30XX is one of the best roguelikes out there, combining the tight platforming action of the Mega Man X series with the challenge and randomization that roguelike fans crave. Batterystaple Games has done lots of refinement through updates since 30XX first appeared on Steam Early access a few years ago. The latest such update adds a new character for free, one who combines the best attributes of the two existing characters. Also, the Steam version is on sale, making it a great time to travel to the distant year of 30XX!
We have good and bad news about Delta, the new character. The bad news is that he has to be unlocked, and you probably need to be pretty good to unlock him. As I lamented in our co-op review, 30XX is pretty hard - a bit too hard for me to beat. The addition of a new character for beating the game is a sweet incentive indeed, but I wish he was more easily attainable for we of the unwashed masses. Maybe completing 5 level 5 runs will be easier (see patch notes below).
That said, we did get beta access to Delta, and he's a cool character! He can fire ranged shots like Nina (30XX's equivalent of Mega Man X), and he can slash with a sword like Ace (who plays like Zero). That makes him super versatile. Consecutive hits with either weapon will charge up the other weapon, so saber slashes will charge up the next buster shot and vice versa.
Delta is a cool addition for co-op games too. Ordinarily, one player gets stuck with the Ace, the melee guy. Not everybody wants to be the melee guy in a Mega Man-style game. Now, assuming the host has unlocked Delta, nobody has to be limited to using strictly melee attacks.
Here's an abridged list of the version 1.2 additions:
- Delta debuts! Unlocked the same way the Entropy Cluster is -- either a game win or 5 plus level 5-or-higher runs will unlock Delta.
- Added Alt Phases, intended to spice up level variety between runs. As of this patch note, three levels have alternate phases (Burning Temple, Deepverse, Highvault) - if you encounter these stages on level 3 plus, they might spawn with a few twists!
- Added a new button that performs a different action depending on your character.
- Nina's action is Stance Lock, keeping you in place and letting you aim your weapons more easily.
- Ace's action is Blade Swap, letting you quickly switch between primary weapons.
- Delta's action is Glory, which consumes active Hype Stacks (if 20 plus) to grant full NRG and a temporary speed/damage boost.
If a Mega Man-style roguelike sounds appealing, don't miss 30XX. It supports 2-player local and online co-op, and it even features both a roguelike and a non-roguelike mode with continues.
30XX sells for $19.99 on Switch and Steam. The Steam version is fully Steam Deck compatible.