UnMetal

Lore & Background

UnMetal was developed by Spanish game developer Francisco Téllez de Meneses, a former Ubisoft developer, under the pseudonym 'Unepic Fran' and the indie studio UnEpic Games. Several elements, including some levels and mechanics, are directly copied and improved from Prisoner of War (2017), a similar MSX game developed by Francisco. The protagonist Jesse Fox was originally created in 2018 for Afraid Project, a canceled strategy game whose Kickstarter campaign failed.

The game's story is told primarily by Fox as a story within a story, presented through cutscenes and pauses for narration. The player can choose between different options of telling the story, which influence gameplay and difficulty, but Fox's unreliable narration means options are often vague and not what they seem. The plot involves Fox escaping a prison, learning of a nuclear terrorist plot called 'Operation Jerico', and confronting General X, with a frame story in which Fox recounts events to an unnamed lieutenant and later to his girlfriend.

Reader's Guide

UnMetal received generally positive reviews upon its release. The game's significance lies in its direct parody of the Metal Gear franchise, particularly Metal Gear (1987) and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990), while incorporating modern overhauls such as a crafting system, non-lethal weaponry, and player choice that affects narration and gameplay. The game was first released for the PlayStation Vita on 21 April 2021 with a limited run of physical copies published by Eastasiasoft. Experience from the PS Vita release was used to improve aspects of the game ahead of its digital ports, such as the graphics. The game features ten levels, additional achievements and secrets, and unique gameplay segments including a shoot 'em up boat battle and a submersible section reminiscent of Metal Slug 3. Its legacy includes being a homage to classic stealth games while adding absurdist humor and metafictional elements.

Did You Know?

• The protagonist Jesse Fox was originally created for a canceled strategy game called Afraid Project, which aimed to donate money to African humanitarian aid NGOs.
• Several levels and mechanics in UnMetal are directly copied and improved from Francisco Téllez de Meneses' earlier game Prisoner of War (2017).
• The game allows players to save at any time using a 'potty' item, but the potty is filled upon use and cannot be reused until the player uses a urinal.
• If Fox uses lethal weapons like a pistol on enemies, the player must heal them with a medkit before they bleed out or face a game over.