I have a weird history with the Mega Man Zero games. On the one hand, I really, really like them, which is odd because I skipped the SNES Mega Man games and doesn’t know any of the characters or backstory.
On the other hand, I can’t actually beat the Mega Man Zero games because they’re way too hard.
So this is what happened with me during the GBA era. Whenever I heard a Mega Man Zero game was released, I would get super-excited and buy it immediately. I’d play it for two to three hours, at which point, I would be really close to finishing the first level. Eventually, I’d emerge triumphant with much joy, and some grumbling about how this game seriously needs a tutorial level.
Then, as I started the second level, I’d come to the horrible realization that level one was the tutorial level. That’s when I would stop playing.
So, I’ve played all four Mega Man Zero games, but I’ve never made it past level two on any of them. Even when I pulled out a GameShark and used the Infinite Lives/Energy codes, I still couldn’t get past level two (because the codes don’t make you immune to all the insta-kill traps). Obviously, as I said before, a collection of all four games is basically one game that I will never, ever beat.
Fortunately for me, the Mega Man Zero Collection comes in two modes: Possible or Impossible. I mean, Normal or Easy Mode. The game tries to dissuade the player from choosing Easy Mode by giving you only one save slot for Easy Mode, and eliminating the ability to play the games in any order. Naturally, I ignored these minor problems and started the game on Easy Mode.
There’s a problem, though. Easy Mode is too…easy. It’s basically the same as Ultimate Mode, which means you start the game with every single item (Cyber-Elf), fully-charged weapons, and every life/shield/whatever upgrade. So now when you play the game, it’s kind of…pointless. You can kill the enemies if you want, but there’s no real point in doing so because they won’t drop useful items, and besides, your shields are strong enough that it’s possible to run right through every enemy in a stage without dying. I was hoping for an Easy Mode where enemies do less damage and boss fights are easier, not an Easy Mode that completely eliminates the need to fight enemies.
A criticism of the Mega Man Zero games is that there’s not much to them besides collecting items and fighting enemies. Easy Mode eliminates the ability to collect items, and makes fighting enemies completely unnecessary. So, Easy Mode takes away 90% of the gameplay experience. They might as well just show you all the cutscenes of the game in a row, because that’s all there is that’s left to enjoy. Eventually, I stopped playing because it wasn’t enjoyable to run through all the enemies on the different levels.
From Zero to Hero, in no time flat. From Zero to Hero, just like that.
In conclusion,
1. I like the Mega Man Zero games.
2. But, the Mega Man Zero games are too hard.
3. And, the Mega Man Zero games are too easy on Easy Mode.
So, just like with the Mega Man Zero GBA games, I decided to stop playing after a few hours, and I moved on to a different videogame. The end.
I bought this game the day it was released in the stores. In fact, I waited in the EB Games until it came off the UPS truck then immediately bought it. I need help.
I loved the SNES Mega Man X games. However, they were easy to beat. So the increase in difficulty you described for these games sounds refreshing. Succinct and useful review.
Dood megaman zero games are easy as fuuuck
Completely agree.
I mean… I grew up with the original MM series (the Legacy series, if you will) and I was there when MMX arrived. Can’t tell you how many conversations I had with people who thought that the ‘X’ was the Roman numeral ’10’ and, thus, that the game was ‘Mega Man 10’. Penny Arcade didn’t help matters when they addressed the matter (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/02/24).
I’m digressing…
I loved MMX and I thought MMX2 was, oh…. we’ll call it “Pretty Okay”. Not an atrocious mess, just an unambitious follow-up that was content to just replicate its older sibling with minor changes here ‘n there. I’ve only played X3 minimally but I thought playing as Zero was a step in the right direction and, as X4 showed, somebody over at Capcom ostensibly agreed. X5 was a pretty suitable follow-up / series finale for the MMX world, filled with all sorts of nods and call-backs to things from both the original MM series and the MMX series, until someone at Capcom decided there needed to be an X6.
I’m getting away from MMZero here…
Anyways, MM Zero. I love the aesthetic, I love the idea of the post-apocalyptic world, and there’s some crazy concepts at work but, try as I might to get into the series, I just can’t do it.
I balk at the rating system, for starters. I don’t dig when games evaluate me with permanently damning scores. I’m all for a challenge but let me dictate it – let me replay levels multiple times and let my highest score be the best critique of my skill.
Or, hey, make the rating system an optional one. I don’t like when a game I’ve never played before tells me after I finish the first mission that I was supposed to be running through it at top speed, fighting minimally, taking no damage, rather than treating it like a Mega Man game and taking my time, taking in the scenery, fighting with whatever came my way, etc.
I don’t dig the Cyber Elves. I mean, that’s Capcom’s idea of difficulty tweaking – you can make the game easier on yourself but we’re going to penalize you for not playing the game at top difficulty at all times. And if you want an Easy Mode, as Michael pointed out, they just give you everything and render the game entirely devoid of substance. It’s *too* easy. Where’s the middle ground here? Why not allow you to use the Elves without penalization? Why not throw in a tutorial or two? How about turning off the rating system or making it optional as you accrue skill? Anything, for crying out loud.
I know there are plenty of folks out there who love the MMZ series. I’ve tried, man. I’m sure I’ll try again somewhere down the line.
Let me put a fine point on it:
I don’t think that even GameCola’s very own Mega Master Nathaniel “Why, yes, that *WAS* showofftastic and thank you for noticing!” Hoover could make Mega Man Zero look like an enjoyable experience.
(*whispers with fingers crossed and eyes closed*
please take the bait and do a mmzero video series someday please take the bait and do a mmzero video series someday please take the bait and do a mmzero video series someday)