30XX

Would you believe that it has been almost six years since 20XX dropped on the Nintendo Switch? With its frantic roguelike Mega Man style action, it did a good job at scratching that itch whilst also providing something completely new. Now, 30XX looks to boldly return to that formula and improve upon it in every way in order to make it the randomly generated platform experience that it was always meant to be.

Many thanks to the publisher for the review code

ONE HELL OF A MEGAMIX
The game opens up with the game’s red character, Ace, who – aside from being the obligatory Mega Man Zero-style character – has found himself thrown into a dystopian future that he needs to fight for in order to save it from a robot uprising. Unfortunately, before he can really do anything, he gets squished and turned into a mere stain on the floor. 

What seems like the end is in fact merely just a new beginning as a new character rises from her pod and takes over. With her blaster and blue colour, she looks and plays very much like the lead character of Mega Man X. Despite surviving through the tutorial though, she’s not necessarily the main character for the remainder of the game as you’re given the option to revert back to Ace, depending on which playstyle you prefer.

At its core, 30XX retains the essence of what made 20XX so much fun: tight controls, procedurally generated levels, and relentless action. However, it doesn’t rest on its laurels; instead, it introduces a plethora of new features that elevate this sequel above the previous one. The most noteworthy of which is the addition of a ‘Mega Mode’, which allows players to tackle the stages without the fear of permadeath. There’s still an element of randomisation within the stages, but anyone looking to keep their character and equipment as they retry the set stages will probably find this to be a good option. I personally opted for this mode in order to get a more authentic experience, but having tried both  can say that each offer their own benefits that will appeal to gamer’s own personal tastes.

Visually, 30XX is also quite a step above its predecessor with its vibrant pixel art and fluid animations. Every character, enemy, and environment is meticulously crafted, breathing life into the game’s futuristic world. Whilst there may be some that prefer the smoother look of the previous game, I’d say that the added amount of detail of the pixelated sprites make this game far more appealing overall. And when coupled with an awesome soundtrack, it makes the game an absolute delight to behold.

However, the game isn’t without its minor flaws. Occasionally, the procedural generation can lead to repetitive level layouts, detracting slightly from the overall experience – especially as some of the levels can feel quite long when compared with the games it takes inspiration from. Additionally, as is the case with many roguelike games, a run can live or die dependant on sheer luck and crossing your fingers for the good power-ups can feel slightly unfair at times. Luckily those wanting the roguelike experience but with less frustration can tweak the difficulty via some accessibility options, so such issues can be easily overlooked.

VERDICT
Despite some minor issues inherent with the genre, 30XX stands out as a shining example of roguelike platforming done right. With its addictive gameplay, stunning visuals, and wealth of content, it’s a must-play for Mega Man fans.