Metal Slug 1st Mission 4/6/00 Game by SNK Reviewed by kclas kclas@iname.com Size: 32 megabit Save: 1 save slot Released: 1999 Works with: Neo Geo Pocket/Color, Link **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: This game made me instantly glad to be an NGPC owner. It continues in the fun tradition of Metal Slug. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: Jump, shoot, stab, collect items. Plays a kind of like Contra with cuter graphics, fewer enemies, and larger levels. Some levels are the typical run and shoot, others let you drive the Metal Slug, and some let you fly the Slug Flyer. Larger levels reward exploration with items and shortcuts. There are even a few oddball levels, like one where you are placed on a hand-operated rail cart chasing a train. If you are shot down while flying, you will often parachute out and land in a different level instead of dying. You can also be captured while driving the metal slug, in which case you must escape from prison camp armed only with a knife. Level progression is not exactly linear, as some levels have more than one exit. The weapons are varied and include a pistol, a machine gun, grenades, a rocket launcher, a shotgun, and a super special(?). Grenades, rockets, and super specials are great for taking out tanks heavy artillery, while the guns are best for ventilating Charlie's abdominal cavity. Bosses are dispersed throughout the levels, not all levels have them. Your player is assigned a rank depending on how many points you accumulate throughout the levels, and your life meter extends with rank. Oddly, this makes the game easier after each successive completion. Liked: Fast jump and shoot gameplay and varied levels. Hated: Nothing **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: Wow. The backgrounds are well drawn: some are multi-layered with parallax scrolling, some have foreground objects that add depth, and they are all nice to look at. The sewer level has simple light sourcing. The screen dims and brightens in relative to how near you are to the closest light. The characters are entertainingly animated. Enemies will read newspapers, squat by fires, go to sleep, or search for you with binoculars. Hostages will pull large items out of their trousers(?!) to reward you for rescuing them. Enemies do an exaggerated "kick the bucket" routine when they die. The real graphical showcases in this game are the bosses. They are huge, colorful, and well animated. Liked: Colorful, well drawn graphics. Hated: Slowdown when things get busy. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: Entertaining music and adequate sound effects. The music adds to the military atmosphere. Liked: The entertaining little ditties. Hated: There are only 3 or 4 songs repeated through all of the levels. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: Control is pretty tight. My only complaint is that it is not easy to nudge your character to the edge of a platform. It seems that characters must take full steps which prohibits exact placement on edges. Liked: Most everything. Hated: Lack of precise placement when moving left and right. **************************************************************************** Improve: The graphics engine could be improved to reduce slowdown, and the levels could be more complicated. The sequel should definitely include more bosses. RIYL: Arcade Metal Slug, Contra, Mega Man. **************************************************************************** Final Words: Metal Slug is a great platform shooter that really shows off some of the NGPC's capabilities. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: **** Sound/Music: **** Play Control/Game Design: **** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 88% Final Score: 92% A great first-gen game. Can't wait for the sequel. **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: (Any secrets?)