30XX [Review]
Listen up, Mega Man x Fans! We have a new dynamic duo on the scene, and they are both here to give Capcom a run for their money! We have a new successor to the Mega Man series with a roguelike twist, and, I've gotta say, it's worth every penny! Whether you are a seasoned Mega Man Fan or a newcomer to the series, Battery Staple Games made a game that really scratches that itch that I personally have been trying to reach for years. 30xx is a sequel to the Flash game-like 20xx, and every improvement, especially the art style changes, are all very well executed.
30xx has a hub screen that mimics the general home screen of the Mega Man and Mega Man x series. From this hub world you can choose various stages with a corresponding boss to fight. Just like in The Mega Man X series, each boss you defeat grants you new abilities that can be used to help you traverse through stages and new ways to fight every enemy you will encounter. One touch I’d like to note is that each stage will tell you the severity of the stage, allowing the player to deal with the difficulty as they see fit. One thing to keep in mind is the game’s stages are procedurally generated, so the difficulty spike can be random at times.
30xx Stage Select Screen
Mega Man X Stage Select Screen
Another neat addition to the game that isn't present in the Mega Man X series is the inclusion of Augs to beef up your character for each stage playthrough. This is a formula similar to Mega Man 8 on the Playstation 1, where Rush and other robots would grant Mega Man various abilities from shields to just good old support. During your run through the stage, you will earn currency or points that allow you to shop for upgrades in between runs in the hub world. One great addition to this game is the ability to play with a complete Mega Man like experience in Mega Mode, which essentially disables the roguelike elements like permadeath. This is the mode I selected for my playthrough. 30xx offers a fantastic co-op experience that I definitely took advantage of and I've gotta say I enjoyed every second.
Assist Character For Mega Man 8
Augment For 20xx
The game also has very tight and responsive controls. As a seasoned Mega Man player, I was able to swiftly pick up and play the game with zero issues during my general traversal and platforming. This game really nailed the Mega Man X feeling. Lastly, 30xx offers a robust stage creation system that I urge every player to try out. Whether you are creating stages or playing player-generated stages, this feature is fantastic and adds much more to this title. Visually this game is stunning! It offers a much more polished and colorful pixelated visual aesthetic reminiscent of the old Super Nintendo/Gameboy Advance days. The sprite work blew me away and gives the player a more updated Mega Man X4 look. My personal downfall here is the music. The music in the Mega Man series is usually very memorable and fantastic, however I think 30xx fell short in this department. This is a personal gripe and has no bearing on how enjoyable the game is, it's just a bummer that I won't be humming these tunes time and time again.
Overall, 30xx is a game I highly recommend and absolutely enjoyed! This game deserves a look and maybe even a physical release. I adored this game, and anyone that loves the Mega Man x series absolutely needs to give this game a look. The replayability, satisfying visuals, and the amazing co-op experience make this a game that gamers don't want to miss and will be remembered for years to come. 30xx is available on all platforms and is available for purchase now!