Metal Slug has been
around for quite some time as most gamers’ SNK alternative to Contra. The game
features side-scrolling 2D shooting action, a pinch of humor, and loads of
comic-style artistic flare. This Game Boy Advance edition drops some of Metal
Slugs usual elements but holds on to what makes it “Metal Slug.”
In this Metal Slug you
have the choice of a male or female role; Walter or Tyra. Each character plays
the same as the other – it’s really just deciding what you want your player to
look like.
Once a new game is
started a save file is created. This file keeps track of your entire campaign
and players can save whenever they are in their Base Camp. If you aren’t
currently on a mission then this is where you are. From Base Camp you can move
on to the next mission, replay a previous mission, check your card or prisoner
collection, save, or quit to the main menu.
The first difference
Metal Slug fans will notice is that you now have a health bar. In previous Metal
Slugs players died if they were hit at all, but were given multiple chances to
get through the level. In Metal Slug Advance you are given one chance to pass
the level but can sustain multiple hits. The blood is also removed from this
translation to Game Boy. It doesn’t take away from the gameplay, but it sort of
added to the artistic style and there should have been an option to turn it on.
The difficulty seemed
toned down at first, since Metal Slugs are notoriously hard games, but it soon
picks up and the last few levels prove to be a challenge. For gamers that just
want to get through the game, you are now allowed to continue from the last
checkpoint (which takes place when the scene changes). If you have to continue
at any point during the mission all your collected items and prisoners are lost.
There are only five missions total, but even just getting through them may take
awhile if you’re not a Metal Slug pro; just getting to the next checkpoint on
the last level is pretty hard.
A major addition to Metal
Slug Advance is the card and prisoner collecting “side quest” of sorts.
Throughout each mission you will find cards, either in crates, as gifts from
prisoners, or just lying around in hidden areas. If you can then survive the
rest of the mission without continuing that card and all saved prisoners are
added to your collections that can be viewed at Base Camp. A lot of cards are
just for looks, but some will actually grant you abilities and/or upgraded
weapons if equipped. This adds a lot of replay, since to collect all the cards
and prisoners you will have to beat the levels without dying. After each mission
you can save and your collections are recorded and won’t be lost.
Metal Slug Advance is an
excellent game to have in your collection. It’s the perfect game for waiting in
line or during commercials in the movie theater because of its pick-up and go
gameplay, but it’s also good for road trips or flights because of the amount of
collectibles and replay. Either way you can’t really go wrong, unless you’re not
a fan of the genre. If this is the case, Metal Slug Advance doesn’t offer
anything new and you probably won’t like it.
Gameplay: 8.0
For some this
type of game is getting stale and for others it never gets old, but you can’t
deny that it’s easy to pick up, making it a great handheld game. Metal Slug has
always been a great 2D side-scroller, and while taking a few small losses in its
Game Boy form it still holds on to what’s important.
Graphics: 9.4
This is an
excellent looking game. Character detail, animations, and the environments all
look better than most Game Boy Advance games out there.
Sound: 7.6
The sound effects
are great and sound pretty close to their arcade counter-parts. The soundtrack
is just made up of short loops that aren’t worth stopping to listen to. While
you’re playing the music is barely noticeable.
Difficulty: Hard
The game starts
innocent enough with the first couple missions being very easy, especially if
you use continues. It quickly picks up after the third mission, and shortly
after it becomes difficult even with continues.
Concept: 9.0
There need to be
more games like this on the Game Boy Advance. Quality shooters that are as easy
to pick up as put down. While handheld RPG’s are great, there also needs to be
titles that gamers don’t get so attached to and are able to play in situations
that may require you to cut your gaming short.
Overall: 8.2
While Metal Slug
Advance is fairly short, clocking in at only five missions, there are extra
dungeon levels as well as 100 cards to find and collect to add replay. Plus it’s
just fun, and with virtually no learning curve it can be picked up at any time
for a quick shooter fix. Some gamers may find it too short or frustrating, but
it’s a must-have for shooter fans.
