Game Information

Game Title: Metal Slug Tactics

Platforms:

• Xbox Series X/S (Nov 5, 2024)
• PlayStation 5 (Nov 5, 2024)
• Nintendo Switch (Nov 5, 2024)
• PC (Nov 5, 2024)
• Xbox One (Nov 5, 2024)
• PlayStation 4 (Nov 5, 2024)

Trailers:

• Metal Slug Tactics - Release Date Trailer
• Metal Slug Tactics - Reveal trailer

Developer: Leikir Studio

Publishers: Dotemu, Gamera Games

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 79 average - 63% recommended - 16 reviews

Critic Reviews

Analog Stick Gaming - Jeff M Young - 8 / 10

Metal Slug Tactics is gorgeous, it may have some entry-level appeal in how its tactics are concerned, but the fundamentals are solid and the gameplay is remarkably satisfying. With a ton of mods, weapons, and characters to unlock, I look forward to what additional runs may offer for my enjoyment of the game going forward. While I do wish there were more areas to break up the level variety, Metal Slug Tactics is nonetheless a joyous experience that is good to the last round.

CGMagazine - Jordan Biordi - 9 / 10

Leikir Studio combines the fast paced Run & Gun action with tactical turn-based gameplay in Metal Slug Tactics!

COGconnected - Jaz Sagoo - 70 / 100

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Cerealkillerz - Nick Erlenhof - German - 7.5 / 10

Metal Slug Tactics is just as visually and design-wise charming as the other offshoots, but this time it takes you into a very sophisticated tactical system with roguelike elements. Unfortunately, some of the gameplay is a little too forced and detracts from the fun, and it's not easy either, but the motivation to keep unlocking new things and completing just this one map will keep you hooked.

Console Creatures - Matt Sowinski - 8 / 10

Metal Slug Tactics is a solid tactical strategy roguelite that does a lot right. The battles are mainly fun, with characters that all feel different and a gorgeous art style. It adapts the roguelite elements well, making each run feel different depending on the characters, weapon loadouts, encounters, and areas that players move through. While not every encounter is as fun as the next, it takes the Metal Slug series in a fun new direction.

Console-Tribe - Simone Cantini - Italian - 65 / 100

Transforming a pure action brand like the classic SNK Playmore games into a strategic title was a challenging task with Metal Slug Tactics, and Leikir Studio partially missed the mark. The strategic experience, which replicates the run-and-gun tones of the main chapters, is hindered by the roguelike nature of the production. While fun in the short term, excessive repetitiveness quickly emerges after a few runs, significantly diminishing the game's appeal. Without a more layered and expansive gameplay, it may soon tire those not looking for a quick, bite-sized experience.

GameGrin - Alana Dunitz - 9.5 / 10

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.

Noisy Pixel - Yuna Briggs - 9 / 10

Metal Slug Tactics doesn't quite reinvent the strategy genre, but it does offer up a lot of addictive, explosive, and satisfying action. The core of the Metal Slug series lies comfortably within this new genre, along with plenty of familiar sights, sounds, and characters that will please fans. It's a great take on turn-based strategy and one that feels distinctly true to its roots.

PSX Brasil - Portuguese - 70 / 100

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Pizza Fria - Francesco de Souza Beghelli - Portuguese - 9.5 / 10

Metal Slug Tactics was a pleasant surprise, exceeding expectations in several aspects. The wide variety of gameplay mechanics and the replayability are remarkable, providing an experience that goes beyond a simple tribute to the past.

Saving Content - Scott Ellison II - 4 / 5

Metal Slug Tactics being a turn-based tactics roguelike was an unlikely deviation from the series’ norms, but it pays off incredibly well. There’s deep and flexible tactical experience here offering dozens of hours of gameplay. It’s tough but fair as you work through the campaign, and really satisfying when you’re able to clutch a victory in a single battle, or an entire run. Metal Slug Tactics is inventive, clever, and most of all in service of the legacy of the series – now it’s your turn to take up arms.

Shacknews - Will Borger - 8 / 10

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TechRaptor - Austin Suther - 6 / 10

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.

Worth Playing - Chris "Atom" DeAngelus - 8.5 / 10

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.

XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 8.3 / 10

This type of game has a ceiling it can normally hit. It’s a lower-budget genre-bending revival of a beloved but older IP. Leikir Studio has managed to find an excellent blend of old and new. While it can be insanely difficult on hard, it’s just the right amount of punishing on normal.

ZTGD - Terrence Johnson - 7 / 10

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There has only really been three "big" games in the monster hunting genre.

1. Monster Hunter. This is at the top, and probably always be. I don't see any other studio coming close. Capcom is to the genre as what From Software is to its genre of Souls games.
2. God Eater. Quite a fun series actually, although nowhere near the quality of MonHun. Basically "anime monster hunter". It has the same art style as the Souls-like Code Vein. Some even believe it's set in the same universe.
3. Recently, KoeiTecmo made Wild Hearts, published by EA Originals. The game is honestly very very good, easily the second best of the three, but sadly poor performance and EA not believing in it sealed its fate.

There are some other minor games such as Dauntless and Toukiden (actually made by KoeiTecmo as well but never got as famous as Wild Hearts, probably due to publishing issues), but these are the "big three".

With that said, why do you think the genre has never taken off, with more actors dipping their feet into it?

Especially when we look at the live service potential of it, which we know that especially western publishers seem to love.

Monster Hunter is already a live service game, before live service was officially a thing. Well, at least kind of. New monsters were added continuously, either through updates or G-rank expansions. Events and collaborations are a thing, and the games stay active and alive for decades. Even now, Generations Ultimate is still very much active, and that game is almost 4 games old. And well, the whole idea is about killing the same monster over and over and over and over again to collect parts to build cool weapons and armour pieces.

Curious what everybody views as their favorite games that don't waste the player's time with things like grinding, poor pacing, infrequent checkpoints, repetitive fetch quests or neverending dialogue - games that feel completely tight from their opening moments to their closing credits.

Some titles I played this year that I thought fit that description:

Minishoot Adventures - Zelda meets bullet hell in an incredibly tight game that feels designed to keep you fully engaged the whole time.

Indika - Ostensibly an A24 horror flick, but playable. 4 hours long and doesn't waste a minute. Weird as hell in the best way.

Tangle Tower - An excellent mystery game with great voice acting, quirky characters, and a great UI that makes jumping to different scenes and clues basically instantaneous.

Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip - A Simpsons Hit & Run flavored collectathon with a healthy dose of SpongeBob-esque humor that totally nails it. Small open world and only 4 hours long, but knows exactly what it wants to be.

Thank Goodness You're Here! - one of the funniest games I've ever played if not THE funniest, full of gags every minute, with arguably no filler whatsoever unless you count the couple of times I wasn't sure where to go. About 2-3 hours long.

Perennial Order - the only soulslike to this day that I've ever finished, this is a boss rush soulslike with amazing cosmic horror inspired enemy designs that are all unique, difficulty that feels fair while never letting you lose more than a few minutes of progress, and utterly incredible art. Amazing experience.

Valley Peaks - First person froggy climbing game with plenty of side content if you choose to engage with it, but all completely optional, letting you focus on its tight, super fun platforming first and foremost.

I'm kind of looking now to get into an RPG, especially a turn based on, but recently got a bit burned by Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth having almost NOTHING happen story-wise its first 20 hours (and this is coming from somebody who adored Yakuza Like a Dragon). So especially curious if there are any RPGs out there that are well paced and don't rely on grinding, excessing dialogue or padding out of the plot. But all genres welcome!

EDIT: I'm loving these responses so going to add some more of my own:

Cocoon - a mind-melting puzzle game that uses every inch of its runtime to be utterly brilliant, and even cleverly cuts you off from prior areas to ensure you're not wandering around lost.

American Arcadia - An incredibly fun combination of 2D platformer and 3D narrative puzzle game, often using the two genres together simultaneously to create incredibly memorable scenes. About 7 hours long and the story is compelling from the first beat to the last.

The Upturned - If you can embrace its fully intentional jank, this indie title by the creator of Lethal Company is insanely good. You explore The Upturned Hotel, a hotel that's very messed up for a wide variety of reasons, by going floor to floor and collecting power switches to keep the elevator running. This game is one of the best examples I've ever experienced of a game not only keeping every level feeling unique, but of wavering between horror and humor incredibly successfully.

Ugly - Truly one of the best 2D puzzle games ever made, with an eye for artistry and mechanical elegance that gives even classics like Braid a run for their money. About 6 hours long depending on skill.

Everhood - Undertale-esque but more of a rhythm game, but a wildly creative one that constantly had me on the edge of my seat. It's tough too, but very fair. Plot-wise I'd argue perhaps the late game gets a bit long in the tooth, but gameplay wise this one is constantly firing on all cylinders.

Tinykin - a 3D platforming Pikmin-like with small open world to explore that feel thoughtfully designed, and that never once outstayed its welcome. One of the my favorite modern 3D platformers, easily, and so cleverly put together.

Splasher - 2D platformer from the creators of Tinykin, and I'd argue the most underrated 2D platformer ever made. Brilliant level design marries Sonic's speed with portal 2's paint gun mechanics to incredible effect, and the game constantly introduces new ideas.

Elechead - This puzzle game only takes about two hours to complete, but the way it's constructed is very, very, very, very smart and is worth your time.

Wandersong - Ok I do love platformers, but here's another one absolutely oozing with charm and constantly mixing up its ideas. Absolutely worth playing for anyone even slightly interested

Astro Bot - Perhaps too obvious a choice, but the new Astro Bot is a near perfect 3D platformer where even the process of getting 100% feels like it respects your time. Probably my single favorite game of 2024.