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The game all but forces players to use Beck’s AcXelerate (dash) function to swoop in and absorb enemy Xel, which they begin to emit after being shot enough times. Sadly, it’s the additions to Beck’s move set that prove flawed. Beck is precise when running and jumping, and the rapid three-shot volley of blasts that his arm cannon gives off is properly akin to the Blue Bomber’s. 9 delivers the basics of 2D Mega Man platforming well enough. On the other hand, what’s been presented here lacks the spark that had made Mega Man so enduring Beck and his pals are the worst kind of cardboard cutouts. 9 is theoretically the only place that fans can go for a Mega Man fix.
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On one hand, it’s obvious why there would be an appeal to make Beck and friends stick close to the mold of Mega Man and his cast after all, with Capcom currently not doing anything with the Blue Bomber, Mighty No. Light in that he’s more youthful, lacks the gravitas and presence needed to feel like any sort of father figure to Beck. White, though a nice counterpoint to Mega Man’s Dr. Meanwhile, Call, Beck’s fellow-robot sister, felt sterile and cold. White’s, had me wanting to lower the volume on my stereo every single time he started talking his odd mix of English and French phrases (“bloody heck,” “sacré bleu”) delivered in an American accent were bewildering, and his constant braying and neurosis, nauseating. All of the character and robot designs are solid (though somewhat busy), but they are letdown by some abysmal writing and dialogue.
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White, looks the part of Mega Man, with just enough blue thrown into his look to evoke Rock while still standing out on his own. 9 at least got its window dressing down pat. If it wasn’t phoned in, it was darned close. 9 feels more like a slap in the face than a carrying of the torch that Mega Man ignited.
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Comcept and Inti Creates might have made a game that’s playable, but Mighty No. 9 has failed, however, that really makes this one rankle, as the mistakes and shortsightedness of the end product are virtually unforgivable. 9 skyrocketed, but sadly Inafune and company weren’t able to deliver. With a sterling pedigree of developers working on the title and massive fan enthusiasm, the expectations for Mighty No. 9 had become the darling of the crowdfunding world, promising a spiritual successor to Capcom’s currently neglected Mega Man franchise from a key mind behind the Blue Bomber himself, Keiji Inafune. Following its wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, Mighty No. Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way before I say anything else: Mighty No.
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