New to Shacknews? Signup for a Free Account

Already have an account?

2025 Video Game Release Dates CalendarElden Ring strategy guideShacknews Direct: Introducing Bubbletron!Destiny 2 Complete Strategy Guide
2025 Video Game Release Dates Calendar
Elden Ring strategy guide
Shacknews Direct: Introducing Bubbletron!
Destiny 2 Complete Strategy Guide

Mercenary Kings review: run and gun

Mercenary Kings offers great retro-style shooting fun for the PS4, alone or with friends.
Robert Workman
14
Many game players grew up on classic shooters like Contra and Metal Slug, and Tribute Games' Mercenary Kings fits right in. After several months in Steam Early Access, it's officially released on PlayStation 4. The terrorist group CLAW is up to no good and it's up to you, the Kings, to set out and stop them. That's easier said than done, as there are over 100 missions where you'll have to mow down enemy forces and complete objectives. The game starts out mercifully enough with simple gunners and tiny predatory creatures, but soon ups the ante with giant robots and other enemies that require a bit of firepower to bring down. Thankfully, Mercenary Kings provides that in spades. There are over 300 different weapon types you can play around with, mixing up their effects for unpredictable results. Ever see a shotgun lay out suppressing fire with the same effect as a taser? In this game, you will--and it will be bloody. Your character can also be upgraded in a variety of ways thanks to bionics that can make you faster and more efficient at killing. These have to be earned by completing missions in the game, but you'll be thankful to have these skills down the road, especially when going up against the game's more tyrannical powerhouses.

Speak softly and carry a big gun

Although the opening levels may trick you into thinking otherwise, Mercenary Kings is a difficult game. While the gameplay consists of simple run-and-gun tactics, you'll have to think about how to approach every combat situation. You'll find yourself surrounded by enemies, and to make matters worse, some levels have time limits as well. Thankfully, multiplayer makes it much more doable. Up to four people can take part in co-op action, either online or off, and it's a blast. Sure, it can be easy to get lost in the action when everyone's jumping around and shooting, but you'll want to keep enlisting friends to see what the next team will do for you. Unfortunately, there's a bit of repetition. The game will force you to regularly revisit levels, even if you're taking on a whole new mission. There are also occasional bugs that get in the way--particularly with multiplayer match-ups

Expect lots of big bangs

Rookies may take a while to get used to the punishing conditions, especially with that clock. Still, Mercenary Kings has a lot to offer for classic shooter fans, whether they're taking matters into their own hands or enlisting a team. It's a charming retro throwback that does the genre proud. [7]
This review is based on the PlayStation 4 version of the game, available for free to PlayStation Plus subscribers. Mercenary Kings is also available now on PC. The game is rated M.

Robert Workman was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

Filed Under
From The Chatty
Refresh Go To Thread
  • Shacknews legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
    reply
    April 10, 2014 11:00 AM

    Robert Workman posted a new article, Mercenary Kings review: run and gun.

    Mercenary Kings offers great retro-style shooting fun for the PS4, alone or with friends.

    • BastardOfDoom legacy 10 years
      reply
      April 10, 2014 11:11 AM

      "Although the opening levels may trick you into thinking otherwise, Mercenary Kings is a difficult game." Eh, not really. I played for a while and have so far not succeeded in completing a single mission (apart from the tutorial). Oh, I did complete one mission but had died so many times that I didn't earn any money.

      I could perhaps start sucking less, but an easy opening? No sir.

      • Rauol Duke legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        April 10, 2014 11:27 AM

        I can't kill the first Not A Metal Gear.

        • OzzieMejia moderator legacy 10 years
          reply
          April 10, 2014 11:39 AM

          It took a while for me to get there, but it's do-able. Just make sure you have med packs on you.

          • Rauol Duke legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
            reply
            April 10, 2014 11:45 AM

            Come do it for me. >:( That part is ruining the game for me.

            • Rehevkor legacy 10 years
              reply
              April 10, 2014 12:58 PM

              It's just old school pattern memorization. Where'd your Mega Man training go?!

            • Earl Greigh legacy 10 years
              reply
              April 10, 2014 1:02 PM

              Duck the chain arm, shoot the dude when the cockpit opens.
              Shoot the tank on the back when it turns around.
              Don't stand in the path of the knife.

        • [deleted] 1473463462 legacy 10 years
          reply
          April 10, 2014 5:09 PM

          [deleted]

    • falidorn legacy 10 years mercury ultra mega
      reply
      April 10, 2014 1:15 PM

      The delayed jump gave me motion issues, and I'm not normally affected by motion sickness.

    • cousinrocky legacy 10 years mercury mega
      reply
      April 10, 2014 1:24 PM

      What kind of gun is everyone using? I've been using an upgraded shotgun with the birdshot. It's only one shot and then reload, but it instakills most anything outside of bosses.

    • clashcity76 legacy 10 years
      reply
      April 10, 2014 2:47 PM

      I thought I'd love it but the repletion and the constantly respawning enemies has made me rather dislike it. Glad it came with PS Plus.

      • Memphis-Ahn legacy 10 years
        reply
        April 10, 2014 10:06 PM

        I don't mind it being the same level so much, but the respawning enemies is really dumb and annoying when you have to chase a boss all over a level.

    • Kerranger legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      April 10, 2014 3:30 PM

      I bet retro games like this are exactly what the owners of a new and powerful console want to play.

      • OzzieMejia moderator legacy 10 years
        reply
        April 10, 2014 3:39 PM

        What does this post even mean? It's a free downloadable Plus game that came a few weeks after Infamous: Second Son and Ground Zeroes. What is the problem with this game existing?

    • RithEx legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      April 10, 2014 4:44 PM

      I can't get over the jump delay. It just aggravates me since. I'm 36 and have been playing sidescrollers since forever... and this is the only game I can recall that has a jump delay.. I stopped playing after 15min.

    • [deleted] 1473463462 legacy 10 years
      reply
      April 10, 2014 5:19 PM

      [deleted]

Hello, Meet Lola