Developer: Inti
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Platform
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 04 Oct 04

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Overview

The Mega Man series has always been known as one of the more popular series to make their way onto the video game world. For whatever reason, the Mega Man franchise is one of the most over-exposed on all video game platforms. I don't think since the early 90's there has been a year where a Mega Man based game was not released on at least one platform. Well Mega Man is still alive and well and is making his forth appearance on the Gameboy Advanced, in Mega Man Zero 4. So is Mega Man still a strong series? Read our full review to find out!

Gameplay

For a series that have always been a solid choice for the Gameboy Advance, you know exactly what to expect. With three solid games already coming before it, can the fourth continue the great run?

To be honest, if you have followed the series from its debut on the NES or SNES right up to the modern times, you would not really see a huge difference from where the series has gone. For those who are familiar with the Zero series, you will know about one of its core features is the difficulty level, which has been cranked way up, compared to other similar games. While this has attracted a huge following of hardcore fans, it also succeeded in turning off those casual gamers just looking to try the game out. So this time around they have lessened the difficulty of the normal mode by quite a bit, so you won't have to worry about the enemies being overly hard to deal with. The game also, for the first time, includes an easy mode, which is actually just a little too easy in my opinion.

For those who don't know the Mega Man Zero series has had a feature called Cyber Elves, which is quite easily one of the do or die points for most gamers out there. Basically the idea behind the Cyber Elves is that you collect them to get some special abilities. This basically gives the game a little more depth, which may not be appreciated by its long-standing fan as it deviates from its straight action core. In my opinion I like collecting the Cyber Elves, as it sort of gives some diversity in the game, and also allows a small RPG element for good measure.

The gameplay itself is good and still feels like the rest of the Zero series, giving you plenty of great moments, both with just the common enemies and even more with the boss fights, which are some of the more enjoyable portions of the game. For me Mega Man Zero 4 was a solid title that did not add all that much from the previous Zero games. But that is not a bad thing, because the game is still a very enjoyable and has some great gameplay mechanics that will bring back fans of the older Mega Man games quite a bit of fun.

Graphics

In the visual department, Mega Man Zero 4 is a solid looking game that will really impress fans of the Zero series. I must say that this is where I saw the biggest improvement in the game, as Mega Man Zero 4 has a lot of solid visual features to it, whether it is the solid character models or the great variety. Mega Man Zero 4 is a great looking game. It may not be perfect, but it is good enough for a GBA game.

Fun Factor

Sure the Mega Man Zero series is pretty similar to what it was when the game was initially released. Mega Man Zero 4 features a solid side-scrolling action that takes some of the great classic ideas and uses them to its advantage. I must say that I was extremely impressed with how well Mega Man Zero 4 turns out. It just is still a fun experience, even if it had been done a thousand times before. For those who loved the series in the past, you will very satisfied with Mega Man Zero 4.

Overall

Mega Man Zero 4 is a game that did not bring all that much variation to the franchise, gameplay-wise. To be absolutely fair, the game didn't really need to, because it offered so much solid side scrolling action, especially with the Cyber Elves collection that really amounted into a very fun game. For fans of the Zero series do not expect anything new in the series, but instead just realize that it is the same great game with new levels and new bosses. If you are a fan of the Zero series, then you should go out and go purchase this game, as it is a fun and intriguing Mega Man game that I would definitely recommend.

Gameplay
8.0

Graphics
8.0

Fun Factor
8.0

Overall
8.0

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