What I'm Playing (Volume 2): Mega Man 9 & Mega Man Zero 3

Back with more of what I'm playing! Since last we met, I finished up Mega Man 8 (actually not too bad, see update from last one) and have begun Mega Man 9 and am working on Mega Man Zero 3 in handheld time (I promise, this section will feature something other than Mega Man games. Someday.).

I was expecting very big things from MM9, given the buzz about it and have been mostly impressed thus far.

Pros:

1. Stage design is superb.
2. Retro visual look is fantastic, and everything is very lovingly done, visually speaking.
3. Best MM sound track in ages. Concrete Man's music in particular.
4. It doesn't feel like they were running out of Robot Master ideas, like in previous games (Yamato Man? Tengu Man? Clown Man? Come on.).
5. Removing sliding and charge shots lends itself well to a classic feel, while also opening up more avenues for using the special weapons stolen from the Robot Masters within the stage, not just against bosses. Gameplay functions really nicely with these new changes. You don't feel the need to slow down to charge up before proceeding.
6. Story presentation has been really nice, without breaking up the free choice of levels from the NES games.
7. Love the existence of the challenges.

Cons:

1. No trophies? On PS3?
2. Removing slide and charge shot makes sense as game design, but makes little sense in the Mega Man timeline. Couldn't they work in some sort of Dr. Wily sent Mega Man back in time angle at least, or explain why Mega Man's capabilities are less now?
3. BOX ART. Does ANYONE like the Mega Man NES box art? At least go with the Japanese-style approach, not bringing back those dreadful MM and MM2 box styles. Seriously, look at this abomination. The above art for the Japanese version is so much better. I understand that this is sort of tongue-in-cheek, but just let it die already.

Mega Weirdo 9

All in all, I'd give it an 8.9 at this point. It's very good, although I think it could be improved a bit.

Ahhhh...good box art

Mega Man Zero 3 is also excellent.

Pros:

1. Keeps up the more linear, story-driven approach of Mega Man Zero 1 and 2, which is nice in a spin-off.
2. Very challenging, without feeling impossible.
3. Great visuals.
4. Love collecting the secret disks in all the levels.
5. Controls are perfect, as always.
6. Love the grade system. It builds in incentives to work towards those speed run and minimal damage runs, by rewarding you for good performance. Earlier Mega Man games didn't care if you won with 1 notch of health left, or took 3 hours and 80 continues to finish a level. This incentivizes replaying the game more than any other MM game.

Cons:

1.  This game has a lot more "that's BS" moments than other Mega Man games. Sometimes you'll just blindly wander into something that's absolutely unbeatable the first time, because you've never seen it before, which never feels nice.
2. Music isn't up to the standard of other Mega Man games.
3. Doesn't really offer too many new wrinkles on the MM Zero franchise.

I'd probably give this one an 8.9 as well. Anyway, check back in for something new in the next few days!

-TRO