X and Zero would be proud.

I have actually been playing 20XX for about three years now. It has been in early access on Steam since 2014, and has finally hit its full release as well as a console version to play. While many know about it, they can now see it in its final form, and for those who waited for the console release, let me say, the wait was well worth it.

20XX has no disillusions as to what it is. The title alone suggests it. This is a Mega Man inspired game through and through, particularly Mega Man X. Players go through levels themed with a certain boss involved, take on the boss in an arena, can pick up a new weapon power from said boss that does better damage to other bosses, and they can choose between two characters, a ranged character that can fire projectiles and a charged shot or a character that uses melee attacks with an energy blade. Is it starting to sound familiar yet?

Platforms: XB1, PS4, PC, Switch
MSRP: $17.99
Price I’d pay: $17.99

What sets 20XX apart from the Blue Bomber series is the procedurally generated levels along with the permadeath feature. Think of this game like a Mega Man rogue-like. Throughout the levels, players will obtain soul chips, which are a currency that can be used to purchase permanent upgrades for characters like more starting health and energy. There are also limited buffs that can be acquired like faster movement speed or better attack power. These limited buffs are only for the single life the player gets. When the character dies, aside from the permanent upgrades, all those buffs are lost.

The game plays just how one would expect from a Mega Man X game. Players can wall slide and wall jump just like X, they have a dash slide, and with all this mixed in with some of the limited upgrades, it feels just like a Mega Man X game, and that is always a good thing. The controls are tight, responsive, and while some levels can get rather difficult, it feels fair.

The things that set the game apart are actually some of the parts that feel a bit off. The procedurally generated levels can go either way. They sometimes are rather easy to get through, but then, the beginning of a new run, I could run into some of the more difficult enemies and platforming all because everything is random. The reason why Mega Man games could get away with being overly difficult is the fact that players could memorize the levels and get through them with repetition and skill. In 20XX, it just turns hard and players are going in blind every time. This then leads into some rather dull boss fights. I never minded the boss fights in 20XX, but they are usually a test of proper platforming mixed with getting in as many shots as I could so that the boss would die before I did. There were numerous times I would deliberately take damage just so I could rapid fire my shot to kill the boss. Very few tricks and strategy was involved in many boss fights, but that was at least the most consistent thing about the levels.

Along with the main campaign mode, there are also daily and weekly challenges to take on, with their own leader boards and difficulties. There is even a two player mode with both local and online co-op. It works well even given the fact that it can be rather chaotic. It was a nice addition that didn’t have to be there, but it was a very nice thing to have nonetheless.

While I know I ragged on the game in this review, I do it out of love. Without a doubt this is a fantastic playing and looking game. There are a few issues with the rogue-like elements and the boss fights can be a bit lacking, but that doesn’t stop 20XX from being a well made action platformer, and one worthy of comparing it to the legendary Mega Man series. Players looking for a new platformer to sink into will find a great time here, and any Mega Man fan should not hesitate to pick this one up. There’s a lot to love here and the things that it does right more than make up for its shortcomings.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.