Review – Mega Man 10

Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Inti Creates
Platform(s): Playstation Network, WiiWare, Xbox Live Arcade
Genre: Side-Scrolling Action Platformer
Rating: Everyone
ESRB Content Descriptors: Mild Cartoon Violence

The Scoop: Capcom reunites it’s love with Mega Man and 8-bit in the all new Mega Man 10.

The Setup: Mega Man 10 continues the story after Mega Man 9. A virus breaks out and starts affecting all the robots, and by all the robots I mean all the ones except for Mega Man, his faithful dog Rush, and his sort-of brother Proto Man. It also hints at the link between the original series and the X series, for any of those fans who are still trying to tie them together.

Like Mega Man 9, 10 has been designed like an NES game. But whereas 9 was made to mimic a NES game, down to the lag times and graphical glitches, 10 keeps the NES feel but reunites players with several enhancements and a whole new lot of enemies to get used to.

What’s Hot: Mega Man has always been known for their games being ridiculously hard. 10 introduces an Easy mode for players that will help them along on their way of beating the eight robot masters. It also features Proto Man as a playable character right off the bat, which offers a different way to play the game.

Also, while 9 was more of a staple to reunite fans with the old days of Mega Man (including many recognizable enemies), 10 pulls out brand new enemies, ranging from flowers that shoot out solar beams to axe robots that will split you in half. Even mini-bosses have a difficult flare to them, such as a soccer goal robot who is trying to smash you.

Finally, one addition to Mega Man 10 that fans will appreciate is the quick change buttons for special weapons which was featured in the Mega Man installments starting on the SNES but was absent in 9.

What’s Not: Once again, micro-transactions will be returning. Players already have Proto Man to play with as well as some modes from Mega Man 9 already unlocked in 10. But players who want to have access to Bass, endless attack, and 3 special stages will have to shell out some extra money.

Another thing is the music. Where sounds like the stage start and end themes are more remix of the original tunes, the rest of the Mega Man 10 soundtrack just seems bland in comparison.

Final Verdict: Mega Man 10 will not disappoint any fans of the series. The 8 bit style is still great to look at and play in the world of high-end HD graphics of Final Fantasy XIII. As is the way with Mega Man, there will always be a game that’s a must have, and a game that’s mediocre. Mega Man 10 just barely inches by the mediocre column.