Disclaimer: This hub is just fan speculation; there is no guarantee that any of these features will appear in Metal Slug 8.

As a very avid fan of the Metal Slug series, I started to wonder what new features SNK would put into Metal Slug 8. As of now, the only information released regarding the sequel has been that it may be released in HD format.

That gives way for a fair amount of speculation, so...

Story

Characters

Features

Stages

Metal Slug XX Trailer

Weapons & Slugs

Metal Slug Links

Metal Slug on Amazon

Comments

Having been defeated by the combined might of The Peregrine Falcon Strike Force, the Ikari Warriors, and the SPARROWS, General Morden has retracted his ambitions to rule the world and seemingly disappeared from the face of the planet...

Soon enough, reports of militant activity resembling the Rebel Army are intercepted. It seems Morden is up to his old tactics again, this time making his base of operations an amusement park themed-island called Gambit Crest.

He's taken hostages, and is forcing the amusement park's technical staff to convert the rides and attractions into tools of war to help him conquor the world. The Metal Slug heroes are dispatched to put an end to the Rebel Army's latest threat against the free world, with help from two old comrades...

Nadia Cassel and Trevor Spacey rejoin the ranks of the Metal Slug roster in their newest (and most bizarre) adventure yet!

Their inclusion into Metal Slug 8 brings the total number of playable characters from 6 (Metal Slug 7) to 8! Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fio, Ralf and Clark return sporting their respective abilities. This time, however, they've got Nadia and Trevor who've been given unique abilities of their own to help round out the team.

Nadia's abilities make her a master of evasive manuevers. She returns to the team with the ability to Slide, which was first introduced in Metal Slug 5. While sliding, Nadia is invincible to damage of any kind. She also has a Double Jump that she can use to help evade gunfire, although her second jump is a bit shorter than her first.

Trevor has the ability to turn enemy soldiers into Human Shields by using his Alternate Attack. Trevor can then move, fire, and jump normally while holding a soldier hostage. The enemy will absorb gunfire, even multiple shots fired in succession, and then be discarded. He cannot enter Slugs while using a Human Shield. Some enemies may not even fire if Trevor has a Human Shield up!

Metal Slug 8 will introduce new gameplay features to keep things interesting. The Weapon Stock System introduced in Metal Slug 6 will return, along with a few other additions.

• Non-Linear Campaign. Players will be able to select the order in which they complete the game. There are 7 levels, 6 of which can be beaten in any order. The last level becomes available once the others are completed. As each level is completed, the remaining levels become more difficult. This gives players more flexibility and the game more replay value.
• New Recruit Camp. Once the game has been completed, this feature is unlocked. The Regular Army enlists the Metal Slug heroes to train an eager batch of new recruits using holographic simulations based on the levels in the game. It is similar to the Combat School systems introduced in Metal Slug 3 and Metal Slug 7. You are given 2 Recruits, one male and one female. They start with only the ability to move, shoot, duck and jump. As the recruits complete missions, they gain Medals. These Medals can be equipped to give the Recruits new abilities, such as the ability to use Power Weapons, to ride more classes of Metal Slugs, and even to mimic abilites of the Metal Slug heroes!
• Global Network - Metal Slug 8 goes global, allowing players can gather to participate in the online community. World Records can be posted, discussions can be held on the Message Board, and  players will be able to record and upload playthroughs of the Campaign and New Recruit Camp online!

Morden has taken control of the amusement park and has corrupted the easygoing atmosphere into a military stronghold. This allows for some inventive level design based on the architecture of a theme park. Here are 4 of the 7 stages featured in the game:

• Jurassic Canopy - An adventurous romp through a Dinosaur-themed rainforest. Expect to see some animals that haven't been around for quite some time!
• Mirror Gardens - This eerie funhouse consists of optical illusions, warped mirrors and other tricks to frighten park attendants. Unfortunately, these once harmless horrors are now lethal obstacles in the hands of the Rebellion.
• Scramble Arena - A laser tag arena resembling the surface of a blue asteroid in space. This attraction features exact replicas of the Mars People and Venusians. Seems the programmings come haywire, and a war has erupted between the two!
• Emperor's Tower - The world's highest skydrop! Grab ahold of the Pelican Slug, and hang on tight! It's said to be the tallest amusement ride ever constructed. But what's that thing sitting at the top?

Taking place on an amusement park, Metal Slug 8 will offers players new, unique, and down-right bizarre additional features to help rid the world of General Morden, yet again. Metal Slug 7 only introduced one new weapon, and one new Slug. Metal Slug 8 will offer some brand new weapons of destruction to play with.

• Acid Geyser - Sprays a cloud of acidic smoke that chews through anything
• Metal Bouncer - Fires rebounding metal projectiles
• Pop Shell - Reflects enemy shots back for increased damage. Ammo is consumed as long as the weapon is active.

Metal Slug 8 will introduce some new Slugs as well. Many of the new Slugs will be relevant to the areas of the amusement they are located in. Some of them are parts of the rides themselves.

• Raptor Slug - Allows for quick movement and and even faster firepower.
• Komodo Slug - A hovercraft that fires homing anti-air missiles.
• Sasquatch Slug - Allows for mountain climbing and subsequent soldier slaughtering.