Mega Man X4

"Everyone just let out a loud scream. Oh yes, Zero is playable."

Mega Man started out with his classical series on the NES and then SNES, but Capcom decided they would create another series featuring X and his friend Zero. The MMX series is deeper in game play, story, and character design. After three different iterations we are given Mega Man X4 and it manages to serve up some mega action! The game allows you to choose between two different characters that play differently and have different stories. You can pick between X or Zero on your guest to find how what the Repliforce is up too...

Mega Man X4 has a very solid story when you compare it to the classic series. In MMX4 it seems that the Maverick's are at it again when they decide to attack Sky Lagoon. When you arrive Sky Lagoon actually falls destroying a city full of innocent people below, but the twist is in the fact that the Repliforce -- a group designed to take out Maverick's -- have been suspected of going Maverick themselves. It's up to you as X, or Zero, to solve the mystery and bring them to justice. The story goes in deeper from there, but that is the basic outline of it. The thing about MMX4, and the X series, is the story will actually draw you in and have you paying attention in between the actual game play. It isn't something that will have you on the edge of your seat while you play, but it delivers well enough to keep you hooked.

The actual game play portion of MMX4 is a real treat, because you have the option to choose between playing as X or Zero you can have a totally unique way of playing. With X you will have your standard X-Buster and will be able to receive upgrades from the Maverick's you defeat at the end of every level and special modules from Dr. Light through capsules. When you are playing through the levels you will find that it is harder for X to complete as opposed to Zero, but where X gets the plus is in his ability to take out the Maverick's (bosses) more easily and quicker. When you play as Zero you are limited to on a Z-Saber (lightsaber like weapon) and you cannot receive any kind of Maverick upgrade at the end of every level. However, Zero is able to get a new sword technique in replace of that particular boss's weapon. His overall pro is the power to run through the levels fast and easy, but will have a harder, and longer, time at taking down the boss at the end of each level.

Once you get past choosing the different characters, the actual game play remains true to the series roots. Unlike the classic Mega Man series, the X series is focused more heavily on the action aspect instead of the platforming. You'll still be running, jumping, and shooting but you will be doing in a much more action oriented manner. There are usually a lot of enemies on the screen at one time, as well as more devastating attacks. You also have the ability to dash, dashing gives you a temporary speed boost. You can use this to slide under objects, attacks, or to hurry through a level. The cool thing about the dash is it will also increase the distance you can jump, if you dash and press the jump button you'll go much farther than you would without it. This lets opens up many things for you to try to figure out when playing.

If you played other Mega Man games or Mega Man X games you can usually tell they aren't the most fast paced games around, however, with MMX4 it is very high adrenaline, fast paced action. It isn't Sonic the Hedgehog kind of speed, but pretty good paced nonetheless. This is a big plus, because most other games in the series didn't have you on the edge of your seat as much unless you were trying to defeat that extra hard Robot Master/Maverick or make that impossible leap of faith. You may wonder why I'm actually commenting on the speed, but it does play a role in enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Unlike previous Mega Man games though, the password system is gone from MMX4. You can actually save a file to a memory card or to your hard drive. This is a more than welcome feature to the game; furthermore the ability to save after every level or major point in the game is also there.

On the technical side Mega Man X4 is great, just like in gameplay. The games sprites look extremely polished, as they should considering the era of gaming they are in, but the designs on X and Zero are awesome. The level of detail is a nice relief compared to previous titles. MMX4 also has a wide array of explosions, whether you are destroying an enemy or the environment it looks nice. They provide you with a sense of uneasiness when it happens, that's just how good it is. For example, you may be on a speed bike when a large amount of fire might be coming behind you while the building you're riding through breaks down before your eyes. While all of that is going on you have to concentrate on not getting stuck behind something or missing a jump only to fall into a pit below. It all looks great and makes your playing, at certain parts, much more intense.

The level design in the game is also very well done. I loved how almost everything you came across, minus the backgrounds, was interactive in some way. You could almost destroy anything in front of you with your X-Buster or Z-Saber. Most of the levels have a lot of "leap of faith" moments so to speak in the length and amount of jumps you have to take. This gives the game a kick back to where it originated with platforming. The detail put into the levels and enemies is also something I like. MMX4 is also a 2D side scrolling game and because of this the game doesn't have 3D polygons to go with it, so when you see the levels you have to picture something along the lines of advanced SNES graphics. Given the 32/64-bit era this came out in you would expect otherwise, but don't think of this as a flaw. It certainly isn't by any stretch of the imagination.

Since we are in an era of gaming where cut scenes are big, Capcom included many of them, as well as voice work, into MMX4. At different points in the game these anime type cut scenes will pop in to give you a greater take on the story. They are drawn and animated pretty well. Seeing some of the fights take place is a real treat considering you get to see more than just the sprites go at it. The voice work is kind of good, but nothing exceptional. The strangest thing that caught my eye... err... ears was the sound of X's voice. It is very... well... girlish, yes, girlish. X, one cool game character, has a seemingly feminine voice over. That voice in particular will stand out to you and make you wonder just what Capcom was thinking when they got that person to voice X. Not the greatest moment in their history I'll tell ya that. But for the most part it isn't anything to go crazy about, on the same token though it isn't anything to shut your speakers off too.

Now, I've been waiting a long time to dive into the soundtrack of the Mega Man X4. So, before I begin allow me to say one word: Amazing. Yes, the songs in MMX4 are some of the best Mega Man songs, ever. You'll be hearing a lot of techno-ish/rock type music, and boy that mixture never sounded better. The two theme's of the characters are done to fit X's and Zero's personalities, you'll get a different song depending on who you are playing as at the beginning. X's is more of a techno type of deal that isn't to fast paced but is there. Zero's on the other hand is an incredibly fast, rock type of song. It's the kind of music that would get you up and ready to play. As far as level music goes, it doesn't stutter at all the music in each stage fits it to a tee. For example, while playing in Cyber Peacock's level you get a lot of techno beats because it's a cyber world. If you are playing in Frost Walrus' level on the other hand you are going to get a much more frigid, cold music (very cave and ice-like). One thing that can't go without mention is how almost every track for MMX4 remains extremely fast paced. Rarely will you run across a song that is mellow and calm, and this is an absolute plus in every way considering the pace MMX4 takes. Basically, after playing this game you'll be trying to get to your hands on the nearest Mega Man X4 Soundtrack to purchase.

As far as length and replay ability go you are going to get a solid portion of each. For starters you have eight Mavericks that you can face, and each will give you a decent challenge. Coupled with mini-bosses at different points and an additional few levels after that and you've got a good sized game. The one thing that actually brings the length portion of the game down is the lack of challenge, and that is one thing that stops this game from being near perfect. The game is easy, and while not a "walk in the park" type easy, it's still lacking nonetheless. You do have the ability to change the difficulty to easy, medium, or hard and that is always welcome but even at the hardest difficulty the levels don't really provide you with any more challenge. The harder difficulties will have you dying many a time to bosses however. For the most part it will level out but overall you aren't going to get the most challenging game in the world.

With replay ability you are seeing mounds and mounds of it. As I mentioned earlier, with the chance to play as either X or Zero you can at least give this game two runs to get a different story and gameplay experience. That aside though you will have the option to go through and replay levels to find missing hearts, energy tanks, and X's upgrades. They both provide a reason to run through the game after you have completed it. If you aren't into getting upgrades, MMX4 is one of those games that you can just pick up and play at any time and have a blast. That's what makes this game so great, is how much fun it is. You could run through it several times and not get bored in the slightest; it's just that unique Mega Man style that Capcom has drilled into us.

Overall, this is just a game that you can't miss out on. Mega Man fan or not, if you are looking for a fun time and a great game this is it. Mega Man X4 gives you the option of two characters, amazingly good game play, a soundtrack to die for, and solid replay ability and length. This is easily one of the best Mega Man games to be released and one of the best games in general. A great game that just can't be missed, no excuses.

Final Score: 9.0

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/09/04, Updated 05/30/06