To be perfectly honest, I think this review's tagline says it all and if I had my way I'd end my review here.

But I have a feeling certain parties would not be pleased with my decision to do so. So here we go.

Metal Slug 7 is, by my count, the billionth game in the series. I may be off by one or two. The games have been on pretty much every system released since the original was put out on arcade systems in 1996. The numerous sequels in the series have been made and remade for a number of consoles, but Metal Slug 7 is an all-new original. Well, kind of new; let's just say the Metal Slug series hasn't seen a whole lot of re-invention in its lifetime.

The game follows your typical MS principals: shoot what moves, stab things if you get too close move forward when there's nothing left to shoot (or stab). Get weapons for more damage. Get in slugs - heavy weapon vehicles - for some extra protection and gunning power. And then shoot the big things at the end of the level to win. It's pretty much as simple as you can get, but it works to the game's advantage. The solid controls really help too. They're simple, responsive, and changeable if you so desire.

Metal Slug 7 takes place over seven levels and three difficulties. The game can be beaten really quickly (well, if you're good), but the simple nature of the game allows you to go back and play it again and again. The game keeps track of rescued prisoners, so you can attempt to get every single one of them, try to get a high score, or just try to stay alive. This is not an easy game: expect to see the game over screen a few times.

Like its predecessor, MS7 gives you the choice of six characters with which to run into your suicide missions. Each of them have pros and cons, like the series' staple Marco having a powerful pistol, or Eri's proficiency with explosives. Some also have special moves that you can perform to make the mission a little easier, like the ability to repair slugs. You'll quickly find your favourite, but if you run into the continue screen you can change your character mid-mission.

And that's Metal Slug 7. There's a combat training zone to hone some of your abilities and earn ranks in, but it doesn't have a point besides bragging rights. Unfortunately, the game loses a lot of its style on the DS: graphics are smaller and less detail is in each sprite, though there doesn't seem to be any problem when it comes to the sheer amount of bullets, enemies, and explosions on-screen at once. The bottom screen is used to display a map but, really, who needs a map in Metal Slug?

So, it's another Metal Slug game. Tight controls, simple gameplay, simple fun. If you're a fan of the series, you'll probably like another seven levels to sink your teeth into. It's not the best of the series, but its fun, and that's really as simple as you need to be.