Title - "Rockman 4"
Alternative title(s) - "Mega Man 4"
Genre(s) - Platform action
Platform(s) - Famicom
"Rockman IV" introduced one of a "Rockman" player's best friends: the improved Rock Buster (or Mega Buster if you have not played the Japanese version before). Eddie first appears here as well. Anyway, "Rockman IV" first came out in 1991 in Japan and elsewhere shortly after Japan's release. There's Ring Man: a robot who shoots out rings, Dive Man: the second water-based robot, though his weapon is a homing weapon called the Dive Torpedo, Skull Man, a robot who uses skulls to kill you and who is the second robot to give out a shield, Pharaoh Man, the robot who uses mystical powers to kill you, Bright Man: the third electrical-based robot, though he is the second and last robot to use a device that freezes you, Toad Man: another water-based robot who uses Acid Rain to melt you down, Drill Man: a robot who uses power drills and Dust Man: a robot who uses harmful dust particles.
Your new task is to save Dr. Cossack, who is forced to help out Dr. Wily because he has his daughter as a hostage. So, how will you be able to save the Cossacks? Play on to see for yourself.
Fun - 8
Eh. Sure, your gun is improved. The magic is still there.
The problem is the feel. It's better if I continue on. That way, you'll know why I say this.
Life - 8
Like I said, the "Rockman" magic is still there. It might have worn down a bit, but it's still there.
Audio - 8
Here's one of the three reasons why I said that the feel of the game doesn't seem right. The music is a mixed bag. While I enjoyed themes like Ring Man's stage, many of them weren't just as good. Sure, there's some reused music, but the new themes don't click as well as the past games.
The sound effects are just there. The charging up sound will get to you from time to time, but you should be able to handle it. I hope.
Control - 10
You hold on the attack button and the longer you hold it, the longer your shot becomes. Other than the addition of this new improvement, not much else has changed. So, carry on.
Story - 6
The task Wily did was indeed dirty. Unfortunately, so is the story and that's reason number two. At least a story is there.
Art - 8
Yeah, it has the same look, but that's not what I'm concerned about. A good amount of the boss designs look, well flat, and that's my final reason. The fully charged up Buster shot seems average, but this is Capcom's first shot at a new weapon. So, give them credit for trying.
Overall - 8
Rock might have improved his gun, but this chapter is the worst one up to this point. Don't get me wrong. It's still a good game. It's that the first three were way more fun.
+
Your gun has improved.
-
The music may be a mixed bag, but the story and the designs of the robots need work.
Date of creation - 12/12/03
Last update - 8/11/04