Mercenary Kings: Reloaded Edition

If you consider yourself a fan of retro gaming you need to give Mercenary Kings: Reloaded Edition a try. It’s like they took two of the most beloved retro run and guns – Contra and Metal Slug – and added a crafting system. As long as you don’t mind a little repetition, you’ll get a ton of enjoyment out of this title. If you’re a big fan of games packed with charm, you NEED to play Mercenary Kings: Reloaded Edition.

Mercenary Kings: Reloaded Edition is a decent enough little Metal Slug-esque explorer that does what it can to extend upon the usual left to right progression found in most games of a similar ilk. The crafting system is simple enough, and, despite some repetitive mission objectives, it’s an enjoyable experience overall. I did find the screen orientation a big problem, especially in portable mode, which is a shame really because, as a multiplayer game, it does work rather well.

Still, if the combat sounds up your alley, there’s a whole lot to love in Mercenary Kings Reloaded. The content is not at fault, nor is the level design and replay value. This one’s a blast to play with friends, and that may be its most saving grace. The sluggishness of movement and shooting is halved when you’re playing with a good friend who can share in the mayhem. It also allows online play with friends, strangers, or by invite only so you can tailor your desired experience. Playing solo is doable, but MKR is a whole lot more fun when it’s played with friends.