Since Capcom isn’t in any kind of hurry to give us a new Mega Man game (current classic collections excluded – they aren’t bad at all), leave it to Batterystaple Games to carry the torch with the sequel to its spiritual successor to Mega Man X, 20XX.

In 30XX, which is available now for consoles and PC, you’ll choose your robotic hero and set out to destroy the adversaries that stand in your way of peace. But, like the original game, there are some neat twists that stand apart from Capcom’s signature series, such as using “augs” to level up your character and enjoying the sweet roguelite design.

The difficulty is uneven in some places, and sometimes the screen is so zoomed out (for co-op purposes) that it can be hard to make out certain things. But there’s no denying that 30XX knows how to work that Mega magic. And fans shouldn’t hesitate to check it out.

The Key Is the Sweet Design

Batterystaple Games has pulled off a nice trick with 30XX. In one aspect, it’s captured the nature of what makes the Mega Man X games so great in the first place, with hardcore action set up with a “go through this stage, take on a boss and get that much closer to the final fight” motif.

But on the other, it’s roguelite, which means the stages can actually change up pretty nicely. And you’ll be able to collect neat little things along the way, including upgrades that you can make to your characters – the Zero-like Ace and the Mega Man-fashioned Nina, both of whom really bring some good stuff to this party.

The devs did a great job replicating the gameplay of old, not losing any ounce of precision with how you control characters. Wall jumps, platforming, and attacks come off without a hitch, and the upgrades (via “augs”) that you pick up over the course of the game really make a difference in later stages – right where they’re needed the most.

There are also permanent upgrades you can make to your character via collected Memoria, and you’ll need these as well. But they make a difference too, as you can feel certain things get better for each of your characters. That, combined with the sweet boss weapons within your grasp, will make you a total bad-ass later on in the game.

Which is needed, because some of the later stages are tough, in typical Mega Man fashion. Fortunately, you can keep up with the challenge depending on what you pick up, so make sure you toy around with your line-up sooner rather than later. You can thank us down the road for this.

There’s co-op, of course, and it’s good fun despite the “zoom out” effect (more on that in a sec); and there’s also a sweet Mega Mode, built on the retro style formula of running through pre-generated stages and simply fighting your way to survive. But this one’s a little easier, as you actually keep what goods you collect after your death, making your next run that much better.

Finally, there’s the community feature, where you can play levels put together by other designers. There are some really neat ones here, and you can even experiment with it a little. It’s a bit on the hardcore side, but a welcome addition that pushes for creativity.

Overall, 30XX just feels terrific and has a lot going for it, whether you’re going solo or with a friend. Just be prepared for a fight, because, boy, is there one here. (And if you want something even more difficult, check out the Entropy system. And “welcome to die!”, as Magneto once put it.)

A Step Ahead In Presentation

Batterystaple Games has nicely improved upon formula since 20XX, making a more visually splendid game with 30XX.

First off, the animations are sharp, but never to the point of being over-detailed for their own good. I’m also a fan of the wonderful backgrounds, with some moving parts that you may not have noticed before. The enemies are creative and, in some cases, pack a tremendous punch; and the lab you visit for your upgrades is pretty cool.

That said, there are times that the co-op can get a bit odd, resulting in a very zoomed out screen experience where you can barely make out where you are. It’s a neat effect, but one where it’s easy to lose things. Your best bet is to stay close to your partner and take in all the eye-pleasing joy.

As for music, there’s an awesome chiptune soundtrack in full effect here, along with awesome sound effects and neat little samples matching the old-school splendor of the games that inspired this one. Get some headphones and indulge.

30XX Marks the Spot

Despite some difficulty hang-ups for rookie players (pros will be right at home, especially with Entropy) and mild screen hiccups from a distance, 30XX is every bit as good as 20XX – and in some cases, even better. It feels fantastic and really captures the old-school splendor of Capcom’s Mega Man X series; and it looks and sounds great as well. Plus you can bring a friend and really get the Mega party going, or stick it out on your own and check out the awesome extra features.

This game is stacked, and, like any Mega Man game before it, deserves your time and effort. Now go and save the world, X style!

GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS

(Thanks to Batterystaple Games for providing a review code!)