First let me start by telling you a little about Rockman X4 (aka Mega Man in America). This game is laid out just like past Rockman games. Its a side scrolling platformer with Rockman as the hero. Except even that changed this game. Capcom took it a little further and made Zero (a comrade of Rock since the first X game) a playable main character also.

What's so cool about this is the fact that both characters, Rockman and Zero, have different stories to follow during the game. I will tell you right now that Zero has a VERY interesting story going all the way back to the original Mega Man series, but I will leave that as a surprise for when you play the game (I can't spoil everything :) ) As for the game itself, here is how I break it down:

2D all the way baby!! The graphics on this game are just spectacular. There are just a ton of nice background effects that are so cool. Rock, Zero, and all the enemies are also animated VERY beautifully. This game outdoes the animation on MM8 easily. MM8 was good but you could tell that it was made as a dual system game (i.e.. Ram constraints on the PSX). But I am REALLY glad Capcom decided on making this a Saturn exclusive (although I might have heard rumors of a PSX version. Any confirmations?).

The audio is also excellent. All the music is PCM except for 2 audio tracks (which I believe are the ending songs). The songs fit the mood quite well and feel very much like they belong in a Rockman game (If you have played a Mega Man game before you will understand what I mean). The quality of the music is also very good.

Not much to say about the gameplay. It plays just like any other Rockman X game . I will say that it feels much better on the Saturn compared to the SNES, but that is to be expected.

I would have to say that this is the best Rockman to date. Everything about it just makes me feel good. Especially the fact that it came with a cool Rockman model :). Plus, Capcom put in this really cool anime intro in the game along with a GREAT(!!!) song to go with it (Just like the jpn version of MM8). If many of you didn't know, Capcom of America removed the original intro song from MM8. Feel very lucky if you have the import version of the game.

Graphics: 9
Sound/Music: 9
Gameplay/Control: 9
Lasting Power: 8
Overall: 9

-Anubis