Mega Man Maverick Hunter X
Mega Man Maverick Hunter X | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Capcom |
Publisher(s) | Capcom |
Director(s) | Atsushi Otsuki |
Producer(s) | Keiji Inafune Tatsuya Kitabayashi |
Designer(s) | Tatsuya Yoshikawa |
Artist(s) | Tatsuya Yoshikawa Keisuke Mizuno |
Writer(s) | Makoto Ikehara Yusuke Tokita |
Composer(s) | Kento Hasegawa Seiko Kobuchi Shinya Okada |
Series | Mega Man X |
Platform(s) | PlayStation Portable PlayStation Vita |
Release | show
December 15, 2005 |
Genre(s) | Action-platform |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Mega Man Maverick Hunter X[a] is a action-platforming video game developed and published by Capcom for the PlayStation Portable (PSP); it is a remake of the 1993 video game Mega Man X originally released for the Super NES, the first game in the series of the same name; in the game, players control Mega Man X as he attempts to stop Sigma from leading the human race to extinction. It was first released in Japan on December 15, 2005, followed by a North American release on January 31, 2006.
Development began with Keiji Inafune discussing with his development team about whether they should make a Mega Man X9 or a remake of the first game for the PSP, with them deciding on a remake due to wanting to take advantage of the new hardware.[4] Due to being on newer hardware, Maverick Hunter X features full 3D graphics instead of the 2D graphics used in the 1993 original, alongside other improvements and extra features.
Upon release, Maverick Hunter X was met with positive reviews from critics, who praised its updated presentation and story, although the music was met with mixed reception; despite this, the game was a commercial failure, leading to Capcom cancelling future remakes of Mega Man. The game was later made available on the PlayStation Vita in February 2012; another Mega Man X game wouldn't be released until Mega Man X DiVE in 2020.
Plot[]
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The plot of Maverick Hunter X follows the original game's story closely, with a few changes. In 21XX, an archaeologist named Dr. Cain discovers Mega Man X, Dr. Thomas Light's last creation before his death, and uses X's design to create a series robots called "Reploids"; as the years go on, crimes performed by Reploids start to rise, which leads to the creation of the Maverick Hunters (Irregular Hunters in Japan), a group of Reploids tasked with disabling other Reploids who may pose a threat to humans.
After an encounter with one Maverick named Zero, the leader Sigma unexpectedly turns Maverick himself, leading X and the reformed Zero to stop him from creating a Reploid uprising.
Gameplay[]
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Maverick Hunter X is a remake of Mega Man X, originally released in 1993. The original game used 16-bit graphics, however Maverick Hunter X uses realistic 3D graphics instead. Players choose either X or Vile at the start, both of which have their own campaign; X controls similarly to how he did in the original, while Vile has the ability to hover for a short time period. Upon completing the intro level, players can choose one of eight Mavericks to fight. Beating a Maverick will unlock their ability to use as long as X still has weapon energy, using certain abilities on Mavericks will cause them to take more damage than usual.[5] When all eight Mavericks are defeated, Sigma is unlocked as the final boss of the game. Hidden throughout several levels are Dr. Light capsules, which include armor parts that give X additional buffs; in Maverick Hunter X, the position and stages these capsules were in are changed.
After completing the game, a 25-minute anime by Xebec titled The Day of Σ is unlocked; the anime details the events leading up to the first stage, which include Zero's awakening and Sigma turning Maverick.
Development[]
So we decided that instead of going the X9 route, let's go back to the series' roots and rediscover what makes the X series so classic.
Keiji Inafune, producer on "Mega Man Maverick Hunter X".[4]
Maverick Hunter X was developed and published by Capcom for the PlayStation Portable handheld video game console; it was produced by Keiji Inafune, who was an artist and writer for the original game, and Tatsuya Kitabayashi. Maverick Hunter X was conceptualized after Inafune discussed with his development team on whether they should make a Mega Man X9 or reboot the series, with them deciding on a reboot due to wanting to take advantage of the new hardware.[4]
The character designs used in Maverick Hunter X were based on the ones used for merchandising and X8, which altered the designs to look more human.[2] The inclusion of Vile as a playable character was done since Inafune felt that having Zero as a playable character felt "too obvious and boring".[2]
Reception[]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
GameRankings | 82%[7] |
Metacritic | 79/100[6] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
1Up.com | 7/10[12] |
Famitsu | 27/40[13] |
GameRevolution | B[11] |
GameSpot | 8.1/10[9] |
GameSpy | 4.5/5[8] |
IGN | 8/10[5] |
PALGN | 7.5/10[10] |
Maverick Hunter X received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic, averaging a 79/100;[6] on GameRankings, the game averaged a 82%.[7]
IGN scored the game 8/10 stating "Maverick Hunter X will satiate old-time fans, yet it packs enough new content to draw new players. It's a little on the short side, but it's intense, fun and very challenging".[5] Phil Theobald of GameSpy was similarly positive, giving a 4.5/5 stars saying "It's easily one of the best games available for the PSP, and it might even earn the Blue Bomber a few more fans."[8]
IGN ranked Maverick Hunter X as the nineteenth best PSP game ever made.[14]
Sales[]
Despite the positive reviews, Maverick Hunter X was a commercial failure, although it sold better in the U.S.[15] Inafune had planned on making remakes of future Mega Man games, but the poor sales of both Maverick Hunter X and Powered Up have put future remakes on hold.[16]
The game would eventually find success following its inclusion on the PlayStation Store; in April 2014, Maverick Hunter X was the tenth-best selling game on the PlayStation Network.[17]
Legacy[]
In 2011, it was announced by Capcom that both Mega Man Powered Up and Maverick Hunter X would be included in a double pack, alongside a double pack for Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.[18]
In 2018, The Day of Σ was included in the video game compilations Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 and 2; although the full anime was included and remastered in high-definition, the actual game isn't included, making it and Mega Man X: Command Mission the only two 3D entries not included.[19]
Notes[]
- ^ Known in Japan as Irregular Hunter X (イレギュラーハンターX, Iregyurāhantā X)
References[]
- ^ IGN staff (February 1, 2006). "Capcom Releases Mega Man Maverick Hunter X". IGN. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Mega Man X: Official Complete Works. Udon Entertainment. January 6, 2010. pp. 86–9. ISBN 978-1-897376-80-5.
- ^ Luke (January 16, 2006). "Updated Australian Release List - 16/01/06". PALGN. IGN. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Mega Man on PSP -- Keiji Inafune and Tatsuya Kitabayashi Interview". GameSpy. September 18, 2005. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Castro, Juan (February 1, 2006). "Maverick Hunter X". IGN. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Mega Man Maverick Hunter X". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X for PSP". GameRankings. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Theobald, Phil (January 30, 2006). "Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X (PSP)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ Navarro, Alex (May 17, 2006). "Mega Man Maverick Hunter X Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ Keller, Matt (March 30, 2006). "Mega Man Maverick Hunter X Review". PALGN. Archived from the original on March 23, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Dodson, Joe. "Mega Man Maverick Hunter X Review". GameRevolution. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Parish, Jeremy (January 30, 2006). "Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X (PSP)". 1Up.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ "Collection of every PSP-game reviewed in Famitsu". NeoGAF. August 27, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "The Top 25 PSP Games". IGN. December 28, 2011. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ Nadia, Oxford (June 24, 2007). "Isle of Miscast Robots". 1UP.com. p. 2. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ Klepek, Patrick (May 16, 2006). "Mega Man Creator Talks Future". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (May 8, 2014). "Best-selling PlayStation Network games of April revealed". GameSpot. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ Sahdev, Ishaan (October 17, 2011). "Capcom And Gamestop Release MegaMan And Monster Hunter Dual Packs For PSP". Siliconera. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Legarie, Destin (July 24, 2018). "Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
External links[]
- 2005 video games
- Video games about artificial intelligence
- Mega Man X games
- PlayStation Portable games
- PlayStation Vita games
- Rebellions in fiction
- Xebec (studio)
- Video games set in the 22nd century
- Video games developed in Japan
- Superhero video games
- Video game remakes