Although I get really frustrated by the lack of design and story in this installment of M&M, I still find the game stangely addictive! I got 'into' the M&M series when it made its revival with M&M6. This was one of my greatest game experiences ever and made me the RPG buff I am today.
However, the series HAS dropped in quality like a 300 pound guy without a parachute. M&M 7 was still good, but 8 was a cheap money-maker. And now 9 is the same, a technically lacking game which crashes almost every time!
My ranking:
M&M 6 (by a landslide)
M&M 7
...large gap
M&M 9
M&M 8
I would like to see a M&M 10, but not like this.