Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), Nintendo Switch
Genre: 2D action with Mega Man controls and roguelike

I do have a feeling that a fraction of the folks at Capcom might be paying attention to the antics of game developer Batterystaple. Why? Because the company is essentially picking up the Osaka-based company’s slack in terms of 2D action games featuring the controls and playstyle of one Blue Bomber.

Yes, an indie group has spent many years not only making a tribute to Mega Man X called 20XX, but also creating a worthy follow-up in the form of 30XX, which is what happens when you take the in-joke of the Mega Man series’ way of framing their vague timeline of the future and turn it into the title of your full-fledged 2D roguelike.

Gun (30X)X Sword

You heard right: 30XX is a 2D action game in the vein of a Mega Man X title but with roguelike elements. You dash, you gun (or slash if you’re Ace), you jump, you wall-climb with aplomb, and collect power-ups to get more skills and abilities as either sword-slinger Ace or buster shot-charging-and-firing Nina. They’re basically Zero and X from the Capcom game series the dev is emulating, but somehow or other, the company made the controls and character movement feel butter-smooth. Within seconds after getting into the tutorial stage and going through the roguelike run, you will just keep playing and frantically dash-jumping, wall-climb, and destroying enemies big and small in your path. Whether you survive or die, you can’t fault the controls because they’re truly sublime and easy to pick up. The auto-charge option also helps in managing your run so you can focus more on dodging things and killing foes; you can choose to turn it off if you prefer the old-school experience.

Speaking of roguelike, the Standard Mode has you playing through the game in sequence, with the boss order and level layout determined randomly. You can’t use the power of memorization here; all stages have different layouts than in previous runs, so you only have reflexes and general direction cues to guide you. If you rather have the traditional mode where permadeath isn’t a factor, you can opt for Mega Mode, which comes with the patented level selection screen the series it’s inspired from is known for. Regardless of which one you pick, the game is challenging in its own right. Bosses, however, aren’t random with their patterns and attacks. Their level and encounter order may differ in Standard Mode per run, but their patterns and mannerisms aren’t, so at least you can still use memorization to your advantage.

I felt that the game is slightly easier with Ace than with Zero; Ace has access to a lot of skills that you can button-map as he progresses. Nina can collect new alternate weapons and armour cores. I kinda favour the “Zero” playstyle of just slashing things and hit-and-running away and into things when the time is right. Regardless, you still get a ton of powerups and buffs during your run. Standard cores let you equip passives depending on how many pips you have, though you can increase those pips with Blessings you get after defeating bosses or if you unlock permanent powerups.

Just like roguelikes of this nature, dying in Standard Mode means starting over from the beginning, but you will have amassed a lot of permanent currency to get permanent powerups like the aforementioned pip increases. From life to energy to even having a cat pop up at the start of the run to give you a head start Blessing, the game technically gets easier the more runs you attempt. You will eventually have maxed out both Ace and Nina’s health and stats after 10 hours or so of play, as well as master the randomness of the level layouts and the boss fights with their already-set patterns. Thanks to great controls and gameplay, you’ll most likely go beyond that hour of playtime. And if you feel that the game isn’t hard enough, you can go talk to a robot who can add modifiers stacked against you to earn a big reward after completion.

Zero Sum Game

Whether you like playing as a facsimile of either X or Zero, both Nina and Ace control like a dream in this much-requested “spiritual successor” to the game Capcom forgot to make for its fans. Batterystaple Games took up the responsibility to create a loving tribute to the Mega Man X series and adds a new spin on things to make the game challenging and highly replayable for hardcore fans of the genre. Did we also mention that there’s a community-contributed gauntlet you can play through, as well as create your own level and share it within the 30XX folks? Talk about going beyond the call of duty!

Even if you’re new to the 2D-type gameplay 30XX offers, its lovely pixel graphics and synth music will keep you enthralled with the way its aesthetics remind you of a genre lost in time. Just be prepared for the challenge the game offers; it’s not going to take it easy on you. Fans of the archetype 2D run-and-gun power-up filled charged Mega Buster action title can stop praying for a Mega Man X follow-up. 30XX is essentially that and a bag of Nuts.

Final Score: 90/100