20XX

20XX conjures a lot of feelings from yesteryear, bringing back the shoot-em-up platformers of old while adding new and interesting wrinkles to the formula. However, some of those wrinkles hinder the goal of creating a “classic” feel more than they foster it, as a lot of what made those older games great just cannot be found in a roguelike environment.

20XX is a game that is well worth its value. It is a fine entry point to ease you into the core Mega Man universe, and a fun space filler for those who are waiting in anticipation for the Mega Man X Legacy Collection. I do realise that I have banged on about the similarities between this game and the franchise that heavily influences it quite a lot in this review. However, that seems to be the point and ambition of the game in the first place – to hold the reins when no one else can control the carriage.

Playing 20XX has an addictive rhythm to everything. You dive into the level, find loot like upgrades and currency bolts, kill bosses to take their weapons, and keep pushing until you die. After dying we’d often suffer from that 'just one more run' itch that’s so common in roguelikes and the formula fits an action platformer like 20XX perfectly.