Overview
Graphics 8/10
Still using the Neo Geo hardware, MS5 still looks great. The stages are fun and are great to look at. The jungle stage looks really nice, as does the water section of stage four. The interior parts of stages look good as well. You fight many different kinds of enemies like soldier, Mudman look alikes, mechs, squids, jellyfish, planes, and helicopters. All are there to keep you on your toes until you reach the stage boss. The bosses steal the show, in my opinion. You got the huge tank in stage one, that spider looking tank in stage 3, to the really weird last boss. Actually, the last boss feels out of place from the whole game. You fight countless tanks, ships, and whatnot then you fight something that resembles Blackheart from the Marvel series. Very out of place, and just plain weird. The animation is incredible as well. Your character moves fluidly, as do the enemies of the game. Slugs, mechs, even the tank boss in stage one leaves you drooling. Very well done SNK. Even though Neo Geo is dead, MS5 shows that even aging hardware can still kick ass.
Gameplay/Controls 8/10
For those of you who never played a Metal Slug game, you have no idea what you’re missing. Metal Slug plays much like Contra, but it has it’s own style to make it differ. You choose one of four characters as you take on level after level; jam packed with action and intensity. Enemies jump from all directions, so you need quick reflexes to survive. From the regular baddies to Slugs you have you’re work cut out, but it never stops being fun. Occasionally, you can jump into Slugs (mechs/vehicles) of your own, to fend off the competition. Much like Contra, you can find multiple weapons on the way from the heavy machine gun to rocket launchers. You have plenty of firepower to take on the task at hand, or you can rely on your trusty knife for close combat. Quick reflexes, and the ability to tap the A button for a long time, will help you survive through any Metal Slug. Of course, playing it multiple times, learning where enemies will jump out, and which ones, will also help. So what makes Metal Slug 5 any different?
Metal Slug 5 takes you through five stages. Each one bringing you new challenges to make sure you’re paying attention to the on-screen activity. Starting off in a jungle to the big finale at the enemy base, you face many situations that will push your skills. From riding in cars, attacking a flying ship in mid-air, to taking on squids in the sea, you do an awful lot in only five stages. New games calls for new Slugs, well just one, the Slug Gunner. You find this bad boy in the first level, and it’s very cool. New to the Slug series is the ability to slide. Reminds me of Mega Man 3 and how necessary it can be. In some situations, sliding is the only way to save you from death. With all the bullets and rockets flying at you, sliding can be a lifesaver. Btw, the controls are just as great as any other Slug. Everything is responsive, even sliding, so no worries about faulty controls causing your death. New enemies and badass bosses help out the overall package. The only thing that keeps it down is the length. The game is short, which is a let down. It’s also pretty straightforward, with not as many multiple paths as MS3. Other than that, Metal Slug 5 is awesome, a lot better than 4.
Sound/Music 8/10
Character voices, enemies, explosions, it all sounds good, yet the same from other Slug games. Every enemy is unique, not only in looks, but sound as well. Footsteps of slugs, enemy screams, bullets be fired, it sounds perfect. The music is great, in my opinion. Gets me pumped up to take on anything, and everything, that gets in my way. It matches the game play, every step of the way.
Replay Value 7/10
Like I said before, the game is short. Beating the game in less than thirty minutes is easily accomplished, as long as you have the skill. After beating it multiple times, there is not a lot to make you come back for more. The game’s levels are pretty straightforward, so you won’t see much difference in multiple sessions. Now if you have a friend along for the ride, the game is even better. Nothing like playing with your friend, killing everything in sight. Two-player game will last longer, as you both will have a great time playing MS5.
Overall 8/10
Metal Slug 5 is great. Cool levels, badass bosses, great soundtrack, and the same great game play you know and love. If the game was longer, and had multiple paths, MS3 would have some competition for best Slug game. Way better than four, give Metal Slug 5 a look. You won’t regret it.
- by Cold Man X
