Mega Man 9When people talk about hard video games, there are a few names that always crop up: The recent Ninja Gaiden , Devil May Cry, etc. And while these games are indeed difficult, few things in life can induce fear in gamers like Nintendo’s original grey box, the NES.
The Nintendo Entertainment System was (and still is) like an abusive parent. You know as its child that you have to love it no matter what, even when it wants nothing more than to beat you within an inch of your life and constantly remind you of what a disappointment you are. If this sounds personal, that’s because it is.
The NES has a rogue’s gallery of games that are harder than Superman’s knuckles: Castlevania, Contra, Metroid, Punch Out, Ikari Warriors, Battletoads, Double-Dragon, Ninja Gaiden… and the list goes on. How many times have you knocked out Mike Tyson (or Mr. Dream)? How many times have you cleared the speeder bike level in Battletoads? How many bushes did you have to burn before you found a dungeon in Legend of Zelda? How many times have you beat Contra without the Konami code? These are just a few nightmares gamers of old have suffered through.
However, just as the discussion of hard games leads to discussion of the NES, discussion of hard games on the NES lead to one road. Mega Man. It’s almost a love hate relationship that gamers have with the Blue Bomber. The games are so hard that controllers are thrown, obscenities are screamed, and of course the biggest testament to the rage that Mega Man induces, actually getting up and turning off the console.
Let’s look at the facts: Mega Man falls like the deadest of weights. Enemies are placed where they are guaranteed to kill you. Mega Man’s greatest weakness (spike pits) are waiting for his fast falling body with a baited breath.So why do gamers love Mega Man so? How can something so punishing be regarded as a fun gaming experience? The answer is simple but honest nonetheless; victory. Sweet, sweet victory: watching the closing credits roll and dropping the NES controller like Chris Rock’s mic at the end of a stellar performance. It’s not like gaining a level in World of Warcraft, you (the gamer) and you alone defeated a mad scientist, his army of minions, and his eight plus robot masters. Cue Queen’s “Princes of the Univerese.”
Now fast forward to 2008 and Capcom’s announcement to create an entirely original 8-bit Mega Man experience for modern consoles. Some people loved the idea while naturally, others hated it. Personally, I looked at it gratefully as a return to form. While the original Mega Man games are considered holy, the X games seemed to become diluted down the line. And while some great Mega Man titles have popped up on the handhelds over the years, an increasing number of card battles are taking the series further and further from its roots.
So hearing that Mega Man 9 would be a full fledged 8-bit game got me excited, and scared. I knew the nostalgia factor would be high, but the anger of youthful failings would surely follow suit. After playing through the game, I can say I was right on both counts.
Mega Man 9 starts off with a cut-scene showing infamous series antagonist, Dr. Wily, begging for forgiveness for his crimes. He vows to use his creative prowess to better mankind when all of a sudden robots start going berserk. Dr. Wily then tells the masses that Mega Man’s creator Dr. Light is behind the rash of robot roid rage (And-roids people). Taking the theatrics up a notch, Wily plays a video showing Light proclaiming his plans for world domination. Wily, in true hero fashion, then asks people of the world to send him money to build robots to battle Light’s abominations.
Obviously Mega Man and Roll know that Dr. Light has been framed and set out to clear his good
name. This fun, whimsical story is told in traditional NES cut scenes that really take you back. Mouths don’t move, eyes don’t blink, just still drawn images with scrolling text to relay dialogue. Good stuff.
Following that lengthy forward, let’s talk about the game. Mega Man 2 set the scene with its Eight Master Robots. MM9 continues this tradition with one interesting exception. Traditionally, all Mega Man bosses have been male, whereas MM9 introduces the series’ first femme fatale, Splash Woman. Believe you me, this is no small feat as Women’s Rights Activists have been picketing Wily’s male chauvinistic practices for years.
The bosses: Concrete Man, Galaxy Man, Hornet Man, Jewel Man, Magma Man, Plug Man, Splash Woman, and Tornado Man, all offer interesting challenges. Each one requires a different strategy that can be hard to figure out with the default two lives.
The abilities obtained after beating the bosses range from traditional to experimental. Attacks like Magma Man’s Magma Bazooka and Jewel Man’s Jewel Satellite are very familiar to Heat Man and Wood Man’s skills respectively. Fresher feeling powers include Galaxy Man’s “Black Hole Bomb” which allows you to shoot a black orb, direct it around the screen, and detonate it where you please to absorb enemies into a small black hole.
While the bosses are a big part of the gameplay, getting to them is half the journey. The level design in Mega Man 9 is very well done and extremely challenging. Galaxy Man’s level has parts that are like a watered down (but still fun) version of portal and Tornado Man’s level features some infuriating gusts of wind determined to keep you from jumping to the next platform. All levels have one thing in common though, enemies programmed to be in the right place at the right time to knock you into a pit.
Speaking of enemies, Capcom did a good job of creating a diverse set of enemies for Mega Man’s latest outing. Traditional grunts including the Metools are abundant, but every stage has its own unique flavor of baddy to drive you mad.To help combat the gnashing of teeth, developers included a store on the stage select menu. This store lets you use screws (found throughout levels in the same manner as power pellets) to purchase everything from extra lives to a new hair style. With enough screws you can stock up on Energy Tanks, Mystery Tanks, Beat assist items, and more. The fact that these items are purchasable helps take a bit of the sting out of beating bosses.
So how is the game “so hard” if it allows you to stock up on supplies for each level? Well, the game’s built in challenges will encourage the hardcore elite to avoid such power-ups. Mega Man 9 includes built in challenges such as “get to a boss without stopping” and “beat the game without dying.” These challenges range from easy to borderline impossible. Do you think you can beat the game without using an E-tank? How about without missing ONCE with the buster? If you want to one hundred percent the challenges, keep a punching bag handy and keep your game face on. This game does not play.
Another cool aspect that’s been added is the time attack mode. This mode allows players to speed run through levels and compare their times to players all across the world. To break into this top ten requires surgical accuracy and the patience of a saint. For example, the current record for Concrete Man’s stage as of this posting is something in the neighborhood of one minute, twenty one seconds. That’s clearing the level’s obstacles and beating the boss in eighty one seconds. Game faces people.
Not only does this stellar package have a built in store, in game challenges, and a globally ranked time trial; but downloadable content to boot! If you’re done with everything you can possibly do in Mega Man 9 (which I doubt people will do anytime soon), why not download Proto Man and play through the game? For a few dollars, Proto Man is available for download giving you a different take on MM9’s demanding gameplay. For starters, Proto Man comes with a readily available buster charge shot AND his trademark shield for deflecting blasts. However, Proto cannot use energy tanks and gets knocked back twice as far as Mega Man, creating a very challenging experience.
Other downloadable content includes the Infinity Mode which allows players to progress through an endless succession of screens filled to the brim with enemies. Every time you get to a new screen, you get a point. Get the most points and you earn a spot on the coveted leader board. Once again, game…face.
All that being said, let’s get to what you came here for… to hear a skeptical nerd pass judgment on a game.
The Game: 8.5 / 10
This game is borderline perfect for what it is. It’s a fantastic addition to the classic Mega Man franchise taking full advantage of both 8 bit glory and current gen features. However, this game is not for the faint of heart. Everything from the creative level design to the extreme difficulty makes this game a diamond in the rough as far as recent Mega Man games are concerned.
The Time: 7 / 10
If you sit down with Mega Man 9, each stage is going to take a serious commitment to master. If you only have an hour a day to play, you may find yourself stuck in one level for several days. Everything from enemy locations to exactly what pixel of a corner you have to land on take serious concentration and memorization. The thrill of Mega Man games come from becoming more and more streamline in clearing the levels, which will take more time than the working gamer may have to offer.
The Verdict:
This game is a highlight reel of the original Mega Man franchise. Series elements feel right at home and new approaches to level designs are greatly appreciated. In game challenges, speed runs, and downloadable content add legs to a game with a significant built in lifespan.
The 8 bit nostalgia is truly a beauty to behold and a joy forever. The graphics, the music, the tough as nails gameplay, are all masterful in its own retro style. If you’re looking for a test of your gaming skills, look no further. Mega Man 9 is the Beijing Olympics of modern games and the difficulty level might as well be called Michael Phelps mode. Top notch.
