{{short description|2024 video game}} {{Infobox video game | image = File:Metal Slug Tactics cover art.jpg | developer = Leikir Studio | publisher = [[Dotemu]] | series = ''[[Metal Slug]]'' | platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]}} | released = November 5, 2024 | genre = [[Turn-based tactics]] | modes = [[Single-player]] | composer = [[Tee Lopes]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Janca |first1=Ben |title=Metal Slug Tactics - Official Launch Trailer |url=https://www.gamespot.com/videos/metal-slug-tactics-official-launch-trailer/2300-6465466/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=7 November 2024 |date=5 November 2024 |archive-date=8 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108214016/https://www.gamespot.com/videos/metal-slug-tactics-official-launch-trailer/2300-6465466/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://unity.com/blog/games-made-with-unity-2024-releases|title=Games made with Unity: 2024 in review|last=Saver|first=Michael|work=[[Unity Technologies]]|date=2024-12-30|accessdate=2025-05-26}}</ref> }} '''''Metal Slug Tactics''''' is a [[turn-based tactics]] video game developed by Leikir Studio and published by [[Dotemu]]. A spin-off of the ''[[Metal Slug]]'' series, the game was released on November 5, 2024 for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=October 22, 2024 |title=Metal Slug Tactics Release Date Confirmed Alongside Physical Release and New Trailer |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-slug-tactics-release-date-confirmed-alongside-physical-release-and-new-trailer |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
==Gameplay== [[File:Metal Slug Tactics gameplay screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|Unlike other games in the series, ''Metal Slug Tactics'' is played from an [[isometric video game graphics|isometric perspective]].]]
Unlike older ''Metal Slug'' titles which are [[run and gun video game]]s, ''Metal Slug Tactics'' is a [[turn-based tactics]] game played from an [[isometric video game graphics|isometric perspective]]. The world map is divided into regions with each culminating in a [[boss fight]]. Each region is further divided into several missions that players can complete in any order. Each mission has their own distinct objectives and rewards, and players must prioritize the resources they need while choosing which mission to tackle. The game introduces a structure commonly found in [[roguelike]] games. While individual squad members can be revived with reinforcement points during battle, players will be returned to the outpost if all characters are defeated, and must start the campaign again. At the outpost, players can upgrade the skills of each character, improve their weapons with mods, and purchase new items and weapons from vendors.<ref name="GIpreview"/>
Players can choose three characters of the Peregrine Falcons squad for each mission. Each character has a primary weapon, which has unlimited ammo, a secondary weapon with limited ammo, and a distinct skill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/metal-slug-tactics-roguishly-reinvents-turn-based-run-and-gun/|title=Metal Slug Tactics roguishly reinvents turn-based run-and-gun|first=Dominic|last=Tarason|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=June 10, 2024|accessdate=June 10, 2024}}</ref> Activating special abilities consume [[adrenaline]], which is generated through movement in the battlefield, and attacking enemies. The game adopted a grid-based movement, and players have two action points for each turn, one for movement while the other for performing an action. Enemies will attempt to attack the player in their turn, though they can hide behind cover to boost their defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/metal-slug-tactics-demo-is-pure-nostalgia-for-better-and-worse|title=Metal Slug Tactics' demo is pure nostalgia for better and worse|first=Nic|last=Reuben|work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|date=June 11, 2024|accessdate=June 11, 2024|archive-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611142323/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/metal-slug-tactics-demo-is-pure-nostalgia-for-better-and-worse|url-status=live}}</ref> The more a player character moves in their turn, the higher their defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/140199/metal-slug-tactics-preview|title=Metal Slug Tactics is equal parts complex and silly|first=Lucas|last=White|work=[[Shacknews]]|date=June 10, 2024|accessdate=June 10, 2024|archive-date=June 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610205249/https://www.shacknews.com/article/140199/metal-slug-tactics-preview|url-status=live}}</ref> By strategically placing characters in the battlefield, players can line up sync attacks. By attacking an opponent that is also within the line of sight of another character, a second attack by the other character will be triggered automatically. Players can also make use of environmental hazards to inflict damage on their enemies. Occasionally, players can deploy a tank into the battlefield, which allows the player to do devastating damage to enemies.<ref name="GIpreview">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2024/06/10/a-promising-and-challenging-boot-camp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611142707/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2024/06/10/a-promising-and-challenging-boot-camp|url-status=live|archive-date=June 11, 2024|title=Metal Slug Tactics: A Promising And Challenging Boot Camp|first=Marcus|last=Stewart|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=June 10, 2024|access-date=June 10, 2024}}</ref> Depending on the amount of fuel available, a tank can attack enemies with its weapon multiple times in a turn.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/metal-slug-tactics-demo-out-now-new-gameplay-trailer-dives-deep-on-combat-and-upgrades/1100-6524118/|title=Metal Slug Tactics Demo Out Now, New Gameplay Trailer Dives Deep On Combat And Upgrades|first=Cameron|last=Koch|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=June 10, 2024|accessdate=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
==Development== Following the success of games such as ''[[Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap]]'' and ''[[Streets of Rage 4]]'', [[SNK]] invited [[Dotemu]] to revive one of its dormant franchises. ''Metal Slug'' was chosen as it is one of the few franchises owned by SNK that is not a [[fighting game]]. Leikir Studio, which is based in [[Paris]], served as the game's lead developer. Leikir pitched the project to SNK in 2018, and full development of the game commenced in 2019. SNK was not directly involved in the game's development, though it gave Leikir access to all the assets of the older ''Metal Slug'' games. However, the assets were not usuable in ''Tactics'' due to the change in gameplay perspective.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/metal-slug-tactics-interview/|title=Talking Inspiration And Design With Metal Slug Tactics' Cyrille Imbert and Aurélien Loos|first=Peter|last=Glagowski|date=September 20, 2021|accessdate=June 10, 2024|work=TheGamer|archive-date=August 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814205005/https://www.thegamer.com/metal-slug-tactics-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Into the Breach]]'' served as an important inspiration for the studio, and paying homage to the franchise's action roots, the gameplay is speed-oriented despite being turn-based. The team introduced a variety of difficulty options for both fans of the turn-based tactics series, and players of the older games who are not familiar with this style of gameplay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-slug-tactics-interview-gameplay|title=Metal Slug Tactics Exclusive Interview: Why Into the Breach Is a Key Inspiration And Other New Details|first=Kat|last=Bailey|work=[[IGN]]|date=August 6, 2021|accessdate=June 11, 2024|archive-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611142707/https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-slug-tactics-interview-gameplay|url-status=live}}</ref>
The game was officially announced by Dotemu in June 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/metal-slug-tactics-announced-for-pc|title=Metal Slug Tactics announced for PC|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|work=[[Eurogamer]]|date=June 10, 2021|accessdate=June 5, 2024|archive-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611142651/https://www.eurogamer.net/metal-slug-tactics-announced-for-pc|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially set to be released in 2023, the game's release date was subsequently delayed to late 2024 for [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], [[Xbox Series X and Series S]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/movies-tv/after-two-years-of-silence-metal-slug-tactics-returns-with-a-new-trailer-and-a-promise-that-its-coming-this-fall/|title=After two years of silence, Metal Slug Tactics returns with a new trailer and a promise that it's coming this fall|date=June 5, 2024|accessdate=June 10, 2024|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=[[PC Gamer]]|archive-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611142707/https://www.pcgamer.com/movies-tv/after-two-years-of-silence-metal-slug-tactics-returns-with-a-new-trailer-and-a-promise-that-its-coming-this-fall/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = {{abbr|PS5|PlayStation 5}}: 79/100<ref name="PS5 Reviews (MC)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metal-slug-tactics/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Metal Slug Tactics (PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews) |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 5, 2024}}</ref><br />{{abbr|Win|Windows}}: 78/100<ref name="PC Reviews (MC)">{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/metal-slug-tactics/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Metal Slug Tactics (PC Critic Reviews) |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 5, 2024}}</ref> | OC = 67% recommend<ref name="Reviews (OC)">{{Cite web |url=https://opencritic.com/game/17585/metal-slug-tactics |title=Metal Slug Tactics Reviews |website=[[OpenCritic]] |access-date=November 5, 2024 |archive-date=November 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109171703/https://opencritic.com/game/17585/metal-slug-tactics |url-status=live }}</ref> | GRadar = 3.5/5<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/strategy/metal-slug-tactics-review/ |title=Metal Slug Tactics review: Run and gun energy refreshes the slower-paced genre |last=Stone |first=Abbie |date=November 5, 2024 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=November 5, 2024 |archive-date=November 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108213307/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/strategy/metal-slug-tactics-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | HCG = 4/5<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/review-metal-slug-tactics/ |title=Review: Metal Slug Tactics |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=November 5, 2024 |website=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=November 5, 2024}}</ref> | IGN = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-slug-tactics-review |title=Metal Slug Tactics Review |last=Wacholz |first=Charlie |date=November 5, 2024 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=November 5, 2024 |archive-date=November 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112002154/https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-slug-tactics-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | PCGUS = 76/100<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/metal-slug-tactics-review/ |title=Metal Slug Tactics review |last=Tarason |first=Dominic |date=November 5, 2024 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=November 5, 2024 |archive-date=November 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106233054/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/metal-slug-tactics-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | PSQ = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/metal-slug-tactics |title=Mini Review: Metal Slug Tactics (PS5) — Some of the Best Tactics Since Into the Breach |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=November 5, 2024 |website=[[Push Square]] |access-date=November 5, 2024}}</ref> | SN = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/142098/metal-slug-tactics-review |title=Metal Slug Tactics review: Run and gun |last=Borger |first=Will |date=November 5, 2024 |website=[[Shacknews]] |access-date=November 5, 2024}}</ref> }}
''Metal Slug Tactics'' received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to the [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="PS5 Reviews (MC)" /><ref name="PC Reviews (MC)" /> [[OpenCritic]] determined that 68% of critics recommended the game.<ref name="Reviews (OC)" />
Charlie Wacholz from ''[[IGN]]'' praised ''Metal Slug Tactics'' for its faithful adaptation, impressive pixel art, and engaging soundtrack. He noted that while the movement-focused gameplay and mechanics were strong, bugs and quality-of-life issues hindered the experience. Despite this, the game brought innovative elements to the tactics genre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wacholz |first=Charlie |date=2024-11-05 |title=Metal Slug Tactics Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-slug-tactics-review |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=2024-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112002154/https://www.ign.com/articles/metal-slug-tactics-review |url-status=live }}</ref> Likewise, Abbie Stone from ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' commended ''Metal Slug Tactics'' for its engaging gameplay and art style but noted that limited tutorials and technical issues, including crashes, affected its overall reception.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Abbie Stone |date=2024-11-05 |title=Metal Slug Tactics review: Run and gun energy refreshes the slower-paced genre |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/strategy/metal-slug-tactics-review/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=2024-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108213307/https://www.gamesradar.com/games/strategy/metal-slug-tactics-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{clear}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://metalslugtactics.com/}}
{{Metal Slug}}
[[Category:2024 video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in France]] [[Category:Dotemu games]] [[Category:Turn-based tactics video games]] [[Category:Metal Slug]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]] [[Category:Video game spinoffs]] [[Category:Roguelike video games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]]