Mega Man Zero (video game)

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Mega Man Zero
Developer(s)	Inti-Creates
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Platform(s)	Game Boy Advance
Release date	April 26, 2002 November 9, 2002 November 27, 2002
Genre(s)	Platformer
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: E (Everyone)

Mega Man Zero, known in Japan as Rockman Zero (ロックマン ゼロ, Rokkuman Zero^?), is the first installment in the Mega Man Zero series, the fifth series in Capcom's Mega Man video games franchise. It is the first Mega Man platformer to appear on the Game Boy Advance and was released in Japan on April 26, 2002, in North America on November 9, 2002, and in Europe on November 26, 2002.^[1]

Contents 1 Gameplay 1.1 Weapons overview 1.2 Elemental damage 1.3 Cyber Elves 1.4 Ranks 1.5 Modes 2 Story 3 Characters 3.1 Resistance 3.2 Neo Arcadians 4 Development 5 Critical response 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Gameplay

Mega Man Zero is set 100 years after the end of the Mega Man X games and follows the Mega Man staple of side-scrolling platform action. The player takes control of the Mega Man X character Zero and guides him across several missions, defeating a boss near the end.

As is common with Mega Man games touching spikes means instant death (except spikes touched during the limited invincibility period granted by taking damage). Continuing the "tradition" from the Mega Man X series, Zero can cling to walls (albeit he slides down it at a uniform rate), duck, and dash. When clinging onto walls, pressing the jump button and the D-pad in the direction opposite to the wall, makes Zero soar off the wall halfway up the screen (referred to in the manual as wall-kick).^[2]

Unlike previous Mega Man games, instead of separate stages, there is a mostly single interconnected overworld as the Resistance base in the center, where almost every area in the game can be explored freely (a feature that is removed in later Zero games, but returns in Mega Man ZX). In place of the stages is a choice of missions that Zero can undertake in each of the separate areas of the map, and completing one may unlock others.

There are still bosses to fight in these missions, but not every boss is fought near the end of the stage. It's also possible to fail non-critical missions and continue on with the game,^[3] either by using the "Escape Unit" or by choosing to "give up" a mission after losing a life. Doing so marks the mission as a failure, and it will no longer be available; as well the player will miss out on several important items in doing so.

[edit] Weapons overview

The player begins the game with a Resistance handgun and soon acquires Zero's trademark weapon, the Z-Saber. There are two other weapons that the player can acquire: the Shield Boomerang and the Triple Rod. By pressing and holding the button a weapon is assigned to, the player can charge a weapon and use a more powerful attack. There are two charged levels, but the second level can only be unlocked after prolonged use of the weapon. All weapons start off weak, but with constant use, a weapon levels up, unlocking more advanced techniques and abilities.

• Buster Shot - Also known as the Z-Buster, this weapon is a gun with long range distance, but weak attack power. It can be leveled up three times.
• Z-Saber - Zero's trademark weapon. It is short range, but has the most techniques to unlock. It can be leveled up six times, and can be used when walking or dashing.
• Shield Boomerang - Given to the player by Cerveau. This weapon acts as a shield and when charged, can be thrown as a weapon. Zero cannot dash when it is being used, unless he is wall-kicking.
• Triple Rod - A spear-like weapon that can attack in eight directions. Leveling it up will allow the player to extend its length, as well as shorten the length of its charge time. This weapon can be used in all directions when Zero is in the air, however, it can make Zero bounce off enemies if Zero lands on an enemy with the Triple Rod facing down.^[4]

[edit] Elemental damage

As well as levelling a weapon up, the player can use weapons in conjunction with elemental chips that they win from boss battles. There are three in all: Ice, Fire and Thunder, and are effective against certain enemies. The chips only affect a weapon's charged attacks, but are still useful. Furthermore, the elemental chips do 1.5 times the damage of a non-elemental attack if they match the target's vulnerability. For example, Copy X's armor form is weak against Ice, so the Ice chip can be equipped, making it easier to defeat him.

• Thunder Elemental Chip - The first available Elemental Chip. It shocks an enemy and makes them unable to harm Zero for a while. It is effective against enemies with a Fire Elemental Alignment.
• Ice Elemental Chip - Charged attacks freeze and slows an enemy. It is effective against enemies with a Thunder Elemental alignment.
• Fire Elemental Chip - Charged attacks damage an enemy slowly after the initial attack. It is effective against enemies with an Ice Elemental alignment.^[4]

[edit] Cyber Elves

For more details on this topic, see Cyber Elf.

This game also introduces the concept of Cyber Elves, which are single-use aids with either temporary or permanent effects on Zero or the game's levels. They are hidden throughout the game as well as dropped by enemies. The use of Cyber Elves penalizes the mission score. There are four types of Cyber Elves:

• Nurse - These are concerned with improving Zero's health, by increasing the life energy gauge, giving a subtank or dropping life energy.

• Animal - These primarily concerned with improving Zero's abilities. They can help boost agility and some provide backup support during battle.

• Hacker - These are capable of rewriting Area and Mission data. Some are capable of cutting the level Boss' HP in half, others turn all enemies into Mettaurs or remove them entirely. There are some that can remove the danger of one-hit-kill zones such as spikes and lava permanently, or raise rank to A for one level.

• Rare - This hidden Cyber Elf (Jackson) can only be obtained by completing the game after all of the other cyber elves are found, fed to their maximum level, or 'grown up', and none have been used. This Elf operates by holding A for a couple seconds until Zero is changing colors. While Zero is Changing colors, he is invincible to all enemies and damage zones, but also can't pick up items or use doors or Transervers.

Some elves can only be used once fed energy crystals lying around or from defeated enemies.^[5][1]

[edit] Ranks

At the end of each level, the player is scored on their actions throughout the game. The results are split up as follows:

• Mission - How well the mission was completed, usually passing or failing.
• Clear Time - How quickly the mission was completed.
• Enemy - How many enemies were destroyed in the mission.
• Damage - How much damage was taken during the mission.
• Retry - How many times the mission was retried (akin to how many lives were lost).
• Elf - How many and how advanced Elves were used. The less, the better. Elves with permanent effects will continuously penalize Zero for the rest of the game.^[2][6]

The total, out of 100, is graded with a lettered rank - S, A, B, C, D, E or F. It's also accompanied by a codename determined by actions taken. Interesting to note is that an elf is hidden in Ciels room (the door behind Ciel that is locked) if an A or S rank has been gained

Bosses have special attacks that they only use if the player is of S or A rank. ^[2]

[edit] Modes

When the game is beaten, a "New Game Plus" can be played by loading the completed save file. In the new game, Zero will start with all activated Cyber Elves used from the previous game still in effect (the penalties, however, will still remain).^[7][6][8]

By meeting certain criteria, three additional modes can be unlocked:

• Hard Mode is unlocked by beating the game once. To play, hold L when selecting to start a New Game. In Hard Mode, Zero's weapons cannot level up or become elemental.^[7][6][8]

• Jackson Mode is unlocked by beating every mission in Hard Mode at A rank or better, and also collecting and powering up every Cyber Elf. In Jackson Mode, Zero starts with every Cyber Elf including Jackson. ^[7][6][9]

• Ultimate Mode is unlocked by beating the game after using every Cyber Elf, including Jackson. To play, hold R when selecting to start a New Game. Ultimate Mode starts Zero off with all Cyber Elves with permanent effects already in use and without penalty. Also, all of Zero's weapons are at full power, and he can use full-charge attacks instantly by means of simplistic button combos.^[7][6][8]

[edit] Story

The story begins with a human scientist named Ciel and her reploid companions being chased through an underground lab. Their relentless pursuers are mass produced X look-a-likes called Pantheons, among other terrible machines. After heavy losses, Ciel and the remaining resistant troops arrive at a sealed chamber containing Zero who has been powered down for 100 years.

After sleeping for a hundred years, Zero awakens to a world where reploids are being constantly accused of being Mavericks and systematically "retired", apparently under the direction of X himself. Assisting Ciel in her escape from the lab, Zero begins his fight against X's utopia, Neo Arcadia, and its Four Guardians: Harpuia, Leviathan, Fefnir, and Phantom.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Resistance

• Zero - Hero. Playable character.
• Ciel - Human scientist. Talk to her to save data or accept missions.
• Alouette - Reploid girl taken care of by Ciel.
• Andrew - Old Reploid. Players obtain a cyber elf and energy crystals from listening to his stories. His name & elements of his backstory were inspired by The Bicentennial Man by Isaac Asimov.
• Cerveau - Reploid engineer. Players obtain the Shield Boomerang and Triple Rod from him.
• Colbor - Reploid that needs rescuing.
• Milan - Reploid that dies in the first scene.

[edit] Neo Arcadians

• Copy X - Ruler/Defender of Neo Arcadia.
• Harpuia - Leader of the Rekku Army. He is one of Copy X's Generals.
• Fefnir - Leader of the Jin'en Army. The second of Copy X's Generals.
• Leviathan - Leader of the Meikai Army. The only female among Copy X's Generals.
• Phantom - Leader of the Zan'ei Army. One of Copy X's Generals and fiercely loyal to him.
• Golem - The boss of the "Protect Ciel" mission (introduction stage). It has no elemental weakness, but it is weak to Z-saber.
• Aztec Falcon - The boss of the "Destroy Disposal Center" mission. He has a weakness to ice (probably). He drops the Thunder Elemental Chip upon being defeated.
• Pantheon Core - Boss of the "Destroy The Train" mission. Weak against thunder.
• Anubis Necromancess III - A boss found in the "Find The Shuttle" mission. He has a weakness to fire. You have to fight him again in the "Neo Arcadia Core" mission.
• Maha Ganeshariff - The elephantine boss of the "Retrieve Data" mission. He is weak to thunder. You have to fight him again in the "Neo Arcadia Core" mission.
• Orochi Arm - Boss of the "Occupy Factory" mission. It has no elemental weakness. It drops the Fire Elemental Chip upon being defeated.
• Giant Mechaniloid - Boss of the "Detain Giant Mechaniloid" mission. No elemental weakness.
• Blizzack Staggroff - The boss of the "Find Hidden Base" mission. Weak against fire. He drops the Ice Elemental Chip upon being defeated. You have to fight him a second time in the "Neo Arcadia Core" mission.
• Hanumachine - Leads the invasion of the Resistance Base after all the regular missions have been completed ("Defend Resistance Base" mission). He is weak to thunder.
• Twin mobiles - The mini-bosses in the "Neo Arcadia Shrine" mission.
• Asura Bazura - A multi-armed mini-boss found in the "Neo Arcadia Shrine" mission. He is weak to thunder.
• Herculious Anchortus - The Final Boss of the "Neo Arcadia Shrine" mission. He is weak to ice.
• Rainbow Devil - Boss of the "Neo Arcadia Tower" mission. No elemental weakness.

[edit] Development

The first screenshot from the game first appeared on IGN on 22 January 2002.^[10] With the screenshots came information that the game would feature an "Admiration System" that records how many enemies the player defeated, how much energy was lost and how much time it was taken to clear a level. This would later become the Rank System.

A copy of the game appeared at the 15th Next Generation World Hobby Fair in Japan on 28 January 2002, where the main plot was revealed. The game mechanics appeared to be near complete, though Gamespot did complain that the button configuration felt uncomfortable.^[11] At the time, Ciel's English version name was incorrectly stated to be Shelly.

The Cyber Elf, Passy, was present in the demo, but details on the Cyber Elf System were only revealed on 26 March 2002.^[12]

From them on, news updates consisted mainly of new screenshots.^[13] Mega Man Zero appeared in the E3 show in 2002 and it was then that the name, Neo Arcadia, was first introduced.^[14] The Official Capcom webpage for the game first appeared in June and promised a system to give players bragging rights and that the game would contain seventy Cyber-Elves to collect.^[15]

[edit] Critical response

Mega Man Zero was the first new Game Boy Advance Mega Man game to go back to the traditional 2D platforming action of its prior series, and the game earned much praise for returning "to its roots".^[1] Overall, the game gained an average rating of 82 out of 100^[16] and a favourable reception, despite its difficulty.

Reviewers across the board agreed that the game was the most difficult in the series,^[16][17][3] with one reviewer suggesting that it is not for younger or casual players.^[18] Avi Fryman of GameSpy.com states that the ability to give up on missions and still continue the game is a sensible feature of Mega Man Zero^[3], whereas IGN states that given the difficulty of the game, no one would call a player "cheap" if they were to use the newly introduced Cyber Elf system to make boss fights easier.^[1]

Overall, the Cyber Elf System earned a lukewarm response, though many did acknowledge that it made an otherwise difficult game easier.^[3][1]

Common complaints with the game were slow down,^[17] "unseen deathtraps"^[3] and being required to make blind jumps.^[1] These, however, did not seem to detract much from the gaming experience as reviewers tended to recommend the game in their conclusions.^[16]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Mega Man Website at Capcom

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