Mighty No. 9

52%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,975 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Mighty No. 9 Game Cover
Explore the galaxy in the franchise's first open-world game.
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In "Mighty No. 9," players control Beck, a robot tasked with defeating his fellow robots that have been infected by a virus. Using a variety of attacks and abilities, players navigate through 2D side-scrolling levels filled with enemies and obstacles. The game draws inspiration from the Mega Man series, emphasizing fast-paced action and precise platforming.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Nintendo 3ds
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

52%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,975 reviews
gameplay248 positive mentions
optimization14 negative mentions
  • Fun and challenging gameplay reminiscent of classic Mega Man games.
  • Interesting character designs and personalities for the Mighty Numbers.
  • Satisfying dash mechanic that adds a unique twist to combat.
  • Poor graphics and animations that feel outdated for a modern game.
  • Frustrating level design with many cheap deaths and instant kill traps.
  • Voice acting and dialogue that are often cringeworthy and poorly executed.
  • gameplay918 mentions

    The gameplay of "Mighty No. 9" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the fast-paced mechanics and the unique dash-and-absorb system that encourages aggressive play. However, criticisms focus on the clunky controls, frustrating level design, and a lack of polish, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel unfair and unbalanced. While some players find the mechanics enjoyable and reminiscent of classic Mega Man titles, others feel it fails to meet expectations, often resulting in a frustrating experience.

    • “The gameplay is superb; if you like to fully master and get good at a game, this is for you.”
    • “The dash mechanic is extremely fun to master and learn.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, and the dash mechanic is a standout feature—so much fun and really makes every stage a blast.”
    • “You can still somewhat have fun with it, but it isn't a very polished game since the visuals are lacking and confusing at some parts, the level design is bland and generic, the core game mechanics aren't really fleshed out to their fullest, like the absorption dash Beck has, and it also has some bugs that could literally instakill you, even though they are rare (not fun!) and the base price is hardly worth it.”
    • “The dash mechanic was supposed to be the highlight of the game and what makes it fun, but honestly the whole entire game is designed around it and ultimately it only serves to make the game more frustrating than fun.”
    • “The gameplay is so counterintuitive to the laws of Mega Man that older players will be thrown under the bus and play worse than the younger gamers who are already used to button-mashing and new to both the Mega Man series and Capcom.”
  • graphics438 mentions

    The graphics of "Mighty No. 9" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they resemble outdated PlayStation 2-era visuals, which is disappointing given the game's significant budget. While some appreciate the anime-inspired art style and find it charming, others criticize the lack of polish, confusing visuals, and poor character animations, leading to a perception of the game as visually underwhelming. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the gameplay experience for many players.

    • “The graphics look great even today.”
    • “Graphically speaking, this game really delivers!”
    • “The graphics look like they belong on the PS2, which is impressive for a game like this, and are very reminiscent of Mega Man X8, but in a more cartoony style which, rather than being a detriment, gives the game its own almost cutesy charm.”
    • “The graphics look like they were from the Dreamcast and yet this game raised 3 million dollars?!?”
    • “For a game that had a budget of 4 million dollars, graphics that look like they came straight from the PS2 era are just unforgivable.”
    • “The graphics are a joke.”
  • story403 mentions

    The story of "Mighty No. 9" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it bland, generic, and lacking depth, often comparing it unfavorably to the Mega Man series it seeks to emulate. While some appreciate the character designs and the nostalgic elements, others criticize the dialogue and plot execution as weak and unengaging, leading to a perception that the story is merely an afterthought in a game focused on gameplay. Overall, the narrative is seen as a missed opportunity, with potential for improvement in future installments.

    • “The story is engaging, though I prefer how the Japanese version plays it straight.”
    • “Yes, I'm aware of the story behind this game, and the absolute dumpster fire that was its Kickstarter, but beneath the mismanagement and promises too big to keep, there is a solid love letter to the classic Mega Man games!”
    • “The story has more depth to it than people give it credit.”
    • “The story is top-to-bottom absolute garbage.”
    • “The story is bland and drones on without your consent, the voice acting and script leaves much to be desired and the level design tries to pass off fake-difficulty tricks (like liberal application of instant death traps) as true difficulty.”
    • “The story is pushed, but really I felt was throwaway at best.”
  • music260 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its catchy and well-composed tracks, particularly in the retro 8-bit style, while others find it forgettable and lacking the memorable quality of classic Mega Man soundtracks. Composers Manami Matsumae and Ippo Yamada are noted for their contributions, but many players feel the overall soundtrack does not live up to expectations, often falling into the background during gameplay. Despite the criticisms, there are standout tracks that some players enjoy, indicating a divide in how the music resonates with different audiences.

    • “Gameplay is solid, music is great, and I personally found the writing to be pretty charming.”
    • “The music by Manami Matsumae and Ippo Yamada is actually very well-composed.”
    • “The soundtrack is still a banger though, at least, as it should be with every good Mega Man game.”
    • “Most of the songs are forgettable, which is a massive sin coming from the spiritual successor of Mega Man, and only 3 of them are something that I would listen to, because they do seem uninspired and just white noise compared to the massive great tracks that the Mega Man games do have.”
    • “The music is entirely forgettable, the sound effects are flaccid and the repeated voice samples get grating in a hurry.”
    • “The game felt bland from the minute I started it up and the soundtrack was lackluster.”
  • character development48 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed positively, with many praising the creative and stylized character designs, particularly for the bosses and DLC characters. However, some critiques highlight a lack of depth in character development and narrative, suggesting that while the designs are appealing, they do not compensate for shortcomings in gameplay and storytelling. Overall, the character designs are a standout feature, but the development and execution of the characters themselves leave room for improvement.

    • “The character designs are fantastic, the story is fun enough, the gameplay is good.”
    • “Call is cute but I can tell there is going to be more character development for her in hopeful future installments.”
    • “It's like this game wasn't supervised by anyone except in the character design part.”
    • “Classic difficulty and classic cheesy character development; just the way I remember my Nintendo games.”
    • “It's a shame, because the core gameplay, the soundtrack, the character designs and concepts all point to what could have been an amazing game, and the start of an interesting franchise.”
  • optimization48 mentions

    The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues, including frame drops and graphical glitches, even on high-end hardware. Many users feel that the poor optimization detracts from the overall experience, making it feel incomplete and frustrating to play. Despite some attempts to improve performance in alternate versions, the consensus remains that the game is a poorly optimized mess that fails to deliver a polished experience.

    • “My biggest problem with the game is the optimization, and believe it or not, this is the best version of the game in that regard, and even that isn't saying much.”
    • “And after being delayed multiple times, you would expect a nearly bug-free and well-optimized experience, but I had to edit the game files before it would open without crashing, and it still has graphical bugs basically every time I jump.”
    • “On the side, there is a 64x version of this game included, sporting much better performance over the default 32x version, but oddly enough, the Steam overlay and achievements do not work on it.”
    • “Beyond the most blatant tech issues (performance, VFX particles/shaders implementation, the eventual game-breaking glitch), even good ideas are held back by such hindrances–especially when it comes to balancing and fine-tuning shortcomings.”
    • “Everybody makes the joke, but honestly there is nothing to say at all. It's a bad and really poorly optimized mess. They raised 4 million dollars for this, and it's clear that they spent the time and money elsewhere. It's a waste of time and money; I feel so sorry for the backers.”
    • “But it's so poorly optimized that it lags out and eats my button inputs, even on the lowest settings.”
  • stability44 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting no glitches and smooth performance, while others have encountered significant bugs, particularly in specific stages. Many users noted that while some glitches exist, they are not game-breaking for everyone, suggesting a varied experience depending on the platform and individual playthrough. Overall, the game appears to be in need of further optimization and bug fixes, but some players still find it enjoyable despite these issues.

    • “I've encountered no glitches, the levels are well made, the music is great, the controls are smooth, and the gameplay is challenging but fair.”
    • “The game looks great and runs great on a gaming PC.”
    • “No glitches, no crashes so far.”
    • “So many blatant glitches and gameplay errors that make this game unfair and not due to skill.”
    • “I feel like I'm beta testing a very buggy game on Unity, what a rip off.”
    • “Before talking about gameplay, there are a few glitches, such as a stage failing to load once, and a game sold for computer not allowing my regular keybinds to be used.”
  • replayability34 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through various features such as challenge modes, multiple difficulty options, and the ability to replay levels with different characters, enhancing the overall experience. While some players noted a desire for more content and secrets, the inclusion of DLC and achievements adds to the replay value, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate pushing their skills. Overall, it is regarded as a highly replayable title, particularly for fans of 2D action platformers.

    • “Great game with good mechanics, solid story, and tons of replayability.”
    • “There’s a ton of replay value with the varying difficulty options of the main campaign along with all the extra challenge stages.”
    • “The challenges and achievements create replayability and add even more tough goals after completing the story.”
    • “There are complaints about some unnecessarily annoying level design, a boring multiplayer experience, and already having a DLC that I feel is a must-have purchase, but overall, I found this game really fun to play and I know I can come back to it because of its replayability.”
    • “I'd recommend the other title Azure Striker Gunvolt compared to this on 3DS because it actually feels innovative when compared to this and has much more replayability.”
    • “All good things, sure I do wish that maybe there were more secrets and better level replayability, maybe using some of the other weapons.”
  • emotional28 mentions

    The emotional responses to the game are overwhelmingly negative, with many players expressing deep disappointment and frustration, often using the phrase "cried like an anime fan on prom night" to emphasize their feelings. Reviewers criticize the lack of emotional engagement, citing poor voice acting, a boring story, and unsatisfactory gameplay mechanics that contribute to a sense of disillusionment. Overall, the game fails to evoke the emotional depth that fans expected, leading to a collective sense of heartbreak and dissatisfaction.

    • “I played, I thought, I cried.”
    • “Heart wrenching.”
    • “Made me cry like an anime fan on prom night.”
    • “You aren't going to care about the story with a game like this; it will just be remembered as a game that apparently had a boring story that nobody cared about.”
    • “$4 million to help create a bland game with poor level design, boring bosses, a boring story, and a god awful ending is just ridiculous and really should have people scared for any future Kickstarter 'promise' because frankly that's what most of them are.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as quirky and endearing, with players finding enjoyment in the voice acting and character interactions, particularly the comedic elements of the characters' antics. Many reviewers noted that the game can be amusing even in moments of failure, making it a fun experience to share with friends, despite its challenging gameplay. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that can appeal to both fans of the Mega Man series and newcomers alike.

    • “I often find myself laughing even after dying.”
    • “They're kind of quirky as well: I found Avi's news reporter act, for instance, to be hilarious and endearing.”
    • “The voice acting is also funny in my opinion.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious, annoying, and poorly designed, leading to a lack of enjoyment. Many players feel that the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience, making battles and level designs feel slow and unengaging. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant flaw that overshadows any potential fun the game might offer.

    • “Poorly designed, tedious, annoying, and overall, just unfun.”
    • “This is less a 'spiritual successor' to Mega Man, and more a distillation of all the tedious elements, while retaining very little of the actual fun.”
    • “I really wanted this game to succeed but the overall gameplay is just boring and tedious.”
  • monetization16 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a cash grab due to poor advertising and marketing strategies that failed to resonate with the fan base. The game's release was marred by delays and a negative perception stemming from its promotional efforts, leading to a backlash that overshadowed its actual gameplay experience. Despite these issues, some players still found enjoyment in the game itself, suggesting a divide between monetization practices and gameplay quality.

    • “It's not a fun game, but rather a cash grab from a desperate game designer who could have made a masterpiece, but instead turned out this mess.”
    • “A game that's cursed by its name, Mighty No. 9 hit the market (late) amidst a cloud of negative perceptions; people didn't like the change in art style, delays in production, and a horribly tone-deaf advertising campaign.”
    • “It's overloaded by bad design choices that they try to cover up with deceptive advertising.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as lacking depth and a compelling story, though the gameplay is fast and enjoyable, reminiscent of a Sonic and Mega Man crossover. While the music contributes positively to the pacing, the voice acting is criticized for poor delivery, detracting from the overall experience. However, some players appreciate the charm of the cutscenes and find a calming quality in the looping animations.

    • “The graphics are nothing great, but I find charm in the way that the cutscenes unfold with the looping animations. It creates a very calming atmosphere for me.”
    • “Even though it lacks the atmosphere and any semblance of a worthwhile story, the gameplay dynamics centered around the dash are fast and fun and almost makes it feel like if Sonic crossed over with Mega Man in a good way.”
    • “The music is good and helps create pacing, but the voice actors, with the exception of Steve Blum, fail to keep the atmosphere or action at the proper pacing with bad delivery.”
    • “The graphics are nothing great, but I find charm in the way that the cutscenes unfold with the looping animations; it has a very calming atmosphere to it for me.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

50% average critic score

Buy Mighty No. 9

Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
2-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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