Mercenary Kings

 PC
User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 62
  3. Negative: 11 out of 62

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  1. SlyguyTheCritic
    Aug 2, 2013
    8
    Now, I'm the first to admit that I was skeptical of this game at first, retro graphics are a bit of a fad, and, it seemed like they took some old game-play and slapped a poorly thought crafting system onto it. But even as a beta, the game is showing a lot of promise with a robust weapons crafting system, a decent soundtrack, a fair price, surprisingly good art design, and solid controls.Now, I'm the first to admit that I was skeptical of this game at first, retro graphics are a bit of a fad, and, it seemed like they took some old game-play and slapped a poorly thought crafting system onto it. But even as a beta, the game is showing a lot of promise with a robust weapons crafting system, a decent soundtrack, a fair price, surprisingly good art design, and solid controls. Now, keep in mind this was written while the game is in beta. But even in beta this game is definitely worth it… Expand
  2. famicom
    Apr 6, 2014
    9
    note that many of the reviews were written about the early access version of the game. while things haven't changed drastically, keep in mind that it was an unfinished product and the reviewers were effectively beta testers.

    the best way i could describe mercenary kings is a combination of gunstar heroes, contra, megaman, and monster hunter- some parts are more successful than others.    note that many of the reviews were written about the early access version of the game. while things haven't changed drastically, keep in mind that it was an unfinished product and the reviewers were effectively beta testers.

    the best way i could describe mercenary kings is a combination of gunstar heroes, contra, megaman, and monster hunter- some parts are more successful than others.

    the megaman aspect comes into play from battling bosses with learnable patterns. you're going to want to learn them at some point, because the bosses drop materials for crafting new weapons, armor, and items like monster hunter.

    it's a slightly slower paced side scrolling shooter with a cool mechanic reminiscent of gunstar heroes (or borderlands, for the younger crowd)- the guns you can make can have several different bullet types, from bouncing cannonballs and shotgun blasts to homing missiles, and you can add a few different elemental effects on top of it. the game is a little more forgiving than contra- you respawn in the nearest medic bay, have a few lives, and can come into the mission with healing items to revive or heal.

    on the downside, you may get sucked in to farming the same levels over and over to get the materials needed for your next upgrade, and this can get tedious (again, think monster hunter, though nowhere near as bad). that being said, this game really shines if you can play multiplayer with someone else in the room/a friend over chat, as you can break the monotony helping each other doing different missions or splitting up in the same mission to clear it faster. if you don't have someone you know to play with, it will dampen your enjoyment of the game a bit, which is not reflected in my score.

    all things considered, i had a blast reconnecting with my much younger brother (14 year age difference) and chalked up about 30 hours of playtime. there's still plenty of room for improvement, but i feel i more than got my money's worth.    … Expand
  3. hodub
    Apr 30, 2014
    8
    I just now completed Mercenary Kings, including all missions. I must say, this is by far the longest side scroller/ platformer I've ever played, no exaggeration. Not necessarily a bad thing though. It shows that a great deal of work went into the game, especially in the animations. There's clearly an NES Megaman-style influence in both the music and the "8-bit" aesthetic, but with MetalI just now completed Mercenary Kings, including all missions. I must say, this is by far the longest side scroller/ platformer I've ever played, no exaggeration. Not necessarily a bad thing though. It shows that a great deal of work went into the game, especially in the animations. There's clearly an NES Megaman-style influence in both the music and the "8-bit" aesthetic, but with Metal Slug-style characters and Borderlands-style weaponry. There's a very wide array of customization on weapons, plenty of missions to play, and a wide variety of foes to fight. My only complaint is a minor one - you'll find yourself playing through some of the same levels multiple times, albeit with different objectives. Overall though, if you're itching for a game with retro-style pixel animations but with more modern variety, you won't be disappointed by this one.… Expand
  4. TheFlavorPurple
    Jul 14, 2014
    9
    Plays like Metal Slug or Contra but not as hectic... unless you're running out of time! Up to 4-player CO-OP local and/or online. Unlock loot modifiers, upgrade your armor, unlock new knives, craft various combinations of guns. Put a sniper rifle barrel on your shotgun or a trombone horn on your smg, lots of weird combos. There are 100+ missions! The movement and controls are a little morePlays like Metal Slug or Contra but not as hectic... unless you're running out of time! Up to 4-player CO-OP local and/or online. Unlock loot modifiers, upgrade your armor, unlock new knives, craft various combinations of guns. Put a sniper rifle barrel on your shotgun or a trombone horn on your smg, lots of weird combos. There are 100+ missions! The movement and controls are a little more deliberate and slower paced, once you get the hang of it the controls/movement aren't an issue.Some of the maps are repeats, but the missions change, and they are well paced.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. CD-Action
    Jul 23, 2014
    50
    All the old school charm goes to hell because of the repetitiveness. [06/2014, p.69]
  2. Games.cz
    May 2, 2014
    90
    When a game's content goes hand in hand with its form, it's always a pleasure. Moreover, when the old times meet the modern-day, and it works great somehow, we may call it a miracle. Such is Mercenary Kings a shooter.
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  3. IGN
    Apr 25, 2014
    80
    Its high level of difficulty, catchy tunes, and pixelated graphics meld nicely with its emphasis on loot, customization, and online play.
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