"Traditional and authentic to the original. Metal Slug is a lot of fun, that is sure to please fans of the old Metal Slug arcade days."
Metal Slug XX is a side-scrolling run and shoot game developed by SNK for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and Xbox Live Arcade, and is the eighth title in the main Metal Slug series. Metal Slug XX (a.k.a. Metal Slug Double X), is a modified version of Metal Slug 7 released on the Nintendo DS back in 2008. The PSP and Xbox Live versions of the game features additional content including co-op multiplayer and downloadable content.
*****INFO*****
- Genre(s): Side Scroller – Action – Shooter – Arcade
- Age Rating: 12 +
- Contents: Cartoon Violence
- Difficulty: Hard
*****INTRODUCTION*****
THE POSITIVES
- Old school traditional arcade side scrolling shoot-'em-up
- Fun gameplay
- Great traditional sound effects and charming visuals
THE NEGATIVES
- Short single player mode
- Value for money; £20 is a bit steep
- Unable to keep a fixed diagonal aim feels like an essentially missed feature; especially when on sloped areas or with enemies are at either corner of the screen
*****REVIEW*****
Story:
Metal Slug is all about the gameplay, but it does have a story.
The game features 6 playable characters each sharing the same goals and accentually the same story. The plot revolves around a series of faction (Falcon Strike Force, the Ikari Warriors, and the Sparrows) in search for General Morden in order to stop and prevent him and his army at attempting another threat to the government and the world. General Morden is now accompanied by a new army from the future, where you must fight through his army and once again put a stop to his plans once and for all.
The story is very simplistic. Like said above, story is not the main focus of the game.
Graphics:
If you're the type of gamer that likes authentic renditions of old games where new (or remake) games stay true to the original, Metal Slug XX is it. If not, you're looking at the wrong game. Metal Slug's visuals are simplistic 2D visuals with amusing slick animation, and special effects. It's amusing, colourful, and nice to look at. Again, if you like games that keep true to the original.
Game-play:
The gameplay is the main aspect to Metal Slug. It's a side scrolling run and shoot game that puts you through 7 mission (levels) shooting enemies, shooting bosses, and shooting pretty much everything that move around you. At the end of every mission, you are presented with a boss fight that purely results in you shooting a specific area until the boss is defeated.
Metal Slug XX (like other predecessors) features 3 difficulty settings; easy, normal and hard. Each setting (quite naturally) make's the game more challenging then previous settings. Metal Slug's overall difficult is pretty punishing. Playing the game even on normal will result in excessive use of continues throughout the game (at least you won't have to keep putting in money for every continue like the old arcade days haha). As difficult as the game may be, you have an unlimited amount of continues so there is no worry about gameover or mission restart. This can make the game feel a little redundant at a set time, which can make the game less more rewarding due to your inability to ever die, or the inability of ever seeing a game over screen.
The gameplay mechanics is simple, but fun. You move through a level shooting everything you see, in order to make it through the level. The game is pretty intense (more so with higher difficulty setting) and fast paced. Throughout the game you'll find weapons, vehicles etc to aid you through the game, and again is pretty fun. Metal Slug features a co-op mode where you and a friend can fight together throughout the game and once again… is pretty fun.
Sound Design:
Metal Slug's sound design is traditional and authentic to that of the original. The cool sound effects, cheesy music, and voice over presenter are as unique to previous Metal Slug games.
Overall Say:
Overall Metal Slug XX is a good rendition of a great old arcade side scroller, and certainly took me back to my Metal Slug days. The traditional gameplay is really fun, and the visuals and sound design are authentic to the original games. If you're a fun of Metal Slug (like I am), I'm sure you'll love the hour or two playing the game, but I do think £20 is a bit steep for the value you get in the game, which may put you of till (or if) price drop.
*****FINAL OVERALL SCORE*****
- Life Value – 4/10
- My Thought Score – 7/10
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- Presentation – 6/10
- Graphics – 7/10
- Game-Play – 9/10
- Sound Effects – 10/10
- Concept – 5/10
*****EDITOR'S OVERALL THOUGHT SCORE – 7/10*****
Metal Slug XX Review by Simon a.k.a. [TheDevilDweller]