Metal Thunder is an Early Access title that thrusts players into the cockpit or more accurately, the gunner’s seat of a heavily armed AC-130 gunship. Developed by Tolga Coşkun under Dumbbell Games, this project is ambitious for a solo developer and brings a fresh, gritty take on the modern warfare genre. The game blends the thrill of aerial fire support with roguelike progression, offering a unique mix of action, strategy, and replayability.
From the moment you launch Metal Thunder, you’re immersed in a world of relentless combat and high stakes decision making. The game’s setting is raw and authentic, with realistic battlefield visuals, radio chatter, and the use of night vision and thermal optics. Every sortie feels like a life or death mission, and the pressure to protect your base from waves of insurgents keeps you on the edge of your seat. As someone who enjoys both tactical shooters and roguelike experiences, I found Metal Thunder’s fusion of these elements to be both refreshing and exciting.
Survival, Upgrades, and Tactical Depth
Metal Thunder’s core gameplay loop revolves around survival and defense. You start each mission with a basic loadout, but as you progress, you unlock powerful upgrades and new weapons. The roguelike mechanics ensure that no two runs are the same, with new challenges and threats emerging with each playthrough. This randomness keeps the game feeling fresh, even after multiple sessions.
One of the strongest aspects of Metal Thunder is its upgrade system. Players are encouraged to specialize in a couple of weapons, focusing on maximizing their effectiveness through level ups and enhancements. For new players, I highly recommend starting with the 45mm cannon its combination of base damage, splash radius, and accuracy makes it a reliable choice for early missions. The game rewards strategic thinking and careful planning, as you must constantly adapt your tactics to the evolving battlefield.
Immersive Atmosphere and Community Driven Development
Metal Thunder’s audio and visual design is a standout feature. The battlefield feels alive, with realistic sound effects, radio communications, and dynamic lighting. Night vision and thermal optics add an extra layer of immersion, making each mission feel like a true military operation. The attention to detail is impressive, especially considering this is a solo developer project.
Currently, Metal Thunder is available in Early Access on Steam, and the developer is actively seeking feedback from the community. This approach gives players a chance to shape the future of the game, and it’s clear that Tolga Coşkun is committed to continuous improvement. More missions, weapons, and features are planned for future updates, and the promise of a campaign mode is particularly exciting. As someone who’s always interested in hardware and building computers, I appreciate how the game’s development process feels transparent and community focused.
Technical Challenges and Room for Growth
While Metal Thunder shows a lot of promise, it’s not without its technical issues. The game occasionally crashes, which can be frustrating especially since each session can last around 20 minutes and there’s no mid mission save feature. This means that a crash can erase your progress, forcing you to start over. For a game that’s all about survival and progression, this is a significant drawback.
Despite these challenges, Metal Thunder’s foundation is solid. The core concept fire support from a C-130 gunship is executed well, and the gameplay loop is engaging and rewarding. The lack of a campaign mode at launch is a bit disappointing, but the survival mode offers plenty of content to keep players invested. With continued updates and community feedback, Metal Thunder has the potential to become a standout title in the tactical shooter genre.
Final Thoughts
Metal Thunder is a game that stands out for its ambition and authenticity. The combination of AC-130 fire support, roguelike progression, and immersive battlefield design creates a compelling experience for fans of tactical shooters. While there are technical hurdles to overcome, the game’s foundation is strong, and the developer’s commitment to improvement is evident. If you’re looking for a challenging, community driven shooter with a unique premise, Metal Thunder is well worth your attention. I’m excited to see where this project goes next, and I’ll be following its development closely. For now, it’s a game with heart, potential, and plenty of room to grow.