20XX
- November 25, 2014
- Fire Hose Games
- 13h 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 is a fun and fast-paced platformer that captures the essence of Mega Man X, with tight controls and a great soundtrack.
- The roguelike elements add replayability, allowing for unique experiences with each run due to randomized levels and power-ups.
- Co-op gameplay enhances the experience, making it enjoyable to play with friends.
- The randomly generated levels can sometimes lead to frustrating platforming sections and unfair enemy placements.
- There is a limited variety of bosses and level themes, which can make the game feel repetitive over time.
- The art style may not appeal to everyone, resembling a flash game rather than a polished title.
- gameplay538 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of 20xx is widely praised for its tight controls and nostalgic homage to the Mega Man X series, seamlessly integrating roguelike elements such as procedural level generation and permadeath mechanics. Players appreciate the smooth mechanics, addictive challenges, and the variety of power-ups that enhance replayability, although some note that the randomization can lead to inconsistent difficulty spikes. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of classic platformers while offering a fresh experience through its modern gameplay innovations.
“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.”
“20xx is a brilliant homage, but also brings its own style, mechanics, and fun design to the table.”
“The gameplay is okay, but there's something missing that gave me that adrenaline to go faster and kill everything before it kills you.”
“However, in hindsight, Mega Man mechanics combined with rogue-like randomness does not feel suited for each other.”
“The gameplay, soundtrack, and overall feel of the game is just on point, but it lacks the challenge and freshness that would make it truly engaging.”
- music449 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy, upbeat chiptune style that evokes nostalgia for classic titles like Mega Man. Many players describe the soundtrack as a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience with its energetic and well-composed tracks, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered a significant asset, contributing to the game's appeal and replayability.
“The soundtrack is the real winner here though, it's friggin' awesome.”
“The music is fantastic and fits the game's mood perfectly.”
“The soundtrack is phenomenal.”
“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.”
“Just feels extremely flat and soulless... clean and clinical presentation, obvious music and a desperate need to be Mega Man... not its own thing.”
“The music is nice, but not memorable, with the boss battle music being particularly underwhelming.”
- graphics296 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the vibrant, cartoonish art style reminiscent of classic Mega Man games, while others criticize it for appearing simplistic or reminiscent of Flash animations. Many agree that while the visuals may not be groundbreaking, they effectively complement the fast-paced gameplay and chaotic action. Overall, the graphics are seen as serviceable, with a distinct aesthetic that may not appeal to everyone but contributes to the game's charm.
“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, the response of the controls is perfect!”
“Not a fan of the flash-style graphics.”
“The graphics are just atrocious.”
“The art style feels a bit too much like flash-game style graphics for my taste and the level design could be better but I don't think these take away from the experience of the game.”
- replayability197 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional 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 that each run offers, making it a compelling choice for fans of the Mega Man series and roguelikes alike. While some reviewers noted a potential for repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the game's mechanics and frequent updates ensure a fresh experience with high replay value.
“This game captures all of the great elements of classic action platformers, like the Mega Man X series, and expands upon them with random generation and other rogue-lite elements that add to the replay value, as well as turn an old concept into something new and fresh.”
“The randomly generated stages keep things fresh, and the sheer number of options available to acquire during play make this game very replayable.”
“The rogue-like aspects are a lot of fun and give it a lot of replayability.”
“Big fan of the Mega Man series, was pretty disappointed with the roguelike elements. I really did not enjoy it at all; it was just annoying and does not serve a purpose other than adding replay value.”
“Only really challenging thing is the platforming sometimes, and that's just it - 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.”
- story161 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story in "20XX" is largely considered minimal and underdeveloped, with many players noting that it lacks the depth and coherence found in classic titles like Mega Man X. While some lore exists through item descriptions and in-game text, it does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience, which is primarily focused on action and roguelike mechanics. Overall, players express a desire for a more robust narrative to complement the engaging gameplay.
“The story that exists within is also a fun experience as you progress further into the stages of the game with each run.”
“20xx, while thin on the story, follows two cyborg protagonists named Nina and Ace sometime in the year 20xx.”
“The replay value of it is amazing, the story is simple yet very intriguing, and the bosses are very adaptable.”
“There's no discernible story.”
“The story makes no sense as well.”
“While the lore is extensive, the story isn't really there.”
- humor34 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game features a blend of self-deprecating and sarcastic humor, often poking fun at its own mechanics and the classic Mega Man tropes. Players appreciate the humorous flavor text, witty writing, and amusing cutscenes, which enhance the overall experience, although some find the humor to be slightly grating or dated. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted atmosphere that complements the challenging gameplay, making even moments of failure entertaining.
“The writing in the game has a nice bit of sarcastic humor, if a bit dated.”
“The graphics are great, the online is spectacular, and the humor for when you die or exit the game is spot-on.”
“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 humor relies too heavily on memes and hipster nerdy references, which come off as unoriginal, unclassy, and especially unfunny.”
- grinding24 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 repetitive, particularly when navigating levels or facing overly resilient bosses. While certain rogue-lite elements allow for progression without extensive grinding, many players still feel that the lack of variety and the need for multiple runs can lead to frustration and boredom. Overall, the grinding aspect is often seen as a barrier to enjoyment, with calls for improvements in the reward system to make progress feel more meaningful.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The controls are very responsive and the platforming sessions aren't tedious except for one level.”
“Achievement-wise, for those who aim to 100%, I think some will be tedious and RNG-based.”
“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.”
- stability24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players noting the presence of bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer modes, which can detract from the experience. However, some users report that the game runs smoothly on their systems and that the developers are actively working to address these issues. Overall, while the game is still in early access and exhibits some instability, it remains enjoyable for many players, especially in local multiplayer settings.
“Runs great on almost any Windows PC.”
“Runs smoothly with a great art style.”
“The game maintains excellent stability throughout.”
“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.”
“Even with the okay visuals, it's a buggy mess even for a beta game; I couldn't even see a platform at certain points.”
- character development22 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the vibrant and expressive character designs that evoke nostalgia for the Mega Man series, while others criticize certain designs as unappealing or lacking polish. Players appreciate the distinct weapon styles of the main characters and engaging enemy designs, but many express a desire for deeper character development options and more unique visual representations. Overall, while the character designs contribute to the game's charm, they are often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and level design challenges.
“Character designs are charming, inviting, expressive!”
“I enjoy the character design, how both main characters have different weapon styles is very nice, and the enemies are interesting.”
“Gameplay will always be a Mega Man X clone, so the real way to step out of the mold is with character development.”
“Character designs look ugly though.”
“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 and looks like it was designed in Adobe Flash a decade ago.”
“Also, the playable character designs are eyesores - the 'X' equivalent looks terrible, as does the 'Zero' one; 'Zero' is slightly less annoying to the eye.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players expressing joy and nostalgia, reminiscent of classic titles like Mega Man X. While some feel it lacks the same emotional depth, the overall experience is described as wholesome and touching, with moments that can bring players to tears. However, there are critiques regarding the cutscenes, which some find to be rigid and in need of improvement.
“This game is an emotional experience.”
“If that little wholesome image didn't make you smile.”
“When I first played this, I cried tears of joy like an anime fan on his first date.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % 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 X. Players appreciate the humorous tone that playfully critiques gaming tropes, while the diverse soundtracks enhance the action and overall experience, making each stage feel unique and immersive. Overall, the combination of tight controls and a well-crafted atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“On its surface, 20xx seems to be a great game, with tight controls, a typical Mega Man feel, and an overall cool atmosphere and style reminiscent of the X games.”
“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.”
“The controls are tight, the gameplay is phenomenal, and the atmosphere feels just like a new Mega Man X game.”
- optimization7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has seen significant improvements, with developers actively engaging with the community and implementing numerous bug fixes. While many players report tight controls and a well-optimized experience for cooperative play, some users still experience performance issues, such as long loading times and unresponsiveness, suggesting that the game may not yet be fully polished.
“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.”
“My last note is on performance.”
- 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 a positive note amidst the overall disappointment.
“There are no microtransactions, which is a huge plus for the overall experience.”
“I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions to progress.”
“The absence of microtransactions makes the game feel fair and enjoyable.”
“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 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%