Protodroid DeLTA [PC] | REVIEW

Ever played the Mega Man series and thought to yourself, ‘I bet this would be great in 3D’? Well, Protodroid DeLTA takes that idea and runs with it, with the game’s frantic action and challenging platforming clearly inspired by Capcom’s beloved series – albeit with a three-dimensional twist. And you know what? It makes for a really fun time.

Oh, and I KNOW Mega Man Legends exists, but it doesn’t count, ok!?

Check out some screenshots down below:

The action of Protodroid DeLTA takes place in the future, with players taking on the role of the titular protagonist, who just so happens to be a special artificial intelligence that was created by the brilliant Dr Shelton. Of course, things take a sour turn during a test run for our hero when robots start attacking, with a group of villainous menaces known as the Vypers making their presence felt across the region. It’s up to you to take them down, all whilst proving that you can be the saviour for those around you.

It’s a decent little tale that’s strengthened by its many character interactions and twists-and-turns, but I’d be lying if I said I was particularly invested in Protodroid DeLTA’s world. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice that there was plenty going on to give you a goal to work towards, but I found that I didn’t particularly care about much of it… I just wanted to get straight into the action. But hey, I don’t think that storytelling is meant to be the priority here, especially since the gameplay is so fun.

“If a 3D Mega Man platformer came out today, this is EXACTLY how I’d expect it to look and play.”

You know how I said that the game was clearly inspired by Mega Man? Well, that’ll be apparent from the get-go, all the way from your appearance to your capabilities in-game. Players will run and jump between challenging platform segments, whilst their arm cannon can be used to blast away at enemies from afar. The shooting feels more streamlined than your typical action game by having an auto-aim function in place that’ll target enemies in front of you, but it works really well and complements the fast-paced nature of the experience. Players are also able to charge their shots to unleash more power, whilst their handy blade is more effective when getting up close and personal with enemies. Oh, and in true Mega Man fashion, players are able to unlock special abilities after defeating each of the Vypers, so you’ll always have a few extra tricks up your sleeve when it comes to smashing up your enemies. It’s fun, and whilst some encounters can get repetitive, they never bog the pace of the game down (though I really do hate those enemies that hold you in place).

Of course, the fact that Protodroid DeLTA plays from a 3D perspective does mean that its platforming can be a lot more manic than that seen in Mega Man’s 2D adventures, with players having to bounce between constantly moving platforms, avoid endless hazards, and pull off swift manoeuvres in succession if they’re going to have any chance of survival. You’ll have a few more tricks up your sleeve to handle this though, with the likes of a boost dash allowing you to launch yourself across hefty distances and the double-jump giving you that extra kick when a platform is *just* out of reach. Each level is really creative with its design to offer the perfect balance of platforming and battling, and it helps make each one feel super fun to play through.

Check out some screenshots down below:

There are plenty of collectibles to find across levels that can be spent to unlock new outfits (some of which will be very recognisable), currency to spend on items and upgrades, and additional challenges that’ll provide you with a permanent boost to your health or energy meter when completed. They all encourage players to take their time to explore levels in order to find everything, with each reward feeling worthwhile. Then you’ve got the boss encounters which make for fun little showdowns where players have to outsmart their foes – admittedly, they’re rarely challenging, but they’re always bring with them plenty of pizzazz and will keep players on their toes. It’s good stuff.

One of my favourite things about Protodroid DeLTA was its aesthetic, which brought with it plenty of colour and cool sci-fi sights to see. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a visual masterpiece (especially compared to similar modern titles), but it manages to capture the vibe of the early 3D platformers of yesteryear whilst giving them a modern lick of paint. If a 3D Mega Man platformer came out today, this is EXACTLY how I’d expect it to look and play.

Developer: Adam Kareem
Publisher: Humble Games
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1276740/Protodroid_DeLTA/