Mega Man X1-3 Review

Being in Glasgow has given me an opportunity to get reacquainted with some classic games. One being the 1994 classic Mega Man X, which started the second official franchise for Capcom’s Blue Bomber, and its sequels on the SNES. Even though the Mega Man X series has had its ups and downs, the early games at least are classics and still hold up.

Out of the SNES Mega Man X series game, Mega Man X2 has never been my personal favourite for some reason. Mpersonal favourites have always been Mega Man X and X3. The fact that Mega Man X3 was the first X-game I ever played which may explain my nostalgic feelings towards it.

Let’s get on with the reviews…

Mega Man X

Gameplay: 5/5 – This is an area where the X-series excelled at. Essentially Capcom took the gameplay from the classic Mega Man games and upgraded it to the 16-bit generation. Mega Man can fire more rapidly, move more quickly and climb up walls with the wall-kick. Although you have to play Chill Penguin’s stage just to get the dash (the X-series’ version of the slide), the levels are designed in such a way that you are not required to find every single part of X’s armour to pass the game (though they will help and make the rest of the game easier). In essence, the gameplay is just right.

Graphics: 4,5/5 – There’s loads of detail and all the levels look distinct and lively. The enemy designs are also nice and colourful, despite the X-series’ darker and edgier look. Everything about the game’s graphic look is just superb. The only thing I can really complain about is that some of the enemy designs are admittedly a little cheesy and I’ve never particularly cared for Chameleon’s stage for some reason.

Animation: 5/5 – Here I can’t honestly complain. Even the tiniest enemies have their own little detailed animations and, over-all, they made sure everything in the game looks lively and polished.

Music: 5/5 – This game has absolutely the most solid soundtrack of any Mega Man game I’ve played. It rivals Mega Man 2 in not only how memorable it is but also that there is not a single tune that would sound annoying or out of place. Even better, this game introduces the more decidedly heavier and rock-inspired soundtrack of the X series which I like, but doesn’t abandon the variety of musical styles we’ve come to expect from the Mega Man series. Some of my personal favourite themes from this game, just to name a few: the intro, Spark Mandrill (of course), Chill Penguin, Boomer Kuwanger and the End theme.

Sound: 4/5 – There’s not a lot to complain about with the sound-effects either. Everything sounds suitable for the game and not out of the ordinary for the Mega Man series. A few of the sound-effects do sound oddly bubbly and light at times, but over-all, I have no major complaints.

Replay value: 4/5 – Mega Man X is one of the few games in the X-series that feels like the perfect pick-up and play experience. You don’t need a big crash course into the game’s mechanics and the learning curve isn’t too steep. You can start wherever you like and the gameplay feels natural and well crafted. The final levels may become a little frustrating but the same is admittedly true for a lot of Mega Man games.

Score: 92% – Mega Man X is one of those games that has aged extremely well because it’s so well crafted with practically no faults or major weaknesses that would make it not fun to play. It’s an absolute must-play for all serious Mega Man fans and one of the timeless classics of the Super Nintendo.

Mega Man X2

Gameplay: 4,5/5 – This time you get the slide from the start which is a nice touch and the game generally isn’t any worse in this front than the first one. However, some of the levels have slightly annoying stage designs, which add a bit of unfair challenge to them. However, you don’t need to go looking for X’s spare parts in this instalment which is a relief.

Graphics: 3/5 – Quite honestly I’ve never cared for the look of this game. I think most of the Mavericks look more silly than threatening (Wire Sponge? Please). Even the enemy designs are a tad too colourful and cartoony for an X series game. However, the settings and levels at least are really nice.

Animation: 5/5 – I really have to give the game a full score for presentation. It pulls all the stops from cutscenes in between levels to moving backgrounds and a really kick ass opening.

Music: 3,5/5 – This is another area where I think the game is definitely inferior to both of the other two SNES X-games. The music isn’t bad by any means and in most cases it’s very appropriate, but I don’t find most of the melodies particularly memorable or catchy. A few exceptions include the opening themes, Bubble Crab and Crystal Snail’s stage themes and the first Fortress theme.

Sound: 5/5 – The game doesn’t suffer from the bubbliness that some of the sound-effects in X1 suffered from and to top it off, there’s some really cool sound-designs in several parts of the game.

Replay value: 2,5/5 – Although this is the only X-game on the SNES with two truly different endings, I just find it lacking in the fun factor of X1 and the challenge of X3. It’s not as frustrating as X3 but I also feel not as memorable as X1.

Score: 78% – Mega Man X2 is a decent enough instalment in the X-series and some people may even feel slightly better than X1. However, I feel it’s an underwhelming entry and I personally find myself favouring either X1 or X3. However, if you want a Mega Man X game with a story on the SNES, this is probably the closest you’ll get to one.

Mega Man X3

Gameplay: 4/5 – I have to confess that the game is considerably more difficult than either of the first two games. A lot of this comes down to the level designs being much more merciless, with enemies placed at the edges of platforms and in other awkward places. This time, the fact that you have to find the Air Dash and the fact that you can’t even complete certain levels without it is a bit of a pain. However, other than that, the controls are just as tight as before and you even get to play as Zero which is cool (though only for one-third of any given level).

Graphics: 5/5 – Not only is there variety, but the levels themselves look awesome and utilise the SNES’s properties well. The over-all look is much more consistent than in the first two games and you still get lots of variety, which is nice.

Animation: 5/5 – I can honestly say that the game has not gotten any worse in this regard. Enemies still have loads of animation and look great. Also, little touches like the mist and the snowfall effects really do a lot for the game’s overall appearance.

Music: 4/5 – Personally this is my second favourite score from the X-series. The themes are aggressive and hard rocking which I like and they stick in your head well. Whether you are looking for the furious guitar hammering of Blast Hornet’s level, the epicness of Gravity Beetle’s stage, the undoubtedly Guns N Roses inspired Neon Tiger theme or the more traditionally orchestral Blizzard Buffalo, this game will rock your socks off. However, the incidental themes this time around sound a bit messy and not too clean which hurts the over-all musical score.

Sound: 3/5 – Some of the sound-effects grate my ears a bit, but otherwise the audio department sounds good.

Replay value: 3/5 – I think the thing which hurts Mega Man X3’s playability the most is the high difficulty level. The fact that you can’t even finish some of the levels without the air-dash seems like a major league screw up and the boss-battles are extremely brutal if you haven’t a clue where even to start from. At the same time, I sort of enjoy the challenge, it feels like Mega Man X1 cranked up to Hard-mode and therefore there is a massive feeling of accomplishment when you finally manage to defeat a boss.

Score: 80% – Mega Man X3 is a solid action-platformer but one that is definitely not intended for beginners. The game is brutally difficult and unless you enjoy the challenge, you will not enjoy this game. However, it’s in my view an absolutely worth-while title from the X-series.