Mega Man X4

Mega Man X4 isnšt all that different from any of the other Mega Man games out there, which is bad if you value change over all else. However, this can also be a good thing, especially if you love Mega Manšs tried-and-tested gameplay style. Mega Man X is older and tougher looking than the regular Mega Man, and as such should appeal to an older audience. Hešs a little lankier, and has the ability to jump/climb up sheer surfaces. This one addition adds immensely to the gameplay, creating all sorts of new conundrums for Mega Man to deal with. The game has the standard eight levels, each with a sub-boss and big boss. As always, there are tons of hidden items and areas, and, as always, Mega Man acquires a new weapon with the defeat of each boss. The level design is standard Mega Man fare, with plenty of platforms to jump and bad guys to shoot. One thing that separates Mega Man X4 apart from the last game in the series, Mega Man 8, is the presence of Zero, Mega Manšs blonde-haired counterpart. Zero can do everything Mega can do, except hešs got a powerful sword instead of a blaster. The game can be played as either Mega or Zero, with a different storyline unfolding depending on who you play as. This adds replay value to the game, something often missing in linear platform titles. The control is top-notch, of course, and the graphics are as beautiful as 2D can be. However, like with Capcomšs 2D fighters, I still get the feeling Išve played this all before. Yes, Mega Man X4 is a solid game, but no, it doesnšt really offer anything new to the series. If you canšt get enough of Mega Man, by all means pick this up. But if youšve already played a Mega Man game and didnšt care for it too much, donšt bother.