A big welcome back to all Loot Happens subscribers. Loot Happens is a weekly newsletter that is emailed and posted on LootHappens.com.
It's important to note that for premium subscribers, game offerings, and in-game content, every week is different. Sometimes it's in-game codes, Steam keys, and giveaways, but premium members will always get something special every mailing. We also occasionally get mind-blowing early access or premium games that pay for an entire year's subscription.
Each newsletter is generally structured as Premium Loot > Free Sub Giveaways > Game Feature > Game discounts.
Key Giveaway For Premium Subscribers: Random Key
This week, we're adding mystery to our premium subscribers' giveaway. This time we have a group of random games, but with some major titles sprinkled in. By following the link below, you can claim one of the best free games we have in the database.
It can be anything, from an awesome indie game, an old reboot, or an AAA project like CoD: Black Ops 6 or Alan Wake 2.
Stray: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers
We've done this before but we have another key! In Stray, you slip into the paws of a bright orange tabby cat lost in a mysterious, decaying cybercity. This unique third-person adventure weaves a touching tale of solitude and intrigue, as you navigate the neon-lit alleyways and the perilous heights of a metropolis inhabited only by robots. Your feline agility allows you to leap, climb, and solve puzzles, while you uncover the city’s secrets and the stories of its robot residents. Accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, "Stray" is a poignant exploration of companionship and the quest to find a home, offering an innovative perspective on adventure gaming.
If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'stray'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours
Mullet Madjack: Key Giveaway For Free Subscribers
Mullet Madjack catapults you into a fast-paced arcade experience that harks back to the thrilling dopamine rushes of classic gaming. Featuring a fully animated campaign enriched with old-school anime cutscenes, this game offers a nostalgic nod to the golden era of the '80s and '90s. With over 50 dynamic power-ups, each playthrough changes, offering new ways to conquer challenges. Dive into endless mode for never-ending random levels, or switch to classic mode for a timer-free traditional campaign. Each digital purchase feels like unboxing a big PC game box from the '90s, complete with 15 trading cards and more than 50-point shop items, making Mullet Madjack a treasure trove for enthusiasts of retro gaming and collectibles.
If you would like to be in the running for a key, hit reply and just put 'madjack'. We will pick a winner and send over the key in 48 hours
Historically Low Prices
This Loot Happens section on our website records past discounts on games and current ones available in the gaming industry. Our web crawlers work tirelessly daily to find the best deals across the gaming landscape.
These games are not just any games, but titles we truly love and highly respect. You can purchase them at prices we have never seen before!
Core Keeper [Steam]
Explore the vast underground caverns filled with endless resource spots.$21.56 $10.56
Scramble: Battle of Britain [Steam]
Survey the aerial battlefield, plan your flight paths, and execute spectacular maneuvers.$31.27 $17.07
Metro Awakening VR [Steam]
Experience Metro’s tense, heart-pounding gameplay in VR.$43.13 $32.39
Coral Island [PS5]
Transform your overrun land on Coral Island into a lush and lively dreamscape.$29.99 $23.99
Fabledom [PS5]
Welcome, your Highness! A vast land awaits your settlers and is ready to be colonized.$24.99 $17.49
Bugsnax [Xbox]
Bugsnax takes you on a journey to Snaktooth Island, home of the legendary half-bug half-snack creatures.$24.99 $6.24
Open Roads [Xbox]
Experience the story of Open Roads as 16-year-old Tess Devine.$19.99 $11.99
Featured Game Review: Metal Slug Tactics
Metal Slug Tactics revives SNK’s arcade classic in stunning detail, transforming its high-energy, run-and-gun action into a tactical grid format without losing its original charm. With meticulously crafted pixel art and an upbeat soundtrack, the game radiates the essence of Metal Slug while embracing turn-based tactics for a fresh experience. Though a few bugs and minor quality-of-life issues pop up, they hardly overshadow the game’s thoughtful design and clever adaptations of franchise staples. Commanding the Peregrine Falcons, you’ll face a diverse roster of enemies, iconic vehicles, and familiar faces, all adapted seamlessly into a tactical playground that feels both nostalgic and innovative.
The game uses every moment and every inch of your skin to display the charm
Metal Slug Tactics wastes no opportunity to channel the over-the-top flair of its arcade roots, creating a battlefield that’s as visually dynamic as it is strategic. The Normal Army’s dieselpunk machines roar to life with an exaggerated intensity that fills the screen—tanks lurch, battleships rumble, and every explosion bursts with an energy that feels straight out of an ‘80s action flick. Characters move with lively, animated quirks, whether they’re ducking behind cover or taunting enemies, bringing the charm of Metal Slug into every pixel.
Beyond its action-packed core, Metal Slug Tactics doesn’t shy away from playful details. Look close enough, and you’ll spot sideline touches, like sunbathing soldiers or Ralf’s tiny TV with his favorite 2D fighter running in the background, a wink to dedicated fans. The soundtrack, courtesy of Tee Lopes, captures the thrill with high-energy beats that make every encounter feel like a metal-infused, nostalgic celebration. Unlike many grid-based tactics games, Metal Slug Tactics keeps battles tight and fast-paced, taking inspiration from Into the Breach to deliver condensed, punchy encounters. Each battle keeps you on your toes with a momentum that’s as satisfying as it is relentless, constantly pushing you into new and exhilarating tactical showdowns.
The game differentiates from its predecessors
Metal Slug Tactics builds on its predecessors with fresh, engaging goals that bring a twist to classic tactics objectives. While familiar missions like eliminating enemies, protecting civilians, or reaching checkpoints are all here, each encounter stays quick-paced, lasting just a few turns and rewarding skilled play with meaningful loot. Secondary objectives raise the stakes, offering extra loot for players who pull off precise tactics like minimizing damage or syncing attacks—a satisfying incentive for mastery in every encounter.
Unlike many roguelites, Metal Slug Tactics maintains a more structured arcade feel with semi-randomized runs split into four stages, each capped by a thrilling boss fight. Boss battles test your command of Tactics’ movement and teamwork-focused mechanics, like a battleship showdown where homing missiles and falling platforms push you to the limit. Core systems like Adrenaline and Synchronization keep the intensity up, rewarding players who keep their squad. Adrenaline lets you dodge attacks and trigger special abilities, while Synchronization encourages strategic teamwork to line up powerful assists. This keeps Metal Slug Tactics true to its roots—infusing its turn-based format with the classic run-and-gun energy that fans love, making every battle feel fresh and unpredictable.
Bottom Line
With its vibrant, cartoonish sprites and a pulse-pounding soundtrack, Metal Slug Tactics captures the spirit of the beloved arcade series while adding a smart twist to the tactics genre. It doesn’t just pay homage; it brings bold, innovative mechanics that seamlessly blend the iconic run-and-gun energy of Metal Slug with strategic depth. While a few pesky bugs may occasionally disrupt the action, the game’s engaging mechanics and rewarding experimentation with team compositions keep each run fresh and exciting.
Next Week
There is a lot to look forward to in every newsletter, and we are in active communication with several developers and studios. More to come next week!
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