Mega Man ZX Advent

Mega Man ZX Advent, known in Japan as Rockman ZX Advent (ロックマンゼクスアドベント), is a video game developed by Inti Creates and published by Capcom for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It is the sequel to Mega Man ZX. Taking place a few years after the events of the first game, Mega Man ZX Advent follows two new protagonists, Grey and Ashe, as they battle with various enemy "Mega Men", the infamous "Model W", and their own destinies.^[6]

The title plays very similarly to its predecessor with a multitude of expansions, including twice as many playable forms. Also different from its predecessor is the North American localization which now includes a full English voice cast.^[7] However, the European localization includes a partial English voice cast and Japanese UI selectable via Firmware. The game was first released in Japan on July 12, 2007. The North American version was released on October 23, 2007. It was released in Europe on February 29, 2008, and in Australia on March 5, 2008.

Characters

Advent features a very large cast of characters both new to the series and returning from the first ZX, including the two main protagonists, eight Mega Men, the Sage Trinity, and eight Pseudoroids. A majority of the cast is playable by copying their forms with A-Trans, and thus, these characters are outlined in detail below in the corresponding sections.

• The Sage Trinity are the ruling triumvirate of Legion. Their names are Master Thomas (マスター・トーマス, Masutā Tōmasu) (a red-haired tall man), Master Albert (マスター・アルバート, Masutā Arubāto) (a blue-haired tall sage), and Master Mikhail (マスター・ミハイル, Masutā Mihairu) (a short man). They were originally human, but in order to continue ruling Legion extended their lives through cybernetics. Unbeknownst to Thomas and Mikhail, Albert is the original creator of Model W and betrays them in order to gather various Model Ws in the world to form the ultimate Biometal, Ouroboros. Using it, he intends to rule a new world as its god. Their names are identical to Dr. Thomas Light, Dr. Mikhail Cossack and Dr. Albert Wily from the original Mega Man games. It should be noted that Master Albert, named after Dr. Wily, ended up revealing himself as the game's true antagonist, just like his namesake of the original series.
• Prometheus and Pandora are two characters returning from the first ZX. In this title, their origins are revealed as sibling creations of Master Albert. In order to enforce their loyalty, Albert gave them limited lifespans that require them to return to capsules to rest. Since their creation, they have been ordered to seek out the strongest Mega Man, but their bitterness toward their creator has led them to create their own agenda. They hope to use Grey/Ashe to bring them closer to Albert and, ultimately, destroy him and everything he has ever worked on. (In the dialogue they say they intend to "go out with a bang", suggesting that "everything Albert has worked on" includes themselves.") Unlike in Mega Man ZX, you only fight this pair once, although you see them several times.

Mega Men

Humans/Reploids chosen as the Biometals' "Biomatch" are regarded as Mega Men (regardless of the person's gender). Several enemy Mega Men appear throughout the course of Advent who possess the Biometals used from the first ZX.^[8] By defeating them in battle, Grey/Ashe is able to copy their forms via A-Trans, but they never actually attain the Biometals.

• Aeolus (ヘリオス, Heriosu, Helios in the Japanese version) is the Biomatch for Model H, the Wind Mega Man. Aeolus is a perfectionist and thus very condescending. He views the world's chaos as a result of ignorance. Model H is modeled after Harpuia of the Mega Man Zero series. The form excels in aerial combat, and two large sabers can be used to summon shockwaves and electrified tornadoes, which can pass through walls. Grey's charged attack shoots out two hurricanes that part, one going up, and the other going down, and Ashe's charged attack shoots out two hurricanes that go forward and back.
• Atlas (アトラス, Atorasu)is the Biomatch for Model F, the Flame Mega Man. She was originally a soldier for a country destroyed by Mavericks, and plays the Game of Destiny to speed up the evolutionary process. Model F is modeled after Fefnir of the Mega Man Zero series. This form is able to customize two busters to alter the direction of each busters' trajectory. Furthermore, the player can fire projectiles or punch horizontally and vertically, giving Model F more range than most forms. Grey's charged shot is a ball of fire, and he can send fiery tremors across the ground, and Ashe's charged blast is a bomb that explodes upon impact.
• Thetis (テティス, Tetisu, Tethys in the Japanese version) is the Biomatch for Model L, the Ice Mega Man. On the surface, Thetis is a kind, normal boy, but hides a radically environmentalist agenda. Model L is modeled after Leviathan of the Mega Man Zero series. This form excels in underwater combat with the ability to swim for an unlimited duration and battle with a large staff called the Halberd. Grey's charged attack produces a dragon made of ice from his halberd, and Ashe's charged attack produces a floating block of ice that can be broken to make projectiles.
• Siarnaq (シャルナク, Sharunaku) is the Biomatch for Model P, the Shadow Mega Man. Siarnaq is exceedingly cold and machinelike in his demeanor, always speaking in a robotic monotone, which is apparently due to incidents in his past, which include betrayal and being left for dead. Model P is modeled after Phantom of the Mega Man Zero series. This form utilizes kunai and shuriken, and is given a wider field of vision in dark rooms than other forms. Grey's charged attack is a sharp spinning kunai that shoots out and repels off walls, and Ashe's charged attack protects her with spinning purple blades.
• The protagonists of the first ZX title also returns: Vent (ヴァン, Van) (who appears in Ashe's game) and Aile (エール, Ēru) (who appears in Grey's game). These two are also seeking Model W to destroy it, and after a misunderstanding, they become allies with Grey/Ashe, aiding in the infiltration of Ouroboros. The two characters are still equipped with Model X and Model Z, and by using them simultaneously, transform into the form of Model ZX. This form retains all of its abilities from the first ZX, including a chargeable buster similar to Model A's, and a fast-slashing saber for close-range melee combat. New to ZX Advent, Model ZX can perform a special sword attack akin to those performed by Zero. When Vent's form is copied, Rising Fang (an jumping upward slash move) is acquired; when Aile's form is copied, Fission (a diving stab move) is acquired.

Pseudoroids

The eight Pseudoroids can also become playable upon destroying them in battle.^[9] Although the Biometal forms all use similar abilities (such as dashing and wall climbing), the Pseudoroid forms vary greatly in basic movement and abilities. There are two Pseudoroids to represent each element (fire, ice, and electricity) and two with no element, akin to the first ZX title.

Gameplay

Many of the elements from the first ZX return in this title, including the expansive 2D world and several missions and collection side-quests. However, many features have been expanded and improved upon from the previous title. The amount of transformations have doubled, and the map system—which was difficult to read in the first title—has been enhanced to reflect the actual shape of the area and to show the character's position on it. The Overdrive Invoke System has also been removed from Advent, and Model A is now the only character capable of performing a super attack. Instead, most of the transformations' abilities now deplete the BM (Biometal) Gauge, which constantly refills at a gradual pace.

A screenshot depicting Grey battling on the train to Legion.

The only Biometal received is Model A, which is based on Master Albert, according to its maker-Master Albert himself. This model has the ability to copy the form of several boss characters defeated throughout the course of the game by using A-Trans. The touch screen on the DS can be set to display buttons for each transformation, allowing the character to change their forms with a simple touch of the screen. The ordering of the buttons can also be customized. The methods of transforming from the first ZX are also retained.

The players begin the game in their normal forms (Reploid for Grey and Human for Ashe) and can revert to them at any time. Unlike the first ZX title, Grey/Ashe is given a weak buster gun. The only advantages to using the default forms are being able to crouch under obstacles and through small spaces, as well as floating along water's surface.^[10]

Shortly after, the player receives Model A, a quirky and sometimes cowardly Biometal. Given two large hand cannons, this form is designed for long-range combat. A scope is used to target several enemies simultaneously and release homing shots. Furthermore, the Giga Crush is an ability that will rapidly attack several enemies on the screen at the cost of an entire BM gauge and everything around the player's character^[11]

Other features

Advent features several difficulty settings. Beginner simplifies the gameplay by weakening enemy's defenses and attacks and disabling instant-defeat obstacles among other things. By completing the game on Normal, Expert mode can be unlocked, and upon completing it, an extended ending can be viewed.

The Database from the first ZX returns. Eighty-five secret disks are scattered throughout the game with descriptions and images of the characters and enemies in the game. Several special disks are also featured, including an image of the infamous North American box art for the original NES game. Along with the secret disks, there are several equippable chip items that can enhance the players abilities, such as preventing the effects of wind and ice on the player's footing. A hidden room in the game will also give the player special items for each month of the year.

Furthermore, 24 medals can be collected depending on how the eight Pseudoroids are defeated in battle. Gold, silver, and bronze medals can be received for each Pseudoroid depending on the difficulty of the task involved. Tasks sometimes include what attack or form the enemy is defeated with, what part of their body is attacked, or the amount of time they're defeated in.

The game features a few unlockable mini-games. Quiz Advent requires the player to identify twenty characters with three visual obstructions. A mini-game from the first title, Gem Buster is now only playable between two players over an ad hoc network. Two boss mini-games called Survival Road and Boss Battle can be unlocked. Finally, Mega Man a (the "a" standing for "ancient" or "antique") is an imitation of the original 8-bit Mega Man games on the Nintendo Entertainment System using ZX characters and music.

Audio

Rockman ZX Advent Soundtrack -ZXA Tunes- is the second remastered soundtrack album to be released for the Mega Man ZX series released on August 30, 2007 by Inti Creates. Unlike the first soundtrack, ZX Tunes, which was first released in limited numbers, ZXA Tunes was released nationwide immediately in Japan. Capcom's online store also provided a limited edition bonus for pre-ordering the soundtrack: a ZX Advent mousepad featuring ZXA heroine Ashe "crashing" in ZX hero Vent's pad.^[12]

Rockman ZX Soundsketch "ZX Gigamix" is the third album to be created for the Mega Man ZX series, released on April 30, 2008 by Inti Creates. Among the album are Soundsketches and ZX portraits; these are drama tracks that provide insight to events in the Mega Man ZX series. Composer Ippo Yamada explains a Soundsketch as "when you listen carefully in a room that seems silent, you can hear all sorts of sounds like the hum of appliances, the tick of a clock and the environment outside the window." ^[13]

Reception

Critical reaction to the game has been positive. IGN stated, "It's a fairly long and deep experience, though it's by no means a perfect game. However, the good certainly outweighs the bad, and we can't help but recommend this game as a result."^[20] GameSpot cited the main problem as the game's difficulty being a bit too high for the casual gamer.^[19]

Mega Man ZX Advent was the tenth-best-selling game in Japan during its release week at 21,379 units sold.^[23] 63,977 units of the game were sold in the region by the end of 2007.^[24]

References

External links

• Official website (in Japanese)
• Official blog (in Japanese)