Mega Man 9: So far so good...

[snakeboy1]

[QUOTE=Paul Campbell]I have been sharing all your sentiments, but I somehow love the slight frustration because it makes it feel that much more old-school.

What I really love, though, is that they ALWAYS give you a sort of practice room or situation with each of the upcoming dangers that help you know what to look out for.  Did you realize that you can either avoid the flying claw guy altogether by slowly approaching his location, or you can easily live through his ordeal by still jumping over the pits that he drags you to?  I really love how it seems like even the most difficult challenges can be mastered somehow.
[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I figured out how to avoid the claw guy, but I still find him to be an annoying bastard.

I do pretty much agree with what you're saying though. I still enjoy playing it even though it can be very frustrating. I like the fact that while playing even the toughest spots, I never feel as though I've hit a brick wall. It always seems like I can make it through with quick reflexes, memorization, and a saint's load of patience. And the fact that you can just go play another stage when you get frustrated by a particular level helps immensely.

[Paul Campbell]

I also forgot to mention that when you really feel stuck there are some really interesting and useful powerups to buy that can get you past that one spot that torments you.

[Viper821]

I downloaded it last night and had to put it down after just a half hour because it's just too darn hard! I can breeze through Mega Man 1-6 without breaking a sweat but was unable to reach any boss without losing all my lives.

I love the retro feel, but this is one tough game. I'll pick it up again tonight and see how I make out.

[BanjoPickles1]

I just beat it, about ten minutes ago. Here's my verdict:

1). I LOVE the fact that they nailed all of the Mega Man aspects of this game! The levels never seem too long, they are laid out very well, and never seem dull. 

2). The controls were exactly as they used to be....almost pitch-perfect! Mega Man always came second, for me, behind Mario in that I never could blame the controls for dying or missing a platform.

3). The game is a bit short, by the later sequels' standards but falls right into line with the first two. This is a good thing because either Mega Man 4 or 5(one of the two) was simply way..too...long!!

4). While the game is hard, it never comes off as unfair. While I had a tough time getting anywhere for the first hour, once I figured out the patterns of a few bosses and which ones were taken down most easily by the mega buster then it wasn't too bad. I've only visited the shop once and that was to buy the item where you only take damage falling on spikes.

Overall, I would give this game an easy A. Before some of you complain about my score, hear me out. I am a huge Mega Man fan and this stands among the top three. It wasn't a sequel like 4-6 where they were only being pumped out for the money and little else(though I still like those games as well). This was a sequel that nobody saw coming, that was made out of genuine affection and respect for the series and it shows! This was easily the best ten bucks I've spent in a very long time!

[Sudz1]

[QUOTE=Paul Campbell]Buy it.  I see no reason not to, at this point.

And Dave, this may be a good time to start reviewing downloadable games, eh?

[/QUOTE]

Just out of curiosity, do you say that Dave should start reviewing downloadable games now because this is *only* available as a download?  You can't walk into a store and buy a physical disk of this game?
Sudz

[Guy]

I agree this game is hard, but practice makes perfect.


Guy

[feilong801]

To answer Sudz: This is only available as a download, it is not on physical media. It is on WiiWare now but will soon be on all the console download services.

The VGC really ought to open things up a little and review this game. People on this site complain about digital downloads like they are a horrible thing. They are not- they allow a unique and wonderful project like this to go forward.

-Rob

[Superjay]

Can we do a new poll in which we vote if VGC should swallow his pride and start connecting his 3 consoles to the internet so he can play Mega Man 8, Castle Crashers and Wipeout HD.

[Paul Campbell]

[QUOTE=Sudz][QUOTE=Paul Campbell]Buy it.  I see no reason not to, at this point.

And Dave, this may be a good time to start reviewing downloadable games, eh?

[/QUOTE]

Just out of curiosity, do you say that Dave should start reviewing downloadable games now because this is *only* available as a download?  You can't walk into a store and buy a physical disk of this game?
Sudz

[/QUOTE]

I should have  been more specific.  I think it might be a good place to start, reviewing something that is a direct sequel like this.  Maybe that would be all he ever did, or maybe it would expand to also reviewing originals like Lostwinds later on.  But I also have a hunch that this game is just the tip of the retro-sequel iceberg.

[voor]

Just let the critic borrow some else's Wii.....

By the way, Are those things still hard to get?