Metal Slug 3
2003
- shooter
- arcade
- action
The story
Metal Slug 3 is a run and gun video game for the Neo-Geo console/arcade platform created by SNK. It was released on the PlayStation 2 in Japan and Europe and on the Xbox in North America. Both of these ports feature two extra mini-scenarios once you complete it. “Storming the UFO Mothership” sets the stage in the final level puts you in control of one of three enemy soldiers – a “Normal” guy, a “Bazooka” guy, and a “Shield” guy. As you plow forward, a whole army of Morden’s soldiers will tag along and start killing enemies along with you. You can also call Sgt. Allen O’Neill to help clear the screen. “Fat Island” is a two player game where each compete to eat as much food as possible.
What it’s like
Hand-drawn sprite art gives Metal Slug 3 its look: thick ink outlines, bright cartoon palettes, and exaggerated, squash-and-stretch animation that makes every explosion and falling soldier feel rubbery and slapstick. Levels scroll sideways through desert ruins, jungle rot, snowy wastelands and alien interiors, with lush parallax backdrops and a steady stream of sparks, dust and debris. The soundtrack is brassy, punchy and upbeat, with chirpy voice barks and a constant clatter of gunfire that sits well under a loud room or a late-night session. Vibe: frantic but goofy, a loud arcade comedy with a grin on its face. It moves at a fast, relentless clip, with short stages and bursts of chaos broken by moments of pure absurdity, like the bonus "Fat Island" contest, where two players race to gorge on food. Violence is constant but cartoonish: enemies explode into pixel confetti, and blood, when it appears, is dark and minimal, with no gore and no sexual content. The tone is pulpy, cheerful and mischievous. It suits players who want an energetic, old-school co-op romp they can pick up for twenty minutes, or a playful, high-tempo fix for a busy, noisy evening.
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