There's one thing that has held back previous
releases of the METAL SLUG franchise on the
iOS platform, and that one thing is simply
its 'controls'.
The games are, without question, just as amazing
as they were in the arcades and the perfect
fodder for gamers after a hardcore side-scrolling
shooter, but games like this live and die
by their controls and sadly SNK PLAYMORE has
missed an opportunity to come up with a novel
solution.
If you've never played METAL SLUG, I thoroughly
recommend getting hold of your local nerd
and asking him or her to hook you up and show
you what it's like - that or go to your local
Arcade.
In short it's almost akin to playing the most
challenging of bullet hell games, but in the
form of a platformer - think Contra on steroids
and with a makeover.
Unfortunately the iOS release has its beautiful
visuals smothered from all angles, be it from
your own fingers (even in 4:3 aspect ratio
you can expect some bleeding-over) or by the
slow-downs that affect the game when firing
more than a few bullets with smoothing and
no scanlines on.
At its best the game looks positively shameful
and making precise maneuvers with the virtual
buttons on offer is unsatisfying, even if
it does work in your favor.
This, no doubt, explains the insane amount
of credits you're afforded to 'continue' the
game while playing - at least you'll be able
to bludgeon your way through to the end, if
nothing else.
METAL SLUG is a classic, not only for its
time, but to this day it remains a quality
side-scrolling platformer that challenges
you to think carefully before diving in to
the action.
The iOS release is no less polished thanks
to bringing the game over wholesale, but alternative
solutions are needed to solve the control
problem before it's recommended.
