• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Mercenary Kings Early Access Impressions

I really wish I didn't Kickstart this :( Beyond the pretty Paul Roberson sprites, the gameplay is dull repetitive mission tedium with some glaring "this is our first platformer" flaws.

Upgrading the sprite of a gun to shoot more/more lethal bullet doesnt feel rewarding enough, and while I know this is Early Access, it just has way too many off-beats to it.

A shame, because I really liked Wizorb, perhaps more than I should have. Seems like they've overstretched themselves here. Perhaps I shouldn't have played BROFORCE before this.
 
In the same situation where I want to get two copies and would like two others to complete a 4-pack. Reply here or hit me up if you're interested, once I find one person I'll probably go ahead and do it and sell the other copy to a GAF user later [this is more about me being impatient about playing the game ahhh].

EDIT: Since Tak3n and DagsJT are in on the other pack possibly, next interested user just let me know!
 
The price will be €10.5 for one spot.

KarmaCow is out.

Are DagsJT and Tak3n interested? PM if so. Bought the pack.
 
Pie and Beans said:
I really wish I didn't Kickstart this :( Beyond the pretty Paul Roberson sprites, the gameplay is dull repetitive mission tedium with some glaring "this is our first platformer" flaws.

Upgrading the sprite of a gun to shoot more/more lethal bullet doesnt feel rewarding enough, and while I know this is Early Access, it just has way too many off-beats to it.

A shame, because I really liked Wizorb, perhaps more than I should have. Seems like they've overstretched themselves here. Perhaps I shouldn't have played BROFORCE before this.
Click to expand...

Was thinking of this game earlier. Did not know they're south african devs!
 
After playing 30 minutes here are my impressions : The game is cool. The missions repetive (but its the same with Monster Hunter) and its basically MH with Guns and Metal Slug gameplay and graphics.

+Graphics
+Gun Crafting
+Easy to jump in and play one mission
+So much stuff to do
+The Oldschool "Feel"
+Music

-Keyboard controlls
-Gets repetive after a while (Played nearly all Rank 1 Missions.) Dont know about later in the game. Didnt fighted once so i dont know how many bosses are in the game (But i hope for a lot).
-Needs even more crafting (Crafting knives,mods and Guns isnt enough. How about Armor crafting? Or is it already in the game?) and more stuff to do besides the mission.
-Coop (Its not rewarding. Coop is even straight from hell. Only one life left and one jumps into the spikes and nobody wants to help -> game over. First Aid only on yourself useable. More Teamwork options would be awesome. How about a medic gun?)
-The price (The price for something like this is too high. A better introduction into the game and a clear sight of what you can do later or unlock later would be awesome.)
-Fun (It doesnt have the same craziness level than Metal Slug. And so it somehow feels shallow at some points.)

Overall in its current state its good. But nothing great.
 
I think this game is pretty fun but it is also clearly unpolished.

There really, REALLY needs something pointing the player towards the objective. It's way too easy to wander aimlessly and get lost.
 
I went ahead and got the pack so if you're interested in a copy post here [to claim a spot] and PM me so we can set up a PayPal transaction. Should come to $11.25 US. Two spots available.

EDIT: Copies claimed, good luck to the rest of you pack hunters!
 
I mean its obviously inspired by Monster Hunter, but it feels like its for all the wrong reasons. You get the punishing of losing funds for "passing out" and waking up in med camp, but you never get the adrenaline of fighting some insane beast across an area. Its just a fairly ho-hum 2D shooter instead with really quite ridiculous respawn distance triggers. What you get then are all of the lows, and none of the highs. With no big ass armour to craft either, all you're pumping the grinding into is a gunsprite, and thats just not enough to make plodding through these big, slow, and fairly boring maps over and over.

BiggNife said:
I think this game is pretty fun but it is also clearly unpolished.

There really, REALLY needs something pointing the player towards the objective. It's way too easy to wander aimlessly and get lost.
Click to expand...

Finding 7/8 of the hostages, getting to 1 minute left and finally checking the map function (please set to a gamepad button thats not Back or Start so I can quickly toggle) only to find it doesn't direct to any objectives was an instant Exit Game and Play Something Better moment for me.
 
Tizzzzz said:
I went ahead and got the pack so if you're interested in a copy post here [to claim a spot] and PM me so we can set up a PayPal transaction. Should come to $11.25 US. Two spots available.
Click to expand...

I'll buy a copy, but I won't be on Steam until a little later tonight. Should that be a problem?
 
I'll echo the sentiment of the music being fantastic. It's very fitting for this type of game. Gamepad also seems to be a must have, so far.

It's not as fluid as Metal Slug, but I think it's designed to be that way. The controls have you value your timing and space, it's more deliberate with your jumping/ducking/aim. Don't go in expecting the same type of spam fest, at least not at first.

Will play more later.
 
Played for a bit. I quite like it so far. It's definitely early though, the game needs an objective marker (or at least some sort of "Go!" thing similar to Metal Slug that can point you in the right direction), and a less ridiculous enemy respawn system. It is crazy how fast dudes come back to life, especially considering that this is a loot game and you can just repeatedly move off the screen, come back, and have a chance to shoot more dudes and get more stuff.

Game feels a lot less Metal Slug than it lets on, which is nice. I like having an active reload. I really don't like how bullshit some of the enemies are - some of their tells (or lack thereoff) are really unhelpful. That snail enemy sticks out a long, straight barrel and then... fires two bullets in two directions? What? Okay, I guess. The game also explains nothing about its stats and crafting yet (what is "accuracy" in a game where I fire in a straight line?) and it seems like there might not actually be that much to craft.

Anyway, I enjoy it so far. Need to try the MP.
 
Any indication of what kind of support this game will have from the devs? Do they seem committed to polishing the game and maybe releasing a level editor?

I love the look of this game and would be disappointed if it winds up to be mediocre.
 
I had no idea this was out! Played it for a bit at a Polygon E3 party and was quite impressed so I just bought it. Will eat lunch first and then I'll start playing.

dem paul robertson sprites

tumblr_inline_mp407cL2gW1qz4rgp.gif
 
dark_inferno said:
-Needs even more crafting (Crafting knives,mods and Guns isnt enough. How about Armor crafting? Or is it already in the game?) and more stuff to do besides the mission.
Click to expand...

Armor crafting is there, but it's just a singular upgrade path (get these materials + money, upgrade). More varied like the guns would be fun.

I played about an hour and a half last night and I really enjoyed it. My only gripe is that flipping between the inventory on a gamepad (RB to pop the menu) seemed a little complicated. Would rather they just bound it to the d-pad.
 
Remy said:
Armor crafting is there, but it's just a singular upgrade path (get these materials + money, upgrade). More varied like the guns would be fun.

I played about an hour and a half last night and I really enjoyed it. My only gripe is that flipping between the inventory on a gamepad (RB to pop the menu) seemed a little complicated. Would rather they just bound it to the d-pad.
Click to expand...

This is something I can get behind.
 
Started playing this this weekend. I've gotten through the first two ranks and I'm really enjoying it so far. Good mix of the things I like about Monster Hunter and some elements reminiscent of the GBA Metal Slug, NES Bionic Commando, and the Megaman series.

I'm currently carrying a ridiculously powerful sniper rifle that shoots armor piercing ammo that goes through everything ("this gun shoots through schools.")

So far I've seen a few minor bugs, but since it's the "early access" version I'm cutting it some slack.

Haven't done any multiplayer yet because whenever I try to find a server it immediately goes to "none", which made me think that online multiplayer isn't implemented yet. Has anyone else been able to do online multiplayer?
 
luvcraft said:
Started playing this this weekend. I've gotten through the first two ranks and I'm really enjoying it so far. Good mix of the things I like about Monster Hunter and some elements reminiscent of the GBA Metal Slug, NES Bionic Commando, and the Megaman series.

I'm currently carrying a ridiculously powerful sniper rifle that shoots armor piercing ammo that goes through everything ("this gun shoots through schools.")

So far I've seen a few minor bugs, but since it's the "early access" version I'm cutting it some slack.

Haven't done any multiplayer yet because whenever I try to find a server it immediately goes to "none", which made me think that online multiplayer isn't implemented yet. Has anyone else been able to do online multiplayer?
Click to expand...

I briefly hopped into a game and it put me in the Hub with 2 random players in a matter of seconds. I didn't do anything with them - just wanted to see if it worked, which at a cursory glance it does.
 
luvcraft said:
Haven't done any multiplayer yet because whenever I try to find a server it immediately goes to "none", which made me think that online multiplayer isn't implemented yet. Has anyone else been able to do online multiplayer?
Click to expand...

It was working for me last night. Ran about three missions with varying party sizes. I don't think the "Invite Friends" function works yet though.
 
Anybody play Metal Assault and knows how it compares? (aka Giga Slave outside US) If you haven't heard of it, it was a 2D sidescrolling Metal Slug inspired (very similarly to this) MMO shooter with co-op missions, zombies, and PVP. It was my favorite MMO, but shut down like every MMO Aeria Games milks and kills..

This looks like it might scratch the itch that game left.
 
I just played through the first mission and ran out of time. So I just quit for now I'll play around later tonight. So my quick impressions from this play through is I love the animation which is the reason I bought it to begin with, Paul Robertson works magic. Not being able to explore it and see it at my leisure is annoying as hell, fuck that time limit hopefully at official release we get a explore mode or something. The jump isn't annoying yet but this level doesn't require anything precise. Music I could listen to all day it's great so far. I'm a huge fan of the art style I like Metal Slug art so that is a plus. I could do for a little more action and crazy stuff happening especially if I have to blow this a level in a time limit you better keep the action coming. Anyway I'm happy for the most part and it seems they will be supporting a long time.
 
This came out TODAY?!!?!?!?

Fuck me. Buying this shiz right NOW!

EDIT

I was gonna wait for the PS4 version, but I couldn't resist. I've been waiting for this for a while. I completely forgot it was coming today.
 
-PXG- said:
This came out TODAY?!!?!?!?

Fuck me. Buying this shiz right NOW!

EDIT

I was gonna wait for the PS4 version, but I couldn't resist. I've been waiting for this for a while. I completely forgot it was coming today.
Click to expand...

Don't wait go get it, you'll love it!
 
I really wish I hadn't kickstarted this because I still haven't got my code, and they haven't put out any sort of backers announcement about it.
 
I'm confused about the upgrade system. Why is it that when I upgrade my weapon's clip to hold more ammo, my power is severely decreased? And why can't I see that it will decrease the power of my weapon?
 
I need more art for this game damnit!!! I like the pretty drawings they hardly have anything on the site. Did anyone who backed get the bonuses yet?
 
I find the early progression is slow but I'm having more fun as I rank up and unlock more things to buy. Just put together a gun that is mostly Recon Rifle so I can use Armor-Piercing rounds.
they go through wall and floors
so fuck the enemies that had been annoying me up to this point.
 
I have no idea what to upgrade first. Should I get a new receiver? Can I just add any parts onto the starter receiver?
 
It's great that you guys are totally crazy about this game, and thank you for the links OP.

But personally I find the game a blatant rip-off of Metal Slug, to the point that SNK could sue them.
Just not seeing the value at 15 USD for something SNK released almost 18 years ago, to me practically everything was copy/pasted.

The game looks like fun, but I'd rather have a proper HD/next-gen Metal Slug.
 
Anyone interested in a Mercenary Kings 4 pack? Works out to about 11.25 a person. I will host.

1.ricochetguro
2.ricochetguro
3.StrykerV
4.?
 
Been playing about five hours now with three friends, the game has just gotten progressively better and better with a lot of small things we keep discovering that we didn't know before and the like. I will leave more impressions down the line, but the game for us as it's continued has gone from good, to great, to can't put down. The weapons, levels, enemies, everything gets more over-the-top and fun as the game progresses.
 
I got my Kickstarter email with Steam code on Saturday. I tried it out tonight. The game is so awesome! I was pleasantly surprised by the monster hunter inspired elements like the crafting and home base - totally wasn't expecting that. The animation is phenomenal as expected and the music rocks. My faith in Kickstarter is restored!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

WarDogs Early Access Video (MP FPS)
3
146
TwinB242 replied
Everwind - Early Access Trailer
Trailer 
4
222
IbizaPocholo replied
Anomaly President - Release Date Trailer (Early Access)
0
153
RedC replied
Solasta II - Early Access Launch Trailer
Trailer 
0
142
IbizaPocholo replied
Project: Mist - Official Early Access Release Date Trailer
Trailer 
0
61
IbizaPocholo replied
Top Bottom