A new gameplay trailer for Metal Slug Tactics showcases how the upcoming title reinvents the classic original into a turn-based game.
The developer of the new title is Leikir Studio, which is best known for the goth horror roguelike game Rogue Lords. Metal Slug Tactics has done an amazing job in adapting the original run-and-gun formula and transitioning to a turn-based isometric strategy.
Metal Slug Tactics Gameplay
(Photo : Leikir Studio / Screenshot taken from Steam)
Metal Slug Tactics seems to be a snappy, run-based game where players will gradually unlock more goodies and features as they progress through the game.
At every run, you will select three characters to form a party who each have an unlimited ammo primary weapon, a limited ammo heavy weapon, and a special ability.
You will then engage in battles with enemies on a series of regions, which the full game will have four of initially. Each one of these areas offers a short handful of fights followed by a boss battle that will challenge players' skills, according to PCGamer.
While the game's battle maps and objectives are hand-made instead of being procedurally generated, your route through each area will be unpredictable, and enemy spawns will be random.
Mission rewards and the perks that are available when leveling up are also not set in stone, which keeps things fresh, even in the demo.
In Metal Slug Tactics, fights are quick, often lasting only five turns or even shorter, and feature simple but varied objectives. These include clearing all enemies, assassinating several specific targets while reinforcements spawn constantly, or escaping to the other end of the map.
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The game feels like a series of action setpieces that further capture the Metal Slug feeling by forcing you to make constant movements, mimicking run-and-gun aggression. Additionally, enemy attacks are frequent and everything has a 100% chance to hit.
Metal Slug Tactics was first revealed at the final E3 in 2021 and both series and tactics fans have eagerly waited to get their hands on it. A recent demo lets players take control of Marco, Eri, and Fio, who are all classic characters from the original game, said GameInformer.
Transitioning to a Turn-Based Isometric Battlefield
Each of these characters has their own strengths and weaknesses, with Marco, for example, emphasizing relentless offense. His Salvo special gives himself or an ally an extra hit for a single attack.
On the other hand, the explosive expert, Eri, lets her lob two explosives instead of just one, doubling the carnage on the battlefield.
Those who want to stay far from enemies will enjoy Fio, who favors long-range attacks and can manipulate enemy compositions using a drone that can pick up units or allies and drop to a nearby square.
Another feature of Metal Slug Tactics is Adrenaline, which can be built up by running, gunning, and completing Sync actions. It can then be used to activate each character's special abilities. Furthermore, being a Metal Slug title, the game features various armored vehicles.
These include the Metal Slug, which is probably the most known vehicle in the franchise. This particular vehicle uses fuel as a resource but is capable of attacking multiple times as long as it has enough fuel, according to GameSpot.
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