Metal Slug 5

"A great Metal Slug for sure, but somewhat different then the previous ones"

Ah, Metal Slug 5. Where to begin?

The latest installment in the Metal Slug series, which is an excellent series, is Metal Slug 5. Metal Slug 5 (Hereafter called MS5), completely through the long-standing General Morden and the invading aliens right out the window. Bam. Good-bye. Cya. Instead, they're replaced with terrorist/mercenary forces and a shy-guy cult. Some 'monsters' are still around, but nothing to the scale of Metal Slug 3. You'll see a few of them around underwater, but no where else. As for the bosses, they are still machines, though nothing that's eye-candy (The third boss of Metal Slug 2/X, Dragon Nosuke). As for the last boss....how did THAT get there? Completely unexplained and surprisingly different then what you would expect , unlike past bosses.

Audio and musically, it's beautiful, just like past Metal Slugs. Every sound is perfect for each action that happens in the game. The music is amazing too. This game has gone for a more metal/industrial type of music and succeeds in doing so. Plenty of songs are very addicting, especially the theme of the final boss, Final Attack. Some music is from past Metal Slugs, though it is remixed to a metal/industrial version.

For it's graphics, MS5 delivers smooth, clean, and overall fantastic 2-D graphics. Great, detailed back-rounds for every level. For sprites, it has plenty of brand new ones to go with a few of the old ones.

As for game play, it was wonderful. Like past Metal Slugs, it's bliss to play. But, it feels as it this game is missing something, regardless of the same game play. Odd. Awesome 2-D, side-scrolling shootings is what this game is all about. Pump the enemy full of lead and keep on moving without stopping. Nice power-ups to run over your enemies quickly. Also, MS5 still has it's great vehicles. The old vehicles that return are the Metal Slug(The Tank), the Slug Flier (The Jet), and the Slugmariner (The Submarine). Two new vehicles that make appearances are the Spider Slug, and the Slug Gunner. The Slug Gunner is the most awesome Slug yet, IMO. With all these power-ups and vehicles, you would think this game is quite easy, right? Wrong. If you take one shot, you're down for the count. And the vehicles can't sustain much damage either. After about four shots, BLAM! Gone. This game is about shooting the enemy before the enemy gets to shoot you.

The Scores -

Sound/Music - 9/10

Graphics - 10/10

Game Play - 9/10

Difficulty - 8/10

Overall - 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/20/04