Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge

"Shames the Battle Network Name!"

Introduction:

Megaman Battle Chip Challenge was released a bit after the popular Megaman Battle Network 2, except it wasn't widely advertised. I can see why. This game did not fulfill my expectations at all. The back of the packaging on it said it featured many things, such as the ability to play as different characters, among other cool features. After playing for about a week, I felt disappointed. Here's why.

Graphics

Not jaw-dropping, but not that bad, either. The chip graphics were decent, and the graphics of the navis attacking weren't that bad. Nothing seemed that extraordinary, and the graphics seemed to "repeat" themselves. You don't get to see much of the Net, but when you do, it's okay. Characters look sort of blotchy, but all MMBN games are like that. The sprites were fairly good. Although, what brings the graphics down was the navi attacks. If Protoman used Cannon or any other gun-related attack, it would appear that he was shooting from his sword, and if Gutsman used LongSword or any sword related attack, it would appear that he's slashing after slamming his hands down or throwing a punch. It looked rather stupid. There's a new jack-in animation, which isn't spectacular, but pretty cool.

Graphic Score: 7/10

Game play

Well, there's certainly lots to talk about in the game play category. You can play as other characters than Megaman.EXE, such as Protoman, Gutsman, Roll, new characters Ring and Turboman, and even the popular Bass at a point. You would probably find playing as different characters would make the game better to make strategies and such, but there's nothing special about each character except looks and their unique attack. Their unique attack doesn't do much, it just adds damage to your opponent.

In this game, you don't fight by equipping chips to Megaman like traditional EXE, but you make a "chip deck", and try to sort them in a way that you hope will dish out the most damage. You cannot walk around in this game; every thing is computer automated. You cannot dodge attacks, unless your character decides he doesn't want to get hit and parries. There's no control over what chips your navi receives each turn; they randomly get drawn. Battle Chips do different things than in the Battle Network series. They don't do as much damage, mainly they attack your opponents chips somehow, and if you disarm your opponent of all chips, you are guaranteed to win. The battles themselves aren't interesting, you don't have to do anything at all except scroll through mindless text and watch the computers duke it out. It's repetitive, boring, and a waste of free-time.

Game play Score: 2/10

Story

Each character has their own boring story. It's all generic, and nothing makes one character's story better than the next. Basically, it's like a bunch of tournaments, and they are actually okay, but I just hate tournaments. *Shudders with the memory of Megaman Battle Network 4.*

Yes, it's just only a tad better than EXE 4 tournaments.

Story Score: 5/10

Sound/Music

Meh...The sound of battle attacks and slot-ins are fine, and that gives this category it's only points. The music is rather bland and repetitive, but not that bad. But, after listening to the same tunes again and again gets INCREDIBLY cheesy and annoying. It gives me headaches just thinking about it.

Sound/Music Score: 5/10

Multi player

If this game even HAS a multiplayer, I haven't seen it. I'm quite sure if there was one though, it would be twice as boring because 2 people would get bored instead of just one.

Multi player Score: N/A

Extra challenges/ After story unlockables/ Replayability

Even though this game sucks, there is an upside. You can spend hours of time boring yourself trying to unlock extra chips and other things. It actually can get interesting.

Extra challenges/ After story unlockables/ Replayability Score: 8/10

Buy or Rent

Do not EVER buy this game. You should have the store owners pay YOU to take it off of of the shelves. About renting....Meh. I wouldn't rent it, but if you absolutely must, or have a burning desire to feel bored out of your wits, you can rent it.

Conclusion

This is as bad as Megaman Battle Network 4. It shames the Megaman Battle Network name, and I would recommend it as an instrument of torture to my worst enemy. Other than that, it is horrid and a waste of time and money.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 01/31/05