Metal Slug Tactics review

pcgamer.com:

In the entire history of videogames, there have only been a few recorded cases of a studio performing the forbidden alchemy of transposing a game into another genre entirely. Until now, the most successful was probably R-Type Tactics (originally for the humble PSP, and now currently being remade), but I think the crown might have to go to Metal Slug Tactics.

What is it? A turn-based roguelike-ish adaptation of the arcade classic
Release date: November 5, 2024
Expect to pay: £20.99 / $24.99
Developer: Leikir Studio
Publisher: Dotemu
Reviewed on: Windows 11, i9-13900k, Nvidia RTX 4090, 64GB DDR5 RAM
Steam Deck: Playable
Multiplayer? None
Link: Official site

From a distance, and if you squint real hard, Metal Slug Tactics looks a little bit like Into The Breach—not a bad game to crib notes from. Pick three characters, tackle quick turn-based tactical battles on small, hand-crafted maps (no procedural generation here, although enemy spawns are unpredictable) where you have the information advantage. You’ll gain temporary power and resources over an individual run, but unlock new starting options, difficulties and fun wrinkles over time, including new minibosses and a path to the gratifying True Ending. But the actual meat of the combat is as different as it gets from Into the Breach's desperate precision.

Everything here happens in service of running, gunning and generally getting into hugely messy scrums, which is pure Metal Slug. Mission objectives lean towards fast action, throwing your soldiers into a swarm of enemies with objectives like ‘pick off three targets’, ‘get two characters to a location’ or just ‘survive for four turns’, with battles ending the moment the job’s done. Bonuses reward speed. With small battlefields (often tiny enough to fully traverse in just two moves) and bad guys capable of killing your soldiers in just a couple hits, running away isn’t an option. You WILL be attacked.

So you’re best off throwing your three squaddies headfirst into