Metal Slug Tactics is an upcoming game from Dotemu that puts players in the shoes of some of the series' fan-favorite characters in a brand new direction for the series. Instead of the franchise's classic Contra-like action, players should expect something more akin to XCOM. The slower pace and more thoughtful combat might seem a little off to long-time fans. However, in many ways, it actually feels like a sensible evolution of the franchise.
Over the past few years, developers have proven that the XCOM formula works well when ported to other properties, particularly those with a deep well of history to pull from. Gears Tactics is just the latest example in that regard. Plus, games like XCOM: Chimera Squad have shown that tactics games using hero units can make for exciting titles that push the genre in new ways.
Metal Slug is a series primed for a tactics game. There have been seven mainline titles in addition to spin-offs and remakes, and the franchise is littered with characters that should give the team at Dotemu more than enough personality to make a quality tactics game. Consider that, in just the first trailer shown, Dotemu already provided a first look at four characters who are instantly recognizable to Metal Slug fans.
Marco, Tarma, Eri, and Fio are some of the most well-known characters in the franchise, but they're far from the only ones. There are memorable characters all over the Regular Army and its different squads. If the game uses player death like many other XCOM-likes do, expect to see several of those characters becoming recruitable eventually.
On top of that, the Metal Slug franchise is stocked with varied enemies that Dotemu can use to fill out the campaign. Not only does Metal Slug have all kinds of fodder enemies to pull from, but the series also boasts several villains that could make excellent bosses in a tactics title. In the trailer for Metal Slug Tactics, Dotemu teased what appeared to be Allen O'Neil, the immortal soldier from the Rebel Army. However, he's just the tip of the iceberg. Players could potentially see major villains like Donald Morden, Rootmars, or Doctor.
Metal Slug Tactics really does have everything needed from a franchise to make the jump to a new genre. Plus, it boasts a gorgeous art style that will pop in the slower-paced combat of this new game. Dotemu has done an admirable job over the last few years with games like Streets of Rage 4 and has several great-looking titles like Windjammers 2 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge on the books for 2021. Hopefully, they can continue that momentum and give Metal Slug fans an exceptional tactics game as well.
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June 14, 2021 at 12:01AM
