Action game involving guns and running from the enemy
Action game involving guns and running from the enemy
Pros
- Non-stop, nail-biting action
- A great sense of humor keeps the entertainment light-hearted
Cons
- May be too difficult for some
- Somewhat more limited in many respects than later games in the series
Metal Slug is a classic, side-scrolling, run-and-gun game. Known for their beautiful, character-filled art styles and crushing levels of difficulty, the games of this series have been entertaining players for nearly 20 years. The first game, while a bit simpler in most respects than later iterations in the series, is nonetheless rightly considered a classic one by many.
Beginning with a basic firearm and a knife that is automatically used when distance justifies it, the player must progress from left to right as the screen scrolls to follow them. An unending stream of enemies to be vanquished keeps things interesting, and players will slaughter hundreds of these over the course of a typical level. Even once this has been accomplished, the player's task has only begun, as screen-filling bosses with unique special attacks will then block further progress.
One of the most interesting things about the game is the variety of weapons that players can acquire. While the starter gun is perfectly fine for dispatching enemies, players will find that other implements of war acquired along the way do an even better job. The downside of these enhanced enemy killers is that they have only limited ammunition. Players will therefore inevitably find themselves making use of the unrestricted original gun while they search for upgraded ones.
Although the action is focused on shooting and stabbing, there are some light platforming elements, too. Players will need to be nimble to avoid enemy attacks, especially when fighting bosses whose efforts at ending games can consist of a multitude of missiles or bombs. Players will need to navigate levels vertically as well as horizontally, climbing ladders and jumping up on platforms in order to increase their chances of survival and success.
A classic arcade-style game if there ever was one, Metal Slug is focused more on being fun through successive plays than delivering a massive amount of first-run content. Compared to most modern games, it is quite short, and players who are skilled enough will find that they can run through it to completion in a matter of minutes. Viewed from the proper perspective, though, this isn't as much of an issue as it seems. The game is very difficult, and improving one's skills at it can be a pleasure of its own sort.
Pros
- Non-stop, nail-biting action
- A great sense of humor keeps the entertainment light-hearted
Cons
- May be too difficult for some
- Somewhat more limited in many respects than later games in the series
