Metal Dogs

About

Metal Dogs is a roguelike action game set in a ruined Japan where a canine warrior named Pochi hunts for answers. You control Pochi, a battle-hardened dog resurrected by a quirky scientist after the world collapsed. The game mixes top-down shooting with dungeon crawling, letting you upgrade Pochi’s gear and fight waves of monsters in procedurally generated levels. Combat feels fast and tactile, balancing bullet-dodging and button-mashing as you push deeper into hazardous zones. The story threads about lost masters and apocalyptic secrets are thin but serviceable, acting as a backdrop for the core loop of dying, respawning, and improving. This spin on the Metal Max universe leans into retro charm with pixel art and a focus on simple, repetitive fun. It released in 2022 to mixed reviews, with players praising its frenetic action but noting sparse content. The Switch and PC ports make it easy to pick up for quick bursts, though the lack of online features or co-op might limit long-term appeal. For fans of old-school JRPG mechanics with a dash of chaotic energy, it’s a brief but punchy distraction.

Storyline

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.