Megaman X: Command Mission (GameCube) Preview

By Rory W. Renehan 29.07.2004

Megaman. He's loved the world over for several classic platform/shooter, action games. Recently, though, the Blue Bomber has been subject to some rather humiliating Battle Network games that began with some promise, but despite a regular level of quality gradually became a shameless cash-in on his the new brand name. To be fair, though, Megaman has done it all: 2D platformers, strategy-based action games and 3D RPG-esque shooters. Now, whilst some have been success stories, others have merely been doomed tragedies. Yet whichever you look at it, Megaman is in dire need of a new image and to achieve this, his new game must be based around what we know and love about him.

So, why not let us sit back and take a sprinkling of the most popular series ('X', by far), a dash of the most popular elements from other MM games (the RPG-style exploration of Legends), throw in some faithful 3D renditions of your old characters and round of the concoction with some great turn-based FFX-2 combat. Is it sounding good to you yet? Now mix all of those tasty ingredients together and guess what it gives you? Yes: the highly anticipated Megaman X: Command Mission! Fans of the Megaman X games rejoice as Megaman is BACK, complete with new image and boy is it shaping up nicely!

Diving head first into the game, you find a great story that allows for new gameplay elements (namely stealth) to be employed. Although the stories throughout the entire Megaman franchise vary greatly, just try to think of this one as a variation on the standard Megaman X plot (in which you hunt Mavericks down to destroy Sigma's evil Maverick Army) and you will be fine. Players must take control of Megaman as he tries to infiltrate Giga City Island in order to stop the plans of the evil Liberion Maverick Army. Familiarity works in Command Mission's favour as its scenario is highly reminiscent of that of the original Megaman X games - so we can rest easy in this department at least.

When you first see the final strike attack, and some of the attacks that involve explosions or other large scale attacks, it is important that you look very closely for frame-rate issues. Fortunately there are none to be found here, even at such intense moments of action. This may be owed partly to the fact that Capcom has gone for a stunning cel-shaded look rather than a more realistic-looking Megaman. To be honest, though, Megaman looks better in his cartoon format than the dodgy 3D attempt on the N64. The character models all look suitably impressive and, in Megaman and Zero's cases, remain faithful to their 2D Megaman X counterparts. Facial animations have yet to be seen in full swing but do not expect any of Wind Waker proportions! There could very probably be voice acting, as in some scenes during the preview video cut-scenes can be seen with character's mouths moving. Hopefully the voice acting works well, as giving Megaman a voice will be new, and
if done well enough it will definitely be something to look forward to, with Megaman spouting some classic pre-battle taunts and heroic words of courage...

Voice acting aside we (literally) have not heard much from the rest of the game. The E3 demo had one long instrumental track running in the background and that was all. Judging by the musical excellence in previous Megaman X games, however, the music is likely to be extremely catchy and of a high standard. On the other hand, unfortunately, casting our minds back to the older Megaman Legends or even the Battle Network EXE titles, the music could well become irritating and 'twee' very, very quickly. Since this game is in many respects a fusion of many Megaman titles the former is clearly wished for. Thankfully the odds are stacked in the positive corner as the animation style Capcom has used and the fact that the game even has 'X' in its title, we are inclining to believe that the score will be the usual satisfying mix of techno that Megaman X followers have become used to over the years.

Final Thoughts

Overall this game is turning out to be quite a prime package. If the final game features some extra epic boss battles and new special moves, as well as a list of attacks as you level up, this game could be a 'Triple A' hit! At the moment any and all Megaman fans must sit up and take notice; no more will you have to put up with tiresome ports of old SNES games or the slowly degrading novelty of the Battle Network games. Command Mission places you firmly in control of the classic Megaman X that many of us love dearly, in a new and exciting RPG battle game. This has all the makings of a great title and surely Capcom cannot disappoint at such a late in the day stage...