Developer: SNK Publisher: Ignition Release: 11/05/04 (UK) Genre: Action
SNK set a high bar with the first two Metal Slug games. As essentially Contra on steroids they took the 2d side scrolling action genre to new heights with fantastic art and an endless amount of creativity. Yet somehow they were able to top themselves with Metal Slug 3. As the last title in the series they developed before bankruptcy SNK threw literally everything but the kitchen sink into the game. If Metal Slug 3 was the intended finale of the series than this was a fitting conclusion. Of course it still continues to this day but that does little to diminish the fact that this is one of the best in the series.
Metal Slug 3 takes the sequel adage of bigger and better to the limit. Rather than trying to introduce new mechanics it simply expounds on what already exists to an insane degree. The general weapon selection is mostly the same. There are a lot more situational weapons and rare special items that are hilarious. If you thought Hyakutaro throwing Hadokens was funny Utan, a dual uzi wielding monkey is a blast. The zombie transformation is similar to the mummy form but even more powerful. The game goes overboard with the slug vehicles and adds seven more. Some of these are hilarious like the Ostrich and Elephant slug. Others serve a specific purpose like the Drill slug and slug marine. The Astro slug is reserved for the final mission which takes you to the stars (seriously).
What places Metal Slug 3 in the upper echelons of the series is its creativity. What Metal Slug X hinted at with its Martian ending part 3 goes full bore. Every mission features a diverse range of settings and enemies tied into to its branching system. The first mission begins on a tropical beach before possibly delving underwater and fighting sea creatures. Depending on your choices you might fight zombies or aliens. The game’s delving into the strange and mystical does not end there. You have the option of fighting mummies once again before the full blown alien invasion in the game’s conclusion. Despite these elements seeming out of place somehow SNK made the game’s madcap adventure feel seamless. It also helps that they are so accomplished that you won’t even care. I like it because it keeps the series from becoming just a repetitive battle against the Rebel Army.
On its face Metal Slug 3 is shorter than the previous games at five stages. However it has more overall content as a whole. The first four missions have multiple branching paths, some as many as three that are wildly divergent. In Mission 2 the rebel army route sees you dealing with rebel army soldiers and the survivors of a plane crash that are being turned in to zombies. The alternate path through an ice cave trades zombie for Sasquatches and is an odd diversion. The fourth mission has three paths and is just as diverse, featuring Egyptian mummies, mutated bugs, or kamikaze Japanese soldiers. The last level is the longest and is possibly as long as the rest of the game. This grueling test of patience features an extended shmup sequence before storming the alien mothership to save your comrade. Speaking of motherships…..
SNK have included two bonus modes to give the game even more replay value. Of the two storming the UFO Mothership is the most substantial. This mode is an alternate take on the game’s final level played from the perspective of an enemy soldier. You can pick from three classes: normal, bazooka and shield soldier. You have a single life to rescue the Slug team which sounds difficult. However it balances out by the constant soldiers that appear to back you up. Smart players will use them as meat shields to progress since they are replaced within seconds. The mothership is grueling on its own but surprisingly is easier when you have an army at your back. Fat Island is a multiplayer mode that challenges players to eat as much food as possible. I have no experience with this one due to lack of interest. It’s a cool extra nonetheless.
The Metal Slug games are known for their difficulty as much as their meticulous art and Metal Slug 3 is almost comically punishing. The game does an excellent job of providing special weapons at an even clip considering the standard pistol is so weak. But even so the relentless number of enemies and sheer chaos can be overwhelming and it is easy to lose your character among numerous explosions. The main source of your deaths will come from the bosses. On the normal setting they have a ridiculous amount of HP and can take upwards of five minutes to defeat. Their various attack routines make for fun fights but they also lean a bit too heavy on gotcha moments that are impossible to avoid. The game wisely has unlimited continues and you respawn immediately. You will need every single one to master this beast. But it’s a beast worth taming.
In Closing
Metal Slug 3 is an incredible game and one of my favorite 2d actions games of all time. SNK pulled out all the stops to deliver a game worthy of sending the series off into the sunset. They rarely get better than this folks. Stunning 2d art and gameplay make this one a classic.
