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Few side-scrolling shooters have withstood the test of time quite like SNK’s Metal Slug series. From soaking up coins on arcade screens to bringing that same frantic arcade experience to home consoles, Metal Slug has kept the genre alive and well with its unmistakable cartoonish charm wrapped around fast and frantic run-and-gun action.
Now, Metal Slug is heading to our mobile and PC screens with the release of Metal Slug: Awakening. Awakening isn’t just set to be the most portable Metal Slug experience yet, it’s also evolving the classic formula by revamping everything from the iconic visuals to the gameplay mechanics, multiplayer options, and more–all while retaining the core run-and-gun philosophy that has kept the franchise so popular over the last 28 years.
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Metal Slug: Now in 2.5D!
Metal Slug: Awakening is the latest chapter in the franchise’s story, following the iconic heroes Marco, Eri, Tarma, and Fio as they battle to thwart the plans of evil dictators, supernatural monsters, and ancient deities. With the move to 2.5D, Marco and his squad now have full 3D models, with more fluid movement to complement the dynamic action and breathe even more personality into each hero.
It’s not just the heroes either; everything from the weapons and vehicles to the enemies and levels has been rebuilt with 3D models, allowing for a crisper look that adds new depth to the side-scrolling shooter gameplay.
Revamped Single-Player And Multiplayer Modes
Awakening features an immersive single-player ‘World Adventure’ mode, where you face a series of increasingly difficult missions split across ever-expanding seasons. These missions follow the traditional arcade-style run-and-gun gameplay and include a mix of new and returning levels and bosses.
In addition to World Adventure, there are new game modes that introduce unexpected challenges. ‘Arcade Carnival’ presents objective-based missions such as defending areas from waves of enemies, while ‘Hot Pursuit’ adds a roguelike twist to the action by rewarding players with randomized upgrades after each mission is cleared. These are just two of the fresh and challenging modes that flip traditional gameplay on its head, requiring players to rethink their approach to combat.
Co-op also makes a return with ‘Joint Operation,’ where up to three players can battle through missions to take on specialized bosses. Alternatively, pit your trio against another team of three in high-stakes, chaotic PvP action in ‘Prime Showdown.’
New Controls for Classic Gameplay
When it comes to creating great side-scrolling action titles, simplicity and accessibility in gameplay are key. It’s this approach that helped Metal Slug retain its fanbase and introduce new gamers to a classic game genre. Metal Slug: Awakening embraces this concept, with simple controls and a focus on speed as you run, shoot, and jump your way through enemies and obstacles, but also adds just enough new elements for a fresh take on the formula.
For starters, in Awakening, players can choose between two different control schemes: auto-aim and manual aim. Manual aim follows the traditional Metal Slug controls, allowing for free aiming to deliver precision shots to target enemy weak points, while auto-aim targets the nearest enemy on-screen, ensuring that gameplay remains fast-paced on mobile devices.
Unlock and Customize Powerful Heroes
Alongside finding the right control scheme, choosing the right character has never been more vital, as all playable heroes have unique skills and abilities, such as Marco’s ‘Bullet Time’ which slows down time, making it easier to dodge enemy fire. Each hero’s skills and abilities not only add powerful options for players but also reference the character’s history and personality, providing new insight into Metal Slug lore.
At the start, you’ll have only Marco available, with five other classic Metal Slug characters to unlock. As you unlock more heroes, you’ll also unlock new gear to change their appearance, as well as new accessories that add new skills and buffs, like the ability to throw three grenades at once instead of just one.
Guns, Gear, and More Guns!
Metal Slug’s vast array of weapons featured across its many titles is arguably just as iconic as its playable characters. Whether it’s the decimating flame shot, the overwhelmingly heavy machine gun, or the powerful rocket launcher (or rock-it-lawn chair, if you’re a Metal Slug veteran), Metal Slug has always featured larger-than-life, bombastic weapons that are practically a requirement for making it through levels intact.
Awakening includes most of the classic weapon archetypes alongside unique, never-before-seen weapons such as sniper rifles, saw launchers, and a boxing gun (a literal spring-loaded punching glove attached to a firearm). All weapons also have variants, some of which can inflict different status effects such as freezing or burning enemies.
Weapons can also be upgraded with special items to increase firepower and unlock stronger abilities. This level of customization for character gear and weapons adds a new layer of strategy, opening the door for new playstyles and mechanics not seen before in run-and-gun-style games.
A Slug for Every Occasion
Of course, it wouldn’t be called Metal Slug without featuring the signature metal behemoths known as Slugs. Slugs add a new element to the gameplay, giving players access to powerful vehicles capable of receiving and dishing out tons of damage. In Awakening, players can unlock Slugs from past games as well as a few new ones.
Once unlocked, Slugs can be summoned onto the battlefield, giving players a massive advantage with each Slug’s unique set of skills and weapons: the classic SV-001 tank can launch nine devastating ballistic missiles, while the unassuming twin Gatling gun-mounted camel, SV-Camel, can summon a powerful lightning storm. Slugs can be further upgraded, enhancing armour, firepower, and abilities.
Metal Slug: Awakening lands on Android, iOS and PC on July 17! Pre-registration is now live on the official website so check it out now.
