Mega Man Zero 3
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| Mega Man Zero 3 | |
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| Developer(s) | Capcom |
| Publisher(s) | Capcom |
| Release date(s) | April 23, 2004 (JP) October 5, 2004 (US) September 3, 2004 (EU) |
| Genre(s) | Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone |
| Platform(s) | Game Boy Advance |
| Media | Cartridge |
Mega Man Zero 3 (???????3 Rokkuman Zero 3?, Rockman Zero 3) is the third video game in the Mega Man Zero series of Mega Man video games from Capcom.
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[edit] Gameplay overview
This game follows almost the exact same rules as its predecessor, Mega Man Zero 2. Once again, Zero has his Z-Saber, Buster, and Shield Boomerang. However, Zero's rod weapon (originally the Triple Rod in Mega Man Zero and the Chain Rod in Mega Man Zero 2) has been replaced with the Recoil Rod: a pair of tonfa-like weapons that can be aimed in all directions. When charged up, a powerful stabbing attack is performed, which can knock enemies back, or propel Zero into the air if aimed down to the ground, like a makeshift pogo stick.
The Cyber Elf system has been given an overhaul with the introduction of Satellite Cyber Elves. These are different from the standard Cyber Elves, which have been renamed "Fusion Elves", in that they are equipped for a constant benefit, and the use of them will not affect the mission ranking score. However, only two Satellite Elves can be equipped at once. Going through a door into Cyberspace automatically activates them or any Fusion Elves the player might have equipped.
Cyberspace is a new addition to the game. It is said by one Resistance Member that the portal to Cyberspace opened up due to Omega's arrival. Going through the door to Cyberspace leads the player into an area that looks exactly like the one in which they left but with a green tinge to it. Enemy appearances are less frequent and if a transfer of info from a Mega Man Battle Network 4/Mega Man Zero 3 link has been performed, certain virus enemies from the Battle Network Series will appear. However, going into Cyberspace decreases the mission ranking score, making it more difficult to obtain an S or A Rank, which is needed in order to win EX Skills off the end-of-stage bosses.
[edit] Secret Disks
Throughout the game, enemies may drop Secret Disks. Each may contain information about the Mega Man Zero series, enemy information, Cyber Elves, energy capsules, energy crystals or even customization chips.
Many can be opened by Zero himself, mostly the disks containing Cyber Elves, but others are locked and the player will have to take them to Cerveau in order to open them. Once opened, their info will be stored in a Secret Disk library featured within the game.
[edit] Customization Chips
The Forms system from Mega Man Zero 2 has been replaced with Customization Chips. These can be found in Secret Disks and come in three types - head, body or legs. Only one of each type of chip can be equipped at a time i.e. if one head chip has been equipped, you cannot equip another head chip, but can still equip a foot chip and a body chip. This gives the player more flexibility in customizing Zero.
These Chips give direct upgrades to Zero's head, body or legs, and can be used to reproduce the effects of the various Forms that Zero could take in Mega Man Zero 2. As with the Forms in this game's predecessor, Zero can take on different colours when different body chips are equipped.
[edit] Extras
As with other Mega Man Zero games, beating the game will allow you to play the completed save file again in a "New Game Plus". Zero will start with all Fusion Elves used from the previous game still in effect (although he'll still be penalized for their use). Zero will also get to keep any EX attacks and body chips that he earned in the previous game.
Hard Mode can be unlocked after completing the game once. It can be accessed by pressing the L shoulder button before pressing Start while selecting a New Game. In Hard Mode, Cyber Elves cannot be used and Cyberspace cannot be accessed (save for one specific level). Zero's triple-slash and full-charge shot are also disabled, and he cannot earn EX attacks.
Ultimate mode can be unlocked by collecting all of the Secret Disks in one game and beating it. Hold R when starting a New Game to play. In Ultimate Mode, Zero starts with all Fusion Elves with permanent effects (such as the Elves that extend the life meter) already in use and without penalty in mission scores. Zero will also have a few body parts available from the start, including the Ultima Foot chip. Finally, Zero can use full-charge attacks instantly by means of simplistic button combos.
There are also seven mini games that can be selected from on the game's Start Menu. They are all unlocked after certain criteria have been met:
- Zero mini-game - Beat the game once (in any mode).
- Ciel mini-game - Beat the game with S ranking on all missions.
- Copy X mini-game - Using your previous save game, finish the game again in Hard Mode.
- Fefnir mini-game - Complete all missions with 100 points.
- Harpuia mini-game - Complete the game with S ranking on all missions, using only the Z Saber.
- Leviathan mini-game - Complete all missions with 100 points.
- Phantom mini-game - Complete the game with S ranking on all missions, using only the Buster Shot.
[edit] Story
At the start of the third game, the following synopsis of the first few games is shown:
The legendary reploid Zero awoke from a long slumber... With Ciel's resistance he defeated Copy X, the ruler of Neo Arcadia. The terror of the Neo Arcadian regime ended, but the energy shortage remained a constant problem. Ciel devoted herself to researching new forms of energy. And Elpizo became the newly appointed resistance leader. However, overcome by his desire for power, Elpizo awakened the Dark Elf, whose magic had once nearly destroyed the world. Elpizo thirsting for the power of the Dark Elf, lost sight of his true duty, and was finally defeated after a fierce battle. However, the Dark Elf fled, her destination unknown.. The battle has just begun...
The third game starts 2 months after the events of the second. A recently crashed spaceship emits energy similar to the Dark Elf, and Zero sets out to investigate. Not long into the mission Ciel and a pair of resistance members are captured by Neo Arcadia as Zero enters the ship. But they are not harmed, nor are they held prisoner, as an incident breaks out involving a giant reploid named Omega that not even Leviathan and Fefnir combined can handle. Zero interupts the battle and is left to handle things on his own. Soon thereafter a Dr. Weil is introduced, as well as a new Copy X who has reclaimed leadership of Neo Arcadia, much to the chagrin of Harpuia.
After a missile is launched at a densely populated area to enable Omega to capture the Dark Elf, Zero goes off to fight Copy X and defeats him. But before Copy X can transform again, he is betrayed and killed by a trap placed on his body by Weil.
With Copy X out of the way, Weil asummes command of Neo Arcadia and uses the Dark Elf and Omega to seize control of all Reploids. After Zero destroys both Baby Elves, he heads to destroy Omega's Dark Elf enhanced form, defeating the Reploid twice. From the remains of Omega, however, rises a Reploid that looks just like Zero and at that moment, Weil informs Zero he is merely a copy and that Omega inhabits Zero's original body.
After Zero and Omega do battle, X appears and confirms to Zero that they fought against and sealed Omega centuries ago. Before Weil can force the Dark Elf to rejoin with "Omega", the Guardians appear and further damage him. Eventually Zero makes the decision to finish him off, regardless of him being inside Zero's real body. In the explosion, Zero is knocked out and sees visions of X. He tells Zero that he is out of power and can no longer exist in the human world. He is confident Zero can protect the world from now on and fades away (presumed to have retired to Cyberspace). The fate of the Guardians, while not shown, is revealed by official materials to have died in the explosion (Rockman Zero Official Complete Works artbook).
Zero's unconscious body is brought back to the Resistance Base by the Dark Elf. With Weil's defeat, the curse placed upon the Dark Elf (now known as Mother Elf) is broken and she flies away.
But losing Omega and Mother Elf still didn't change the fact that Weil was now undisputed ruler of Neo Arcadia. The humans living there would soon realize the wrath of Dr. Weil.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Resistance
- Zero - Hero
- Ciel - Energy Researcher
- Alouette - Reploid girl that looks after Cyberelves
- Cerveau - Reploid weapons researcher
[edit] Neo Arcadia
- Dr. Weil - Main antagonist.
- The Guardians/Shitennou - Consisting of Harpuia, Fefnir and Leviathan, these characters only make plot-related appearances. You do not fight them in the game.
- Dark Elf/Mother Elf
- Omega - Boss of the opening stage and the Final Boss. He is the only Final Boss in the Zero Series to have three different forms.
- Copy X Mk II - Boss of the X-2 Area stage. He uses the same fighting technique as in Mega Man Zero. Defeating him at A or S rank rewards you with the "Reflect Laser" ability.
- Creer & Preer/Crea & Prea - Bosses of the Missile Stage and the Sub-Arcadia stage. They share a life meter, so hitting one damages the other.
- Hachishinkan/Weil's Numbers
- Blazin' Flizard - Boss of the Volcano stage. Uses fire elemental attacks. Is weak to any Thunder Element attacks. Defeating him will give you the Fire Body chip, and if you're at A or S Rank, the Blast Shot ability.
- Childre Inarabitta - Boss of the Submerged Highway stage. Uses ice elemental attacks. Is weak against Fire Element attacks. Defeating him will give you the Ice Body chip, and if you're at A or S rank, the Giant Ice Blade ability.
- Deathtanz Mantisk - Boss of the Residential Area stage. He has no elemental strengths or weaknesses. Defeating him will give you the Light Body Chip, and if you're at A or S rank, the Rock Smasher ability.
- Glacier Le Cactank - Boss of the Snow Wasteland stage. Uses ice elemental attacks. Is weak to Fire Elemental Attacks. Defeating him gives you the "Spike" Leg Chip, and if you're at A or S rank, the Circle Shield ability.
- Devilbat Schilt - Boss of the factory stage. Is weak to any Ice element attacks. Defeating him will give you the "Lightning" Body Chip, and if you're at A or S rank, the Rakusaiga ability.
- Cubit Foxtar - Boss of the Energy Facility stage. Uses flame element attacks. Defeating this boss will give you the Double Jump leg chip and, if at A or S rank, the Soul Launcher ability.
- Tretesta Kelverian - Boss of the Elevator Shaft stage. Has no elemental weakness. Defeating him gives you the Absorber Body chip and, if at A or S rank, the Shinkuu Reppuugeki ability.
- Volteel Biblio - Boss of the Submerged Library stage. Uses thunder elemental attacks and is weak to ice element attacks. Defeating him gives you the "Shadow Dash" leg chip and, if at A or S rank, the V-shot ability.
- Anubis Necromancess V - Boss of the desert stage. His attacks are similar to the version of him that appeared in Mega Man Zero, but stronger and faster. He is weak to ice elemental attacks. Defeating him at A or S rank will give you the Crawl Shield ability.
- Blizzack Staggroff R - Boss of the Ice Frontline stage. His attacks are similar to the version of him that appeared in Mega Man Zero, but stronger and faster. He is weak to fire elemental attacks. Defeating him at A or S rank will give you the Blizzard Arrow ability.
- Hanumachine R - Boss of the forest stage. His attacks are similar to the version of him that appeared in Mega Man Zero, but stronger and faster. He is weak to thunder elemental attacks. Defeating him at A or S rank will give you the Tenretsujin ability.
- Phantom - A secret boss that appears in the Under Arcadia stage behind a door that only appears in Cyberspace. Defeating him gives you the "Ultima Foot" Leg chip.
[edit] Critical response
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A common comment made by reviews of the game is that Mega Man Zero 3 is similar to its predecesors and hasn't changed much in terms of gameplay [1] [2]. Reviewers complain often about the difficulty level of this game's predecessors and were quick to praise the game's difficulty level for being more forgiving but still challenging [3].
[edit] Reference
- ^ Craig Harris. IGN: Mega Man Zero 3 Review. IGN. Retrieved on 25 August 2006.
- ^ Frank Provo. Mega Man Zero 3 for Gameboy Advance review. Gamespot. Retrieved on 25 August 2006.
- ^ Nadia Oxford. Mega Man Zero 3 GBA review. 1up.com. Retrieved on 25 August 2006.
