Live Blogs Let's Play Megaman Battle Network 6

ComicX62013-10-03 09:11:21

After five games and nearly eight months, we are finally reaching a conclusion. Released on November 23, 2005 in Japan as Rockman.EXE 6 with Cyber Beast Grega and Cyber Beast Falzar versions and on June 13, 2006 in the United States as Megaman Battle Network 6 Cybeast Gregar and Cybeast Falzar, Battle Network 6 is the sixth and final game in the Battle Network sub-series, and at the time only the second one to reach a formal conclusion.

If Battle Network 4 was the bottom of the barrel for the series and Battle Network 5 was a step in the right direction, then Battle Network 6 is the Hail Mary. Compared to its two predecessors, it is a prime example of a Surprisingly Improved Sequel in all of the areas that 4 and 5 were weak in – writing, graphical style, characterization, and so forth. The tone of the game also happens to be a lot more self-aware than it's been in the past. Even in the final game, there still remain some refinements to the battle system. Gameplay is polished to a fine sheen, perhaps too fine a sheen, in some cases. After the follies of the two Nebula games, the series managed to go out on a high note.

This time around I will be playing the Cybeast Gregar version of the game. Battle Network 6 continues the trend set by 4 and 5 of version exclusive bosses and transformations, though this time around they're more peripheral in nature, with very little influence on the game's storyline.

The cast, one final time.

Lan Hikari◊ and Megaman.EXE◊

Having saved the world five times now, Lan and his Navi will be facing a challenge of an unusual sort. They are made to say goodbye to familiar friends and home as they move from Den City to Cyber City. What sorts of new people, friends, and enemies will they meet in their new home?

Mick◊

A delinquent classmate of Lan's at his new school, Cyber Academy. Mick's always getting into trouble, both as victim and instigator.

Tab Aster◊

Another new classmate of Lan's, who's very respectful of him and whose family runs a chip shop located in Central Town called Aster Land.

Joe Mach◊

Lan's new homeroom teacher, a hot-blooded man that truly cares for his students and believes in the value of education. His name is a reference to Speed Racer.

Iris◊

A quiet, enigmatic girl that Lan encounter in and around Central Town. As mysterious, quiet girls have a history of being keys to the plot in many an anime/manga, you can bet that will be the case here, right?

Colonel.EXE◊

The former leader of Team Colonel crosses paths with Megaman once again, though on terms that are far from friendly. What has happened to bring about such a change in the caped Navi, and what of his operator, Baryl?

• Megaman Battle Network 1 Liveblog
• Megaman Battle Network 2 Liveblog
• Megaman Battle Network 3 Liveblog
• Megaman Battle Network 4 Liveblog
• Megaman Battle Network 5 Liveblog

Comments

MFM Since: Dec, 1969

Nov 21st 2013 at 11:42:00 PM

I would question why Mega Man's disappearance would propagate stronger viruses appearing, since there are still other Navis in ACDC, but I get the impression most of them would be too weak or lazy to handle them...

Hunter1 Since: Dec, 1969

Nov 22nd 2013 at 12:27:36 AM

MFM: I think it's likely that, with Megaman and Lan around, everyone else in ACDC only ever dealt with the weaker viruses seen in earlier games. With Lan moving, the stronger viruses pushed out the weaker ones, and everyone was too weak to deal with them.

Think of it in Pokemon terms: Lan and Megaman are your starter, and you never use anyone else. For whatever reason, once you hit the later gyms, you can't use your starter anymore, and all you have left is your single-digit level early catches to deal with enemies that are around level 40 or 50.

(I'm pretty sure we have a trope for this, actually. Assuming I'm remembering correctly, it's Complacent Gaming Syndrome. I know it's not a perfect match for what happened in game, but you get the general drift of the matter.)