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jp's Metal Slug XX (PSP)

[November 24, 2010 03:16:51 PM]

I just saw the Metal Slug Collection (also for PSP) at a store and I wondered whether or not I should have bought that one instead of this one. It's a bit of an unfair thought to be honest, since there's nothing wrong with XX. Nothing at all.

I bought it originally because having only played bits and pieces here and there of the series in the past, I felt I should give it a good try and really sink my teeth into at least one game so that I could have a more informed sense of why the series is so well-loved and what exactly it has to offer. Having finished XX, I'm not entirely sure other than having the absolute certainty that the series has a well-earned reputation for its difficulty. There is no way I would have finished it were it not for infinite continues and such. Really. It's that hard at times!

I can understand the appeal it has with hardcore players who relish the challenge (and probably play it without the infinite continues). I can also see the appeal of co-op play (which I was not able to try out unfortunately). Yes, the characters are fun, the art-style and animations are interesting and enjoyable, but I don't think I've really gotten to the bottom of it. I'm not sure I REALLY understand what makes the game work. I feel that it's mostly pretty standard...nothing terribly special, but perhaps that's because it's reached a high point in terms of polish? Am I simply being to critical because I haven't played all the other crappy games this one improved upon so much? Maybe. Which brings me back to my original question, should I have bought the collection instead?

Anyways, I thought I'd note some things that surprised me:

1. The game ends (or was it the credits? not sure at this point) with a message for peace. I thought this was strange given how the game is pretty much about destroying everything that moves.

2. In the game you rescue POWs who then give you items (weapons), points, and stuff like that. They generally look like "Robinson Crusoe"-types. Gaunt, bearded, and unkempt. Obviously it makes no sense that they'd give you items...but I wasn't really clear about the POW situation. Are you rescuing former teammates?

3. Most levels have secret things hidden here or there, in this one there are a few levels that have secret "branches". I only discovered some after searching extensively as I attempted to rescue all the POWs in a level...and realizing that the missing POWs simply weren't in the areas I had seen...