20XX
- November 25, 2014
- Fire Hose Games
- 10h median play time
20XX is a fantasic title and shows that the classic formula of Mega Man games still works. Stop reading and go play it now!
"20XX is a thrilling Science Fiction Shooter game with excellent graphics, exceptional gameplay, and a delightful soundtrack. Play solo or with a friend in local or online co-op, battling through randomly generated levels and collecting over 100 power-ups. With roguelike elements such as permanent death and daily challenges, 20XX offers high replayability and endless fun."
Reviews
- 20XX captures the essence of classic Mega Man X gameplay with tight controls and responsive mechanics.
- The game features a variety of power-ups and upgrades that enhance replayability and allow for different playstyles.
- The soundtrack is fantastic, reminiscent of the Mega Man series, and adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The randomly generated levels can feel repetitive and lack the unique design of traditional Mega Man stages.
- Some players may find the difficulty spikes frustrating, especially in later levels where platforming challenges become overwhelming.
- The game lacks a deep story or character development, which may disappoint those looking for a narrative experience.
- gameplay626 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of 20xx is widely praised for its tight controls and fast-paced action, closely resembling the classic Mega Man X series while incorporating modern roguelike elements such as procedurally generated levels and permadeath mechanics. Players appreciate the variety of power-ups and character abilities that enhance replayability, although some note that the randomization can lead to imbalances in level design. Overall, the game successfully captures the nostalgic feel of its inspirations while offering a fresh and addictive experience for both fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
“The gameplay is the real star of the show, along with the great background music.”
“Gameplay wise, it does everything right: controls are responsive, the difficulty level is where it should be and beating a level or the game itself feels remarkably rewarding.”
“This game is a love letter to megaman x, combined with the additional mechanics of a roguelike a la Binding of Isaac. If you enjoy platformers and roguelikes, this is a must-buy.”
“The gameplay is okay, but there's something missing that gave me that adrenaline to go faster and kill everything before it kills you.”
“The gameplay hadn't aged well.”
“However, some of the gameplay elements hold it back from transcending into being one of the true platforming greats that it has the potential to be.”
- music537 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its catchy, chiptune-inspired soundtrack that evokes nostalgia for classic titles like Mega Man. While some noted that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetition, the overall composition and energy of the music enhance the gameplay experience, making it a standout feature. Many players recommend purchasing the soundtrack separately, highlighting its quality and ability to complement the game's fast-paced action.
“The soundtrack perfectly syncs with the game's intent, and the gameplay does enough to stand out despite wearing its influence on its sleeve.”
“The music is fantastic and captures the 16-bit era of chiptune very well.”
“The soundtrack is outstanding! It's one of the best I've heard in ages.”
“Call me picky, but I think using chiptune music for a game inspired by a series that got its start on the SNES is really jarring.”
“The only problem I can think of when it comes to the soundtrack is the fact that there's not that many tracks.”
“The music is pretty catchy on its own, but I feel it doesn't separate itself too far from each other or match the theme of the stage; like a typical fire stage would be fast and chaotic while a water/ice stage would be slow and calm.”
- graphics347 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the vibrant and colorful art style reminiscent of classic platformers, while others criticize it for resembling "flash game" aesthetics. Many find the visuals serviceable and fitting for the gameplay, though some feel the art style lacks polish and can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a subjective aspect, with opinions varying widely among players.
“The graphics of 20xx are well-done, with vibrant and colorful character designs and detailed environments that complement the game's high-energy gameplay.”
“Brilliant hand-drawn graphics and smooth animation.”
“The graphics are great, the animation of the characters is awesome, and the response of the controls is perfect!”
“Hated to see that the sequel 30xx was a step backwards to retro pixel graphics though.”
“The graphics are just atrocious.”
“The biggest drawback is the art style looks like a Newgrounds flash game.”
- replayability232 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, primarily due to its roguelike elements, which include randomly generated levels, a variety of power-ups, and multiple characters to choose from. Players appreciate the constant challenge and variety offered through daily and weekly challenges, as well as the ability to customize difficulty, making each run feel unique. While some players note that the game may not reach the replayability heights of other roguelikes, the overall consensus is that it provides a rich and engaging experience for fans of the genre and the Mega Man series.
“The randomly generated stages keep things fresh, and the sheer number of options available to acquire during play make this game very replayable.”
“This game has tons of replayability with many different bosses and daily/weekly challenges, yet more is sure to come in the full release.”
“The rogue-like aspects are a lot of fun and give it a lot of replayability.”
“The only thing that could make this better is if the game was really replayable - oh wait.”
“There's not much in terms of replayability for this one and once you hit the two to three hours mark, there's nothing left for you to do.”
“It lacks the rewarding feeling of the X and Z games and the replayability of some of the top roguelike games, but for a casual bit of fun after work, especially when discounted, it's definitely worth considering.”
- story206 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in "20XX" is largely considered minimal and underdeveloped, serving primarily as a framework for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While some players appreciate the lighthearted and whimsical elements reminiscent of the Mega Man series, many criticize the lack of depth and coherence, with most lore being relegated to item descriptions and cutscenes that are rarely revisited. Overall, the game is seen as fun and engaging for its mechanics, but it leaves players wanting a more substantial story experience.
“The character designs really grew on me, and I honestly want to see more of Nina and Ace; the subtle story was also conveyed really well.”
“While the story isn't exactly anything special, it does provide enough investment to see it through to the end.”
“The story is light, but fun, and the boss powers not only deal extra damage to one of the other bosses, but also are useful in some other element of the game, so there's usually a reason to have them than just waiting for the boss they work on.”
“The story is practically non-existent, so it's great for a one-and-done session every so often, with no interruption between you and jumping right into the action.”
“While they do have a few simple cutscenes and a little bit of story, it's nothing that you can really sink into.”
“The only points of downside this game has are the art style, which I didn't mind but some people do, and the lack of a coherent story, which doesn't detract from the game really, but the intro and few cutscenes seem to allude to something better than presented.”
- humor37 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a mix of self-deprecating and sarcastic elements, often poking fun at its own mechanics and the classic Mega Man tropes. While some players found the humor to be outdated or grating, many appreciated the light-hearted flavor text, whimsical descriptions, and the overall comedic atmosphere that made even frustrating moments enjoyable. Overall, the humor adds a fun layer to the gameplay, enhancing the experience despite some subjective critiques.
“The graphics are great, the online is spectacular, and the humor for when you die or exit the game is spot-on.”
“The developers chose to describe a lot of items and upgrades using baby talk, probably to come off as whimsical or to try being funny.”
“The disclaimer on the load screen about 'sketchy net code' is both hilarious and sets the perfect expectation that you may see some weird things online (and you will).”
“56 minutes in and I ran into an unacceptable amount of bugs with the netplay that it's not funny.”
“The memes and hipster nerdy references are unoriginal, unclassy, and especially unfunny.”
- character development30 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally perceived as lacking depth, with many reviewers noting a minimal story and limited character growth. While some appreciate the vibrant and colorful character designs, others criticize them as inconsistent or unpolished, suggesting that the game could benefit from more unique character development options. Overall, the character designs evoke nostalgia for classic platformers like Mega Man, but the absence of substantial narrative or character evolution leaves players wanting more.
“The character designs really grew on me, and I honestly want to see more of Nina and Ace; the subtle story was also conveyed really well.”
“Captures that feeling perfectly, while introducing replayability in level generation and character development mechanisms.”
“Gameplay will always be a Mega Man X clone, so the real way to step out of the mold is with character development.”
“While not necessarily a bad thing, this game does lack a story or any type of character development.”
“The level artwork, enemies, and bosses are well done and polished, although something about the actual player character design and story is just very cheesy and less polished, looking like it was designed in Adobe Flash a decade ago.”
“The character designs are awful as well.”
- grinding26 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience, with some players finding it tedious and overly reliant on RNG for achievements, while others appreciate that grinding for upgrades is not strictly necessary for success. Many express frustration with repetitive content and lack of meaningful rewards, leading to a sense of boredom and frustration, particularly in later levels. However, a few players note that certain systems are designed to mitigate grindiness, making progress feel more rewarding despite some grind elements still being present.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The controls are very responsive and the platforming sessions aren't tedious except for one level.”
“I only got 3 hours of enjoyment before it became very old and tedious navigating the levels.”
“The huge stretches of constantly bullet-overloaded tiny patches of ground you have to cross really just become boring, tedious and so unfun that I simply quit even with one life remaining on easy, just because there are also no stage checkpoints.”
“Some roguelikes are too stingy with rewards, especially permanent ones, and it makes progress tedious.”
- stability26 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with users noting that while it is somewhat buggy, especially in multiplayer, it remains enjoyable and runs smoothly on most systems. Many players have experienced occasional glitches and netcode issues, particularly in online play, but these are expected in early access titles and are being actively addressed by the developers. Overall, while there are notable flaws, the game is still considered fun and functional, with improvements being made over time.
“Runs great, smooth art style.”
“Runs great on almost any Windows PC.”
“It is somewhat buggy; for a game of this level of polish to have bugs is almost disappointing, especially if they were game-breaking.”
“I was scared when trying the online multiplayer with my friend because in-game they have a disclaimer warning you that the online play is still in development and that it might be quite buggy.”
“The game freezes every time I press play; it does not work at all.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While many players appreciate the active developer support and frequent bug fixes that enhance performance, some users report issues such as lag in multiplayer and unresponsive loading times. The visual style is praised for being flashy without compromising gameplay, though individual performance may vary based on hardware.
“Permadeath Mega Man is a lot of fun, controls are tight, it's properly optimized now, and the devs keep checking in often.”
“The developers are active and engage well with the community, and the game has had many bug fixes and optimization passes.”
“It feels optimized for co-op.”
“It's also multiplayer supported, but I'd recommend going with a friend that has a high performance rate to avoid lagging in areas.”
“Don't get it expecting a near complete game because it's not at that point. This might not be fair, but right now it feels a stage or two above a proof of concept demo and doesn't seem to be entirely optimized, as the game hangs (for me) when loading and becomes unresponsive for 1-2 minutes before opening, and even then it doesn't focus the window.”
“Everything looks really flashy and stylish without sacrificing performance or gameplay (your mileage may vary on the performance part, as not all computers are alike).”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its vibrant and engaging qualities, drawing inspiration from titles like Scott Pilgrim and Mega Man. Players appreciate the humorous tone that playfully critiques gaming tropes, alongside a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the action and overall experience. The combination of tight controls and a chaotic multiplayer environment further contributes to a fun and immersive atmosphere.
“Each stage features a different soundtrack and does a great job of mixing the action and the atmosphere together to make you feel even more badass than you already are.”
“On its surface, 20xx seems to be a great game, tight controls, typical Mega Man feel, and overall a cool atmosphere and style like that of the X games.”
“Speaking of multiplayer, this option opens the door for a number of buddy-to-buddy gameplay experiences, such as racing through a stage to the boss, working together to complete challenges or take down a boss, or even just mess around and enjoy the chaotic atmosphere of the game.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a heartfelt experience, with players expressing joy and nostalgia, though it lacks the profound emotional depth found in titles like Mega Man X. The community surrounding the game is praised for its wholesome nature, contributing to the overall emotional impact, despite some critiques of the cutscenes' execution. Overall, players report strong emotional reactions, ranging from joy to tears, highlighting the game's ability to resonate on a personal level.
“This game is an emotional experience.”
“When I first played this, I cried tears of joy like an anime fan on his first date.”
“10/10 would cry again.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a nostalgic cash grab that fails to deliver on its promises, particularly in terms of level design reminiscent of Mega Man games. However, players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, which is seen as a positive feature.
“There are no microtransactions, which makes the experience much more enjoyable.”
“I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions to progress.”
“The absence of microtransactions allows for a fair and balanced gameplay experience.”
“Nostalgic cash grab loosely based on the series that's just bad after major hype.”
“A huge issue with Mega Man games, which is what drew us here, is that they need to have intelligent level design.”
“No microtransactions.”
Critic Reviews
20XX Review
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. The procedural engine does a good job of mixing things up, but after a while you can start to see a little repetition, but that’s easily overshadowed by the sheer variety and amount of upgrades and customisation.
80%20XX Review
20XX is a fantasic title and shows that the classic formula of Mega Man games still works. Stop reading and go play it now!
90%20XX (Nintendo Switch)
20XX is an action game that harkens back to the glory days of retro platforming. Its strong Mega Man influence is countered by its own flavor of procedurally generated levels, keeping things fresh at first, though there is some repetition after awhile. With interesting bosses and a great co-op mode, platforming fans should find something to enjoy here.
75%