Mega Man Maverick Hunter X
North American box art
Developer(s)	Capcom
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Director(s)	Kazuki Matsue
Producer(s)	Tatsuya Kitabayashi
Designer(s)	Hiroyuki Yamato Yuji Hayakawa Yusuke Tokita Gentaro Tanzawa
Artist(s)	Tatsuya Yoshikawa
Writer(s)	Makoto Ikehara Yusuke Tokita
Composer(s)	Kento Hasegawa Seiko Kobuchi Shinya Okada
Series	Mega Man X
Platform(s)	PlayStation Portable
Release	JP: December 15, 2005 NA: January 31, 2006 EU: March 3, 2006
Genre(s)	Action-platform
Mode(s)	Single-player

Mega Man Maverick Hunter X^{[lower-alpha 1]} is an 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 the advanced mechanical being X who the player controls through eight stages as he faces enemy forces and obtains new powers to defeat the stronger bosses. An alternative mode allows the player to control the villain Vile who also has his own weapons.

The story is similar to the original Mega Man X as the title character travels across the world to stop the rebellious Sigma from leading the human race to extinction and have the Mavericks rule the world. X's origins and his relationship with Sigma are further explored in both the game and its original video animation (OVA) The Day of Sigma prequel; The new hardware allowed the staff to put voice acting, most noticeably Takahiro Sakurai as X, Ryōtarō Okiayu as his superior Hunter Zero and Mugihito as Sigma, among others. 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.^[1] 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. Nevertheless, the game was popular, considered one of the best handheld games in the entire franchise. The game was later made available on the PlayStation Vita in February 2012; another Mega Man X game would not be released until Mega Man X Dive in 2020.

Plot

The plot of Maverick Hunter X follows the original game's story closely, with a few changes. In a futuristic world, mechanical beings called Reploids coexist with humans. However, several start causing a rebellion which resulted in the nickname of Mavericks.^[2] The protagonist is the Maverick Hunter X who goes on a mission to stop the rebellion caused by his former Commander, Sigma. However, he instead finds Vile who wants to be the true ruler.^[3] X is nearly killed in combat but is saved by his ally Zero. The two split to search for Sigma's location resulting in more fights against Mavericks.^[4] In his mission, X learns from Mavericks aided with Sigma that the leader is interested in seeing his true potential.^[5] He also sees holograms by his creator, Dr. Thomas Light who entrusts him with powers to fight for humanity.^[6]

After defeating all 8 of Sigma's followers, Zero contacts X with information on Sigma's base.^[7] X and Zero infiltrate Sigma's base, with both of them eventually encountering Vile again. The two are defeated once but Zero uses his last forces to weaken the Maverick. X then manages to defeat Vile, with the dying Zero using his last forces to the order of continuing his mission.^[8] X the confronts Sigma, who admires his growth as a soldier but their different ideologies lead to a one-on-one battle as he claims that X's justice is just something he is being mislead. Sigma is defeated and the base is destroyed as X escapes.^[9] In the ending sequence, a memory reveals that human named, Dr. Cain found X's body as it was sealed by Dr. Light before he could finish his creation. He sees a recording that where Light said that he created X with power to think by himself and use to create an utopia where both Reploids and humans can coexist.^[10] X then goes on another mission after staring at Zero's empty bike.

Playing as Vile reveals he was a prisoner freed by Sigma, yet refuses to join his rebellion, as he refuses to see X's potential.^[11] Despite defeating X, Vile becomes enraged after Zero rescues him, not sharing Sigma's ideals.^[12] Vile defeats 8 of Sigma's followers to prove himself more worthy than X. Intrigued, Sigma invites Vile to his base to see his power in action, around the same time X and Zero infiltrate the base themselves. Vile is cornered by both X and Zero. Zero distracts Vile just long enough for X incapacitate him.^[13] Sigma approaches Vile, asking what he was planning to do after defeating X. Vile succumbs to his wounds, feeling that he validated his existence by defeating X.^[14]

Upon completing the game, an original video animation under the name Day of Sigma is unlocked. The episode is set before the game's beginning where Maverick Hunters led by Sigma face a giant rebellious mechalonoid. With X unwilling to hurt a hostage, the enemy is taken by Sigma who tries to correct his subordinate for his pacifism. Sigma becomes interested in X's doubts and talks with Dr. Cain about whether or not he possesses the one mentioned by Light. In the aftermath, X and Zero become suspicious about several Maverick incidents occurring at the same time. It is revealed that Sigma hacked a massive Maverick to distract the Hunters as he frees Mavericks including Vile in the process. After disabling Zero, Sigma forces X to remove his weaponry and uses the missile base to destroy Abel City, taking Dr. Cain's life in the process. X then remembers his early days where a dying Light told him about how he gave him the power to develop his own mind and how he entrusts him to use power. X then uses such unknown power that allows him to damage Sigma's head. Satisfied with this development, Sigma escapes to start his rebellion, leading to the game's beginning.

Gameplay

The player uses the villain Vile to battle enemies.

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. The player controls the Maverick Hunter X who controls similarly to how he did in the original. His only weapon is the "X Buster" which acts as horizontal firepower. Upon completing the intro level, players can choose one of eight areas they have to proceed while fighting enemies in order to reach bosses known as 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.^[15] 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. Similar to the original 'Mega Man X, the main character has access to a hidden technique based on the Street Fighter fighting game series, the "Hadoken" which allows X to easily defeat any enemy.^[16] When all eight Mavericks are defeated, Sigma is unlocked as the final boss of the game. Alternatively, if the player did not obtain Light's arm protectors, X is given power ups by his superior Zero in the final stage.^[17]

After completing the game, an alternate mode where the player controls the Maverick Vile is unlocked hile. As a playable character, Vile has access to three different weapons - one for his Arm, Shoulder, and Leg respectively - and he acquires new weapon sets as he defeats each Maverick boss, which must be equipped before each stage. He can use these three weapons an unlimited number of times, but is locked to those three weapons for the entirety of the stage. The bosses change, most notably the final where Vile faces X and Zero.^[18]

Development

Keiji Inafune (left) came up with the idea of remaking the game, while Takahiro Sakurai (middle) and Ryōtarō Okiayu returned to voice X and Zero, respectively.

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.^[1] Although the remake stays true to the original game in both gameplay and basic storyline, Maverick Hunter X features a total graphical overhaul with 3D character models and backgrounds, a remixed soundtrack, voice acting, and anime cutscenes.^[19][20]

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.^[21] The main artist is Tatsuya Yoshikawa who enjoyed the original Mega Man X for its simplicity in gameplay and storytelling, most notably in the introduction stage. Still, he recalls having problems balancing X's limbs for illustrations and noted he exaggerated Sigma's chin. Yoshikawa prepared the concept arts for each boss character which developed by the younger staff, leading to artistic liberties. Vile's inclusion as a playable character was considered by the staff as one of the most outstanding parts of the remake. Some designs were done with idea of marketing toys.^[22] 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".^[21]

Upon its announcement November 2005, Capcom marketing director Todd Thorson explained how the game influenced by both Mega Man X and the first series from the franchise, Mega Man. He further claimed that the team aimed to innovate the classic formula often explored in previous titles as well as come with new challenges to prove veterans of the series.^[23] The game was originally released in Japan on December 15, 2005.^[21] In North America it was released in January 31, 2006,^[24] while a European release followed it on March 3, 2006.^[25] The Japanese version uses the track "Don't Wanna Be" by Spinwake as opening theme.^[26] The Japanese and North American versions were also bundled in a special compilation with Mega Man: Powered Up, a remake of the original Mega Man.^[27][28]

In regards to the voice acting, Takahiro Sakurai returned to voice the title character, X. He was conscious of the fact that he has a human touch unlike other Reploids explored in the game and the original video animation (OVA). Since X was not a skilled Maverick Hunter in the original video animation, he intended to portray him as more human rather than a killing soldier I thought the character. He was still honored to work in the remake since he had played the original Mega Man X for the Super Nintendo in his youth. Ryōtarō Okiayu also returns as Zero who is described as contrast with X, describing him as more collected and impulsive than the protagonist. Mugihito was excited for his role as Sigma in the OVA due to the heavy focus on his characterization. Hiroshi Shimozaki was also impressed by how antagonistic was his character, Vile, which gave him tension when recording his lines. Other actors include Asou as Dr. Light, eight actors in charge of the bosses.^[29] Before the game's release, Capcom made a promotion in Japan where five winners received a script of the game signed by five of its voice actors.^[30]

Reception

Maverick Hunter X received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic, averaging a 79/100.^[31] The gameplay was generally praised with IGN stating it would feel both old-time fans and new gamers despite being it short, but "intense, fun, and very challenging".^[15] Phil Theobald of GameSpy praised the large game content and game design as the formula of the original series still works out properly but found it too short and familiar for a remake.^[35] 1UP.com felt the visuals were similar to the content from Mega Man X8 and managed to live up to the popularity of the first Mega Man X game and expands on the story without recycling material as Vile's mode relies on new enemies and weapons.^[32] PALGN praised the design of the bosses and tactics as some players of the original Mega Man X will be surprised to see the A.I. to be different from the one they know. While the reviewer found the main game to be short, the extra content was noted to expand it more, most notably Vile who stands out for how many new weapons the player has in total as well as his unique story from X's.^[36] GameSpot found the remake faithful to the original game enough to appeal to the original players but at the same time noted some upgrades for the main characters were moved in order to trick them and make the experience more unique with Vile's sidestory and Sigma's backstory being the most surprising new materials.^[34]

In regards to the narrative, critics had mixed feelings. IGN praised the animated cutscenes for adding "extra story and character depth" with good production values. However, he had mixed feelings about the quality of the English voice acting.^[15] GameRevolution initially praised the setting and story for coming across as the film Blade Runner also criticized the voice acting and localization might ruin the appeal of the concept.^[18] 1UP.com remarked Mark Gatha's performance in Mega Man Maverick Hunter X "sounds frothingly pissed-off all the time and feels the need to shout the name of his special weapons every single time he uses them".^[32] GameSpot compared the production values with the ones of the PlayStation 2 games especially the cutscenes though he still found the voice acting not as impressive as the game visuals.^[34] PALGN still enjoyed the animated cutscenes and original video animation for coming across as good bonus material to the game and compared the voice acting to that of localized anime series.^[36]

Despite the positive reviews, Maverick Hunter X was a commercial failure, although it sold better in the United States.^[37] 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.^[38] 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.^[39]

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.^[40] 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.^[41] Nintendo Life also listed it as a game they would like in the Switch alongside the remake of the first Mega Man game: Mega Man Powered Up.^[42]

IGN ranked Maverick Hunter X as the nineteenth best PSP game ever made.^[43] Game Informer regarded Maverick Hunter X as one of the best games to play on a handheld console due to how impressive are the new visuals as well as the innovative inclusion of Vile as playable character.^[44] Game Zone found the remake as enjoyable as the original and suggested gamers to try on the PlayStation TV.^[45] Retronauts praised how faithful was the remake while finding "strange" and "interesting" the inclusion of Vile. The site also praised the narrative which was expanded through cutscenes that expand on the series' lore.^[46]

Notes

References

External links

• Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X at MobyGames
• Rockman X: The Day of Sigma at IMDb