... ... ... Megaman Zero 4... to live or die...? Hmm ..... ...
This is probably the MMZ game I have the most conflicted feelings over. 4 tries to set itself apart from previous entries a lot, and most of the time I just don't think it works out well.
The parts system is complicated enough to require a guide, the EX skills now have their elements tied directly to them which takes out a lot of potential application, the Elf system got completely reworked, and the Shield and Rod both got removed in place of... the pretty useless Z Knuckle. One new system I do think is cool though is the weather system, adding effectively a "hard mode" to the levels, which, even if it's not much, is appreciated for the bit of extra challenge. While I can respect the desire to stand out, I think this aspect of Zero 4 doesn't do it too many favors overall.
The level design of 4 is good, I'd say. It's better than 3's probably and more consistent than 1, but some levels I find to be pretty bland (Deep Sea, Hibernation Chamber, second half of Magnetic Field) though they're still enjoyable because you're playing as Zero of course it's fun. Bosses in Z4 are very not consistent however, sometimes they're the best the series has to offer like Fenri Lunaedge or Sol Titantion, and then other times you're fighting Mino Magnus or Heat Gemblem.
I don't really know how to wrap things up here, Zero 4 is still a Zero game so it's great but I just don't enjoy it as much as I do some of the previous games.
This is probably the MMZ game I have the most conflicted feelings over. 4 tries to set itself apart from previous entries a lot, and most of the time I just don't think it works out well.
The parts system is complicated enough to require a guide, the EX skills now have their elements tied directly to them which takes out a lot of potential application, the Elf system got completely reworked, and the Shield and Rod both got removed in place of... the pretty useless Z Knuckle. One new system I do think is cool though is the weather system, adding effectively a "hard mode" to the levels, which, even if it's not much, is appreciated for the bit of extra challenge. While I can respect the desire to stand out, I think this aspect of Zero 4 doesn't do it too many favors overall.
The level design of 4 is good, I'd say. It's better than 3's probably and more consistent than 1, but some levels I find to be pretty bland (Deep Sea, Hibernation Chamber, second half of Magnetic Field) though they're still enjoyable because you're playing as Zero of course it's fun. Bosses in Z4 are very not consistent however, sometimes they're the best the series has to offer like Fenri Lunaedge or Sol Titantion, and then other times you're fighting Mino Magnus or Heat Gemblem.
I don't really know how to wrap things up here, Zero 4 is still a Zero game so it's great but I just don't enjoy it as much as I do some of the previous games.