30XX Critic Reviews

It’s an enjoyably challenging platformer that’s sure to scratch any Mega Man or roguelike itches you have. Factor in Maker Mode, and you’ve got a recipe for a platformer that’s a huge – and hugely fun – time sink.

30XX recalls classic robot-blasting action of the Mega Man X series, but adds its own fun-filled spin on the formula via multiple play modes, custom stage creation, and randomly generated weapon drops.

30XX is a marked improvement over its predecessor. Beyond the permadeath Standard Mode, you can check out Mega Mode if you’d rather choose your level order and can also create and upload your own levels or chunks of levels. The ability to play as either Nina or Ace and can switch between runs in Standard mode, or play co-op, means you can choose whoever better suits your playstyle. Make no mistake though - even if you’re a fan of Mega Man (specifically Mega Man X) you’ll still find plenty of challenges as you make your way through, but for it’s a challenge I definitely recommend checking out.

30XX is haaaaaaaaaaaard. It’s so damn punishing, but it’s also a wonderfully inventive roguelike that takes everything that makes Mega Man great and goes “what if you died more and the progression was different?” It’s an important question, and the answer to that used to be 20XX, but 30XX is better in every single way. Please play this game if you want a cool co-op platformer that will also crush you and your dreams. You’ll enjoy it, I promise.

30XX is a compelling upgrade from 20XX. No longer a clone of Mega-Man, but a game with a convincing and fun structure. Too bad for the usual problems with the online.

30XX carries with it the legacy of the Mega Man X franchise in its aesthetics and general gameplay.

The blue bomber may have all but disappeared into gaming history, but 30XX keeps his legacy alive and energized. It offers tight platforming paired with roguelike chaos and a bevy of customizability that should keep players jumping and shooting for a long time to come.

30XX shows with greater confidence than 20XX to have its own identity, improving upon the elements that were appreciated in its predecessor and attempting to carve an even deeper groove away from Mega Man. The matrix still remains evident, the gameplay is overall very close to the style dictated by Capcom, but at the same time, it offers something unique that will surely please those waiting for a new Mega Man. In this sense, while 20XX excelled in remembering its source of inspiration and almost presented itself as a splendid celebratory object, 30XX tries to assert that it has all the means to cut the umbilical cord, without denying its spirit.

All-in-all 30XX is an excellent example of the genre done right whilst also accounting for people’s varying skill and taste. The graphics are good, the music is superb and the game does exactly what it sets out to do, emulate Mega Man with all its might whilst still creating a fresh experience for veterans of the roguelike circuit.

30XX is a roguelike that presents a great platforming challenge that's occasionally a little too stiff. It gives players plenty of variety in how they approach it, and the legacy mode that plays like a regular platformer is a welcome addition.

Bearing in mind what's still to come, 30XX is nonetheless off to an excellent start. It's already a thoroughly enjoyable homage to the likes of Mega Man or Turrican, with tight controls and polished character design securing the foundation and a roadmap to version 1.0 promising a steady supply of new content. I wouldn't hesitate to start your run now, no matter what the Bureau of Encouragement might say to the contrary.