Metal Slug Tactics

After a long loop of similar games in the franchise, Metal Slug Tactics is the breath of fresh air the IP needed. The turn-based gameplay fits perfectly, and the area control system is a different and enjoyable mechanic. Although it has a few minor issues, they don't hinder the fun, and the title undoubtedly has far more strengths. For die-hard fans or people who have never played a Metal Slug game, the new release from Leikir Studios is the best way to experience the series.

There's a real confidence to the new step in Metal Slug Tactics that had me smiling as I saw this arcade classic being transformed into something new. The tactics genre is a natural fit for Metal Slug and this version of the classic genre embraces the roots of the franchise while taking a bold new step. While I have some issues with how clunky the UI can be when trying to pull off the perfect strategy, there's an incredibly solid foundation here and a good basis for them to continue the series on into the future.

Just like the Metal Slug franchise in general, Tactics is ultimately stacked with a silly joy that’s hard to deny. Getting to see fan favourites together again will give long-term fans plenty of reason to pick this up, and fans of difficult tactical titles will have enough to get their teeth stuck into. Some things may work better than others, but there’s always room for a good strategy game, and Metal Slug Tactics is easily up there with the best in recent memory.

While its lack of optimization and frequent glitches occasionally crashed the party like an enemy hand grenade, Metal Slug Tactics‘ fast-paced, feature-rich combat and wealth of unlockable content kept me coming back for more. If you’re a fan of the franchise with a love for classic PS1 SRPGs like Vandal Hearts and Final Fantasy Tactics, then this is a fight worth enlisting in – even if it’s a patch or two away from reaching its full potential.

Metal Slug Tactics is certainly a love letter, albeit clumsy, to fans of the license. Dotemu and Leikir Studio subtly adapt the concept of run'n'gun into a turn-based tactical video game but stumble several times. The variety of gameplay is not enough to motivate the player to restart the game again and again. The fault lies in a similar construction of each run, combined with a lack of challenge that does not force a possible adaptation and change of style. All of this is, on PlayStation 5, punctuated by multiple and significant loading times that are prohibitive for games of the genre. If the first veterans of the license can find it with a certain pleasure, Metal Slug Tactics should not seduce new recruits despite a brilliant idea.