Mega Man Battle Network (video game)

Mega Man Battle Network
Developer(s)	Capcom Production Studio 2
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Designer(s)	Keiji Inafune
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance, Mobile Phone
Release	October 30, 2001 (NA), November 30, 2001 (EU), March 3, 2001 (JP)
Genre(s)	Data action RPG
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer

This article is about the game Mega Man Battle Network, first game in the MegaMan Battle Network series.

Mega Man Battle Network is the first of the MegaMan Battle Network series of video games by Capcom. The story takes place in the year 200X, though the setting is a sort of parallel universe in which key events occurred differently from the original incarnation of the title.

Gameplay

The player alternately controls two main characters, Lan Hikari (Netto ["Net"] Hikari [1] in the Japanese version) and MegaMan.EXE (Rockman EXE, also the name of the game itself). The former human, however the latter, Mega Man, is a computer program, called a NetNavi (derived from Network Navigator) designed specifically to facilitate the user's (Lan's) interaction with the Net and other computerized devices. In the series, the internet and the inner workings of computers are displayed as a material world which computer programs of all varieties, as personified in a humanoid form, can interact with.

To advance through the game the player must navigate both the real world as Lan and the Net as Mega Man, each containing certain tasks that must be completed to allow advancement in the other. MegaMan.EXE is often contained in Lan's PET (PErsonal Terminal), however this may be connected to the internet or a computer in a process called "jacking in" ("plugging in" in Japan), which allows MegaMan access to that device. At this point, the Navi is transferred to the respective device, rather than being duplicated. If the program is deleted while jacked in, the effect is rather permanent, unless a backup of the Navi has been made. However, for the player, deletion of MegaMan.EXE results in a game over in most circumstances.

In contrast with all other Mega Man series, in which battle and movement through the levels happen in the same setting, Battle Network's combat occurs only through the electronic world by battling viruses. They do not generally appear on the world map of the Net but are usually set as randomly generated encounters in a role-playing game style. The battlefield itself contains 18 squares that only one object may occupy at a time. Those are further divided into two groups of 9, one being space in which MegaMan may move and the other controlled by the enemy and in which MegaMan cannot usefully move. Though, akin to other Mega Man games, MegaMan.EXE possesses an arm cannon, or (Rock/Mega) Buster. It is much less powerful than in other incarnations of the franchise, so in order to eliminate viruses, referred to as deleting, the player must utilize Battle Chips. These are minor programs that contain data that the Navi can utilize in order to perform more powerful attacks, such as sword attacks, summoning other Navis for help, or supportive actions such as healing or destroying movement tiles.

These Battle Chips must be uploaded to MegaMan.EXE by Lan, in a process called "Customization." Uploading is limited to chips of the same variety, such as two sword chips, or chips containing the same identification code (all chips being associated with a letter of the alphabet, with each particular chip having a limited range of possible letters, such as A-F).

At any given time, the player may only have 30 chips in a general pool from which the Customization process may draw from, called a folder or deck (referencing the Customizable Card Games from which this genre developed). However, in addition to these 30 chips, a player may possess any number of other chips in inactive reserve which may be moved to the active folder.

Every chip is aligned to one of five elements, one being particularly effective against a given enemy while others are largely ineffective. Those alignments are: Neutral, Fire, Water, Electric, and Wood (plant).

Many of the enemies in the game will be familiar to veterans of the Mega Man series, such as FireMan, IceMan, GutsMan (all Robot Masters from the original Mega Man game), or Metools (a common enemy throughout the series). Others however, (such as ColorMan [ColoredMan in Japan], and SharkMan) were created just for this game, and its sequels.

Storyline

Throughout the game, Lan and MegaMan.EXE fight off Net Criminals connected to an organization called the WWW ("World Three"). The WWW intentionally infects computer networks with viruses so as to hinder their normal operations and steal vital information. This organization is led by Dr. Wily, the primary villain in the original series and an important figure in both the X and Zero series. According to the storyline, Lan's grandfather worked with Dr. Wily on various projects, though the former specialized in networks (which led to NetNavis) and the latter on robotics. The government cut Wily's funding, opting instead to pursue the NetNavi project. Wily's (the WWW's) goal throughout the game is to collect four super programs with which the LifeVirus ("Dream Virus" in Japan) may be constructed. The LifeVirus is supposedly a nearly indestructible virus capable of wiping out the Net and all associated devices.

During the final confrontation with the WWW, it is revealed the MegaMan.EXE is actually a unique Navi that Lan's scientist father created. Lan had a twin brother, Hub ("Saito"), who died at a young age. Dr. Hikari was able to essentially transfer him into a computer program to become the NetNavi MegaMan.EXE.

Characters

Lan Hikari and MegaMan / Netto ["Net"] Hikari (光熱斗; Hikari Netto) [2] and RockMan

The main characters of the game. Lan is a 5th grader whose father is one of the top scientists and Navi researchers in the world. MegaMan was created by fusing the soul of Hub Hikari (Lan's brother) into a revolutionary NetNavi program designed by their father, which utilized human DNA in order to produce a truly sentient program capable of befriending its operator.

Mayl Sakurai /Meiru ["Mail"] Sakurai (桜井メイル; Sakurai Meiru) [3] and Roll

Mayl is Lan's childhood friend who lives next door to him. She is also sometimes noted as his girlfriend. Roll is her NetNavi, who is based on Roll from the other Mega Man games, though she is not related to Mega Man is this version. Both Mayl and Roll take on a romantic role in the series. She has the ability to attack other Navis with her antennas as well as heal friendly programs. Roll (along with other NetNavis) also takes the form of a Battle Chip which allows her to be summoned for a single, but powerful, attack. It can also heal you.

Yai Ayano / Yaito Ayanokoji (綾小路やいと; Ayanokōji Yaito) and Glyde

Yai is the brilliant daughter of a rich CEO. She is smaller and younger than most of the other characters, yet she is also more intelligent than most of them. Her NetNavi, Glyde, is not suited for battle, and must rely on the rare and powerful battlechips in Yai's collection. His character is based on Glyde from The Misadventures of Tron Bonne.

Dex Ogreon / Dekao Oyama (大山デカオ; Ōyama Dekao) and GutsMan

Dex is somewhat like the school bully, but he is far from being bad. He and Lan become good friends due to the fact that they share the same passion for Net battles. His NetNavi, Guts Man, is bulky and powerful, similar to Guts Man from the original Mega Man game.

Eugene Chaud and ProtoMan / Enzan Ijuuin (伊集院炎山; Ijūin Enzan) and Blues

Chaud is an official "NetBattler," commissioned by the government in order to investigate Net Crimes. Chaud is Lan's primary rival, both working towards a similar goal. This eventually leads to a degree of mutual respect and friendship between the two boys. ProtoMan is based on the same character from the original series, however the design is notably similar to Zero from the X and Zero series (especially his sword based attacks). Like the original character, both ProtoMan and Chaud carry a lone wolf attitude, take umbrage at help, and are convinced of their superior battle technique.

Dr. Wily

The mastermind behind the WWW. He was once a government scientist who worked with Dr. Hikari (Lan's grandfather) until funding was stopped for Wily's robotics research. He began the WWW to get revenge on the entire Net base society. To date, he has died twice in the games, but once his death was faked, and it seems that his second death was false as well, as he has talked to his son Dr. Regal in BN5, two games after his 'death'.

Bass.EXE / Forte.EXE

The so-called 'Super Navi', Bass was created 10 years ago in a secret project, but was later attacked when he was believed to be causing system failures. Surviving, Bass swore vengeance on all humans, and any Navi who dares ally with them. Despite various defeats at the hands of MegaMan, Bass still manages to survive every encounter, and comes back later stronger than ever.

Dr. Yuichiro Hikari (光祐一郎; Hikari Yūichiro) and Dr. Tadashi Hikari (the latter is unnamed until the third game)

The father and grandfather of Lan respectively, they are considered the greatest scientists of their generations, and many expect Lan to follow in their footsteps. Dr Hikari (who isn't given a first name in the U.S. version) invented, among other things, the NaviCustomizer (which does not appear until the third game) and advanced versions of the PET. His father, Dr. Tadashi Hikari, is credited with creating the first PET and programming the first NetNavi.