Review of Metal Slug Tactics for PS5

When Metal Slug Tactics was first revealed, it was clear that the developers were onto something special. Combining the beloved SNK series with a turn-based tactics format is already a recipe for success. Add in a roguelike twist reminiscent of Into the Breach, and you have a game that truly hits the mark. I’m delighted to report that it meets these high standards.

At its core, Metal Slug Tactics delivers exactly what fans of the series might hope for: a tactical experience infused with the spirit, characters, and distinctive graphical charm of SNK’s Metal Slug. Players guide a trio of characters through four distinct regions, aiming to thwart Morden’s takeover. Initially, you’ll deploy Marco, Eri, and Fio, but as you progress, additional Metal Slug figures and some SNK crossover surprises become available.

Each character brings their own set of skills and weapons, offering three additional loadouts which culminate in 36 unique class options spread across nine characters. From well-rounded shooters to demolition specialists, and brawlers armed only with a knife and a shotgun, the diversity keeps the gameplay fresh.

While Into the Breach leans towards defensive strategies, Metal Slug Tactics remains true to its roots by promoting an aggressive playstyle. Moving further from your starting point boosts adrenaline—fuel for special skills—and dodge points to mitigate damage. Staying put isn’t advisable; doing so risks a barrage of attacks. Strategic positioning of your team is crucial, allowing for Synchronisation attacks where two members can simultaneously target enemies within their sightline.

The game’s regions task you with completing three missions before facing a boss, though an option exists to tackle the final boss after just one region. Missions vary from eliminating enemy forces to escort dutiLikewise,es, each rewarding you with XP, supply drops, and ammo. There are also secondary objectives to enhance these rewards.

During the review process, we encountered a frustrating bug resulting in prolonged load times during combat phases on both PS5 and PS4 platforms. Testing on PC showed smoother performance, and while recent patches have improved stability, notably freezing issues, the long load times persist at launch.

We’re optimistic that the developers will address this soon because it’s a notable flaw in what is otherwise a standout title.