After eight long years, the latest entry in the original Mega Man series of games is here, Mega Man 11. This brand-new entry in the Blue Bombers iconic action platforming series is available for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. It features a stunning new visual style, four different difficulty settings, and an all-new Double Gear system to spice up gameplay.
Get ready to help foil Dr. Wily’s plans for world domination and celebrate Mega Man’s 30th anniversary.
Mega Man 11 Details
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Action, platforming
Mode: Single-player
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)
A robot-busting journey
In Mega Man’s 30 plus year franchise history, I can’t ever really recall any of the games having standout stories. While Mega Man 11 doesn’t deviate far from previous games, it actually has a pretty interesting plot to go along with it. The game starts off by giving background on Dr. Wily and his then college Dr. Light via a flashback.
Both scientists have different visions for the future of robots and are seeking funding to make their visions come true. Dr. Wily wants them to possess incredible strength using a newly developed Double Gear system. On the other hand, Dr. Light wants robots to have the ability to think and feel like humans. Ultimately, funding went to Dr. Light and thus leading to the long running conflict between the two.
Fast forward to current day and Dr. Wily has kidnapped eight of Dr. Light’s newly designed robots in hopes of taking over the world. Seeking the help of Mega Man to rescue the robots and save the world, he installs Dr. Wily’s prototype Double Gear system into Mega Man. As I said the story isn’t revolutionary, but it does a good job of giving the history between Wily and Light for those new to the franchise and serves as a refresher for long time fans. After all, it’s been 8 years since Mega Man 10.
Classic gameplay with modernized updates
Mega Man 11 contains all the great action and platforming that made the core series great. However, Mega Man 11’s gameplay is truly centred around the new Double Gear system. It is composed of two components, the Power Gear and Speed Gear.
Power Gear allows you to charge your Mega Buster gun to super power levels. While Speed Gear allows you to manipulate time by slowing it down. In turn, this allows you to make those seemly impossible jumps and dodge enemy bullets. If you are a long time Mega Man fan, don’t make the same mistake I did by going in gun ho and totally ignoring the Double Gear system.
Mega Man 11’s stages have been designed so that you must use the Double Gear system in order to succeed—a brilliant idea. Too often games will introduce new gameplay mechanics and you can get by with little to no use. For example, Mega Man 11 has its fair share of enemies that, unless you super charge your Mega Blaster via Power Gear, are nearly impossible to beat. The same can be said for Speed Gear with the game’s many ultra fast platforming puzzles.
Charming visuals
From the moment I saw Mega Man 11, I was in love with the game’s visual art style. It features 3D polygon characters on top of 2D environments. Each area has its own unique charm and feel from Block Man’s Aztec-inspired pyramids to Torch Man’s cozy campgrounds in the woods. On top of the gorgeous visuals, animation of the characters is smooth and at times feels like you could really be watching a Saturday morning cartoon.
I was surprised to hear that voice acting in the game. After all, it’s not too often that happens in Mega Man games. If there was one aspect of the game that I felt a little let down with is the game’s soundtrack. While it’s not bad per say, compared to other games in the series it just isn’t as memorable.
Additional modes for added replayability
In addition, Mega Man 11 has various different difficulty levels that do more than just ramp up the difficulty of enemies. In fact, the higher difficulty also changes the way enemies act and in some instances the way the stages are laid out.
Aside from various difficulty levels, there is a challenge menu that will keep you busy with Time Attack and Challenge modes as well a whole slew of other challenges. Furthermore, there are online leadboards for all of them. These add a ton of replay to the game as you can expect to complete it on its default difficulty in about 6 to 10 hours.
Mega Man 11 is the sequel that was worth the wait
The original Mega Man series of games has always been my favourite and Mega Man 11 is one of if not the best in the series. The Double Gear system adds to the already addicting gameplay that fans have come to know and love over the past 30 plus years. And, the graphics are absolutely gorgeous.
Even on the game’s easiest setting, Newcomer, you’ll still get a decent challenge. However, hardcore Mega Man fans looking for the ultimate challenge will want to play on the hardest difficulty setting, Superhero. If you are a fan of Mega Man than you will love the Blue Bombers’ new game.
And, if you have any interest at all in Mega Man, you owe it to yourself to play Mega Man 11. It offers up solid gameplay with some of the series’ finest action and platforming gameplay. It’s the perfect entry point for new fans of the iconic hero.
+ Beautiful graphics along with silky smooth character animations
+ The new Double Gear system adds to the game’s already solid gameplay
+ Excellent replay value
+ The most accessible games in the Mega Man series
+ Value priced
– The game’s sound track isn’t as memorable as others in the series
– Occasional difficulty spikes in some stages of the game
OVERALL ASSESSMENT MEGA MAN 11
Gameplay: 4/5
Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound: 3.5/5
Lasting Appeal/Replayability: 4.5/5
Overall Rating 4.3/5 (86%)
Get Mega Man 11 for Nintendo Switch
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Purchase Mega Man 11 for PlayStation 4
Get Mega Man 11 for Xbox One
Buy Mega Man 11 for Xbox One Digital Download
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I enjoyed the demo when I played it on the Switch. It is definitely on my list to pick up sometime.
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