Metal Slug 4

"4th installment in the popular Metal Slug Series...Does it really live up?"

The first three Metal Slug's seemed to be a few of the greatest games that have hit the Neo-Geo, and the 4th has lived up to the series. Although it is not as great as some of the Metal Slugs that came before it, it's still great with the same 2d shooting action that we all have come to love so. Definitely a game worth playing to anyone who has the time and quarters to go through it once again.

Gameplay:
The greatest thing about the Metal Slug series is the addictive gameplay. You would think that the same shooting around in the same style would get boring, but it infect stays as fun as ever. It has a unique style that remains to be Metal Slug, with new weapons, new characters, and even new machines and creatures to ride on. Metal Slug 4's gameplay remains to have that great sense that was found in the older ones and sometimes more. All the new things that have been added to the 4th installment really adds new and fun experiences. Although the ideas are the same, the game can be totally different. The only real problem with Metal Slug 4 is that it was much shorter then the others that came before it. Before I could begin to expect the game was coming to an end, it was over. Even though the length of the game played a flaw, it was still a game that was great and long enough to enjoy. I give gameplay a 10/10.

Story:
Although this is an arcade game with really no involvement in the story, it is still fun to watch and think about while playing the game. Metal Slug was always about four soldiers fighting a foreign army. Later on in the game you find new and harder creatures to fight. The new characters were also an interesting addition. The two old characters are Marco and Fio. Marco has been around since Metal Slug 1 and Fio has been around since Metal Slug 2. The new characters are Trevor and Nadia. Although each character still fights the same, it is still fun to switch between them and see who suits you best. Even though the actual story really wasn’t a big part in the game, it was still there I thought it deserved its own part in the review. I give story 7/10.

Graphics:
The graphics in the first three Metal Slug's never really changed, and in Metal Slug 4 it’s no different. The graphics may look a little cleaner but it's still the same as the ones that came before it. Even though the improvement in Graphics is at a minimum, it is still a game that looks good to the eye. Some of the new machines and creatures that you ride also look a little nicer. The weapons are the best improvement however, some of the guns have really cool bullets. I give graphics 8/10

Replayability:
This is one of those parts that Metal Slug 4 really shines in. I love the fact that you can play it over and over without growing tired of it quickly. I’ve been playing the Metal Slug series since the first one came out and I've never stopped liking any of them. A great game that you wont get bored of fast. Metal Slug 4 has some great Replayability so I give it a 9/10.

Sound:
Really nothing new here. It has the same sounds and screams that were in the old ones. Unchanged isn’t always a bad thing though. The sounds were still nicely done and make the game feel a lot better. I really enjoyed listening to this game. I give sound a 7/10.

Controls:
The controls also remain untouched from the ones before it, which is a really good thing. Since I have gotten so used to the ways the controls are I am glad they are the same. Playing this game in the arcade is really a great feeling with the joystick and four buttons. Playing on a controller or a keyboard at home is also nice, but in my opinion it does not compete against an arcade joystick and buttons. I give arcade controls 9/10 and controller/keyboard controls a 7/10.

Buy or Not:
Well I definitely do not recommend you buy this game. To bring this home well cost you around 500-800 dollars. You should wait for it to come on a system or just continue to play it in the arcades. I have seen many people that have mastered Metal Slug and can beat the entire game in one quarter. But definitely this game is worth playing for almost any gamer.

Overall: 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/08/02, Updated 08/08/02