Metal Slug 5

is a run and gun arcade game for the Neo-Geo, created by SNK Playmore. It was released in 2003 for the MVS arcade platform and is the fifth game in the Metal Slug series. The game was developed by Noise Factory/SNK Playmore, after Korean company Mega Enterprise had directed Metal Slug 4. It was the last Metal Slug released on the Neo Geo.
It was later ported to Microsoft Xbox and PlayStation 2 as a standalone game, and along with Metal Slug 4 as a compilation in North America and South Korea. It was ported to Microsoft Windows for a Korean release. A port was also released for the Nintendo Switch in 2018.

Gameplay

Metal Slug 5 is a 2D side-scrolling action shooter in which players can choose from four playable characters: Marco, Tarma, Eri, or Fio, each tasked with completing five missions while battling numerous enemies.
The game features various vehicles for players to control, including the Slug Mariner submarine, the Slug Flyer aircraft, and the newly introduced Slug Gunner robot. Metal Slug 5 introduces gameplay mechanics such as dual-wielding weapons and the ability to slide while shooting. The game supports two-player cooperative play and allows players to replay completed missions.

Plot

A year after the events of Metal Slug 4, a special disc that contains deep and intricate secrets about the Metal Slug project is stolen by a mysterious group called the Ptolemaic Army, whose specialty lies from within archaeological excavation and espionage. Marco and Tarma of the Peregrine Falcon Strike Force follow in hot pursuit against the group and in the process are joined by Eri and Fio of SPARROWS. Together once more, the quartet investigate the shrouded objective of the Ptolemaic Army, who over time grows more powerful as they are joined by a mysterious masked man and his followers. At the end of the game, the Ptolemaic Army summons a giant demon as the final boss, which after a long battle is forced to leave Earth thanks to the heroes.

Reception

Metal Slug 5 received mixed to positive reviews from critics. It received very positive scores from players, with an average of 8.1 on GameSpot for the PS2 version and 8.4 for the arcade version.