What I'm Playing (Volumes 145 & 146): Metal Slug 2 & Metal Slug X

I almost never review multiple games in one post anymore, because I would get a little lazy back when I used to do that sort of thing. But with these two there's really not any other option. Metal Slug X is an enhanced version of Metal Slug 2 in more than just the dope name, but they're so extraordinarily similar that it makes sense to discuss both in one go.

The action is is more of the same from my Metal Slug review, but the action is bigger and better than ever. The visuals are functionally the same, but there are a lot of new sprites here that are in keeping with the delightful art style of the original. Metal Slug X adds even more enemies, animations, and powerups, and is unquestionably the game to play if you have to pick one. In both games, you can now choose from one of four characters. They all play the same, but it's a nice touch.

The humor still works great here, and is dialed up a notch if anything. They tell a really silly and fun story here with identifiable characters and some real plot development with essentially no dialogue, and that's quite an achievement. There's a great twist in the story that comes during the penultimate mission that will substantially change the tone of the game, and it's definitely worth playing til the end to see it. The twist comes along with a change in art style as well, becoming more sinister and brutal. It's a great maturation of the series, and gives it a bit more depth than Metal Slug.

It's still a quarter muncher, but it's a bit fairer than the first game. They had to make their money off it, but good play is rewarded a bit more in this game than in the last. It's not a fair game, but it's a ton of fun and that's good enough to bump it up a few notches from the first. I'll give it an 8.2/10.

Up next is a game I've already teased in a previous post, and which I've already finished, so check back tomorrow! I've been on a torrid pace with clearing out games in June, so I'm going to have no problems hitting my goal of 30 by the end of the year.

-TRO