Metal Slug: Awakening – A blazing return to arcade glory
Remember those old-school Metal Slug games in the arcade? The crazy action, the explosions, the big goofy tanks? Well, Metal Slug: Awakening is bringing all that back, and it's awesome! They didn't just slap an old game on your phone – this feels new, but with all the stuff that made the originals so fun.
Looks and sounds like the real thing
Right away, you'll be grinning at the graphics in Metal Slug: Awakening. It's got that chunky, old-school look, but everything is super smooth and way more detailed. The explosions are huge, the bad guys are hilarious, and the music is the perfect mix of catchy and familiar.
The action never stops
If you've ever played Metal Slug, you'll feel right at home. You run, you shoot, and stuff blows up everywhere. It's easy to pick up on your phone, making all that mayhem feel great. But Metal Slug: Awakening has a ton more tricks up its sleeve. You get to drive those awesome tanks, fight ridiculously huge bosses, and even collect cards for special powers. It never gets boring!
You'll be playing this for a while
Besides the main story, which has all the best levels from the old games, there's a ton of other stuff to do. Daily missions, special challenges, and you can even fight against other players. This isn't just a quick five-minute blast from the past – there's so much to keep you coming back.
Best alternatives to Metal Slug: Awakening
- Blazing Star (iOS & Android): A classic Neo Geo shoot-em-up ported to mobile with updated visuals. It features intense side-scrolling bullet-hell action and awesome power-ups.
- Gunforce 2 (iOS & Android): A modern take on the Metal Slug genre, offering co-op play, diverse characters, and customizable weapons for strategic action.
- Metal Soldiers 2 (iOS & Android): A direct homage to Metal Slug, with a similar emphasis on over-the-top action and humor. You'll find familiar weapons, vehicles, and a healthy dose of challenge.
- Contra Returns (iOS and Android): A reboot of the iconic Contra series, this delivers satisfying side-scrolling shooting action with updated visuals and plenty of nostalgic appeal.
- Cuphead Mobile (iOS & Android): While its core gameplay is more boss-rush focused, Cuphead's stunning 1930s cartoon aesthetic and challenging run-and-gun segments make it a must-play for fans of that retro-inspired style.
Our take
Metal Slug: Awakening is an absolute must-play for fans of the series and lovers of arcade-style action. It brings everything that made the originals great to mobile devices while offering enough fresh content to keep you blasting away for hours. A few difficulty spikes and optional in-app purchases don't detract from the explosive fun on offer.
Should you download it?
Metal Slug: Awakening has some stuff you can buy, but you honestly don't need to spend a dime to have a blast. If you loved the old games or just want some crazy shooting fun on your phone, this is the one to get. It's totally worth it!
