Metal Unit (v010200)

An alien invasion and the awakening of ancient subterranean monsters turn Earth into a battered sci-fi battlefield in this fast, pixel-art action roguelite. You play Joanna, a newly recruited soldier equipped with the experimental M-Unit combat suit, fighting to reclaim a planet that humanity is rapidly losing. Her mission is personal as well as military: her sister has defected to the alien side, giving the story a thread of betrayal beneath the constant combat. The tone is grim and dramatic, but the responsive movement and flashy attacks keep the action energetic rather than oppressive.

Combat revolves around quick reactions, aggressive positioning, and making the most of whatever weapons a run provides. Joanna dashes through incoming attacks, chains melee strikes into combinations, and swaps between close-range tools and firearms to handle monsters, robots, and heavy bosses with different attack patterns. Surface missions advance the narrative and open new areas, while riskier underground expeditions offer stronger rewards for players willing to gamble with tougher encounters. Death is part of the progression loop rather than a dead end, converting carried equipment into research resources that unlock permanent skills and future gear options, so failed attempts still push your build forward.

Metal Unit stands out through its mix of classic side-scrolling platform action and roguelite adaptability: no weapon loadout is guaranteed, forcing you to adjust your approach instead of repeating one perfect build. Its chunky pixel visuals, huge mechanical enemies, and varied biomes give it the feel of a lost 16-bit action game with modern progression systems layered on top. Dialogue choices and character decisions add some narrative weight to Joanna’s campaign, especially as the conflict becomes more personal. Players who enjoy Dead Cells, Mega Man-style combat, or demanding 2D action with steady unlocks should find plenty to like, while newcomers benefit from the permanent upgrades that soften the learning curve over time.