One thing to note is that Metal Slug Tactices is actually a roguelike and goes screen by screen. In this way it can be seen as a turn based tactics version of a game like Hades, where you select characters from the Pegrine Falcons and take on various missions in isometric grids one by one until you are full control of an area of the map. These missions have a lot of variety both in terms of what to do, as well as enemy variety, bosses, and creative environment design.
What else is interesting is the gameplay, which mixes traditional turn based tactics elements with fast paced elements taken from the run n gun games. You are able to move and perform an action each turn, whether it be shots with a gun, using your special weapon, or one of your Adrenaline Abilities that you gain between missions when you level up your characters. These abilities can be both support based abilities but can also cause situational damage when sued right.
Where the run ‘ n gun elements come in is your adrenaline points that you will use to earn your Adrenaline Abilities. These points are gained by moving and you will gain more depending on how much you move. Moving will also give you armour that will let you take more hits, and so the game encourages a fast paced and aggressive gameplay approach, which is a neat take on the genre. There is also the Sync Shots mechanic, where if two characters have direct line of sight on a target when one attacks it, then your other character will use a follow-up attack for a free hit, and this mechanic will change how you approach the encounters.
The issue arises in that the game is a bit unbalanced in this regard and there are times where it falls under the weight of its mechanics. For instance, if you use an action before you move, then you will not be able to move and that ends up working against the flow the game pushes, even when it does not seem to be the best move to make. It feels odd to have a game designed around movement and not letting you attack without moving first, and it does take a long time to get used to.
In fact, it is not inaccurate to say the initial hours of the game will be brutal due your characters being underpowered. This is normal in a rougelike game, which will have you dying and repeating over and over again, but the fact that this is a tactical strategy game means the game will move slowly compared to many roguelikes. Metal Slug Tactics cannot be approached the way you would a typical tactical strategy game or a roguelike, or you will get frustrated. You need to approach it as both and acknowledge it will take a different strategy, no pun intended, to make sense of what to do.
Once you start unlocking abilities and more powerful weapons, get the hang of how the game works, however, then Metal Slug Tactics becomes a lot more enjoyable. The tutorial does not do the best job explaining things, but the repetitive nature of a roguelike does lend itself well to learning things on your own and finding new tricks. the more you play, the more used to the game you become, and you will start having a lot of fun. But all that being said, there is one major flaw that holds Metal Slug Tactics back.
The text and UI size in the game, tutorial, menus and overall is incredibly small. Often I was straining to see what was said in the text, and when in handheld mode on Nintendo Switch I could not read the text at times. This made me incredibly frustrated and made me rage quit a couple of times.
There are some very good points to Metal Slug Tactics though, and that includes the beautiful visuals that feel like a perfected evolution of the classic games. The soundtrack is also amazing, with Tee Lopes providing some amazing work, and the sound effects being top notch. If not for the text issues, I would say Metal Slug Tactics nails the presentation aspect.
Overall, I did enjoy my time with Metal Slug Tactics, but there are issues that need to be addressed such as the text size. As stated, this is a game that needs a certain approach when you play it, but once you have it, you will have a fun time. I think this is one Metal Slug fans will enjoy, but keep in mind how much of a blend of genres the gameplay actually is.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
