When people tell you that games developers don’t make games like they used to, they’re probably referring to games like the popular Metal Slug series – a classic run-and-gun side scrolling game with colourful graphics and an intense difficulty setting that first appeared in the arcade and on the Neo Geo. Thankfully, the younger members of the gaming community now have the chance to experience the world of Metal Slug in the palms of their hands thanks to Ignition Entertainment’s Game Boy Advance iteration of the classic series. But instead of an article on the history of this particular franchise, let’s take a look at why the GBA version is worth your hard-earned pennies.
The graphics for this game are, as mentioned, bright and colourful, with plenty of action happening on screen at any given time as you shoot and chop your way through small battalions of enemy soldiers. The environments are varied and vibrant, and the character sprites are both unique and impressive to behold. The gameplay is of your typical run-and-gun fare, but it’s fair to say that Metal Slug accomplishes this with far more style and finesse than any other games of the genre. The weaponry (which you pick up as you defeat more powerful enemies) is varied and entertaining to use, with gunning down your standard foes with a shotgun very satisfying indeed.
The game sees you running and jumping and shooting and, uh, shooting some more against masses of foes that range from your standard soldiers to helicopters and tanks – all of which can be taken out provided you have the patience, the skills, and of course, the weaponry. You have a choice between your gun or knife (for close combat) and bombs/shells to take out your foes with – and while this might sound very limited on paper, there is a surprising degree of tactics required as to whether you jump into the pit below and cut down the soldiers, or crouch down at the edge and chuck a few grenades in to clear out most of your foes before they can hit you. This adds to the atmosphere and makes the game that little bit more involving, with plenty of decisions to make about how best to employ your character’s abilities. On top of all the standard actions as your character, you can climb into tanks and so forth in order to cause your enemies some serious damage. These are normally equipped with a machine gun and cannon and are very useful for taking out hordes of enemies or other vehicles such as tanks and helicopters. Using these vehicles makes a pleasant, if fleeting, distraction from the standard gameplay, and adds a bit of variation to the formula.
As for how long this game will remain inside your GBA, don’t expect it to leave your game slot anytime soon, as Metal Slug Advance does justice to a franchise that is renowned for its difficulty. This game has captured that magical essence that lies on the thin borderline between frustratingly difficult and extremely addictive. This game will have you tearing your hair out with anger sometimes, especially on the later stages, and this game can sometimes just grind your nerves a little too much for comfort. However, if you bought this game with the previous incarnations of the franchise in mind, you can’t have expected it to be easy. On the whole, you can look at Metal Slug Advance like a jar of Marmite. Either you adore the challenge and the compulsive enjoyment that this game brings, or you hate the frustrating, irritating, tiresome slog through the more difficult levels.
Metal Slug Advance, whether you love or loathe it, is a game of very high quality and a worthy addition to the game collection of most GBA owners. And personally, we love it.
James Hamilton
