Info about METAL DOGS:

Official game description:
What is "METAL DOGS"?
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This game is a casual top-down shooting action game with a fighting "dog" as the main character.  
You can enjoy the exhilaration of shooting various weapons such as machine guns, cannons, and missiles, blowing away countless monsters, and battling with the mighty "WANTED"; all with simple controls.  
Game Features
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*   A wide variety of weapons
Weapons in three categories: machine guns, cannons, and S-E (special equipment) are your primary armaments.  
Machine guns: Low power, but excellent rate of fire and reload speed.  
Cannons: Powerful, but with a small number of bullets and a slow reload speed.  
S-E: Special equipment such as missiles. Capable of ranged attacks.  
Weapons can be freely assigned to 3 slots, so it is possible to customize your load-out according to your play style, such as "attack power specialized type equipped with cannons in all slots".  
*   Changing Dungeons
The terrain and treasure chests change each time you play the dungeon.  
Therefore, even if you play the same map many times, you can have a different experience each time.  
*   Item Collecting
Equipment such as weapons and armor will be randomly given additional effects.  
There are various types of effects, such as increased damage and magazine capacity.  
In addition, equipment has rarity, and the higher the rarity, the more additional effects will be given.  
The so-called "hack and slash" element of hunting monsters in search of better equipment is one appeal of this game.  
*   Post-Apocalyptic World View
The setting is Japan after most of humanity has died due to the "great destruction". The base is a village at the foot of Mt. Fuji, which has been devastated.  
The hero "Pochi" who was revived by the mysterious old scientist "Dr. Minchi" will search for his master who left him behind, and go an adventure through dangerous dungeons infested with ferocious monsters.  
*   The Terrifying "WANTED"
Among the monsters, the ones that are especially dangerous are referred to as "WANTED", and a large amount of prize money is applied.  
Formidable opponents such as the elusive giant tank "Rommel Ghost" and "Missileceros", a rhinoceros equipped with strong armor and missiles, stand in the way.  
*   Cute Dogs
The player can operate three cute "dogs".  
Shiba Inu "Pochi", Doberman "Bell", and Bulldog "Bonanza".  
Popular voice actor Hiro Shimono is in charge of the voices of the dogs, and he plays the three voices brilliantly.
What's Included in Early Access
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・ Over 25 quests  
・ More than 5 types of WANTED  
・ Over 35 types of weapons  
・ Play time exceeding 10 hours
What is the "Metal Max" series?
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The setting is a post-apocalyptic world. Players ride on "tanks" that are the relics of civilization, hunt WANTED monsters in various places, and remodel their tanks with the prize money. A role-playing game series featuring a high degree of freedom.

Release date: 23 Mar, 2023

Categories: Action RPG, Top-Down Tactical Shooter, Weapon Customization, Character Progression, Procedural Generation, Roguelike, Dungeon Crawler, Monster Hunting


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and Fun Gameplay (weight 0.53): Players generally find the game enjoyable, citing its fun combat, satisfying progression, and overall engaging gameplay loop. Many appreciate its simple yet refreshing design, making it a good choice for casual play and stress relief.
- Charming Dog Protagonists (weight 0.32): A major highlight is the charming and cute dog protagonist, Pochi, and other playable dogs. Players enjoy customizing these characters and the unique concept of cute dogs wielding heavy weaponry, which creates a satisfying and visually appealing combat experience.
- Faithful Metal Max Adaptation (weight 0.2): The game successfully integrates elements from the Metal Max series, including familiar weapons, monsters, and the wasteland setting. Fans appreciate the effort to expand the franchise into a new genre while maintaining its core identity, making it enjoyable for both series veterans and newcomers.
- Excellent Controller Support (weight 0.14): Controller support is excellent, with gamepad controls feeling intuitive and comfortable. Players appreciate the seamless experience when using a controller, including specific support for Xbox controllers, making the action enjoyable.
- Solid Top-Down ARPG Mechanics (weight 0.11): The game offers an interesting take on the top-down ARPG genre, blending hack-and-slash and treasure hunting elements. Players find the gameplay style reminiscent of classic action RPGs like Diablo 2, which suits their preferences well.
- Accessible Difficulty Progression (weight 0.1): The game features a manageable difficulty curve, allowing players to replay stages to prepare for tougher challenges. While there's a sudden spike at EX6, the RPG-like difficulty adjustment and grinding for better weapons make progression accessible.
- Satisfying Equipment and Customization (weight 0.1): The equipment system offers satisfying progression, with players enjoying the process of acquiring new gear and customizing it. Features like special effect re-rolling in the weapon lab add depth and gacha-like fun to item collection.
- Strong Early Access State (weight 0.09): The Early Access version is robust, with players reporting no major bugs and finding the content rich and satisfying. The current price is considered reasonable for the quality offered.
- Exciting WANTED Battles (weight 0.09): WANTED battles are a source of excitement, with players enjoying the challenge and the accompanying BGM. The initial WANTED encounters are manageable, and understanding dodge mechanics makes subsequent ones easier.
- Good and Casual Story (weight 0.08): The story is considered good and fully playable, offering a casual experience due to its concise quest structure. This allows players to enjoy the narrative without feeling overwhelmed.
- Good Enemy and Weapon Variety (weight 0.07): The game features a good variety of enemies with diverse designs, which contributes to tension and pressure. There is also a fair selection of weapon types available to players.
- High Replayability with Random Maps (weight 0.04): Random map generation is a key feature that enhances replayability and prevents repetitive exploration. This keeps each playthrough fresh and engaging for players.
- Rewarding Elite Enemy Drops (weight 0.04): Elite enemies serve as good accents, dropping powerful weapons that are often superior to store-bought items. This incentivizes engaging with tougher foes for better gear.
- Pleasing Game Soundtrack (weight 0.04): The game's soundtrack is well-received, with players enjoying the BGM for each stage and the initial base music. The music contributes positively to the overall atmosphere.
- Beautiful Game Graphics (weight 0.04): The game's graphics are considered beautiful and of good quality. This contributes to an aesthetically pleasing visual experience for players.
- Potential for Future Improvements (weight 0.04): Players acknowledge the game's improvements and express hope for future enhancements, particularly regarding game balance. This indicates a positive outlook on the game's development.

Common complaints:
- Shallow, Repetitive Core Gameplay (weight 0.99): Players find the game's core experience to be shallow and repetitive, with limited content, monotonous level design, and a lack of variety in enemies and environments. This leads to quick boredom and a feeling of the game being incomplete or a 'paid demo'.
- Poor Difficulty and Combat Balance (weight 0.46): The game suffers from significant balance issues, particularly with enemy toughness and weapon effectiveness. Normal mode is often too easy, while Hard mode is excessively difficult and punitive, leading to a frustrating experience for many players.
- Inadequate PC Controls and UI (weight 0.41): PC players report a poor control experience, citing a lack of mouse support, no key remapping options, and controller-centric UI prompts. This makes the game difficult and unintuitive to play with a keyboard and mouse.
- Weak and Unbalanced Weaponry (weight 0.26): Machine guns are widely considered underpowered, inaccurate, and lack variety, making them an ineffective weapon category. Other weapon types, particularly cannons, also suffer from poor balance, uninteresting mechanics, and repetitive designs.
- Unrewarding Item Drop System (weight 0.21): The drop rates for desirable equipment are too low, and unique boss drops are often inferior to shop-bought items. This, combined with a lack of diverse enemy drops and a missing drop list, reduces motivation for grinding and exploration.
- Lack of Dog Character Differentiation (weight 0.21): The multiple playable dog characters lack distinct individuality, unique skills, or meaningful differentiation beyond basic stats. This makes raising multiple dogs feel pointless and reduces character involvement.
- Uninspired Weapon Progression (weight 0.2): The weapon progression system is criticized for quickly making equipment obsolete, with superior weapons appearing sequentially rather than offering meaningful choices. Weapon visuals are also repetitive, and the mutation system is ineffective.
- Inconsistent Hit Detection and Visibility (weight 0.17): Players experience inconsistent hit detection, with enemies firing through walls and projectiles lacking shadows, making them hard to avoid. Conversely, players can sometimes exploit this by attacking off-screen enemies, leading to an unpolished combat feel.
- Disappointing for Metal Max Fans (weight 0.17): Fans of the Metal Max series are largely disappointed, feeling the game reuses assets without capturing the spirit or quality of previous titles. They criticize the game's linearity, inferior equipment balance, and lack of diverse monsters compared to the main series.
- Limited Inventory and Item Management (weight 0.15): The game suffers from severely limited inventory and warehouse slots, forcing frequent item management. This issue is compounded by shared slots across multiple dogs, making it inconvenient to manage gear.
- Slow Combat Tempo and Waiting (weight 0.1): Combat often involves excessive waiting due to long weapon reloads, slow gold pickup, and lingering damage zones. This contributes to a slow tempo and a less engaging action experience.
- High Price for Limited Content (weight 0.1): Players feel the game's price is too high for the limited content and quality offered, especially in its Early Access state. The current volume of content is perceived as insufficient to justify the cost.
- Frustrating Lock-On System (weight 0.09): The automatic lock-on system is problematic, frequently switching targets to less important enemies or failing to maintain the desired target. This makes precise aiming difficult and frustrating in combat.

Gameplay feedback:
- Distinct Weapon Types (weight 0.48): The game features three main weapon types: Machine Guns (low damage, high fire rate, short range, fast reload), Cannons (high damage, low fire rate, long reload), and S-E (curved shots, area damage, can bypass obstacles, generally low power). There are variations within these types, like multi-shot cannons or burst cannons.
- Roguelite Action RPG Gameplay (weight 0.39): The game is primarily described as a roguelite action RPG with hack-and-slash elements, featuring top-down combat, dungeon crawling, and boss battles. There's some debate on whether it's a true roguelike or more of a hub-based action RPG.
- Playable Dog Characters (weight 0.31): Players control Pochi, a combat dog from the Metal Max series, or one of two other playable dogs. All three dogs are functionally identical, differing only in appearance, and lack unique skills or customization options.
- Equipment-Based Progression (weight 0.28): Character progression is largely tied to equipment, as leveling up only increases maximum HP. The game lacks traditional skill trees, stats, or complex modification systems, with equipment rarity and random abilities determining player power.
- Unstable Lock-On System (weight 0.19): The game features an automatic aiming system with a lock-on function. However, the lock-on system is often unstable, randomly switching targets or disengaging when a target is lost, leading to frustration.
- Ammo System & Difficulty (weight 0.15): Normal difficulty offers infinite ammunition with reloads, while Hard mode introduces scarce and expensive ammunition, requiring more conservative play. All weapons have a reload mechanic.
- Repetitive Gameplay Loop (weight 0.14): The gameplay loop is described as repetitive and somewhat monotonous due to a limited variety of enemy types and straightforward mission design. However, some found the cycle easy to learn and the difficulty curve well-designed.
- Random Item Drops (weight 0.12): Items, including gold and equipment, are obtained randomly from defeated enemies. There's a rarity system for equipment, and players are encouraged to grind for rare drops, though the drop table can be inconsistent.
- Basic Control & Display Options (weight 0.09): The game offers basic display options like resolution and fullscreen/window mode, along with volume settings. It supports gamepads, keyboard, and mouse, but lacks key remapping functionality.
- Dog Tag Exchange System (weight 0.09): Dog tags are collected at a slow rate and can be exchanged for various items, including early-game weapons, practical gear, and exclusive equipment for each dog, though some high-cost items are considered useless.
- Enemy Armor & Weak Points (weight 0.08): Enemies have specific armor or weak points, with some tanks having thicker armor on certain sides. Enemies may also leave damage zones upon destruction, adding a tactical element to combat.
- Limited Inventory Capacity (weight 0.07): The game has a basic and unexpandable inventory limit of 42 slots, which some players found to be narrow.

Performance notes:
- High framerate support (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's ability to run at high framerates, contributing to a smooth and enjoyable visual experience. This indicates good optimization and performance.
- Minor bugs present (weight 0.02): A small number of players have reported encountering one or two bugs. While not widespread, these minor issues could impact the player experience for those affected.

Recommendations:
- Wait for sale or full release (weight 0.45): Many players recommend waiting for a sale or the full release, suggesting the current price point for Early Access is too high for the content offered. Some view purchasing the game as a 'donation' to support the franchise rather than a full-value purchase.
- Improve gameplay and content (weight 0.38): Players are looking for significant improvements and additions to gameplay mechanics, balance, and content. Specific suggestions include new weapon types, improved enemy variety, better difficulty scaling, more engaging end-game content, and clearer UI elements. There's a strong desire for the game to evolve beyond its current state.
- For Metal Max fans only (weight 0.37): The game is primarily recommended for existing fans of the Metal Max series, often driven by nostalgia or a desire to support the franchise's continuation. Newcomers are generally advised against purchasing it, as the game's appeal heavily relies on familiarity with the IP.
- Casual time-killer experience (weight 0.19): The game is seen as a casual, non-committal experience suitable for killing time or stress relief, especially for those who enjoy top-down shooters with dogs and guns. However, some warn against it if players expect a deep roguelike or grindy experience.
- Add key configuration and mouse support (weight 0.06): A critical quality-of-life improvement requested by PC players is the ability to customize keybindings and implement mouse operation. This is a fundamental expectation for PC games.
- Implement item management features (weight 0.06): Players request quality-of-life features related to item management, such as auto-pickup, immediate item drops, and an item lock function to streamline gameplay.
- Use actual dog sounds (weight 0.02): A specific request for immersion is to replace the current dog voices with actual dog sounds, enhancing the thematic experience.
- Add a world map (weight 0.02): A player requested the addition of a world map, which could enhance navigation and understanding of the game's environment.
- Carry many Speed Tabs (weight 0.02): A specific gameplay tip was to carry many Speed Tabs, suggesting their importance in current gameplay.
- Concerns about 'rogue fraud' (weight 0.02): One reviewer expressed intent to give a negative review due to perceived 'rogue fraud,' indicating strong dissatisfaction with the game's roguelike elements or marketing.
- Healing items are accessible (weight 0.01): A player noted that healing items are accessible through shops or replaying missions, implying that resource management for healing is manageable.

Other player notes:
- Strong Metal Max fan sentiment (weight 0.37): Many players are long-time fans of the Metal Max series, expressing strong nostalgia and a desire for new, legitimate Metal Max titles, especially 'Metal Max 5' on Steam. They often purchased this game primarily to support the IP, viewing it as a derivative rather than a true sequel.
- Limited Early Access content (weight 0.27): Players noted that the Early Access content is quite short, with many clearing it within 4-7 hours. There's a desire for more content and expanded features, with some concern about the significance of planned changes given the announced EA duration.
- Desire for more weapon variety (weight 0.11): Players expressed a desire for more diverse and impactful weapon designs, especially for a hack-and-slash game. Additionally, more options for button settings would improve the player experience.
- Developer team composition noted (weight 0.07): There's an acknowledgment of the developer, 24Frame, with hopes for optimization and further development. Some players noted the team's composition, specifically the lack of staff from previous Metal Max titles and a perceived imbalance between programmers and planners.
- Appreciation for dog companions (weight 0.07): Players were drawn to the game by the dogs and appreciate the companion dog system. There's a specific suggestion for a 'dog viewing mode' to further engage with the canine companions.
- Good but lacking BGM (weight 0.06): The game's background music received positive feedback, particularly the main menu BGM and the fitting in-level tracks. However, some felt it didn't quite match the quality of older Metal Max titles.
- Story not a main focus (weight 0.03): The story is not a primary focus for players, though one specific line from the doctor about 'WANTED' enemies was found impressive.
- Good compatibility on M1 Mac (weight 0.02): One player successfully ran the game on an M1 MacBook Air using Parallels 17 and ARM Windows 11 with a gamepad, indicating good compatibility in that specific setup.
- Optimal boss rush strategy (weight 0.02): A specific optimal strategy involving equipping three cannons and rushing bosses was identified, suggesting a potential imbalance or limited strategic depth in combat.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.25): Players expressed disappointment due to the game's perceived lack of content, variety in gameplay mechanics, weapons, and enemies. Issues like poor balance, repetitive design, and an incomplete story, coupled with a high price point for the quality offered, also contributed significantly to this feeling. Specific complaints included the auto-target system, rapid equipment obsolescence, and a general sense of the game being unfinished or hollow.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.18): Satisfaction stemmed from the game's fun and simple hack-and-slash gameplay, often appealing to fans of the Metal Max/Saga series and ARPGs. Players enjoyed the customization options, cute equipment, and the overall chill and easy progression. The game's unique appeal, especially featuring the popular character Pochi, and well-implemented roguelike mechanics also contributed to positive experiences.
- Frustration (weight 0.13): Frustration was primarily caused by control issues, including stiff controls, poor lock-on mechanics, and the inability to remap keybindings. Players also found the grind, repetition, and unbalanced difficulty frustrating, alongside issues with item management, small inventory, and a perceived lack of depth and variety in the weapon system.
- Hope (weight 0.09): Hope was consistently expressed for the future of the game and the Metal Max series, particularly for future updates, sequels, or remakes. Players desired the return of classic RPG elements and looked forward to potential improvements and new content, especially given the game's early access status.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment was derived from the game's simple, refreshing, and addictive roguelike gameplay, often highlighted by the core concept of a dog shooting a gun. The art style, connection to the Metal Max worldview, and the suitability for stress relief also contributed to players' positive experiences.
- Anger (weight 0.04): Anger arose from perceived poor quality updates, a lack of effort in new content (e.g., re-skinned enemies), and the poor implementation of core mechanics like the lock-on and save system. Players felt let down as fans, viewing the game as a potential cash grab with anti-human controls and a significant discrepancy between price and content.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Joy was primarily associated with the game's cute dog characters, especially the Shiba dog and the ability to play as a Doberman. The fun concept of the game and a general love for the series also contributed to feelings of joy.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement was generated by familiar background music, the game's absurd concept (a dog with a bazooka), and the anticipation of future equipment combinations. The unique gameplay experience of playing as a weapon-wielding dog also fueled this emotion.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom was a result of tedious, monotonous, and repetitive gameplay, including unengaging levels and missions. The lack of visual variety, linear progression, and a targeting system that made the game uninteresting also contributed to this feeling.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia was strongly linked to the game's connection to the Metal Max series, evoking memories of past games and the series' history. Long-time fans particularly appreciated the familiar elements and music.
- Suggestion (weight 0.02): Players offered suggestions for additional features, specific gameplay improvements, more content, and better English localization, indicating a desire for the game to evolve and address current shortcomings.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise was noted regarding the game being unexpectedly good, the severity of status effects, and the initial bullet spread of guns, indicating elements that defied initial expectations.
- Concern (weight 0.01): Concern focused on the game's future updates, potential abandonment, and specific bugs or loopholes, such as the S-E weapon bug, as well as monotonous equipment and quests.
- Recommendation (weight 0.01): Recommendations were made for specific audiences, particularly fans of the Metal Max series or those who enjoy certain gameplay styles, suggesting the game might appeal to a niche rather than a broad audience.
- Desire (weight 0.01): Players expressed a desire for specific features like Steam Cloud support and different gameplay mechanics, indicating areas where the game could be improved to meet player expectations.
- Neutral (weight 0.01): Neutral feedback included clarifying the game's genre and noting that the game was not boring, suggesting a lack of strong positive or negative feelings in these specific instances.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration was expressed for the loyalty of the dog companion and for the game surpassing expectations compared to another entry in the series, highlighting unexpected positive aspects.
- Betrayal (weight 0.01): Feelings of betrayal stemmed from the perceived lack of significant updates over a long period, especially for a game in early access, leading players to feel let down by the developers.
- Expectation (weight 0.01): Expectations revolved around the desire for more content after a period in early access and a strong wish for the main Metal Max series to be available on PC, indicating unfulfilled hopes for the game's development and the franchise's presence.
- Support (weight 0.01): Support was shown through the act of purchasing or playing the game to back the series and a desire for more Metal Max titles to be released on PC, reflecting a loyal fanbase.}