Summary

Metal Slug 2 is a landmark in arcade gaming, offering an action-packed adventure with rich gameplay and humor.

• Release Year: 1998
• Genres: Adventure, Arcade, Platform, Shooter
• Platforms: Android, Arcade, iOS, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, Neo Geo MVS, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Wii
• Developers: DotEmu, M2, SNK
• Publishers: D4 Enterprise, SNK Playmore

Introduction

Metal Slug 2 enhances the iconic run & gun formula with new features and characters, continuing the fight against General Morden’s forces and an alien threat.

Synopsis

The plot of “Metal Slug 2” picks up two years after the end of the original “Metal Slug”, where Capt. Marco Rossi and Lt. Tarma Roving of Peregrine Falcon Strike Force defeated and killed the evil General Morden, who had staged a coup d’état against the world’s governments. Various factions sympathetic to Morden have been in operation, but are considered insignificant.

The game begins with the destruction of the town of Torchlight, at the hands of the Alchemist from the first game. The player character follows the trail of destruction left in the Alchemist’s wake as he searches for a cure to his illness which has driven him insane.

Gameplay in “Metal Slug 2” is similar to the previous game; the player must shoot constantly at a continual stream of enemies in order to reach the end of each level. At this point, the player confronts a boss, who is usually considerably larger and tougher than regular enemies. On the way through each level, the player can find numerous weapon upgrades and “Metal Slug” tanks. The tank is known as the SV-001 (“SV” stands for Super Vehicle), which increases the player’s offense and considerably adds to their defense.

In addition to shooting, the player can perform melee attacks by using a knife and/or kicking. The player does not die by coming into contact with enemies, and correspondingly, many of the enemy troops have melee attacks. Much of the game’s scenery is destructible, and occasionally, this reveals extra items or power-ups.

During the course of a level, the player encounters prisoners of war (POWs), who, if freed, offer the player bonuses in the form of random items or weapons. At the end of each level, the player receives a scoring bonus based on the number of freed POWs. If the player dies before the end of the level, the tally of freed POWs reverts to zero.

Characters

Marco Rossi, Tarma Roving, Eri Kasamoto, and Fio Germi.

Gameplay

Includes fast-paced run-and-gun mechanics, new weapons, vehicles, and power-ups, along with character-specific abilities and transformations.

Conclusion

Metal Slug 2 stands as a testament to SNK’s ability to craft engaging and enduring arcade titles, offering a memorable and explosive gaming experience.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern