25-Feb-2004 Fifteen years down the line and Megaman's still going strong
It's the 15th Anniversary for Megaman, and to celebrate Capcom is releasing another game. Shock! Okay, it's the first for PS2, but it's still Megaman, and it's the seventh in the X series, which is over 10 years old.
Like the metal bands that died out with the 80s but are back in again, Capcom's Megaman has remained cool to a loyal few, but could well be back for the attack this year. Hell, in Japan he's even called Rockman (though we're sure there's no connection). Anyway, for PS2 you could say the 'classic' MM formula needs a heavy reworking to rock alongside recent PS2 big hitters. While this hasn't exactly happened, it still does just enough.
80s Revival Capcom clearly had a blast updating Megaman for PS2. The improved technology is used to recreate classic ideas in slick new ways - check out the rotating tower, and the anti-gravity area, both typically 80s themes but soundly reworked. Of course, you have all the enemy types with their Achilles heels to exploit, and this idea is exaggerated to create cool bosses with cool names like Flame Heyenard, Snipe Anteator, Soldier Stonekong and - our favourite - Tornado Tonion, a robot onion! It's the old rock, paper, scissors and stone formula right the way through, but it never fails to keep you intrigued when handled this well.
Everything X7 delivers is quality, although with an unshakable sense of 'been there many times before'. If you've always loved the Megaman formula, and enjoyed the many updates through the years, you'll be satisfied but not much more. If you've always associated Megaman with old news, this is a good time to sample its time-honoured wares.
The variations on the Megaman theme may seem tired, but they are never boring. Everyone should own at least one Megaman game, and this ain't
a bad one to begin with.
The little surprise up Capcom's sleeve for X7 is the Dual Hero System, which allows you to switch between sword-wielding Zero, who we've met before, and the new guy Axl (as in Rose!). This guy totes a machine gun, but can also morph into various forms. Other characters can form tag-team partnerships as you recruit them throughout the adventure.
…because at close quarters, Zero’s sword is devastating
Axl can run while firing, letting Zero get up close…
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