Post by Magi on May 25, 2003 23:41:26 GMT -5
Been quite a while since I wrote a new game Review, but now I'm back, with my legnthiest, best review so far! Whether or not you're a fan of the Megaman X series, I suggest you should still read on. Please be aware I have not proofread this review, but I will revise it at a later time.
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Magikoopa Reviews Megaman X5
Alive and still kicking?
Megaman certainly still by my standards is considered to be a platform king. Being that my first video game ever was a megaman game, I'd have to say I've seen all it has to offer. But despite the fact that the game formula keeps getting recylced, it's been recycled in nearly all the right ways to this point.
Graphics wise, megaman games have always remained similar on a destinct console. I dare to say that all of the Megaman games on the NES looked exactly the same. Though as Capcom has demonstrated, graphics are not the key ingredient in a megaman game. The graphics in X5 were undoubtably slightly above average, but they still look great. The only downside is that Mega Man X5 is devoid of any notable special effects that really wow gamers. In fact, it's nearly absent of any. Perhaps capcom felt that since they made the jump from the Super Nintendo to the Play Station, there was no need to pay attention to wowing gamers with cutting edge effects. In any case, I was disappointed. Another notable change was that X5 was absent of any flashy anime fmv's which I really hoped to see in this installment. Instead, Capcom replaced the anime cutscenes with pictures. Though this was slightly disappointing, the scenes were generally presented well and offered a better perspective on artwork and detailed scenery.
From the moment I first popped this game into my PS2, I was presented with a wonderfully remixed version of a classic Mega Man X score. Hearing this really brought me back, and from then on, I had high hopes for this games score. After looking at previous Mega Man X games, capcom really added in some nice compositions. The music ranged from Techno to rock, and though some of it was quite mediocre, it never got too repetitive. The sound effects were recycled from many previous X games, but for the most part, the quality of the music itself outweighs the need for flashy 3d sound effects. My only complaint in this section was the fact that I felt Capcom got lazy with the last 3 levels and presented a dull and drab overly repetitive score. Overall though, this game won't let you down sound wise.
Megaman games have always been about the gameplay, and X5 returns with the same tried and true formula. The controls are top notch, though I did find it a little hard to perform dashing wall jumps. Luckily, it wasn't too necessary in this installment of the X series. A notable fact though, was that Zero was a playable character. In the game, you are given a choice of 2 or technically three playable characters which include: X, The Fourth Armor (Megaman in his full armor upgrades), and most notably Zero. What I really want to know is, why did Capcom feel the incentive to add in the fourth armor? For one, it completely defeats the need to find your armor upgrades in Dr. Light's capsules. The fact that they freely included this armor really took a lot of fun out of the game, and defeated the need to search it out yourself. Another notable fact is, that with the fourth armor, I didn't bother using X because he was far too weak anyway. To try something new, I'd reccomend first playing the game with Zero to avoid the temptation of using the powered up Megaman and the agony of seeing the weak and pitiful Megaman die over and over. Megaman X5 for the most part had a great level design that offered a challenge and even a little bit of strategy to it. Though the level formula is recycled from previous games, it still is quite enjoyable.
Megaman X5 really kept me entertained throughout most of the game. If you're a hardcore Mega man fan, you've seen all this game has to offer. Still, chances are you'll find yourself getting glued to the game until you finish it. For someone new to the Megaman/Rockman series, this is a great way to start it off. You can't go wrong when stepping into the fray blasting away at Sigma's forces. The end result though, is that this game really leaves you yearning for something more. Though I really enjoyed this game, I really hope Capcom will eventually revise this genre and add in new twists and turns that are worthwhile. Though the formula for a Megaman game is technically still fresh, you can only have so much of the same thing before it gets old. I hope when Capcom adds their next installments that they will really sit down for a bit and create some innovative ideas.
The lowdown:
Concept: 7.0
Blast, hack, slash; add new concepts to an old formula
Graphics: 7.0
Not top notch, but not the worst either. Makes improvements, but falls short at the same time
Sound: 8.0
Contains some of the best scores in the series, but also contains Mediocre scores as well.
Gameplay: 9.0
Controls are flawless, though a couple levels are complete hell
Entertainment: 8.0
Though still a great game, Capcom really needs to come up with some new ideas. Most notably was that compared to other X games I've played, the storyline kinda captured me, and made me want to play to see what happens next.
Replay Value: 7.0
Megaman games have always been fun to replay now and then. For the most part, you'll still be playing this a ways down the road
Overall: 7.65
Megaman still remains strong even in this somewhat disappointing sequel. Since you can find this game relatively cheap, you definitely get what you pay for: Hours of addictive gameplay and fun.
Comments? Rants? Think I gave a biased score?
Email Me at: Magikoopa1@hotmail.com
========================================
Magikoopa Reviews Megaman X5
Alive and still kicking?
Megaman certainly still by my standards is considered to be a platform king. Being that my first video game ever was a megaman game, I'd have to say I've seen all it has to offer. But despite the fact that the game formula keeps getting recylced, it's been recycled in nearly all the right ways to this point.
Graphics wise, megaman games have always remained similar on a destinct console. I dare to say that all of the Megaman games on the NES looked exactly the same. Though as Capcom has demonstrated, graphics are not the key ingredient in a megaman game. The graphics in X5 were undoubtably slightly above average, but they still look great. The only downside is that Mega Man X5 is devoid of any notable special effects that really wow gamers. In fact, it's nearly absent of any. Perhaps capcom felt that since they made the jump from the Super Nintendo to the Play Station, there was no need to pay attention to wowing gamers with cutting edge effects. In any case, I was disappointed. Another notable change was that X5 was absent of any flashy anime fmv's which I really hoped to see in this installment. Instead, Capcom replaced the anime cutscenes with pictures. Though this was slightly disappointing, the scenes were generally presented well and offered a better perspective on artwork and detailed scenery.
From the moment I first popped this game into my PS2, I was presented with a wonderfully remixed version of a classic Mega Man X score. Hearing this really brought me back, and from then on, I had high hopes for this games score. After looking at previous Mega Man X games, capcom really added in some nice compositions. The music ranged from Techno to rock, and though some of it was quite mediocre, it never got too repetitive. The sound effects were recycled from many previous X games, but for the most part, the quality of the music itself outweighs the need for flashy 3d sound effects. My only complaint in this section was the fact that I felt Capcom got lazy with the last 3 levels and presented a dull and drab overly repetitive score. Overall though, this game won't let you down sound wise.
Megaman games have always been about the gameplay, and X5 returns with the same tried and true formula. The controls are top notch, though I did find it a little hard to perform dashing wall jumps. Luckily, it wasn't too necessary in this installment of the X series. A notable fact though, was that Zero was a playable character. In the game, you are given a choice of 2 or technically three playable characters which include: X, The Fourth Armor (Megaman in his full armor upgrades), and most notably Zero. What I really want to know is, why did Capcom feel the incentive to add in the fourth armor? For one, it completely defeats the need to find your armor upgrades in Dr. Light's capsules. The fact that they freely included this armor really took a lot of fun out of the game, and defeated the need to search it out yourself. Another notable fact is, that with the fourth armor, I didn't bother using X because he was far too weak anyway. To try something new, I'd reccomend first playing the game with Zero to avoid the temptation of using the powered up Megaman and the agony of seeing the weak and pitiful Megaman die over and over. Megaman X5 for the most part had a great level design that offered a challenge and even a little bit of strategy to it. Though the level formula is recycled from previous games, it still is quite enjoyable.
Megaman X5 really kept me entertained throughout most of the game. If you're a hardcore Mega man fan, you've seen all this game has to offer. Still, chances are you'll find yourself getting glued to the game until you finish it. For someone new to the Megaman/Rockman series, this is a great way to start it off. You can't go wrong when stepping into the fray blasting away at Sigma's forces. The end result though, is that this game really leaves you yearning for something more. Though I really enjoyed this game, I really hope Capcom will eventually revise this genre and add in new twists and turns that are worthwhile. Though the formula for a Megaman game is technically still fresh, you can only have so much of the same thing before it gets old. I hope when Capcom adds their next installments that they will really sit down for a bit and create some innovative ideas.
The lowdown:
Concept: 7.0
Blast, hack, slash; add new concepts to an old formula
Graphics: 7.0
Not top notch, but not the worst either. Makes improvements, but falls short at the same time
Sound: 8.0
Contains some of the best scores in the series, but also contains Mediocre scores as well.
Gameplay: 9.0
Controls are flawless, though a couple levels are complete hell
Entertainment: 8.0
Though still a great game, Capcom really needs to come up with some new ideas. Most notably was that compared to other X games I've played, the storyline kinda captured me, and made me want to play to see what happens next.
Replay Value: 7.0
Megaman games have always been fun to replay now and then. For the most part, you'll still be playing this a ways down the road
Overall: 7.65
Megaman still remains strong even in this somewhat disappointing sequel. Since you can find this game relatively cheap, you definitely get what you pay for: Hours of addictive gameplay and fun.
Comments? Rants? Think I gave a biased score?
Email Me at: Magikoopa1@hotmail.com
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