I was pretty disappointed with MEGA MAN X5. But this time around I feel like things were set straight. The Japanese zest in MEGA MAN X6 was not watered down by impulsive North American marketing. This game makes up for all the pain and suffering of its previous sequel.
MEGA MAN X Episode 6 begins three weeks after the Eurasia space colony disaster. Most of the Earth lies in ruin. Humans have gone underground while Reploids repair the destruction they helped cause. A Reploid scientist named Gate finds a damaged CPU at the Eurasia crash site. He later uses the information in the object to create his own Reploids. Gate's assist Isaac hires High Max and 8 other `Investigators' to discover the secret of `The Nightmare Phenomenon'. When the 8 Investigators don't return from the virus-infested areas, it's up to Mega Man X to unravel the mystery behind `The Nightmare Phenomenon', and find his friend Zero.
Only three Mavericks return from previous `X' sequels, and these Mavericks are in the form of holograms created by Metal Shark Player. There is Sting Chameleon from MEGA MAN X (1993), Magna Centipede from MEGA MAN X2 (1994) and Blast Hornet from MEGA MAN X3 (1995). Mega Man X also gets to use Zero's old Z Saber. And I say old, because Zero's new Z Saber is quicker and thinner.
There is a new element, though. Every time X (or Zero, if you find him) destroys a `Nightmare', they collect a blue sphere called a `Nightmare Soul'. A couple hundred of these can give you access to secondary weapons you collect from rescuing fellow Hunters through out the 8 areas. 9999 of these gives you a UH Rating (Ultimate Hunter) and a little surprise for Gate and his gang of Virus-infected Reploids.
There are 3 modes to this game: EASY, MEDIUM and XTREME. X and Zero can still `duck' down. As in X5, options include a SOUND TEST, RAPID FIRE, and AUTO CHARGE. The game is like previous sequels; beat the bad guys and find the right weapons to use against them! You can even choose to respond to Alia's messages. No more of her interruption during game play! Dynamo is back, but now you can literally bust his narrow behind again and again to up your Hunter Rank. That's payback for jerking us around during the Eurasia crisis!
And now comes my favorite part of the review: the music. I was very, very impressed. The intro stage music is breath-taking, clam and soothing. Dr. Light's Capsule theme is apologetic piano music that make you wanna write poetry. `Ground Scaravich' is an itchy theme, but then again, the boss character is a bug. `Metal Shark Player' sounds like Los Angles in 2024; all the stage needs is a T-800 infiltration unit. `Blaze Heatnix' is a great pop-rocker that takes after Magma Dragoon's Volcano stage music. Even the Maverick introduction music is hot! `Gate's Lab' theme is a cord-ripping remix from stage 3 in the X-Hunter Base from MEGA MAN X2. The first theme that got my attention on the sound test was `Infinity Mijinion'; it's triumphant, and it rocks! The opening song(s) `Moonlight' & `The Answer' are a great way to start the game. The ending theme of this video game is forever burned into my mind. `I.D.E.A.' by RoST is one of the best songs I've ever heard in a long time; it's optimistic, motivational and great to dance to. Yes, optimistic - I have the lyrics translated in English.
I was very happy with this game. It made up for the disappointment I felt with MEGA MAN X5. I'm happy now. This is a great sequel; it leaves you satisfied at the end and ready to jump on MEGA MAN X7 for PS2!
