Mega Man 10

 The release of Mega Man 10 certainly has less of a "wow" factor than Mega Man 9. 8-bit graphic style (such as the Bit.trip series) and classic additions to long running franchises (such as Contra Rebirth) have become more common these days, so Mega Man 10 doesn't stand out quite as much. It brings 8 new robot masters (Strike Man, Solar Man, Nitro Man, Pump Man, Blade Man, Commando Man, Sheep Man and Chill Man) into the mix. That being said, can the game continue at the amazing pace set by Mega Man 9?
 
The story this time around is that a mysterious disease called "Roboenza" is causing robots to go insane and cause all kinds of damage. Dr. Wily comes along and claims to help Dr. Light find a cure. However, it seems Dr. Wily has been at it all along. The story is pretty (intentionally) cheesy. It doesn't play a large role in the game, but it serves its purpose of holding all the events together.
 
All that being said, how does the gameplay hold up? In one word: Amazing. The 8 robot master levels are packed with  fun challenges and fast gameplay. The same tough jumps and abundant enemies return in

classic Mega Man fashion, this time with new miniboss and stage mechanics the bring whole new elements of fun. Of course, after each boss you receive a new weapon that can be used as a weakness for the next boss in the order. Each stage is unique: Commando Man's stage will have you jumping through a mine field with sandstorms slowing you down; Strike Man's stage offers a killer soccer keeper; and Sheep Man has you dealing with disappearing blocks and spikes. After the eight bosses, it's off to the evil Dr. Wily's fortress for 5 more intense levels.  These levels add new mechanics as well, and contain nostalgic referneces that fans will love. The game can be completed in under an hour for experienced players, however the first try on any difficulty will take much longer.

The gameplay this time around is the same classic Mega Man formula that con tinues to create a fast paced and fun gaming experience. The game controls like a dream, excelling with the wii remote on its side like the

NES controller. You can now toggle between weapons with the B and A buttons on the wii remote or the L and R buttons on the classic controller, a feature that was greatly missed in Mega Man 9. Mega Man 10 comes with a lot more features. Time attack returns, however this time replays can be shared via Wifi along with times. Challenge Mode comes back as well, however this time in two forms. Challenge 1 lets the player tackle a small level segment or a boss to achieve a silver crown, or a gold crown for avoiding damage. Challenge 2 is like it was in Mega Man 9 (set challenges achievable in the main game) however there are only 12 this time compared to 50 in Mega Man 9. The game keeps a percentage of your progress on the challenges and ranks you based on that. 
 
These extra gameplay modes add plenty of replay value to the game. Mega Man 10 will also have downloadable content, which includes a downloadable character, an endless stage and three bonus levels. Right at the start of the main game, you can select between Mega Man and Proto Man. Proto Man can charge, slide and deflect shots, however he takes more damage than Mega Man. You can also select Easy, Normal, or, upon beating the game on normal, Hard mode. Easy mode features easier bosses, jumps, and enemy placement. It's good for those new to the series, however longtime fans will enjoy the true challenges of Normal and Hard mode. Hard mode is the reverse of Easy mode, adding more enemies and tougher boss patterns.

 Mega Man 10 keeps the 8-bit graphics and sound that worked so well in Mega Man 9. The stages look amazing, each with their own unique look and feel, with a large amoung of detail put into each. The music may not be as amazing as Mega Man 9, but it does have many tracks that will no doubt become instant classics.
    
 
Overall, Mega Man 10 is a fantastic game with improved replay value compared to Mega Man 9. The time attack, challenge modes and downloadable content are sure to keep players satisfied for a long time. The gameplay is fantastic as always, and the difficulty modes make it more accessable for newer players. Mega Man 10 is an all around great game that simpy cannot be missed.