How a scrapped Capcom horror game became a classic RPG
Capcom just released a complete compilation of the Mega Man Battle Network games, which has me thinking about what a miracle it is that the series exists in the first place. The first game was originally conceived as a Game Boy Advance horror game that measured your heart rate with a wearable device. When Capcom couldn’t make that work, they quickly retooled the initial concept and got to work on an RPG with a card-based battle system. When the devs decided to include Mega Man, they switched from cards to Battle Chips, and Mega Man Battle Network was officially born.
Like the mainline Mega Man games, Battle Network is set in the year 20XX, but the two series actually take place in diverging timelines. In the world of Battle Network, researchers focused on networking technology rather than robotics, which led them to develop an incredibly advanced version of the internet.
Battle Network debuted in 2001, and while it’s definitely a product of its time, the developers made some eerily accurate forecasts about the future of the internet. Its characters can instantly get online thanks to PETs (personal terminals) that they carry at all times. PETs are sentient, so they’re not an exact analog for smartphones, but it’s a pretty solid prediction. Characters even live in smart homes that they can control with digital devices.
Although Battle Network’s story revolves around advanced technology, the gameplay was designed to be as accessible as possible. Described as an “action game with no jumping,” Battle Network has real-time strategic battles that take place on a grid. Players control MegaMan.EXE, a digital version of Mega Man equipped with his arm cannon. You can move freely during battles, allowing you to dodge enemy attacks as you fight.
While Battle Network is more action-packed than your standard RPG, enemies move slowly, so you don’t need great reflexes to get through fights. The best way to win battles is to focus on strategy. You can boost the power of your attacks if you choose the right Battle Chips, and you can do even more damage if you exploit enemy weaknesses. Some players might prefer the action-platforming in classic Mega Man, but the tactics-heavy gameplay in Battle Network has always been right up my alley.
Battle Network even let players network with each other, though real-world tech at the time was far less advanced than the technology in the game. If players connected their Game Boy Advances with a link cable, they could trade chips or face off in one-on-one battles. Sometimes, the link cable got knocked loose during fights, but if you could keep your systems connected, the multiplayer battles were incredibly intense.
Technology has finally caught up with Battle Network, so it’s fitting that it’s finally getting rereleased via the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, which includes all six titles in the series. The games are mostly unchanged, but there are a few new features that take advantage of the modern age.
Unsurprisingly, the biggest improvements involve multiplayer. Instead of awkward link cable fights, you can battle online with players all over the world. So far, I’ve stuck with casual battles, but if you’ve braver than I am, you can even battle for chips! When you turn this setting on, winning battles will earn you new Battle Chips, but losing means you have to forfeit a chip to the other player.
There’s also a brand new Buster MAX gameplay mode. I’m a huge fan of Battle Network’s combat, but if you don’t like tactical battles, this mode will let you breeze through fights. Once it’s enabled, you can one-shot most enemies, ending battles in seconds. Obviously, you can’t use Buster Max mode in online battles, but you can still earn trophies when it’s enabled.
Maybe there’s a timeline out there where Capcom nailed the tech for their horror game. I’m sure the game would have been great, but personally, I’m glad to be in the Battle Network universe. These games may not use wearable technology, but they’re unique, charming RPGs that still hold up. If you haven’t experienced Battle Network, the Legacy Collection is the perfect way to jump into the series.
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