Mega Man 9

"Megaman 9: A Blast From the Past!"

Introduction:

Megaman 9 is a continuation of the hit Megaman series which began in the middle 1980's. As the hero Megaman, it is your goal to stop the evil plans of Dr. Wily. This game is based on the traditional "8 boss format" as seen in all previous Megamans except the first in the series. As Megaman, it is your objective to conquer all 8 bosses and with each one that is beat, you obtain their special power.

Gameplay: 9/10

Capcom has made a bold move by bringing the series to a complete nes style of play which turned out GREAT!! Megaman 9 feels like you're actually playing a Nintendo Megaman game as the graphics, sound, and music are identical to previous titles. This is a very fun game to play suitable for all ages and the controls are easy to pick up. Who can forget the memorable scene of Dr. Wily raising his eyebrows when his spaceship opens up or the sheer fun of using boss weapons to destroy bosses? It is just like de-ja-vu all over again.

The game is pretty challenging, but not overbearing. It stacks up well to other Megamans in the series which is sure to give you a run for your money.

For all those old school gamers such as myself, you will love the game play mechanics of Megaman 9. My only complaint is the game is lacking a world such as the "Dr. Light Worlds" or something to that effect.

Story: 9/10

Megaman 9 picks up right where Megaman 8 left off where Dr. Wily is begging for mercy and says, "Megaman, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me!" (yeah right). There is peace in the land for a time until suddenly robots are causing chaos and destruction over the land. Suddenly, a news flash opens up: What? Dr. Light is behind this all along and Dr. Wily is innocent? It is up to Megaman with the help of Roll to stop the eight robots and restore peace to the world once again! All in all, it has a pretty impressive storyline for the game's design.

Graphics/Sound: 10/10

The graphics and sound are as solid as ever as you get the feel of a Nintendo Megaman game. Whether it's the familiar jumping sound, the shot of the mega buster firing, or the recognizable music at the start of each boss, Megaman 9 has it all! The graphics and style are mostly based on Megaman 2 as you can't slide or use the mega buster like you could in the later titles after Megaman 2.

Playtime/Replayability: 10/10

Megaman 9 takes roughly three to five hours to complete on your first attempt. The game is well worth playing over and over again as there 50 challenges to complete as well as download-able content that can be added. Some challenges may want to make you pull your hair out, but that's what makes it all the more fun.

Final Recommendation:

Megaman 9 is a must-have game for any hard-core gamer out there or anyone who is looking for a great game to play. You will be taken back to the good old days when Megaman was at its near beginning. This is Megaman at its finest and you will not be disappointed. Megaman 9 is truly a blast from the past which will be remembered for decades to come!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/15/08

Game Release: Mega Man 9 (US, 09/22/08)