Retro Views is our series of game reviews from systems and generations past. We try to highlight forgotten classics and underrated gems, but there will be the occasional Great Game too.
In terms of console strategy games, there's only a few games that are considered as being great – Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics, umm… Gladius (not really). Metal Marines absolutely deserves to be included in this pantheon, and it's a crime that this game has been all but forgotten.
The concept for the game is crazy. America is essentially post-apocalyptic, and two different factions are competing to control what's left of it. And what's left of it is a series of islands. The islands themselves look quite idyllic, actually, but that's besides the point. Anyways, Metal Marines doesn't have a particularly strong story, but it does create kind of a cool atmosphere. As well, the game was definitely originally designed with a Japanese audience in mind. The group that you play for are all quite Japanese in appearance, while all of the villains are stereotypical Americans. In fact, in the original release, it took place in Japan, not in America, and was only changed in localization. It totally changes the game, though, and makes the plot unintentionally quite funny.
The game plays in real-time, and at first glance appears to be a weaponized version of SimCity. From an isometric perspective, you have a grid laid out in front of you, overlaid on the island from which you launch your attacks. There are two methods of attack and two methods of defence (at least initially), and balancing these two things are paramount to your success. Because of the distance between your island and the enemies, you have to either launch missles or send over the titular Metal Marines, Gundam-looking mecha-robots with gigantic swords and machine guns. The enemy will launch these at you too, so having anti-missile technology and turrets surrounding your base are a good idea.
Besides these four main structures, you also have to build energy extractors, radar to better enhance your defenses, and technology research centres. As well, at the beginning of each "match," you must place three underground bases. All of your other buildings can get destroyed, but the game is over once these bases get torched.
Here's basically how any given match will go. You'll either decide to try to build up your base as a fortified nightmare house for your enemies (which is a bad idea after about the third or fourth stage, as the enemy will start handing you your ass by attacking nearly constantly), or you launch over a few exploratory missiles to see what the enemy has built up, attempt to destroy the anti-missile launchers with your Metal Marines and destroy the turrets with your missiles. What makes the game so engaging is that it ramps up the challenge significantly throughout the game, and only with a steeled strategic mind will you be able to make it out alive. As well, the game never skimps on utilizing the dramatic – missile launches and Metal Marine attacks stop all other production while they're happening, and the game presents these incidents with a serious level of gravitas. The game absolutely nails that mid-90s anime feeling while still presenting a legitimately enjoyable gameplay experience.
In terms of strategy games, there's still nothing that feels quite as tactical and challenging as this game. If you have a Super Nintendo or access to the Virtual Console, give it a go. It's just as fresh today as it was then.