Mega Man Zero (video game)

Mega Man Zero, known in Japan as Rockman Zero (ロックマンゼロ), is the first game in the Mega Man Zero series for the Game Boy Advance, released in 2002.

Gameplay
Mega Man Zero closely follows the gameplay of its predecessors. Players navigate Zero through difficult obstacles and terrain whilst combating Mavericks. However, as the game exclusively follows Zero, the character does not gain a new weapon system with each boss he/she defeats. Instead, the player may gain Elemental Chips of Fire, Ice and Thunder, absolutely simplifying the concept of janken. Fire&gt;Ice&gt;Thunder&gt;Fire. The character is equipped at the very beginning of the game with the Buster Shot Gun (not to be confused with the arm-mounted Z Buster from the X series). As always, Zero is equipped with the Z-Saber, a close range energy sword weapon. In addition, Zero can obtain new weapons such as the Shield Boomerang and Triple Rod. The player is able to upgrade these weapons through levels, increasing their capabilities.

The game introduces the 'Rank' system. The player will start at Rank F, but can raise their rank up to E, D, C, B, A and S as represented from poor to excellent. If fighting a boss whilst in A or S rank, they will unleash a special attack. Your rank will differ on how well you complete a mission, such as time taken, accuracy and enemies defeated.

In addition, the game brings in the concept of Cyber-elves, small, spirit-like entities that can improve Zero's abilities, change the terrain and enemies. However, once a Cyber-elf is used, it cannot be used again. Cyber-elves also penalize the player's overall score and rank.

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).

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 takes 50% more damage from enemies, cannot use Cyber Elves, and his weapons cannot level up or become elemental.
 * Jackson Mode is unlocked by beating every mission in Hard Mode at A rank or better and collecting every cyber elf, or collecting and powering up every Cyber Elf. In Jackson Mode, Zero starts with every Cyber Elf including Jackson.
 * 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.

Story
Over a century after Sigma's defeat in the Mega Man X series, a new government called Neo Arcadia was formed to maintain peace. The leaders of Neo Arcadia began hunting down Reploids unjustly labeling them as Mavericks. Now the only hope for the Reploid is a legendary Reploid named Zero. Feeling that the Reploids were being wrongly accused, Ciel flees from Neo Arcadia and creates a Resistance against Neo Arcadia.

The game begins as Ciel and a small group of resistance soldiers is being hunted by Pantheons and Golems. Some of the resistance soldiers fall behind, but they can't stop their advance. Pursued, Ciel reaches a huge door. Passy, her Cyber-elf says: "I feel strong energy emanating from here. This must be the place." After that, soldiers blow up the door, and Ciel, Passy and Milan enter the room, with Zero's lifeless body in the middle of room, inactive for 100 years. Milan tries to touch it, but he is knocked back by energy shield that protects Zero. While they try to figure out how to bypass the shield, Pantheons appear at the door. Milan orders Ciel to run, and dies, being hit by one of the Pantheons. Passy tells to Ciel: "You have to use my power. You have no choice." Ciel thinks while Pantheons come closer and closer, and agrees sadly. Passy's sacrifice breaks the energy shield and brings Zero back to life. He helps Ciel, and learns that X (although actually a copy) is the one responsible for innocent Reploids being retired.

Bosses
Of important note is that due to differences in the standards held in this series, the bosses of MMZ1 are at least not considered Mavericks, although their status as such can be debatable. Also, if the player has rank A or S, they will have an extra attack.

First boss: Golem

Second boss: Aztec Falcon

Mission bosses:
 * Maha Ganeshariff
 * Pantheon Core
 * Guard Orotic
 * Anubis Necromancess III
 * Blizzack Staggroff
 * Hittite Hottide
 * Hanumachine
 * Asura Basura
 * Herculious Anchortus
 * Rainbow Devil

The Four Guardians:
 * Sage Harpuia
 * Hidden Phantom
 * Fighting Fefnir
 * Fairy Leviathan

Final Boss: Copy X

Trivia

 * With EX Skills debuting only until the next game, this is the first installment in the "original" timeline that the character doesn't learn skills from defeated Bosses.
 * There is a small reference to Star Wars near the beginning of the game. When Zero says he can't remember anything, Ciel says "Just relax for a moment. You have hibernation sickness."
 * The Repliforce symbol appears in the yellow submarines in Fairy Leviathan's mission, Stop the Hacking.
 * Originally, when it was planned to be released after Mega Man X5, the villain was supposed to be the original X, not Copy X.
 * Three of the Neo Arcadian Guardians appear to be based off of the various armors X obtained in his series. Harpuia most likely may have been modeled after the Falcon Armor due to his flight ability and bird motif. Fenfir appears to be based off of the Gaea Armor due to his heavy firepower. Lastly, Phantom may have been based off of the Shadow Armor due to its obvious ninja motif and saber weapons.
 * Zero's theme from Mega Man X can be heard as the theme for the first level.
 * This game is, chronologically speaking (based on the series timeline), the first game in the Mega Man series, to not feature Boss information when taking on a mission (strictly speaking, the Mega Man Legends series was first, since they were designed before the Zero series).