4 Hardcore games like Metal Slug Tactics that you should try

Games like Metal Slug Tactics · Find similar →

Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 25 games similar to Metal Slug Tactics down to the 4 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Papers, Please, Papers, Please - The Short Film and Human Resource Machine top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Metal Slug Tactics.

iRank73/ 100

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GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

The best hardcore games like Metal Slug Tactics

4 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Metal Slug Tactics. Each one has been evaluated across 15 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Papers, PleaseClosest overall match

iRank91

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloHardcorePixel Art2DNarrative

Steam👍 97%· 79KRAWG👍 91%· 1.8KMC85IGDB82· 5

Year 2013Dev Lucas Pope · 3909Playtime ~4hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ If you enjoyed Metal Slug Tactics, expect deep simulation, punishing difficulty and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus, while skipping deep RPG systems

The creator of the game often travelled through Asia and made the observation that the work of an immigration officer checking documents for entry is simultaneously very monotonous and very responsible.

It predates Metal Slug Tactics by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals68Tone53

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Steam GOG PS

#2Papers, Please - The Short Film

iRank91

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloHardcorePixel Art2DNarrative

Steam👍 97%· 79KRAWG👍 91%· 1.8KMC85IGDB82· 5

Year 2013Dev Lucas Pope · 3909Playtime ~4hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Like Metal Slug Tactics, it's known for deep simulation, punishing difficulty and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, puzzle design and strong narrative focus, while skipping deep RPG systems

It predates Metal Slug Tactics by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals68Tone53

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Steam GOG PS

#3Human Resource Machine

iRank83

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloHardcoreIsometricCasual

Steam👍 94%· 4.6KIGDB74· 6OC71· 21

Year 2015Dev Tomorrow CorporationOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Like Metal Slug Tactics, it's known for deep simulation, punishing difficulty and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design and vibe casual, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Metal Slug Tactics: visuals.

It predates Metal Slug Tactics by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone58Visuals43

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Steam GOG Epic

#4TIS-100Closest on tone

iRank85

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloHardcore

Steam👍 97%· 4.1KRAWG👍 66%· 123

Year 2015Dev ZachtronicsPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Metal Slug Tactics: deep simulation, punishing difficulty and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, while skipping deep RPG systems

###The hacker setting Another puzzle game that uses the corrupted computer from the 1980s as the basis for its gameplay. The game uses the Unity graphics engine and came out on three operating systems: Windows, OS X, and Linux.

It predates Metal Slug Tactics by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100

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Steam GOG itch.io

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