Metal Slug Tactics Review (Steam)

Summary

Metal Slug Tactics brings a delightful blend of cutesy pixel art graphics and strategic gameplay, reminiscent of X-Com but with the beloved Metal Slug characters. The game, with its 1.51GB download size, offers Steam achievements and full controller support, making it accessible and engaging for a wide range of players. The graphics settings are comprehensive, allowing adjustments for the monitor, display mode, resolution, framerate, and screenshake, while the gameplay settings include options for tooltip delay, screen edge panning, edge panning speed, key panning speed, and end turn confirmation.

The game starts with an optional tutorial level, providing helpful pop-ups as you progress. Players can choose between two initial difficulties, Recruit and Officer Cadet, and unlock four locations on the map, starting with The Argun Palm Desert. The game features cool set pieces with in-game cutscenes and interactions, and the world map allows you to select levels within each location. Missions come with main and optional secondary objectives, and at the start of each mission, you can place your party members strategically. Sync attacks, where nearby party members join in an attack, add a layer of tactical depth.

Health bars are visible for all characters, and there is a game speed option for enemy turns. Depending on the difficulty and conditions, you can sometimes reset your turns. The Barracks serve as your hub, where you can recruit new members and access the shop to spend in-game cash. Missions allow you to freely pick any available party members, and the game includes handy features like a save and quit option, a quick undo last move button, and the ability to earn and use revives and health packs. Elevation plays a significant role in the game, and the 3D isometric world allows for free camera movement.

Missions on the map provide a glimpse of the rewards available, and the end-of-mission breakdown shows the experience points (EXP) distributed to each character. Mods can be earned and equipped with weapons, with primary weapons taking two mods and special weapons up to three. When characters level up, they can choose one of three passive or special actions to equip. The game is run-based, meaning that if all your characters die, you start again but keep all earned cash. Mission types and locations are randomized with each run, adding replayability. Using vehicles is particularly enjoyable, and some parts of the locations can be blown up, adding to the fun. Cover and line of sight are crucial in combat.

However, the game has its drawbacks. You initially need a keyboard to enter the profile name, and there were instances of getting stuck in the remapping menu with the controller. The game lacks voice work, relying solely on text, and does not offer much in terms of accessibility features like colorblind modes or adjustable text size. The opening can be rough, as you die easily and the game feels stacked against you. Camera control is not always ideal, especially when dealing with elevation.

In summary, Metal Slug Tactics is a charming and strategic game with engaging pixel art graphics and a variety of gameplay settings. While it offers a lot of fun and replayability, it also has some accessibility and control issues that may detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, it remains an enjoyable game for fans of strategy and the Metal Slug series.