METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack Review

There’s something inherently satisfying about side-scrolling, run-and-gun action games. Perhaps it’s the nostalgic charm of frantic pixelated firefights, or maybe it’s the simple yet undeniable joy of blowing stuff up. METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack, developed by Eggtart Inc., captures precisely this satisfaction, while wrapping it neatly in a compelling sci-fi revenge story set in a distant future. If the idea of battling aliens across far-flung planets while donning an array of uniquely powered combat suits tickles your fancy, you’re definitely in for a treat.

Set in the year 4373, METAL SUITS introduces us to Kevin, a grizzled war hero whose résumé now includes “cyborg” thanks to a brutal alien attack. But it’s not just his physical transformation that propels the narrative forward; it’s his personal loss—the tragic death of his beloved dog, Andy—that ignites his fiery quest for vengeance. If John Wick ever swapped out his suits and pistols for mech armor and laser blasters, you’d get Kevin, albeit with fewer one-liners and more extraterrestrial explosions.

Eggtart Inc. clearly understands that for a run-and-gun game to truly resonate, it must go beyond mere spectacle. METAL SUITS adds emotional stakes and a sense of purpose behind every trigger pull. Kevin isn’t just a machine hell-bent on destruction—he’s a relatable protagonist driven by loss and determination, elevating what could have been another generic side-scroller into a game brimming with personality.

Yet, nostalgia and narrative alone don’t make a great game. Does METAL SUITS succeed in fusing its retro inspirations with modern gameplay sensibilities? Grab your favorite combat suit, because it’s time to dive deep into Eggtart Inc.’s pixelated love letter to classic side-scrolling mayhem.

Setting and Story

METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack boldly leaps into the distant year 4373, a future that apparently still hasn’t solved the age-old problem of pesky alien invasions. Humanity has expanded far beyond our solar system, colonizing various planets in the enigmatic Helios system. Yet, rather predictably, peace proves short-lived when an extraterrestrial menace emerges, laying waste to human settlements and leaving devastation in its wake.

At the heart of this turmoil is our protagonist, Kevin, once a celebrated war hero whose battlefield days were supposed to be long behind him. Unfortunately for Kevin (and fortunately for players), retirement plans crumble spectacularly when aliens attack, gravely injuring him and claiming the life of his beloved dog, Andy. In a touching nod to classic revenge narratives, Andy’s loss becomes Kevin’s driving force, transforming a typical sci-fi plot into something far more personal—and oddly relatable.

Kevin’s journey spans multiple planets, each offering distinct environments and challenges—from industrial wastelands teeming with mechanized threats to lush alien jungles brimming with dangerous wildlife. Eggtart Inc. excels in building an atmospheric backdrop, embedding each level with narrative tidbits that reveal more about Kevin’s past, the nature of the alien threat, and humanity’s fragile grasp on the cosmos. It’s refreshing to see a retro-inspired game embrace storytelling, with subtle environmental storytelling complementing the straightforward narrative.

Despite the weighty themes, METAL SUITS balances its darker moments with just enough tongue-in-cheek humor. Kevin’s gruff commentary and occasional quips inject levity into even the most dire circumstances, reinforcing that while revenge might be serious business, there’s still room to have some explosive, alien-blasting fun along the way.

Gameplay and Mechanics

METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack skillfully channels the golden age of side-scrolling shooters, seamlessly blending nostalgia with modern gameplay sensibilities. At its core, this title is a classic run-and-gun adventure, echoing beloved franchises like Contra and Metal Slug, where reflexes, precision, and timing reign supreme. However, it doesn’t rest merely on homage, instead innovating enough to set itself apart from its venerable predecessors.

Kevin’s primary tools in his revenge-driven arsenal are the aptly named “Metal Suits,” each of which grants him distinctive abilities. Players can switch between suits mid-level, each bringing unique tactical advantages. One moment you’re piloting the “Thunder Suit,” unleashing electrifying blasts to fry alien threats; the next, you’re using the agile “Shadow Suit,” emphasizing stealth and rapid movement to navigate through heavily fortified areas. This dynamic suit-switching mechanic adds an appealing layer of strategy, requiring thoughtful decisions amidst frantic gunfire.

Controls feel responsive and intuitive, crucial in a game where split-second timing often separates glorious victory from catastrophic defeat. Enemy variety is notably impressive, featuring well-balanced adversaries—from grunt-like foot soldiers that serve as cannon fodder, to larger, screen-filling bosses that demand tactical precision. Difficulty scales sensibly, introducing new mechanics and enemy behaviors gradually, allowing players to adapt their strategies organically without feeling overwhelmed.

Additionally, levels encourage exploration and reward curiosity generously. Secret areas and hidden power-ups pepper each stage, providing health boosts, suit upgrades, and collectible lore items, which expand upon the game’s universe. This exploration aspect adds depth to the experience, enhancing replayability and making repeated playthroughs rewarding rather than redundant.

Multiplayer and Replayability

While METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack primarily offers a gripping solo experience, it cleverly enriches the formula by introducing cooperative multiplayer, breathing new life into the frantic side-scrolling action. Players can join forces with friends in local or online co-op, blasting through enemy hordes in a spectacular ballet of synchronized destruction. Cooperation isn’t merely optional—it’s critical. Suit abilities complement each other, encouraging creative teamwork and tactical approaches to each stage, making multiplayer engagements genuinely fulfilling.

The game’s co-op mode enhances replayability significantly. Levels you may have thought mastered in solo play take on a new dimension when strategizing alongside a friend. The joy of executing coordinated suit swaps—say, one player stunning enemies with electric bursts while another slips past defenses to deliver stealthy kills—never grows old. It’s clear that developer Eggtart Inc. designed METAL SUITS with multiplayer synergy firmly in mind, ensuring that the cooperative experience feels seamless and engaging.

For players seeking more than just cooperative camaraderie, METAL SUITS introduces competitive elements through online leaderboards and challenge modes. Time trials, boss rushes, and score-attack stages add further replay value, pitting your skills against players worldwide. This feature is particularly attractive for those chasing perfection or eager to showcase their run-and-gun prowess. The game’s online functionality proves robust and stable, allowing for smooth competitive play and ensuring high-score hunters return frequently to reclaim or defend their rankings.

In short, the multiplayer components of METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack not only amplify enjoyment but also substantially extend the game’s lifespan. The thoughtful addition of diverse gameplay modes, cooperative synergy, and competitive incentives makes revisiting Kevin’s interstellar revenge saga repeatedly enticing.

Graphics and Sound

From the moment METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack boots up, you’re plunged into a nostalgically pixelated universe that charmingly recalls the 16-bit era while smartly infusing modern visual flair. Eggtart Inc. has carefully crafted each stage and character sprite to evoke memories of classic side-scrollers like Contra and Metal Slug, yet it manages to stand on its own through fluid animations and meticulous attention to detail. Every alien-infested battlefield feels alive, pulsating with bright explosions, sleek metallic surfaces, and delightfully sinister enemy designs.

What particularly stands out is the art direction and diversity across each planet in the Helios system. Each environment, from icy caverns to volcanic wastelands, comes with a distinct color palette and visual theme. This visual diversity keeps the game consistently engaging, avoiding monotony and visually emphasizing Kevin’s journey across these exotic worlds. It’s clear the developers took the extra effort to ensure that each new area would feel refreshingly unique.

The sound design is equally commendable, with a thumping chiptune-inspired soundtrack perfectly complementing the frenetic action. Music tracks energetically underscore boss battles, exploratory segments, and tense firefights alike, hitting all the right nostalgic notes without ever feeling dated. The audio effects, meanwhile, carry just the right amount of punch—weapon blasts, explosions, and enemy screams blend beautifully into the gameplay, immersing you in Kevin’s chaotic battle for revenge.

One particularly delightful touch is how the soundscape and visuals synergize during combat. Explosions ripple visually across the screen, matched with satisfying auditory feedback, creating a genuinely immersive experience. It’s these thoughtful details that elevate METAL SUITS beyond being merely another retro-inspired shooter, showcasing the passion Eggtart Inc. clearly has for their project.

Final Thoughts

METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack is a vibrant homage to the glory days of run-and-gun classics, masterfully blending retro aesthetics with contemporary gameplay mechanics. Eggtart Inc. has succeeded in creating a game that’s not merely a nostalgic nod, but a genuinely fun and challenging experience in its own right. The diverse range of combat suits, engaging environments, and finely-tuned gameplay ensure players will continually come back for just one more explosive mission.

Kevin’s deeply personal vendetta adds a layer of emotional engagement rarely found in retro-style games, ensuring you’re invested not only in the action-packed gameplay but also in the journey itself. While the story isn’t overly complex, it provides just enough context and motivation to elevate the game above mere mindless shooting. The variety in stages, combined with the intriguing backstory of Kevin’s transformation into a vengeful cyborg, keeps the narrative interesting and immersive throughout.

In an age where many indie games seek to mimic the past without fully understanding what made those classics great, METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack stands apart. It’s evident the developers genuinely adore the genre, investing substantial care and passion into every pixel and blast. Sure, the game may occasionally lean into familiar tropes, but it executes them with such charm and expertise that it’s hard not to be thoroughly entertained.

Ultimately, whether you’re a seasoned veteran of old-school shooters or a newcomer looking for a solid entry point into retro-inspired gaming, METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack will offer plenty to enjoy. Eggtart Inc. has crafted a polished, action-packed gem that truly deserves a place in your gaming library.

We prepared this review with a digital copy of the METAL SUITS: Counter-Attack for the PC version provided by Eggtart Inc.