Capcom has declared it is ready to make the leap into third-dimensional gaming by modernizing its longest-running series. Mega Man Neo is an upcoming PlayStation-exclusive adventure that totally reimagines this legendary franchise. Moving beyond the traditional side-scroller fare of yester-year, this entry unfolds across lush, polygonal environments packed with villages, storefronts, and motion-captured cinematic scenes. To be certain, this is far more than a simple visual upgrade. It's a total overhaul. Locales will be fully explorable in this lively adventure, where a younger, helmetless iteration of the Blue Bomber can interact with townsfolk and purchase energy drinks. Action and combat retain the overall intense feel of the original titles in a 3-D setting, meaning players will still be hunting down bosses to unlock new abilities and weapons.

Mega Man will be charged with all varieties of tasks and missions from stealing secret treasures to eliminating venomous serpents in a dark cavern. Boss fights are enormous and captivating as well, leaving us totally hooked and ready to play on. Judging by the tech demo, much care has been taken to avoid the pitfalls of games like Bomberman 64 by offering an intuitive camera system in conjunction with transparency effects to ensure walls never block your view. Time will tell if this reinvention of a classic formula will perform (and review) better than the aforementioned example, but the signs are promising.