slug Tactics has been crafted with the core elements of the series in mind. “Run and Gun” is in the DNA of Metal Slug and movement plays an integral role. The more you move around the battlefield, the more you are rewarded. It’s plenty of little things like this that show how it was paramount it was to honour tradition of the series and not just try to move the IP to a different genre. The essence of Metal Slug is littered everywhere from familiar locations, or rescuing POW’s, and even becoming mummified in a wink to Metal Slug 2.

You start with the most familiar members of the Peregrine Falcons including leader Marco and the other two starters are Sparrow Squad members Eri and Fio from Metal Slug 2. Shortly after that Metal Slug Tactics goes for some deeper cuts of the series down to Neo-Geo handheld releases and even into SNK classics including Ralf and Clark from Ikari Warriors.

The mission is to make your way to Sirocco City, one of the four regions of the game and stop General Morden. Before facing General Morden, you must traverse across the three other regions which are familiar deserts, tombs and jungles that all culminate with a boss fight ripped from the classics every three missions. You could choose to go straight to Sirocco City after clearing the first region, but you will likely be weaker without many upgrades. However, trying to find more upgrades in other regions comes with its own set of risks.

TACTICS

You learn quickly that this wasn’t a shallow attempt to prey on iconic nostalgia. Metal Slug Tactics covered the basics of the turn based genre with movement range, action points, and turn order of enemies. It also incorporates deeper mechanics including elevations, multiple weapons, passive abilities, super abilities and the sync system with your squad, which quickly becomes integral for victory.

One of the best systems in Metal Slug Tactics is actually one that is paying tribute to the origins of the series as a Run and Gun. The more you move, the more adrenaline you build up, which allows you to use your adrenaline points for game changing actions such as calling in an airstrike.

There is emphasis put on squad dynamics as all of the eventual nine characters that you can decide to bring into battle have different starting weapons, unique passives and special abilities. This makes deciding which 3 to bring a difficult choice, but offers an each player to eventually tailor Metal Slug Tactics to their style.

ROGUELITE

The inclusion of rogue-lite elements is where things feel dislocated. In our eyes what separates a good rogue from the crowd is the ability to constantly drip feed the player upgrades, tease the next unlocks, which incentivizes return play thus creating an addicting loop.

After each mission or full run, you aren’t rewarded very well for your efforts. Not having that one new item, ability or equipment to go back into battle removes the addictive nature that the best in the genre are known for.

Metal Slug Tactics has very slow progression, which can feel like a grind initially with minimal rewards, but you can see hints of a good rogue-lite when you finally get the ability to pick your squad, decide which location, what mission type, which abilities and so on, but it takes a while to get there

FRIENDLY FIRE

Most of the issues with Metal Slug Tactics revolve around the failures in the roguelite department and how it lacks that one more run mentality. Then there are some gameplay and technical issues that arose as well. Metal Slug Tactics would take a noticeable dip in performance during the boss levels, especially during the transition between the player and the enemy phase. I played on PS5, which does raise some concern for Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.

Metal Slug Tactics has a lot of information to relay to the player, and unfortunately the UI was very busy and hard to navigate at times, especially during preparations all the weapons, mods, abilities, and characters.

There were also some gameplay issues that would have made for a more enjoyable experience. The most obvious is that there wasn’t enough use of Metal Slugs. They are extremely fun to use and have their limitations, but it would have been great to be able to use them more often.

VERDICT

Metal Slug Tactics is trying to be a lot of different things and where it stumbles is lacking in the addictive and engaging nature of the rogue-lite genre, which is ironic because Metal Slug began as an addictive quarter munching arcade cabinet.

I honestly think that a lot of the issues with Metal Slug Tactics could have been alleviated through an early access period and eventually release onto consoles and 1.0 at the same time with an ultra addicting, super polished turn based tactics game.

Although Metal Slug Tactics might fall short infusing rogue-lite elements in the series, it’s nonetheless a triumphant return for the Peregrine Falcons when looking at the complete offering, which ultimately makes Metal Slug Tactics one of the best original entries the franchise has seen in years and maybe decades. If you’re a fan of the tactics genre or a Metal Slug there is a lot to love about Metal Slug Tactics.

METAL SLUG TACTICS SCORE

8/10

Reviewed by Darren Andrew