Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One
Genre: Strategy, 90s SNK run-and-gun

In all Metal Slug games (the good 2D ones at least), movement and momentum are paramount to staying alive. The past 2D titles had you running and jumping avoiding enemy fire while retaliating with your own using pistols and heavy machine guns, or the classic “Raw-cat lawncher!”

Metal Slug Tactics, the 2D pixel isometric turn-based strategy entry that’s a first for the series, keeps that mechanic in mind. You see, when you’re moving your three-person army as far as they’re allowed in a turn, they take less damage in the subsequent enemy round when attacked. As much fun as it is to camp at one spot, the game is built in a way where you’ll be overwhelmed at one spot and have no choice but to reposition yourself. If you find cover further on, all the better as it adds to your life and defense when you’re on the receiving end. Otherwise, Metal Slug Tactics’ gameplay is pretty familiar: you have your basic attacks, your limited special attacks, and passives that activate and buff you or your three-person squad up.

Machine Learning

What sets this strategy game apart is its roguelike structure and replayability. As soldier Marco with his loyal pals Fio, Eri, and Tarma, you have a slew of territories to reclaim from series villain General Morden and his rebel army. You go to one territory, complete up to three missions that lasts no longer than 20 minutes (from killing all targets to protecting your target so that they reach the finish line), and then fight the big boss. You do this until you unlock the main city territory on the right, where the final showdown against General Morden happens. If your team wipes or you fail the current objective, you have to start all over again.

Fortunately, a good number of unlocks and upgrades are permanent, making your subsequent runs a bit more advantageous than the last. And if you meet certain conditions by just playing the game multiple times, you can unlock new characters like the Metal Slug 4 characters and the Ikari Warriors of The King of Fighters fame (Ralf, Clark, Leona). You’ll definitely need all the help you can get as Metal Slug Tactics is pretty challenging even on the regular difficulty. Of course, the game begs you to replay it especially in higher levels so that you can get better rewards, or just experiment with your best team setup. And they’re all very useful, from Eri the grenade and explosions/bonus movement queen to Leona’s afterimage tricks to distract opponents while she goes in for the kill. It’s a lot of work to unlock them, but I love playing as the Ikari Warriors as they have a mix of defense, up-close offense, and hit-and-run guerilla tactics that’ll make the Marco/Eri/Fio default team proud.

Will It Tank?

Leikir Studio’s interpretation of a Metal Slug game is interesting to say the least. The turn-based strategy gameplay is kept simple but replayable and fun, not being bogged down by too many mechanics: just survive with your three-person squad, or kill everything in sight (or just the big boss). At the same time, the game could use more levels, especially the weird outerworldly stages from Metal Slug 3 onward.

Still, you have to give credit to Dotemu and SNK for trusting these devs in putting a new spin in the Metal Slug series, as slow-paced as it can get (in regular Metal Slug action terms). 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. It’s arguably one of the more fast-paced strategy titles I’ve experienced in quite a while, which is a selling point for someone who isn’t as patient with the genre like other strategy buffs. The fast-forward button for speeding up turns at will also helps immensely with the speedy guerilla nature of this digital skirmish. Metal Slug Tactics is a strange entry in the series, but a fresh and welcoming one indeed.

Final Score: 70/100

Review copy provided by publisher.