Mega Man is mostly remembered as a side-scrolling mascot that helped popularize platformers during the golden age of gaming. However, Mega Man hasn’t always limited himself to the 2-D action platforming genre. Some veteran gamers may remember the avant-garde RPG spinoff series Mega Man Legends. Despite the series building up a small cult following and putting a fresh spin on the Mega Man franchise, the Legends subseries fizzled out shortly after it began. Although Mega Man doesn’t carry as much star power as he did during the mid to late 1990s, many gamers would love to see the Legends series return on next-gen consoles.
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Mega Man Legends is often thought of as the black sheep of the franchise. While most Mega Man games focus on side-scrolling action and puzzle-solving, Mega Man Legends prioritizes storytelling and level exploration. It put the iconic character in an elaborate 3D world for the first time while incorporating innovative gameplay mechanics that haven’t been used in the series since.
The Legends franchise reimagines Mega Man as an up-and-coming young digger, a new wave of explorers seeking the various riches tucked away under the earth’s surface. After Mega Man and his crew crash land on a busy modern island, pirates attack the unsuspecting island’s city in hopes of uncovering a mysterious treasure trove. It’s up to Mega Man and his crew of adventurers to save the town and drive the pirates off the island.
What makes Mega Man Legends so unique is its emphasis on storytelling use of RPG mechanics. Players scour underground dungeons for upgrades and treasure while uncovering a story that feels like a mid-’90s anime. Players need to find different parts to create new weapons, items and gadgets that aid them in their journey. Although Mega Man Legends’ gameplay is light years away from previous Mega Man entries, it’s a refreshing change of pace and allows players to connect with Mega Man more than ever before.
Many gamers enjoyed Mega Man Legends’ unconventional gameplay and would love to see a modern continuation. It’s been over two decades since the last Mega Man Legends came out, so a new entry is long overdue. Capcom attempted to make Mega Man Legends 3 for the Nintendo 3DS in 2010 but ended up canceling the game a year later. If Capcom reinvented the series to appeal to a modern gaming audience, it could prove to be a surprise success.
The classic Mega Man formula is one of the most iconic in all of gaming. It influenced countless titles and paved the way for many of the action platformers gamers know and love today. However, after more than 130 entries, most of which follow a nearly identical formula, some fans are looking for something new and exciting from the half-pint hero. Reviving the Legends series might keep things fresh and give fans a break from the conventional Mega Man formula. It could even appeal to RPG fans since it features a similar structure. Keeping a franchise fresh is vital for it to stay relevant.
Mega Man Legends isn’t your typical Mega Man title. It takes the series in a brand-new direction while introducing tons of innovative gameplay mechanics. Although it’s a far cry from the original series, Legends has a unique charm that seems lost in the more modern Mega Man titles. Capcom might want to consider reviving Mega Man Legends and expose it to a whole new generation of gamers. Who knows? It could launch Mega Man into the video game limelight and allow him to climb to the top of the industry once again.
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