Metal Slug Impressions

TOKYO--SNK has announced plans to deliver an all-new game in the Metal Slug series to the PlayStation 2 in 2005. The game, currently only announced for Japanese release, is simply being called Metal Slug at the moment, but make no mistake--this isn't the Metal Slug you're used to seeing.

Rather than develop an all-new 2D adventure for the PlayStation 2, this new Metal Slug game takes things polygonal and presents the action from a behind-the-back, 3D perspective. The game has not been publically shown in playable form, but the video on display at the Tokyo Game Show demonstrates that you'll still be able to jump, fire, and toss stick grenades. It also appears that you'll be able to freely rotate and tilt the camera to your liking.

It's safe to say that this installment in the Metal Slug series is very early in development. With that caveat, the version being shown on video has some pretty low-quality textures and only rudimentary animation at this point. The gameplay also seems very basic, with the only onscreen indicators being a life meter (so it's safe to assume that you'll be able to take more than one hit before dying, unlike most other Metal Slug games), ammo and grenade counters, and a basic radar display that shows off enemy locations.

Metal Slug is currently planned for release on the PlayStation 2 sometime next year. No North American release plans have been announced at this time. For more updates, be sure to check GameSpot's coverage of the Tokyo Game Show 2004.