Mega Man 4
Reviewed by Tree Man
Mega Man 4 is one of the best Mega Man games of all time. I don't know if that is
saying anything, since all the Mega Man games are great games. The plot is one
of the more creative Mega Man plots I've seen. I also like the game because it
reveals Mega Man's past in detail. Dr. Cossack, a mysterious scientist, creates 8
Robot Masters to destroy Mega Man. There's a major plot twist in the game, but I
won't ruin it for you. You'll just have to save it for yourself.
Graphics 9 out of 10
The graphics in Mega Man 4 are some of the most detailed in the NES Mega Man
series, such as the rain and the splashes that Mega Man's feet make in the Toad
Man stage are very cool and realistic. Even the fact that the rain pushes Mega Man
back when he jumps. One other notable effect is that in the Pharoah Man stage,
Mega Man sinks into the quick sand when he stands there to long. There's lots of
shading and detail in the backgrounds. The look of the powered up Mega Buster shots
are also cool. The major drawback is that the sprites are too similar to that of the
other Mega Man games, But first-time Mega Man players or major Megafanatics will
find that the graphics overall are some the best in not only the NES Mega Man games,
but the entire library of games on the NES.
Music and Sound 8 out of 10
The music is some of the most dramatic in any Mega Man game bar none. A lot of the
dual tone notes in the music make the hair on your back stand on end because of the
chords they represent. It all fitted into the theme of the game and the theme of
their respective levels. For example, the Arabian sounding music in Pharoah Man's
level totally matches the desert setting of the level. I also like the remixes of the
Robot Master pose screen music and the Mega Man 2 theme at the end. The sound
effects are pretty cheesy with exception to the sound of the Mega Blast and the
sound of the boots hitting the ground after landing on a jump. Other sound effects
are pretty annoying, but not enough to detract from the game.
Game Challenge 10 out of 10
Mega Man 4 is one of the most challenging games in the entire series, and on the NES.
There are a few items to find such as the Wire and Balloon adaptors, and there are
very challenging areas such as the first Dr. Cossack level . There are also separate
paths in certain levels. The Robot Masters are tough to defeat if you don't tackle
them in the right order, and the levels are long, with big jumps tough robots, and
mini-bosses. Dive Man's level for instance has a whale mini-boss that when I first
fought him, I died many times(about 10 times) before I finally beat him, and that's
just the first one in the level. Not to mention the water area in ???'s castle where
there are needles on the floors and ceiling. As I said, a very hard Mega Man game.
Game Play-Fun 9 out of 10
This is one of the last good Mega Man games, before the plots became too
predicable. Basically you go through the level, blasting bad guys and picking up
items until you get to the twin gates. Then it is a cybernetic slugfest where only
one robot lives. If you manage to defeat the Robot Master, they explode and Mega
Man gains their weapon. If you fight the Robot Masters in the right order, and the
Robot Masters become much easier to defeat. After you defeat all eight robots,
Dr, Cassack's castle becomes available to fight in. After you defeat Dr. Cassack, you
get a plot twist. Behind this violence is, take a wild guess. Then you battle in four
more levels.
Frustration
The biggest frustration in the game is that passwords cover only to the first
Cassack level and with no Energy Tanks.
Replayability 7 out of 10
It is worth just listening to the music and getting better at the game is reason
enough to play the game again. And it always cures nastalgia pains when you want
to play a more traditional Mega Man game. I have beaten the game at least 30 times,
and I still play it over and over again.
Game Value 10 out of 10
I payed $15 at a used game seller for the game and it is worth the price. The
combination of good graphics, music and sound, and gameplay make this one of the
best values when it comes to video games in my opinion. It is even worth the around
$55 original price for a well executed, fun game.
Overall 9 out of 10
I just can't find anything wrong with this fun, well thought out, and polished game.
I keeps you wanting to play over and over again. I compare the Mega Man series to a
Chevrolet truck in that they take as if it isn't broken, don't fix it approach to their
respective goals. This is either a Godsend to true Mega Man fanatics and beginning
Mega Man players, but maybe a downfall for those who are tired of the same old
Mega Man games, which there are dang few of based on my experience. That to me
makes a good game no matter how many times its been done before. Mega Man is
the Man with the wildly popular Plan.