Home Gaming E3 2015 – Mighty No. 9: A mega dash of change

E3 2015 – Mighty No. 9: A mega dash of change

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Mighty No. 9 looked like a spiritual successor to Mega Man. Made by the same brain behind Mega Man, it makes sense for them to be similar. But there are some crucial differences and they totally change the game’s experience.

At first, Mighty No. 9 looks a lot like Mega Man. You play as a blue dude named Beck who can jump and shoot in a familiar way for fans of the franchise. However, things change as soon as you encounter an enemy. The shooting works to stun the enemies who then need to be absorbed by Beck’s dash ability. These dash consumptions can be strung together into combos, resulting in bonus abilities including absorbed ammo types. Interestingly, combos aren’t broken by taking damage, only by breaking your 100% absorption. This all leads to an interesting rhythm as you combine platforming, shooting and dashing for success.

Mighty no 9 1

The dash can be used often and it’s advisable to do so. As a result, Mighty No 9 is already a hit among speed runners and looks like a title that will be all about a risk vs reward speed run. That doesn’t mean it’s easy by any stretch. I died multiple times just on the first level as enemies come to gang up on you from every direction and it takes some smooth moves and timing to shoot, dash and traverse the level. Much like Mega Man, it is a difficult game that is incredibly rewarding. This is amplified in later levels; I played in an oil refinery level that had platforms covered in oil. As soon as a fire tossing enemy wasn’t taken out fast enough, he managed to light the entire section on fire, making platforming infinitely more difficult… and rewarding.

Final boss battles are equally challenging, forcing players to use what they’ve learned in the level to beat the big foes. However, there’s a crucial difference between the big bad in Mighty No 9 and those in Mega Man. These aren’t bad characters who you want to destroy. Instead, they are your brothers who are corrupted and need to be rescued. While that doesn’t directly impact gameplay, it does change the feeling you get when fighting the big bosses.

Mighty no 9 2

Much like in Mega Man games, after defeating various enemies, you can take on their skills. These mean new types of ammo and attacks. However, the game doesn’t require it. Sure, having the ability to freeze or burn enemies can be a huge help in certain levels, but the game is designed for you to be able to play through the whole thing without needing to use the unlocked special abilities.

I also got to play a level as Call, the female alternative character. Yes, the names are Beck and Call. She was a lot of fun to play as and had different abilities and characteristics. She can’t absorb enemies, needing to just shoot them to death instead. However, most of the time, I played her in a more evasive way than I did with Beck, having her jump and dart past enemies rather than take them on. Her shield was a big help in this regard and it was just nice to see that the didn’t make a re-skinned version of the same thing, but truly her own unique character and experience.

Mighty no 9 3

With launch only a couple months away, Mighty No 9 is looking incredibly slick and polished. In many ways it looks like a reimagining of Mega Man, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s some kind of remake. That dash ability really does change the entire feel of the game, making it modern and quick while still retro and incredibly difficult. I think it will appeal to fans of the franchise, as well as newcomers who might just see it as a fun new platformer.

Last Updated: June 22, 2015

17 Comments

  1. kuuu(UMAR)rrrr

    June 22, 2015 at 14:36

    • Trevor Matrix

      June 22, 2015 at 14:37

      Is he punching the chair or his dick?

      Reply

      • kuuu(UMAR)rrrr

        June 22, 2015 at 14:42

        His weewee

        Reply

  2. Hammersteyn

    June 22, 2015 at 14:37

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      June 22, 2015 at 15:02

      What’s that line that goes across Cyril’s face after Pam says sploosh?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        June 22, 2015 at 16:13

        Kill me now?

        Reply

  3. Geoffrey Tim

    June 22, 2015 at 14:39

    Goddamit I need this,

    Reply

    • kuuu(UMAR)rrrr

      June 22, 2015 at 14:43

      Have you tried Azure Strike Gunvolt? Also has them MM vibes.

      Reply

    • Trevor Matrix

      June 22, 2015 at 14:47

      But if God damns it, you wont get it, get it?

      Reply

    • Admiral Chief's Adventure

      June 22, 2015 at 14:49

      You need more MEH in your life?

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        June 22, 2015 at 14:53

        Well he’s got you, the Admehral. 😉

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief's Adventure

          June 22, 2015 at 14:59

          Mehjestic!

          Reply

    • oVg "I hate Portals" - Geralt

      June 22, 2015 at 14:53

      With an oldschool Legacy sprite flicker option 🙂

      Reply

  4. oVg "I hate Portals" - Geralt

    June 22, 2015 at 14:48

    Megaman has always been the Troll franchise from Capcom. Just look at this box art 😉

    Reply

  5. Gustav Minnie

    June 22, 2015 at 21:36

    3 months savings back in the day. R30 well spent.
    http://themechanicalmaniacs.com/images/pirate/Rockman1.jpg

    Reply

  6. Coughsie

    June 23, 2015 at 05:48

    (Excessively heavy breathing and moaning)

    Reply

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