I wish initially upset to see Switch getting this much cooler edition. But i'm glad you mentioned that PS4 owners also get this as a free update. I'll try re-downloading my copy and get this update. :)
I don't have a Switch, so I haven't tried out this version of Mercenary Kings, but I didn't like it when it was on Steam. I think the first boss kept teleporting away, then I had to chase it down while a time limit ticked away. I also didn't get hooked on the gun crafting stuff because it seemed like busy work to get parts that seemed to only marginally improve the weapons.
What I felt they should've done a long time ago is a true console-geared Metal Slug. Tone down the quarter-munching meanness of the arcades, divide up longer stages (for instance, MS3's final mission), plot alternate routes on a map system, give the player more options when it comes to powerups and make collectibles/bonus items actually mean something beyond just score. You can leave the fundamental gameplay alone, though, it's perfect how it is. The closest to that I can think of are the NGP and GBA titles; but those are definitely their own thing. What I've *always* wanted is a MS where you can pilot your Slug all the way to the end of the game as long as you keep it alive. I HATE it when the game just snatches them away from you arbitrarily.
The only thing I would want changed about Metal Slug is take away the ease of just carrying over the arcade quarter munching necessity. They could've rounded it out so the gameplay was more fair where you don't die on cheap stuff, but when you do die it was definitely your fault. Hope that makes sense.
I'd love to see you review the new released "Guns,Gore & Cannoli 2" which is the side scroll run'n'gun // metal slug template taken to a fresh new level. I liked the first title and had lots of fun playing it with friends but the second entry to the franchise surprised me! Can highly recommend it so far.
The Metal Slug series while garnering very few changes within its many installments, will forever be charming and timeless for what it is and isn't. As such, it wouldn't bother me if I never saw another Metal Slug game released. The Metal Slug series is one of the rare anytime, anywhere, smile on your face gaming experiences. In my humble opinion, this is what gaming is all about. Excellent review, I will be giving Mercenary Kings: Reloaded a try for sure.
This game is fine during the early stages. Once you hit Major, there is a huge difficulty spike. The temple is by far the worst area so far in my playthrough. The Cloning Facility is worse. Big issue number 1: Starting mid game, Enemies are placed in areas where you can't hurt them, and since you can't take them out without the proper bullet type, via terrain, you're forced to take damage as you backtrack. *Strike one.* Big issue number 2: If you look too far in any direction, the game counts it as you being off screen. Enemies will respawn on top of you and it can cost you big time. *Strike two.* Big issue number 3: The levels range from okay to really bad. You'll spend most of your time navigating and pulling up your mini map. Enemies can still hurt you as you look at your map. The game does not pause. *Strike three.* Mercenary Kings puts a huge emphasis on loadouts and crafting. So if you're like me and you stay on top of your gear it'll help a lot. It is a slow game where everything can go wrong if you don't prepare. Sometimes even that isn't enough. *Strike out:* The constant need for C4, and the fact that it forces you to back track if you want to save your supply drop calls. *Insult to injury:* You have a carry limit and that is not a good move. Late game has you taking on tougher bosses in obstructive maps with traps in the most unfair of places. The more you carry, the slower you move in Mercenary Kings. There's a weight mechanic and let me tell you, slow movement=death. Jumps in this game already feel terrible, so you want to keep your loadouts mobile. God knows why they did this. In a platformer. The maps get disgustingly big and you'll eventually just start running through areas recklessly trying to keep up with the timer. *Nail in the Coffin:* *Metal Wolf.* This boss is an insult to difficulty. Not only is it invulnerable most of the time, it has way too much hp. It's less of a challenge and more of a massive time waster. Mercenary Kings is best played with friends. Solo play if you're patient enough. I on the other hand, do not like this game solo. Takes forever to get things done. It's bad in more areas than it's good in, but it's fun in short bursts. Mercenary Kings is *nothing like Metal Slug,* apart from the art style. 8/10.
I hate games with timers. So fuck this game. I never could pass a level unless I played it twenty times. Had to figure out where to go. Turn the timer off and I would love it.
I've never actually seen this game. Looks pretty awesome. Metal Slug has a formula so they should have kept cranking out games in the same vein. That 3D metal slug game was pretty bleh. A Metal Slug tactics game would probably work too.
I love the metal slug games. I do agree that they have become a bit stagnet, but I can't imagine myself being anything but pissed if they strayed too far from the original formula. I know that's illogical, but that's the power of nostalgia I guess. Certainly, I don't envy SNK. They are in a catch 22, either release the same old thing and let the series continue to age, or try and update it and anger the fans. They'll need someone really talented with some good ideas to thread that needle. And no, making it 3d is not the solution. Maybe splitting the series where they can innovate a bit more on the side series? Something like what Capcom did with the Mega Man X series? Obviously the "X" name is out because they used it for that Metal Slug 2 but you get the idea. Then in a few years they can release "retro" metal slug games that borrow some elements from the new series but use the graphics and sounds from the original, like Mega man 9.
I wish initially upset to see Switch getting this much cooler edition. But i'm glad you mentioned that PS4 owners also get this as a free update. I'll try re-downloading my copy and get this update. :)
I recently got the physical version for my vIta from Play Asia. I can’t wait to find the time to dig into this game. Great review
I don't have a Switch, so I haven't tried out this version of Mercenary Kings, but I didn't like it when it was on Steam. I think the first boss kept teleporting away, then I had to chase it down while a time limit ticked away. I also didn't get hooked on the gun crafting stuff because it seemed like busy work to get parts that seemed to only marginally improve the weapons.
They did actually fix that, I think the boss timer for running away only starts when you get to the boss now.
What I felt they should've done a long time ago is a true console-geared Metal Slug. Tone down the quarter-munching meanness of the arcades, divide up longer stages (for instance, MS3's final mission), plot alternate routes on a map system, give the player more options when it comes to powerups and make collectibles/bonus items actually mean something beyond just score. You can leave the fundamental gameplay alone, though, it's perfect how it is.
The closest to that I can think of are the NGP and GBA titles; but those are definitely their own thing.
What I've *always* wanted is a MS where you can pilot your Slug all the way to the end of the game as long as you keep it alive. I HATE it when the game just snatches them away from you arbitrarily.
The only thing I would want changed about Metal Slug is take away the ease of just carrying over the arcade quarter munching necessity. They could've rounded it out so the gameplay was more fair where you don't die on cheap stuff, but when you do die it was definitely your fault. Hope that makes sense.
I'd love to see you review the new released "Guns,Gore & Cannoli 2" which is the side scroll run'n'gun // metal slug template taken to a fresh new level. I liked the first title and had lots of fun playing it with friends but the second entry to the franchise surprised me! Can highly recommend it so far.
That game is good!
The Metal Slug series while garnering very few changes within its many installments, will forever be charming and timeless for what it is and isn't. As such, it wouldn't bother me if I never saw another Metal Slug game released. The Metal Slug series is one of the rare anytime, anywhere, smile on your face gaming experiences. In my humble opinion, this is what gaming is all about. Excellent review, I will be giving Mercenary Kings: Reloaded a try for sure.
This game is fine during the early stages. Once you hit Major, there is a huge difficulty spike. The temple is by far the worst area so far in my playthrough. The Cloning Facility is worse.
Big issue number 1:
Starting mid game, Enemies are placed in areas where you can't hurt them, and since you can't take them out without the proper bullet type, via terrain, you're forced to take damage as you backtrack. *Strike one.*
Big issue number 2:
If you look too far in any direction, the game counts it as you being off screen. Enemies will respawn on top of you and it can cost you big time. *Strike two.*
Big issue number 3:
The levels range from okay to really bad. You'll spend most of your time navigating and pulling up your mini map. Enemies can still hurt you as you look at your map. The game does not pause. *Strike three.*
Mercenary Kings puts a huge emphasis on loadouts and crafting. So if you're like me and you stay on top of your gear it'll help a lot. It is a slow game where everything can go wrong if you don't prepare. Sometimes even that isn't enough.
*Strike out:* The constant need for C4, and the fact that it forces you to back track if you want to save your supply drop calls.
*Insult to injury:* You have a carry limit and that is not a good move. Late game has you taking on tougher bosses in obstructive maps with traps in the most unfair of places.
The more you carry, the slower you move in Mercenary Kings. There's a weight mechanic and let me tell you, slow movement=death. Jumps in this game already feel terrible, so you want to keep your loadouts mobile. God knows why they did this. In a platformer.
The maps get disgustingly big and you'll eventually just start running through areas recklessly trying to keep up with the timer.
*Nail in the Coffin:* *Metal Wolf.* This boss is an insult to difficulty. Not only is it invulnerable most of the time, it has way too much hp. It's less of a challenge and more of a massive time waster.
Mercenary Kings is best played with friends. Solo play if you're patient enough. I on the other hand, do not like this game solo. Takes forever to get things done. It's bad in more areas than it's good in, but it's fun in short bursts.
Mercenary Kings is *nothing like Metal Slug,* apart from the art style. 8/10.
I hate games with timers. So fuck this game. I never could pass a level unless I played it twenty times. Had to figure out where to go. Turn the timer off and I would love it.
I've never actually seen this game. Looks pretty awesome.
Metal Slug has a formula so they should have kept cranking out games in the same vein. That 3D metal slug game was pretty bleh. A Metal Slug tactics game would probably work too.
I love the metal slug games. I do agree that they have become a bit stagnet, but I can't imagine myself being anything but pissed if they strayed too far from the original formula.
I know that's illogical, but that's the power of nostalgia I guess. Certainly, I don't envy SNK. They are in a catch 22, either release the same old thing and let the series continue to age, or try and update it and anger the fans.
They'll need someone really talented with some good ideas to thread that needle. And no, making it 3d is not the solution.
Maybe splitting the series where they can innovate a bit more on the side series? Something like what Capcom did with the Mega Man X series? Obviously the "X" name is out because they used it for that Metal Slug 2 but you get the idea.
Then in a few years they can release "retro" metal slug games that borrow some elements from the new series but use the graphics and sounds from the original, like Mega man 9.
I still play it on psvita
Yes your crazy !!
Metal Slug 4life !!
... graphics remind me of nes contra. not a bad thing.
The timer sucks and made me not like this.