Beat Mega Man 3 an hour ago.
Review time!
+ Game improves upon everything that was wrong with Mega Man 2. From the level design, to the boss fights, to the general balance of things. The only thing I think MM2 has over MM3 are Robot Master designs, music, and a better group of Wily stages. The emphasis on weapons in MM2 is now gone, so now if you need to beat a boss with the P-shot you can if you want! But it may be harder if you do! The game gives an abundance of power ups, whether it be replenishing health or weapon power or fuel. The game is never annoying like MM2.
+ PROTO MAN! Ever since I was a kid and I watched the Mega Man cartoon, Proto Man has always been my favorite. He's so COOL!
Every time I hear that damn whistle I swoon like the gif I just posted. He's just so cool! And who saves Mega in the end? Proto Man!
+ The slide adds so much to the classic MM formula. Mega is now entirely maneuverable as opposed to feeling sorta neutered in MM1 and 2. Sliding past and under attacks, jumping behind and shooting fuckers never gets old. This helps bridge the gap between MM and MMX.
+ This game continously dupes, surprises, and keeps the player on his/hers toes. You never know when Proto Man might show up. When you defeat all the robot masters you expect to be immediately taken to Wily's castle. Not so much in MM3! You get to fight the bosses from MM2 with remixed (and harder levels) than the ones before them. The MM2 bosses this time are far harder too, and it's fun finding out their weaknesses again. Finally, the ending. I didn't expect for that Dr. Wily to be a robot! What's more, Wily being crushed by a chunk of whatever it was, and Proto Man
coming to save the day! End the end, the game harks back to my favorite Mega Man X game, Mega Man X2. In that game it managed to continously surprise the player also, but not nearly as well. It took this games premise; fighting extra bosses within levels and gives you a time limit in order to save Zero. Then when you get to Sigma's fortress you get to fight Zero! MM3 and MMX2 have so many similarities it's not even funny and for that reason, MM3 is my favorite nes MM so far.
+ Excellent music. The music didn't fall on my good side until later in the game, but dammit is it good! I take back what I said, I prefer MM3's soundtrack to MM1's. Wily's castle music for stages 3/4 is so hot. It reminds me of music you'd hear in Sonic 1. I was playing those levels with a smile on my face because I felt like a kid again due to the music.
+ Excellent boss fights. Gemini Man is THE best classic Mega man boss fight thus far. So awesome!
+ Great level designs. The remixed versions of MM3's levels hold some of the best platforming I've ever seen in a game!
+ Awesome story! I don't care what you think, I like Mega Man and Mega Man X stories! Proto Man!
I kept wondering which side Proto Man was on. The ending was great. Proto Man rocks!
- The Robot Master designs. Shit. All of these bastards look the same! What was this guy's weakness again? Hard Man? Needle Man? Penis Man? I don't remember! Aside from Magnet Man, I'm not a big fan of the designs at all and their color palletes make me think they're all the same. I hate that. They're lacking imagination, especially when compared to MM1 and 2's Robot Masters, which are all classic designs.
- Wily stage is too easy, and lacking imagination, especially compared to MM2.
Uhhhhh that's...about it. Other than that, I'd have to say I put this game on par with Mega Man X1, X2, X4; Mega Man Zero 2, Z4, Mega Man Legends, and Tron Bonne. Fucking masterpiece. They made the series better and better until 3, which is the ultimate.
I started a new game of MM4 and immediately blasted through it. I've beaten 4/8 Robot Masters in the span of 20 or so minutes. I'll tackle the rest tomorrow and beat the game and start on 5. Either way, I highly doubt it'll hold a candle to 3.
Fuck. Yes.Make a Mega Man Powered Up for Mega Man 3! Skip Mega Man 2!!