bluemeep posted a blog about Mega Man Star Force, calling it the most depressing game he had ever played, and right when I heard this I placed my hands above my keyboard and jammed out an off-topic comment:

"What I wish they would do is change up how enemy encounters are initialized. The random battles happen way too often in the Battle Network games (I played 3 and 4*), and I would like a more hybridized system.



Imagine this: Enemies are arranged on a 2D side-scrolling field similar to any other Mega Man game, except when you touch the enemy a battle starts. You can get an early attack in if you hit the enemy to begin the battle, but enemies can get the jump on you if you get hit first. Then the battle plays out as normal, like it did in MMBN1-MMBN6. I didn't really like the perspective shift..."

And, at that time I didn't think that it would be wise to put my entire concept up here. However, with time and in response to a comment by deiga-the-semivaliant I posted this:

"...I'm definitely going to put up my MMBN idea on my blog tomorrow."



Ok, here is the rundown of things I HATE HATE ABSOLUTELY HATE about the Mega Man Battle Network series:

Exploration: It takes forever to get anywhere in the Virtual World or the Real World, and the Exploration itself is unsatisfying.
Puzzles: Find the square peg for the square hole! It was boring the first time and is still boring now!
Folders: Why only three?
Shopping: Buying and Selling Items is really tedious.
Styles: Not customizeable enough, I want custom armor and one folder for each style!
Story: This needs to go away. The story is absolute trash. It sucks, etc. Just give me good gameplay!
Random Battles: The timer is too short and therefore battles get tedious.
RPG Elements: Just use the NaviCust System by itself, Capcom. Do not try to integrate a RPG-style level-up system and the NaviCust system!




Here is where I offer my edits that will revitalize the series. And, no, I didn't play Mega Man Star Force, because the perspective shift didn't really interest me, the Brother Band system seemed lame, and the fact that I am pretty burned out on the series in general. Star Force is probably a good "soft reset" of the franchise, but I hope Capcom has something more evolutionary planned. Anyway, here are my edits:


Exploration: I would scrap the isometric perspective used in the previous MMBN games and go back to a side-scrolling 2D level design philosophy. This makes exploration less tedious and more fun! Also, chips could be used on the field...That's interesting, right? Oh, yeah...I forgot about that...it won't suck like that did.
Puzzles: Enivornmental puzzles would be possible thanks to the use of classic Mega Man gameplay. Most of these would be unnecessary to complete to finish the game, but they would offer bonus chips, armor pieces, or programs.
Folders: One Folder per style!
Shopping: You can pull up the Shop/Chip Dealer anytime during your exploration of the game.
Styles: You can customize the look of the armor for each style. Some pieces offer minor stat boosts but most of them are there to look cool. You can use any piece with any style, it is not like they are pre-colored or something :)
Story: Almost completely removed. Minor storytelling elements similar to retro Mega Man games.
Random Battles: These would obviously be done away with by the switch to two-dimensional side-scrolling stages. You can get advantage by hitting the enemy on the field and they get advantage for hitting you. If you collide with an enemy a battle starts and no one gets advantage.
RPG Elements: The NaviCust System would be used exclusively to Power-Up your styles. I would prefer it if each style had its own unique NaviCust section.




That's pretty much it, although I would like to add that if this game were happening Capcom should give people the ability to turn off all MMBN features and play the game as a pure Mega Man game. The side-scrolling, beat-the-boss-and-steal-his-weapon Mega Man game is the starting point to which Programs, Custom Armor, and Chips/MMBN Battle System could be added. Also, note that I would bring back the Battle System used in MMBN1-6 and you get styles from Bosses and Boss Weapons have a standard fire and one alternate fire There would be unique bosses and stages in each mode to not make it a grind to go back through the game.

This has been a Variable Gear Production

OMG!!! What do you think?!? Is this any good? Am I CRAZY?!? Respond in the Comments!

ALSO, COCKS

*I played MMBN2 as well...I forgot to add that in my first comment.

[Thanks to GameFAQs and GameSpot for the great pictures!]