This is the fifth volume in the "Mega Man" series and it's another good one, this one surprisingly came out one year after the fourth one. Most of the time, this is a bad idea but surprising this game worked out well as it felt like things were planned in advance.
Not a whole lot to say as it continues off from the ending of the fourth game, this was sort of interesting move to have an episodic arc as most games at the time never did that. It was also a risky move because sometimes the fundamental problem with having a strong build up and beginning but a weak follow up or no pay off, this game doesn't do that. Difficulty in the game is rather different as it's at a moderate level so you won't feel as much frustration as before.
The only bad thing about the game are a few of the Robot Master battles come off a little week let alone the fact a few of the Robot Masters in my book aren't that memorable. Some of the battles just felt like they blended together and most of the special weapons are ineffective and all you have to use is the mega blaster.
This doesn't bother me too much as a few of the battles are unique and a few weapons work but all the same this is something that could've been easily smoothed out. However the real misfire is the music, there isn't as many memorable tunes as its predecessors (2 and 3 to be exact); though there are a good sum of hit tracks and a lot of video games are always going to have hits and misses in music so I can't complain too much.
Other than that, everything else is fine, the graphical presentation is the same as always which is fine by me I wouldn't want it any other way, along with the game play. I think what makes this game stand out as usual are in the level designs, most of them are a fun challenge.
I'll just say a few of my favorite levels, Napalm Man: Really like the use of Jungle and the underground, it's fitting as the Jungle is in a really hot climate and is most of the time considered the perfect place for the heat of conflict. I really like the Robot Master Napalm Man whom is an honorable mention in favorite Robot Masters as he designed sort of military fashion as his features are that from military jet planes; his attack is strong but not very much as all he does is throw napalm grenades at you, which is part of what holds that master back for me from him military style design I just felt there should have been something more to him.
Charge Man: This one is interesting and something different as it involves trains which means moving platform segments which I always like because it really picks up the pace of the game but also causes you to do the same with your actions as their will be enemies and obstacles coming your way quick.
My favorite level is the Gravity Man level, where gravity changes and you get to run and gun on the celling. This was a unique feature for video games at the time, the only other game that has done this and is the first is the Nes game "Metalstorm". The control may seem a little awkward at first, but you get use to it and you learn to utilizes the physics of it to your advantage. Of course, you constantly switch from the ground to the celling depending on which lighted arrow you cross on your path, this gives the level challenge causing you to read adjust your thinking.
And of course, as I said before there are a few good tunes worth listening to. One which is the Napalm Man level which is my favorite and an honorable mention in favorite "Mega Man" tracks, it was just a really cool heroic tune that just motivated you for action and to continue on. Stone Man level I found a nice adventurous tune, and finally Wave Man which is an adventurous tune but also has that relaxed feel to it.
Overall, this was another good volume, not on the top of my list in my book, more near the bottom as this game doesn't really bring much new to the table. This series still functions fifth circuit around.
Rating: 3 and a half stars
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