Branching Paths (Spoiler free)

All the different paths in Metal Slug 3.

Introduction

While Metal Slug 3 only has five missions available, that doesn't mean you can experience all of it in a single playthrough. The game has many different paths which differ a lot from each other. Some are harder than others and some have exclusive vehicles and enemies in them. Certain paths even affect the way you fight the boss.

In order to not ruin your joy of exploration, this guide only offers minimum information about each route. It won't tell you what's in the route, only how to enter it. Guide expects you to have played through the game at least once, but the pictures should be clear enough even for a first-timer.

MISSION 1

First intersection comes pretty early during Mission 1. You can crawl under the stairs and jump into the submarine to go on an underwater route. Or climb the stairs and keep going forward. The submarine route is probably the hardest path on this mission. If you want a challenging run, this is your route.







The second intersection comes around halfway through the Mission 1. You can hop on the boat or choose the upper path and go into a tube. Upper route is a tad easier than the boat path, but the boat path makes the boss fight easier. So it's entirely up to you.

MISSION 2

In Mission 2 you have two different paths you can choose. You can either follow the main route which is pretty easy and painless or you can take the alternative route which let's you rack up tons of more points. Needless to say, it's also a bit harder. After the section with helicopters attacking you, you go down a slope and should see an iced up wall with an "ICEMAN" sign on it. Shoot the wall to enter the cave or continue going forward for an easier path.

MISSION 3

Mission 3 has three different paths in it. First time you can wander away from the main route comes at the first missile wall. Swim into the tube that blends into the background pretty well. It's next to the bottom of the wall. I missed it quite a few times before noticing you can swim into it. You can also destroy the wall and keep swimming deeper.






The next tube is located around the second missile wall. It's not there yet when you arrive, but will instead float down from the surface. Pretty fancy. Get into the tube or destroy the wall and continue the main path.

MISSION 4

After the desert ends in Mission 4, you can choose from two different paths that both branch even further during the mission. You can either go to the upward route or go into ruins from where the soldiers are running away from. It can't be anything but a good sign, right? If you are trying to clear the game without losing any lives, take the upper route

IF YOU TOOK THE UPPER ROUTE

Your route will branch once you reach a closed hatch and a lever. You can open the hatch by standing next to the lever handle and tapping the "shoot" button. There are enemies spawning around you, just something to keep in mind. If you want to complete the level with minimum amount of deaths, don't jump into the hatch, but continue forward after defeating all the enemies.





If you continued forward from the hatch, you are greeted with this sight. This is not a leap of faith, even though it might seem like one first. Jump into the stone statue to skip the rest of the mission and get straight into the boss fight. Missing the jump gets you killed.

IF YOU ENTERED THE RUINS

Eventually you will end up in a room with a lever and a closed hatch. In case you didn't read the other route's information, you can open the hatch by standing next to the lever handle and tapping the "shoot" button. You can either jump into the hatch or go onward to the right.








If you continued forward from the hatch you will sooner or later end up next to the second path's entrance. This is probably my favorite route in this mission. It's not easy though!

MISSION 5

The Final Mission doesn't have any alternative paths and the mission itself can be really punishing. I can get to final mission without dying too much, but then the game just decides to take my coins. Better just keep on playing and getting better. If you need any additional tips or information, leave a comment below, but keep it spoiler free.

Hope you have fun with Metal Slug 3!

[chapitzulkefli]

awesomeee!

[FIXNOW]

Excelente guía

[Larry_capa_hasa]

any clue on the final mission to avoid all those brain atack laser balls ? :l

[monkey]

Nice guide and formatted well.

[Coconut Cream]

Thanks.

[Santa Claus 0078]

GOOD

[Lykaios_Arion TTV]

Forgot about the last one ty sir

[davehard_reborn]

Thanks, +like

[kewlsnake]

Hi, there is also a mini branch when you take the upper route in mission 4 and take the hatch. You can go left or right directly after.

[Darkfiro]

Tips to help those in the final level incase you don't know but jumping out of a vech or turret cause you to somersault in the air (your untouchable in this state) So for the 2nd boss of level 5, (tribute to the final boss in the first game (beaten with 4 credit) use the gun turret and jump out when he drop bomb and and galing gun with chopper, missile attack harder to dodge but doable (easier with a buddy) , For the final boss (true one) of chap 5 your metal slug can only take 2 hits but you can abuse the somersault trick with this boss making it alot easier and bearable, Mission 5 alot easier with a buddy Oh always pick the jet first it easier and more rewarding if you can survive the onslaught with the jet. In other note Isn't there a Ortiach (hope I spelled it right) in Mission 4 or is it 3 Can't seem to find it.