Almost equal parts improvement and regression when compared to Mega Man 9. It feels better to control and the levels are less rotten with spikes. Deaths feel more earned, which was probably my biggest issue with 9. At the same time, the game just doesn't leave much of a lasting impact. Mega Man 9's robot masters are all pretty memorable, and their weapons generally feel pretty good to use. If you asked me to name any of the bosses or weapons in this game I'm pretty sure I'd just stammer a bunch of nonsense like I'm having a stroke.

But by the end of the day, it's more 8-bit Mega Man, and I like those. Even the ones that aren't that good. I really wish they took one more shot at these instead of releasing 11 the way they did. I think 10 and 9 are both more pleasing to look at by a mile. Pushing more in this direction but experimenting with the gameplay limitations of 8-bit Mega Man and pushing beyond them would've been interesting, but I think reception to 10 was more lukewarm than Capcom was expecting. Couple this with... other things, and well, no more 8-bit Mega Mans. Bummer.

In the end, I think Mega Man 10 is a perfectly fine game that falls shy of being the swan song the 8-bit games deserved. Not the best in the series but not the worst either. It's inoffensive and worth a casual play if you can find it for cheap.