Why Mega Man Stories Usually Fail (And How to Get it Right)

In yet another Mega Man editorial (Megatorial?) we addressing the story-lines of the Mega Man games. A topic I have talked about a lot over the years, but this time we will be giving a dedicated look on why Mega Man stories whether they be Classic, X, Zero, or ZX usually fail and how to get it right!
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[@JsReviews]

00:50 Hello to all watching this video in the future, I would like to make sure it is known that I am absolutely not currently associated with Reploid Revo, aka Twitch. You can find a massive thread of his various instances of appalling behavior here on Twitter. x.com/virtue3d/status/1766776788795973796?s=46&t=CDvFff216glXviXmFRqbzw The evidence is overwhelming. I didn’t know any of this, as we weren’t particularly close, nor did I exist in any social circles with him. I figured I’d leave this as a pinned comment for anyone who knows this and wanted an update on the positive remarks I gave to this man in this video.

[@phantom5757]

Glad you made a comment about this J instead of ignoring it and pretending you did nothing.

[@RollingCutter]

ouch

[@verymelonman12]

Well that's a shock to see when I decided to revisit an old video of yours. Good on your for the transparency man.

[@johnnygyro2295]

In hindsight, I wouldn't mind a reboot/AU for Mega Man that, like the Sonic Movie-verse, mixes different elements together for a shorter yet more defined story. Like, have Repliforce *before* Dr. Doppler, so X and Zero can question if the cure's legit or not since, you know, Replicforce weren't infected by Sigma but went rogue of their own free wills? That and I miss the Archie Comics that had legit villains besides Wily like the Emerald Spears and Ra Moon.

[@MrPSaun]

MegaMan Story: F MegaMan Lore: S

[@WKCamperer]

Explain

[@jacobbeauchamp7465]

Really, the original series just boils down to Megaman beating up a old man (Dr. Wily)

[@diffusewings4937]

@@jacobbeauchamp7465 he's technically an alien, you would know this if you played 2

[@papaG6423]

@@diffusewings4937 the alien was actually a holigram robot made by Wily. He's revealed to be controlling it after you beat it. Wily is still human.

[@jacobbeauchamp7465]

@@diffusewings4937 Actually it was just a hologram, also 2 was my first game. Also, nice profile picture, good meme.

[@MatthewCampbell765]

With the X series (and to a large extent the classic one), the big problem I'd argue is that you almost never actually run into humans. This is pretty egregious, since the central issue being fought over is the fate of humanity. Almost never do you see what Mega Man or X are actually fighting over.

[@lisbonmapping8425]

Yeah, that's the weird thing looming over the X series in particular since it's incredibly wrapped up in all this moralising about humans and robots coexisting whereas it seems like for all intents and purposes humans are all extinct in the X series lol. Except for one old man that dies after 3 games I guess. I don't know why they couldn't at least have made it so that you save humans in stages, not just reploids.

[@barryramone5397]

And no cyborgs. I love the X series, but after X1, when Maverick Hunters WENT MAVERICK, I would think that humans would be a little more hands on.

[@austinreed7343]

The series in general is more keen on punishing the guilty than protecting the innocent, among both Reploids and humans. The injured Reploids seemed to be an attempt to address this, which didn’t go over so well. X4 could have had X and Zero be forced to drop everything to protect Iris and fix her, rather than leaving her for dead to punish the guilty party as much as possible.

[@pormpfspimperton6804]

They are limited by the fact they can’t show humans getting hurt like they can with robots, lest they lose their rating. That’s the big limiter overall

[@alwaysangry2232]

Wasn't it because of a inahack mandate?

[@HubPie3]

I think the Archie Mega Man comics do a fantastic job adding depth to the story. One of my favorite issues takes place right after Mega Man 3, and talks about a robot's purpose. Mega tries to rehabilitate the Robot Masters from MM2 and 3, and while half of them accept their new roles, the other half (led by Quick Man) argue that if given a new purpose, they wouldn't be themselves, as the 2 Robot Masters were built to kill Mega Man. It's an interesting topic of discussion as you can see Quick Man's perspective. Yeah, Mega Man would give him a new purpose and good publicity, but Quick Man wouldn't "Quick Man," as he explains. It's tragic we never got a Mega Man X comic because the small bits we did get from the Dawn of X and Worlds Unite storylines showed that we would've gotten a vastly superior telling of the X story from the games. I highly recommend checking out the Archie Mega Man comics if you want added depth to the Classic series (up to 3 anyway since the series was cancelled by the time we were getting to 4).

[@smashmaster521]

It still hurts that Archie Sonic and Archie Mega Man got unceremoniously cancelled. Seriously, who gives a f*yay*k about Archie? Sonic and Mega Man are where it's at.

[@HubPie3]

@@smashmaster521 Last I checked, Worlds Unite cost Archie a lot and it didn't exactly keep both books in check. At least Sonic has IDW, which I love. Mega Man's getting... a Fully Charged comic... At least MM11 was good and the franchise is alive again.

[@meathir4921]

I couldn’t agree more; Red Shift is one of my favourite issues (actually pretty much any issue focused around Proto Man tbh)

[@HubPie3]

@@meathir4921 Proto Man was done so well in the Archie comic. Some of my favorite moments in the comic come from him.

[@smashmaster521]

@@HubPie3 Wait, they're making a Mega Man comic based off that weird reboot? I'd rather have a Zero comic that isn't the manga.

[@KirbyLinkACW]

Megaman (Classic) is like a Saturday morning cartoon with a simple plot and formula. Megaman X is like those cartoons that were aimed towards kids but were mature enough that adults could watch them as well. Megaman Zero is like those anime you watched as a kid that you probably didn't know were anime at the time (probably because they were dubbed by 4kids). Megaman ZX is like those anime inspired series that result from the creator really liking anime plots (not saying they're bad, mind you).

[@kylecampbell565]

2:05 Youre a bit off but this is a common misconception. Here’s the actual conversation Robot: "So what are you trying to say?" Dr. Wily: "I'm saying you're all going to end up in the junkyard!" Robot: "Of course. When we're done with our work that's what happens." Dr. Wily: "It's not just you. Millions of robots all over the world are winding up as piles of junk! You work hard for humans, and then they destroy you when no longer needed! Doesn't that make you angry?" Robot: "..." Dr. Wily: "Just because you reached some arbitrary expiration date doesn't mean you should be scrapped! You're all still quite useful! You have a right to live! I'm going to help you. Together we'll show the world how useful you all still can be!" Robot: "Hmm... perhaps you're right. We still want to be of use to people. Can you repair us?" Dr. Wily: "I'd be glad to. You're in good hands with me!" (grinning) All the Robot's agreed to was being fixed by Wily. Based on Wily's expression it's clear he installed the murderous programming while he was "Fixing" them. They didn’t agree to a rebellion they agreed to be repaired

[@adamtaurusragnathebloodedg8407]

I hid myself while trying to repair myself

[@justcallmekai1554]

@@adamtaurusragnathebloodedg8407 dear god nooo

[@adamtaurusragnathebloodedg8407]

@@justcallmekai1554 lol

[@HITMAN.No.61]

@@adamtaurusragnathebloodedg8407 Wily in the background: I programmed you better than this, boy! You were supposed to be cool, not some lame pile of junk!!

[@adamtaurusragnathebloodedg8407]

@@HITMAN.No.61 Wily: Why did you make me do this? You're fighting so you can watch everyone around you Go maverick! Think, Zero! You'll outlast every fragile, insignificant reploid on this planet. You'll live to see this world crumble to dust and blow away! Everyone and everything you know will be gone! What will have after 500 years? Zero: You, Wily. I'd still have you.

[@repussified]

Watching this again, it hit me that Megaman 4-6 should've been a trilogy where Wily stays hidden until 6. Then Dr. Cossack and Protoman could've been the antagonists until it's revealed Wily was manipulating them (or using an impersonator for Protoman, whatever). Cossack is still the apparent bad guy at the beginning of 6 and there's no "Mr. X". Such a simple change would've made these games less hokey.

[@dededeisdosh4450]

I think J just wanted an excuse to gush about Zero again. I can't blame him.

[@smashmaster521]

I mean, who wouldn't want to gush about the Zero series? It's the best series of the bunch. Zero is Best Hero, Ciel is Best Girl, and Dr. Weil is Best Villain.

[@UnifiedEntity]

@@smashmaster521 Artstyle is not the best though. Especially for Zero. Nor is the music anywhere near as good as the X series, Legends and Battle Network games.

[@smashmaster521]

@@UnifiedEntity If I'm being honest with you, I love the Anime-esque artstyle of the Zero series, and it complements the story quite well. Also, Zero 3's soundtrack is easily one of the best the Mega Man series has produced.

[@KirbKiya]

So should i get the zero collection then, i didn't play alot of megaman games but i've watched his zero 1 and 3 reviews and they look fun but hard games.

[@UnifiedEntity]

@@smashmaster521 They all had anime-esque artsyle since Megaman 8. And it looks nice but makes little sense if we talking lore wise when it connects to the X series. I'd have to give that games ost another listen

[@SuperZombieBros]

“Thanks for coming by fellas” I know Sigma is meant to be sarcastic here but his voice acting literally makes it sound like he is referring to X, Zero, and Axl as legitimate friends.

[@HITMAN.No.61]

Realistically, they're probably the closest Sigma has to friends, especially X and Zero, so it makes since why he would be somewhat respectful torwards them. Especially when his ego is freshly inflated.

[@CorruptedShadowDarkStar]

Sigma is totally a good friend to X Axl and Zero

[@Subject_Keter]

Also till he got deleted by the Mother Elf, they really couldnt hurt Sigma and he wants them to eventually join him. So it would make some sense why he would be abit chumpy... as much as you can for a guy that punts your former teammates around.

[@pkmntrainerred4247]

It made me feel like they'll start having a fun barbecue in the backyard on a sunny day any second EDIT: I'm already starting to imagine it happening.

[@crocky6996]

"Why Megaman stories usually fail?" Classic series: who tf cares about my story? it just serves as a context

[@kieranstark7213]

Yeah, the reason why we are fans of the Classic series is not because of their stories, but it’s more for their presentations (almost always 8-bit graphics and 80s music, not as in rock or pop music at that time, but more as in 8-but gaming music) and levels!

[@crocky6996]

@@kieranstark7213 That's the important part: gameplay Not to say X's gameplay is bad or something, but games are meant to be played, not watch as if they were movies

[@meisterband8603]

@@crocky6996 but x 2 isnt a movie or mavrick hunters and megaman zero

[@damienthonk1506]

@@crocky6996 they're still more story-focused and filled with lore. Why set up all this backstory if you're gonna just say "fuck it, fight Sigma for the 11th time?"

[@crocky6996]

@@damienthonk1506 And?

[@supersomething951]

The puzzle pieces for great story’s are there, but only fan groups like The Megas and The Protomen actually try and go outside the box of the normal stories.

[@zettovii1367]

The Archie Comics are pretty great at it too.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

I think one of the defining tones and aspects on the classic series is that its end is never explored. It’s innocent, bright and happy, and how Classic transitions to X doesn’t matter. I don’t think story really matters that deeply, it’s just a fun entertaining game. I think the stories work well enough to enable the game to take place.

[@JsReviews]

Definitely, I just thought this would be an interesting idea to explore.

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Oh for sure yeah, I mean it'll be an ever lasting discussion, people are still discussing all this in the Mega Man Discord server all the time like it happened yesterday.

[@INFERNO95]

Or x take place in alternate timeline.

[@thefatracoon5473]

Video Game Animation Study hi dan

[@kieranstark7213]

@@JsReviews Say, what do you think of Archie Comics? Here, I’ll give you examples of its series. • Archie/Betty & Veronica/Jughead/Archie’s Rival Reggie/Big Ethel/Cheryl Blossom/Little Archie • Riverdale • Sabrina the Teenage Witch (comics and TV series) • Josie and the Pussycats • Katy Keene • Super Duck (mid-20th Century Series and Ian Flynn reboot, it looks like something from the Sonic/Mega Man comics of the 2010s and it shows) • Cosmo the Merry Martian • Lil’ Jinx • Pat the Brat • Sonic the Hedgehog (Part 1: the Ken Penders series of the mid-90s - mid-00s. Part 2: the Ian Flynn series of the late-00s - mid-10s) • Mega Man

[@Goldenclap]

This franchise has so much interesting lore, but with plot being secondary in many cases that some people think there's a sea of nothing, when it's available.

[@thomasthecoolkid7228]

ZX's distinguishment of humans and Reploids despite them bejng functionally identical is because... well, Reploids, at the end of the day, are still robots with different needs than those of humans. The marks are less there to diminish their identicality and more so for doctors and such to determine what kind of treatment they require.

[@edgelord8337]

Mega Man stories usually go like this: Evil scientist dr creates 8 evil robots to conquer the world Good blue robot goes to stop them. Evil scientist dr gets away in the end Now add 2 didn't see that coming (sarcastic) moments and repeat this 10 times. That's the classic Mega Man series in a nutshell.

[@RobinDJoker]

Make it red and you get Zero

[@smashmaster521]

@@RobinDJoker No, because the Zero series has a compelling and interesting story from beginning to end.

[@MegaManNeo]

Rename some variables here and there and you get the plot for Mario, Sonic and a bunch of other 80's and 90's platformers as well.

[@Vice_Verse0]

@@MegaManNeo Except Sonic had a point where the villains weren't really always Eggman.

[@train4292]

Blue Gunner Well for the first 3 Sonic games you’re always fighting Eggman. That’s not the case anymore though

[@aidansmediadiscussions7088]

Regarding X7, I actually found out that the game on PS2 has the option to switch to Japanese. It's much more bearable for my ears.

[@dcb99filmz]

too bad the grunts are still in English unless you're playing on Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2

[@GrimmiesN]

Can we just get a port of MHX to all major platforms so it can actually sell well this time and finally, just maybe, get a sequel?

[@thelakesterswildworld8335]

Same with Powered Up. I'd love to try both of these games.

[@bigdoggo5827]

MHX was doomed from the start the PSP really f up it's profitability

[@dcb99filmz]

What's the point if Mark Gatha's never returning to voice acting and they won't record it in Calgary?

[@GrimmiesN]

@@dcb99filmz Just recast him lmao

[@ThanatosZero]

Nearly all of Capcom's games suffer from way too tight deadlines, resulting in this inconsistency. For example MM7 was done in 3 and a half month IIRC.

[@lisbonmapping8425]

Seriously? Yikes.

[@taylord5381]

What?...

[@robotx9285]

It's a miracle how it wasn't a buggy mess like x6 or ridiculously hard like Mega Man & Brass.

[@huynhvuongviet2410]

@@robotx9285 and it was one of the best megaman game. For me at least

[@CorruptedShadowDarkStar]

Oh....yeah that's pretty fucked up

[@sarcasticdude2320]

What if sigma's intelligense decreases for each of his deaths?

[@smashmaster521]

Considering how Copy X MK II had a stutter because he was a copy of a copy, I can totally buy Sigma getting dumber with each defeat.

[@eslm-studios2996]

I think he does. I mean, in the X games, we see him physically lose his strength in body that by X6, he's barely keeping himself together. Then when we reach X8, he's a complete shadow of his former self! Perhaps this is also the price of being defeated and robbed of his body. He dies, but lives on within the Maverick Virus, then is rebuilt but never reaches the true form he once had between X1-X3.

[@Yokai_Yuri]

@@eslm-studios2996 x6-7 and 8 are technically non- cannon. Sigma x1 had a plan abd it partially worked. Sigma x2 did not do much but was aware of zero's origin and wanted him by his side. Sigma x3 manipulated doopler to create his two bodies because he did not have maverick henchmen to resurrect him Sigma x4 revived by unknown means and his plan literally killed many humans as well as the repliforce. Sigma x5. Sigma killed 90% of the life on the planet, infected most reploids with corona virus, I mean the Sigma Virus and killed Zero. If anything, sigma was getting smarter not dumber...THEN X6 came in and yes Sigma became an idiot.

[@eslm-studios2996]

@@Yokai_Yuri If X7 and X8 take place after X6 and before Zero 1, and if it shows why rockets were extinct by Legends 2, then they’re canon whether you like it or not.

[@mjc0961]

@@Yokai_Yuri Someone didn't play Zero 3. X6, 7, and 8 are canon.

[@ivanjm2707]

10:20 Well this aged poorly very fast lmao

[@hellatze]

Lol

[@VincentVincent_89]

It wasn’t a bad playing game but the story was lack luster

[@VestedUTuber]

Just a couple things... The identifier marker on reploids in ZX and ZX Advent actually makes some practical sense. If you're a first responder to an emergency, you need to be able to identify who's organic and who's a machine quickly in order to be able to administer the correct first aid, and reploids being so human-like in appearance at that point some other way was needed to identify them. As for the resistance being called mavericks, it's actually an accurate term from a technical point of view. The resistance is violently rebelling from the established system and completely disobeying orders to stand down. It's less of a mislabel and more of an example of how a malicious government can abuse its power to silence dissent. In other words, one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist.

[@starfeather3047]

All of this! I myself was enjoying playing the games, but wasn't truly a fan up until I started MMZ which captivated me so much I finally fell in love with the series and started giving a crap about the story.

[@MegaSparkster]

Thanks for covering this man! No one really talks about the story/lore in MM. I always wondered why I never really cared for the story in the main games, but I did in the comics/MM Megamix manga. Repetition is definitely a huge problem in this series. I wish that they didn't always rely on Wily/Sigma causing trouble every time.

[@smashmaster521]

And that's why the Zero series succeeds on the story front. It never suffers from repetition like the X series did. This is best shown through the antagonists; Zero 1 had Copy X with the Four Guardians as secondary antagonists, Zero 2 had Elpizo with Neo Arcadia as a secondary antagonist, Zero 3 had Omega with Dr. Weil as the greater threat, and Zero 4 had Dr. Weil with Craft as a secondary antagonist.

[@SabinStargem]

Actually, I rather like how English Megaman finally gets sick of Dr. Wily in VII. I consider it to be character development, but more importantly it presents the idea that Robot Masters have the capacity to eventually overcome the Laws of Robotics. In other words, robots can "grow up" and become their own people. That might be why it is mandated for robots to be decommissioned after their purpose is fulfilled, so that they are denied from obtaining sapience.

[@ivanbackfromthecardshop8093]

It doesn't make since though. The whole point of reploids is that they are the one with free will. A program can't just develop its own free will anyways it doesn't make much since

[@SabinStargem]

@@ivanbackfromthecardshop8093 I think the key difference is that a Robot Master eventually develops free will, while a Reploid has it from the very start. I think that a sentient robot bound by the Rules of Robotics can overcome the laws, through obtaining enough memories and experience to contextualize their meaning. Asimov's works explores various ways that the ROR breaks down.

[@ivanbackfromthecardshop8093]

@@SabinStargem why would you make a program that develops into something that won't obey you. I think it's more interesting what robots do without an order such as protoman or if their orders are vague such as with bass.

[@SabinStargem]

@@ivanbackfromthecardshop8093 Bugs and unintended design happen with programs all the time. A complex AI would naturally deviate over time, because they will develop memories that change how they perceive and interact with the world.

[@ivanbackfromthecardshop8093]

@@SabinStargem I could understand them getting fed up with their roll but them busting out of their programing to do something else seems silly too me

[@skyrogue1977]

I just imagine Light passing away and Megaman being converted into a toaster.

[@DieHardjagged]

@Zedrik Allen No, X is a brand new Robot.

[@joshkeller4780]

Zedrik Allen dr light made X and hid him away. Dr Cain found him in the future.

[@rynobehnke8289]

@@Snesgamer I am actually pretty sure Megaman was by this point already kidnapped by past Willy and turned into Quint.

[@rynobehnke8289]

@@Snesgamer I mean all of its Robot Master were references in the Megaman and Bass Data Library and the Megaman Killer Enker, Punk and Balle did come back for DLC in Megaman 10 so I would at least assume that there are canon. I mean less sure about Super Adventure Rockman and Rockman and Forte Challenge from the future (even it some of its Robot Masters make cameos in the ZX games) but I still like to assume there are.

[@INFERNO95]

@@rynobehnke8289 Sometimes these references are Easter egg.

[@ablosch2452]

2:22 That's been a question regarding scientists who have been trying to create real world artificial intelligence. I've read one of the goals why scientists want to create robots that can think for themselves so that they can be more independent and know what to do should a situation that isn't in their regular logic gates were to pop up, as well as be less reliant on human input. But the moral problem some bring up with that would be giving something who's life is valueless the ability to think for themselves, and the ethical consequences of such technology. It's basically another science vs humanities question.

[@Klonoahedgehog]

This is exactly why I like the alternate timeline continuity with the RPG's. The characters actually grow albeit in small ways, the series actually have endings and the two time periods actually have connections that you never really see in the main timeline.

[@skibot9974]

Shame J said on stream the other day “I don’t think I’ll cover them since I probably won’t like them and people will get mad at me for that

[@allanaban617]

eh, really vague connections. StarForce can basically be its own timeline if it was not for some hints (like the PETs in the graveyard, or Lan's notes in 2). Though we still do not definitively know how the use of netnavis changed (I guess just advanced tech)

[@jotaroisbestboy7593]

@@allanaban617 star force is Second continue of EXE series

[@allanaban617]

@@jotaroisbestboy7593 of course, just saying that star force feels more "stand alone" to battle network. Like you do not really have to play battle network to understand star force that much

[@jotaroisbestboy7593]

@@allanaban617 yeah But both main timeline And alternative time Start by light

[@chrisossu2070]

For X, you can pretty much improve every story except the first and maybe the second by just taking out Sigma.

[@niclaswa5408]

Examples of how to make MM plot a little more interesting: Classic What would give MM4-6 a more interesting plot is that if Wily didn't revealed himself in 4 and 5. Because in MM3, everybody thought he died after the castle crumbled, he would have used it to his advantage and force other people to do his work, so when you fight Cossack and Protoman in 4 and 5, you would actually think it's, so when he finally reveals himself in 6, it wouldn't just reveal that he was Mr. X, but also that he was alive this whole time and he was forcing Cossack and Protoman to do his work. That would make the final boss in MM6 much more epic and leave a bigger impact. X7 It would much more interesting if this "professor" Red was talking about in X7 wasn't Sigma, but it instead was Isoc(Wily) that moved over to a new body and maby reveals that he was the one that was resurrecting Sigma all the time. X8 What if Sigma you fight in the last stage was also a fake and then Lumine shows up and reveals that Sigma was dead long ago and there's no need to resurrect him because anyone can become Sigma now.

[@MatthewCampbell765]

For what its worth, I'd argue the basic issue is that the quality of Mega Man's lore is essentially accidental. Capcom wanted to focus primarily on the gameplay and saw the story as window-dressing. They inadvertently created a better story than they meant to and have never quite capitalized on it.

[@UnifiedEntity]

J....you need to play the damn Battle Network games and Starforce Games.

[@Titanxzero1]

@Null Dork He said he would give em more of a try in his Megaman X Command Mission review.

[@theencore]

Agree.

[@MrSupersonic2012]

I adore the Battle Network and Star Force games. I played them right alongside the Megaman Zero games as a kid and those were probably my favorite versions of Megaman. I also find it interesting that Battle Network is one of the few Megaman games that is NOT left on a cliffhanger. It actually had a conclusion after six games. And I think even Star Force was left on a conclusion as well.

[@DESTRAKON]

StarForce had a dope premise, and the way they go about the characters puts me in mind of Persona

[@UnifiedEntity]

@@MrSupersonic2012 It didn't but also feels like there could be more. Geo found his dad and his family's all together but there's still more I feel like.

[@thelgiver5844]

Honestly they should have taken the plot point of the expiration dates from Megaman 9 and put it into Megaman and Bass. King could have been a somewhat sympathetic villain who wanted to save Robot masters from death.

[@hubokus]

yay mega man again!

[@hikmori7]

KZbin's subtitle finally says Doctor Wahwee as intended. Good job, KZbin!

[@robertlupa8273]

KZbin is learning!

[@AlexanderMartinez-kd7cz]

let's hope megaman X9 follows on 11's footsteps and is actually good bois. assuming it ever comes out.

[@DieHardjagged]

There never will be a X9 and neither will there ever be a Legends 3.

[@itsgamer9324]

@@DieHardjagged says who?

[@blackout1524]

@@DieHardjagged X9 is very likely to happen after MM11's success. Pretty sure MMX Collection sold well too.

[@GunsouAfro]

Considering X8 was great, in sure X9 will be fantastic as well.

[@No-sr5fb]

Pumped to see your vids/thoughts on the legends series, perhaps battle network eventually as well? Love your MegaMan coverage, wish I found this channel sooner

[@nahnah390]

I mean, I do like that X8's story essentially seemed to end with... well, the end of sigma. Like "Oh shit I've run out of bodies." end, but an end either way.

[@Mobysimo]

Honestly it never bothered me that Wily kept coming back because he never dies. He escapes at the end (or the begining in the case of 7). Meanwhile Sigma coming back over and over and over just gets stupid

[@megacrashthehedgehog5377]

What thing that always bothered me about the classic series is that Proto Man, the most interesting character in that series, didn't really become that important to the series after MM5. You can't really say there wasn't anything left for his character since there were opportunities to develop his relationship with Mega Man and Dr. Light. It just feels like missed opportunity. I guess that what's the comics and manga's are for.

[@Epsilonsama]

The story presentation of the Zero series is one of the best but IMO the gameplay is not as crisp as the best Megaman X has to offer. I was playing the Zero series on the Zero/ZX Legacy Collection and I forgot how clunky the weapon/subweapon system was or how the game punishes you for seeking upgrades or how in some games you are required to have a certain rank to get an item. For me it takes away the joy of the X series which was getting stronger as the game went along and instead its a game that wants you to gitgud in order to unlock things which will make it easier which loses the point. I actually enjoyed the ZX series more from a gameplay perspective because those games capture the idea of getting stronger by exploring stages.

[@DarkoFoxfire]

I just realized that if the voice acting is important for a character, it makes the character feel real and you just want to listen to their point of view! When playing the Zero series, I hear the voices of Mega Man X8 as X and Zero while the others I just have to imagine what they might sound like!

[@chriss.249]

8:11 I actually liked how things went in Command mission I think the plot twist near the END was insane and had me questioning who was really right, and what side we were truly fighting for.

[@tuvyamaeir4684]

The Zero series does execute the story best for the Platformers, but it's also about the package in which they are delivered and how you access all of that in the game play. Just like X5, the way the good gameplay is frustratingly delivered hurts the impact of the story a LOT. X5 just does it the other way around too.

[@nanofate8662]

7:32 - 8:00 Sigma was legit flirting with X and Zero.

[@horricule451]

If I could make any one change to Mega Man X's story, I would have Sigma stop appearing after X2 and the Sigma Virus not exist. Which would require X4 and X5 to have completely different stories but the series as a whole would have a more nuanced story. Instead of "this person is evil because Sigma made them evil" each antagonist would have their own motivations, and I think it's absolutely believable that Mavericks would exist without Sigma. We know that being a Reploid kind of sucks, Reploids are made to serve humans and humans are constantly scared that Reploids will revolt against them, which would obviously lead to a lot of discrimination. Discrimination would lead to Reploids wanting to overthrow the systems that discriminate against them, or at least improve things for the better. Some would likely become radicalized enough to become Mavericks, and if humans begin to associate all dissenting Reploids with Mavericks, then progress would be stunted. Eventually it's likely the only Reploids that humans universally respect would be the Maverick hunters, which work to suppress extremist movements. Which would place Reploids in a catch 22 situation where whatever they do reinforces the system that oppresses them. The Mavericks make humans terrified, the Maverick Hunters generally defend the status quo, moderate protests will likely be so restricted by laws passed in fear as to not change much, and doing nothing allows things to continue as they currently are. It would also make X more complex and help to further explain the actions of Copy X. X, despite his good intentions, ultimately wasn't able to bring about Dr. Light's dream because he played into the hands of a system that discriminates against Reploids, and Copy X thought that discriminating against Reploids was the logical thing to do because in his view, X did that, and he's supposed to be like X, so I'll do that as well. I know focusing so much on Reploid discrimination would be a controversial decision but it's already implied in the series lore that humans fear Reploids and Reploids are subservient to humans, it's just never properly explored.

[@elliotj.alvarez6399]

I'm glad somebody is actually talking about this, because it explains why I never cared about the classic series while the Zero series is basically the burning soul of the franchise in my eyes.

[@INFERNO95]

Whit just four games? It was only made to cash in on zero popularly. Once the series started to lose interest they ended it. No true mega man fan would call a gimmick series the heart and soul of a franchise that most fans barly care about.

[@nicoloenricorimoldi7425]

INFERNO95 Inti Creates ended the Zero series because they didn’t want it to become a zombie series like X. Also, Classic and X may have more games but half of them are filler titles. Anyways, each series has something to enjoy.

[@circledude2362]

You know. With the Classic games, Capcom could have did what the Archie comics did: Make Dr. Wily NOT the villian. Have someone else to TRUELY be a new Villian of Mega Man classic game. Heck, They even could have the new villian over throw dr. wily.

[@GiubileiFernando]

I wish you did a review of Archie's Mega Man comic, it did an amazing job of adapting the barebones story and the interesting lore and implications into a great comic. It was tackling stuff rarely talked about unless you're reading hard sci-fi

[@kylecampbell565]

Out of curiosity did you ever read the Archie comics? I think you’d really like them. Just be warned it got put on “hiatus” just before they were going to adapt Mega Man 4

[@ag2023en]

Imagine if Mega Man 1 on the NES had a simple 15 second opening cutscene where both Mega Man and Doctor Light look at the reprogrammed robots destroying buildings while scared citizens run away, and then Mega Man prepares his buster and decides to jump ahead to fight while Doctor Light makes a gesture of "Stop! What do you think you're doing?". Then Mega Man turns to look at Doctor Light, then turns back again to look at the robots and points his buster at them, and then it cuts to the stage select screen. That would wordlessly convey the plot point that Doctor Light accidentally programmed Mega Man to be an active protector rather than just NOT harming human beings. He sees the destruction and suffering the robots are causing and decides to jump in and fight them to protect the city. It would add an emotional meaning backing up the whole game and making everything more interesting by proxy. You're not just mindlessly shooting and jumping for fun, you're fighting to save the city and protect innocents. It's so frustrating when creators don't realize the potential of their work. Or maybe this is the fault of corporate authority, who knows.

[@ReeseyPuffy]

Zero seems to always be the solution to fixing Mega Man’s problems. I’m not complaining though.

[@smashmaster521]

It's almost like Zero is a more enjoyable character to play as with a more compelling story and a more fleshed out personality.

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

The true irony in Dr. Wily's efforts. He created such a monster, enough of it that half the fanbase firmly believes it was his fault the Classic cast died. In the end...he saved everyone. Time and time and time again. Zero puts down what even X can't on his own. And when you think about it, Inafune got exactly the "Mega Man X" he wanted when Capcom told him to make X more familiar and to make Zero a side character...Zero became the star.

[@ultimate9046]

@@smashmaster521 You say this but considering the fact that infaune seems to always somehow put zero in the spotlight even when his deadish not tht surprising heck X doesn't feel like a mc until the maverick hunter x and primarily x8 and the untold story of the cyber elf wars

[@smashmaster521]

@@ultimate9046 I was not trying to dismiss X as being inferior to Zero. As far as Mega Man incarnations go, X is probably my favorite of the bunch due to his characterization as a Reluctant Warrior who yearns for peace. Having said that, Zero's story is just more interesting one because of how he actively goes against his creator's intended purpose for him by choosing to save lives as a Maverick Hunter and a Resistance member. Also, Zero is just more fun to play as due to his greater emphasis on close range combat and the simple joy of slicing Mavericks and Pantheons to pieces (not to mention that you can be a little more reckless as Zero in comparison to X).

[@ultimate9046]

@@smashmaster521 Oh i agree well to a degree on the close combat part depends on the game or boss/stage.

[@megmed8741]

The first games being on the NES really held back the series imo, could've had a big interesting story, but not much is truly shown. Hell, Mega Man 4 was the first time we heard Classic's origin lol

[@INFERNO95]

In the 80s story was not important to gaming. The third game is when they started to include a story whit protoman.

[@thomasthecoolkid7228]

I... really don't get how "it's Sigma's fault" completely eliminates anything good about any other villain. Sure, they got tricked by Sigma, but they ultimately have their own goals that are simply twisted by Sigma to his liking. The X4 villains really did want to separate humans and Reploids... just that Sigma thought it'd be a good idea to turn their safe haven into a human-murdering superweapon. Red Alert, meanwhile, are bad characters not because of Sigma ultimately being behind everything, but because X7 had abyssmal writing that completely failed to capture anything that may have been good about them. Heck, X8 Sigma is explicitly NOT the final ultimate villain! He just has a bunch of Axl-style mimick Reploids copy his abilities for doing Lumine's thing, dies as a _pre_-final boss, and leaves his final boss duties to Lumine, who is NOT just Sigma! As for Serpent doing the Sigma speech... yeah, I get that, but there, the big overarching villain isn't Sigma, it's Weil as Model W. And since Weil loves twisting whatever good goals Reploids might have into something evil... yeah.

[@Phyllo9]

Awesome job on the video. I'm glad to see you found your mojo again. That being said, i have a challenge for ya to take at your leisure: Analyzing Mighty No. 9's story. Yes the infamous game that needed much more time before its birth.

[@TonyTama]

I feel this. Love the megaman games but the repetition of story beats is tiring to the point i preferred Battle networks alternate history and the Zero series over any other series.

[@ModernVintageTV0]

X9 had Better give X back his series. Screw Zero! Scfew Axl! This Is X's Series,Not their's.

[@HITMAN.No.61]

Games where Sigma made sense... X1 X2 X4 X5 X8 To me, he fits into those games just fine, but the others and he feels REALLY shoehorned. They give me the impression that they originally wrote the story not to have Sigma in it, but a day before release, they decided to add him- though X3 is the weakest offender in that regard

[@goddamnarshia]

Sigma saying : hey fellas makes me crack up

[@LoyaLZX]

I feel like a cool thing Capcom should do is make a game the bridges the series together. Example, instead of a ZX3 we get a Zero 5/ZX prequel that takes place after Zero 4's story but before the events of ZX1 where we play as Giro and show how Ciel was hesitant with giving Zero and co a new body given how Copy X turned out in the past which lead her to lay the ground work for boimetals. Which Giro gains the trust of Ceil to be named the "Chosen One" of Model Z one of the earliest boimetals made. Meanwhile Albert is making the early parts and stages of Model Ws and reeking havoc around the world in secret with ease till forcing the final versions a pawn Prometheus and Pandora, and no one even questions it due to him being part of the Sage Trinity. Giro goes to ease down the outbreaks till near the end where Prometheus and Pandora encounters him as the final boss. Lastly have Model X be the last boimetal Ciel made due it's ability to Double Megamerge/Rock On with any other biometal with the process taking around a few decades.

[@michayahjwalker3349]

Hol up! Megaman sounds like a megagirl and Dr. Light sounds like Elmer fudd wassup with that?😳😕😣😞😒

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

The funniest dub is video game history

[@AssociationAdmirer]

​@@MILDMONSTER1234 And the most moving deleted scenes are the things we always wanted to say to our deceased loved ones.

[@keaton5101]

The reason i'm so into Mega Man lore is actually because i grew up with the anniversary collection on Gamecube. Power Battle and Power Fighters, the two arcade games included as a bonus, actually give a much better insight into the characters than most of the games do! Except the Bass ending of Mega Man & Bass, that one is really good characterization for Bass.

[@akiro7640]

0:59 Oh hey you two are friends Once.....

[@thelgiver5844]

X in X4 sounds like TFS Gohan

[@quint866]

Yay! J uploaded!!

[@anasazmi8554]

It's kinda interesting that you excluded series in the Battle Network timeline + Legends, because those series, while using a different formula than the Classic timeline, are story-focused. The story isn't necessarily deep, but it allows each game to explore a different aspect of the timeline, while also justifying having different Big Bads (even if they're sometimes manipulated by the previous Big Bad, at least you don't have to worry about them in that game). The Zero series deserves credit not just for having a good story (and gameplay), but also making the extremely formulaic 8-boss boss rush pattern work within the story instead of against.

[@BrownPuffballGirl]

Hehe coming to check out this video after Reploid Revo's revision video linked to here!

[@Iek-nx9sw]

You can really tell that Inafune preferred Zero over X from a story writing perspective, considering how much better the writing in his series is. After all, Inafune was wanting Zero to be the new Mega Man from the beginning

[@lloen1900]

9:04 X's voice hit me like a bullet train.

[@Alias_Anybody]

Inti seems to like hiding significant parts of their lore though, instead of making, I don't know, an optional in-game encyclopedia or something. Without its wiki I still wouldn't know half of the stuff about MMZ and Gunvolt I wanted.

[@CarbonRollerCaco]

Sega pulls the same bullshit with Sonic. It could be a bog-standard Japanese thing. Most of the stuff in external media in the West is trivia at most.

[@Alias_Anybody]

@@CarbonRollerCaco Yeah, it's kind of a Japanese thing. They need an intervention or something.

[@CarbonRollerCaco]

@@Alias_Anybody bUt iF YoU'Re a fAn yOu'lL FiNd oUr sEcReTs aNd bRoWsE OuR SiTeS AnD BuY OuR BoOkS AnYwAy sO WhAt dOeS It mAtTeR

[@GameboyFanatic]

@@Alias_Anybody Have you seen the indie horror scene lol it’s like a pandemic

[@pkmntrainerred4247]

6:16 Oh, what an irony. The struggle that Sigma introduced was thrown into the wayside because of *him* All Capcom needed to do was revive his ideology, not his body ``Nah lets just reuse the same villain that is definitely more interesting, pretty sure we never did that before`` Wily:

[@GTA2SWcity]

At this point, I'm just too tired from previous installments. Over a decade hiatus believing the franchise was dead save for re-run corporate strategy of milking money from it again. Grew up with it. Not sure what else to think of it anymore. You see all the flaws. A reboot of the X series would've been good...but that got thrown away or at least it was allowed to die.. Capcom is winging it as they always have. So at this point, fan games are all the rage now. We could've gotten so, so much better than this for story. Never going to happen now.

[@chukyuniqul]

Honestly zero is also insanely atmospheric. Go to any quiet area and just take it all in. The colors, the more grounded design for robots (and overal surreality) and oh good god the MUSIC! I got into the mmz games from a random flash game that was an adaptation of the, broadly speaking, first game. The way I remember it is that it was fine but not amazing. But honestly, megaman zero does a good job of making itself feel post-apocalyptic, that the world we know has died, come back to life as the X world, died again during the elf wars and then we see the future of zx in a sprt of larval state, primal in zero. With the knowledge that zx exist, you can't play zero and not think "we are in the ancient times of a future world.". Nascent is the word I am looking for, and it's a kind of atmosphere that, no joke, you can study well with the dark souls series. The first one feels like a primitive world. Sure there's magic and stuff, but we have monstrosities that lurk beneath the surface (what DOES the body of a primordial serpent look like?). Then dark souls 2's opening feels even more primal with heavy yonic imagery, but otherwise the game feels like the medieval times of the world, you're basically late to the party of the greatest era in the world. But then you have dark souls 3, humanity rules the world, abominations are born of men, and even when they are alien to our world they are still forced to twist themselves to fit in to some degree. Man video games can be great.

[@ShibuNub3305]

J knows twitch? Interesting...

[@fwobebe5164]

I see him in his live streams once in a while.

[@c7po457]

I love your reviews, man.

[@remytortolino6752]

Can you talk on the subject on the power levels of X and Zero? What's their true potential? Are they really the strongest robots in the world?

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

They blatantly are the strongest lol, unless X9 makes something up if it even happens

[@DieHardjagged]

I think inherently Zero will always be stronger than X cause he was violent by nature, could be that Xs "free will" plays also a part in that.

[@NovaBlazerZX]

No one is stronger nor does anyone know their true potential. they are strong as the narrative needs them to be.

[@idkJuun]

The classic series started getting stale around like, MegaMan 5-6. Also, "Doctor wAwEe"

[@HeavyMetalBeliever]

I think the biggest problem with Mega Man and Mega Man X is the recurring villains.

[@blackpants7385]

It's the better trilogy, honestly. The first three are good, but much inconsistent.

[@knuxuki1013]

0:58 I discovered his channel page recently and I can say without a doubt he's got some pretty good content.

[@bobby2bend]

Underrated channel, great vid

[@MattCrossMedia]

I've gained a better appreciation for the Zero series lately thanks to your vids

[@puffles2435]

"Dr. Wawee"

[@chriss.249]

3:48 U took that directly from revo lol😂 A man of culture too I see Twitchs streams are dope

[@Bleh391]

I know this video is now old, but you really hit the mark perfectly in this video. As much as I love the Megaman series, I can't deny the lack of story has sort of made me lose touch with the majority of games - as I myself believe stories are an uderappreciated element in video games in general. I love the Legends series to death, because each of the characters feel fleshed out and have their own level of charm and personality, both its heroes and villains. Obviously the same goes for the Zero and ZX series as well, it's just something that I hope they continue to explore in future games...if y'know...we get any... A bit of a hot take but I feel the reason we don't get enough story in these games, or even in games today for that matter, lies in both the attitude of game developers and a vast majority of gamers themselves. There's still too high of and opinion that story and plot don't matter in video games, that only gameplay matters. True, gameplay is the most important element in anything you play, but I argue that a good story will engage the player more than they realize to complete a game and maybe even feel a level of love for it than they may realize. People connect with stories, it's been that way since the dawn of time. Long winded comment and I could go on, but just wanted to say I've enjoyed your work!

[@starscorpia4005]

Without spoiling much about the bn and sf series the stories in those are middle of the road really bn has some good moments but half of them are oh, you again starforce actually has unique villains each time so that's kinda cool

[@TheSqueakerNerd]

I think that was a good note to end on. It's good just to keep it simple sometimes. In this case, in my opinion, the Mega Man Zero series speaks for itself so being abrupt there is fine lolz. It suits my argument about it speaking for itself. Though I hope you can get into the battle network series one day. I'd like to know if you would enjoy them. I love the story in battle network & star force. If you get to them someday I hope you enjoy them!

[@Kuudere-Kun]

What you call "DS Cut Scenes" is just the Visual Novel presentation which in Japan and to people who watch a lot of Anime is a very highly respected artform.

[@LemonicParade]

Mega Man Zero series has the best story that piles up in each part.

[@INFERNO95]

It only four games.

[@dn22pkkdd476]

7:35 Sigma sounds suspiciously like The Shockmaster

[@CarbonRollerCaco]

He sounds like a white Fat Albert.

[@razorchance6976]

🙂 I agree with the megaman zero games, 11 and maverick Hunter x doing the stories well, it's interesting you did this video because I was thinking to myself "where can they go with the series as a whole, 11 left a good mark though a bit worrisome that it'll follow the trend of super Mario, like bowser, Dr wily keeps getting away and coming back, that can go on for so long, however the bigger questions lie to me about these: would axl become a big threat? Or he just dies, and maybe this is a me thing, but i would've loved to see how x ended up as a cyber elf, I would even like to see how he contacted ciel from that trailer for mega man zero and zx legacy collection, to even where he grew numb of fighting 100 years without zero on his side* I can keep going, but i wouldn't want to overwhelm you 🙂 splendid as always,

[@cosmicspidermanx9569]

Ya know X4 had some tacky voice acting for the time yet I found it charming but god is X7 grating on the ears

[@CarbonRollerCaco]

Considering how bright and cheery X7 is all around, especially with the music, I think it's _supposed_ to be cheesy. They clearly overdid it, though.

[@blackchibisan8116]

Having recently played the mega man series(classic 1-6 x 1-5, 7) and played through the Zero series too many times... I can say seriously that the story in Megaman is mostly implications until the zero series comes along. A lot of things being hinted at and a few personal character moments to keep the game together. That is why the Zero series is the payoff. The apocalypse has come. Robots are slaying humans and robots that refuse to fall in line, labeling them the vague title of Maverick which Command Mission really pointed out is a subjective title. Zero is not only proof that Wily’s creation has outlived or at least surpassed Light’s but also the good that those two forces could accomplish working together. Even ZX is the final realization of that work and power. X5 was the final bout between Wily and Light, Sigma just trying to capitalize on it for his own gain. So, as subpar as you view the ZX series, it was for me, the emotional payoff is there. A progression in the series. In classic, wily and Light grew to oppose and compete with each other at the cost of the world. In the X series, Lights softer approach lead to a machine that could grow infinitely but would never seek war. Wily’s ambition lead to an unparalleled combat unit who was as powerful as he possibly could have made. In the zero series, we see a Zero stripped back but quick to return to the combat unit he has always been, bits of X’s tech and methods spilling into Zero’s abilities as time went on. With ZX we see the unparalleled combat potential paired with the ability to grow and change. In doing so we see unlimited potential truly achieved and thus the ambitions of both scientists realized. And yeah, I’m convinced with how often he got blown up, Zero was probably repaired using at least some of X’s tech, especially if we believe those light capsules are AI and not messages. Light is so the sort to offer help to one of Wily’s creations if it was actively doing good. Also it would explain black zero in x5

[@Yokai_Yuri]

Zero never surpassed X. That is just an assumption of Zero fanboys. Throughout the series Zero has been open about X being stronger but held back by his feelings( that only X have) . The X vs Zero is the same formula as the shonen, where the protsgonist helds back(X) while the anti-hero is fighting with bloodlust(zero) and even so it ends in a draw or in some cases the hero wins ( as X did in megaman X2 ) X has infinite growth potential so his power is technically limitless. As for copy X, the reason of why he lost is because he had no real battle experience and his potentiañ.was yet to unlock. Copy X was weaker than base X in megaman X1. In megaman Zero, even robots like Zero are affected by the dark elf or someone using said power. X is not and he can overwrite said power. This is why he used his main body to forever keep the elf in check, because no one else could.

[@blackchibisan8116]

@@Yokai_Yuri You statement of the Dark Elf is actually a fundamental difference in their designs and Zero exceeding X didn't come from the first X game. X was designed to have the ultimate anti-viral system. This is why X never goes maverick, even when infected by Sigma himself. Zero was powered by the same thing as the Dark Elf and Sigma, and so and overload of it is like a human doing PCP. X has unlimited potential, and so as Zero takes on more abillites of X, his already high power begins to have its limits removed. Zero started the series with more raw power than X(Not just restraint but as seen by X1 X needs to grow before he can surpass Zero. X needs armors to further enhance his abilities to compete) We are arguing Blue-eyes vs Red-eyes here. X has infinite potential and a lot more options, like Red-eyes, but Zero has the raw power. Combine the two, even in half measures, and you enhance the other one. Thus why, in lore, ZX is the most powerful version of these things.

[@NovaBlazerZX]

@@Yokai_Yuri It's got nothing to do with battle experience. The reason Copy X lost is because he simply isn't the real X who holds all the virtues of a robot who values life and his potential to evolve like a real human being. In terms of combat abilities there is no saying at this point who is stronger, because while everyone harps on and on about X's unlimited potential, no one fully understands Zero's full potential either, not even Zero himself. Cerveau in the Zero series talks a lot about how many hidden abilities that Zero himself even isn't aware of. The dark elf had no negative effect on zero. Not sure where this came from. It's precisely why Omega couldn't mind control the likes of him or X. If anything the Elf was supposed to enhance him because he's the original carrier of the virus. That's got nothing to do with more powerful. The two bots' bodies simply work differently.

[@blackchibisan8116]

MH_Nova/ZardX I mean, you have to understand this angle. Light hated war but saw a need for his robot to be able to adapt to anything endlessly while not seeking war. While Wily built a dedicated combat unit to slay Light’s best unit. I’m completely convinced that with how often Zero was damaged and repaired but no one really knowing how he worked, plus how his abilities change over the series that the body he has in Zero(a replica body in case someone doesn’t mind spoilers) includes some of X’s design as well. I say that because in X 1-3 we don’t see Zero needing heart containers and not gaining new moves through defeating other units. He seems pretty static in those, but as time goes on we see his abilities expand dramatically. This is why I say, regardless of the quality of the game itself, ZX plot wise is the final realization of what both Light and Wily could have accomplished if they had put their differences aside and worked in concert.

[@blackchibisan8116]

Omega Storm I’ll actually take my reply one step further. X was more powerful by the end of X1 but Zero was more powerful at the beginning. X2, Zero was no match for X, rebuilt by X or not. X3 Zero had a stronger start but would fall behind as X adapted. It isn’t until X4 that we see Zero as an Equal to X. And regardless of ending, we see that ax’s methods are what makes Zero stronger. By being adaptive. When Zero is purified, X doesn’t win by power but by adaptation and methods. Zero has always had more raw power, but X has always been better because of his ability to adapt and grow. Again, Red-eyes vs Blue-eyes

[@FusionArmorX]

One thing that I don't like about the general story of Mega Man is the sheer amounts of retroactive additions to the games' stories there have been since the games' own release. What started off as X's story first has been reshaped into being overall about how Zero fought against and ultimately overcame his "destiny", with X being largely just along for the ride. Serges is Dr. Wily, Dr. Wily was in X5 and in X6, Zero is spreading the virus passively and it was leaking out of his capsule when it was opened, among so many other tiny additions that don't feel relevant to the games themselves or their stories. You can't go in-depth about the story of Mega Man without running into millions of pieces of trivia like those, and I feel they make it impossible to discuss the story from any other perspective or have any other views on events.

[@DarthJoshReturns]

The short version: They're games first and stories second.

[@RappingNinja]

Archie Comics nailed MegaMan. Knocked it outta the park. In a way they never really did with Sonic for me personally, they felt like they understood and respected the games and adapted them very carefully.

[@kieranstark7213]

It’s refreshing to find someone who much prefers Archie MegaMan over Archie Sonic, not just because it’s mind-blowing how well they executed Archie Mega Man BY EVEN POLISHING THE GAMES SOLELY IN THE STORY/CHARACTER DEPARTMENT while the only times I liked 2010s Archie Sonic was with Sonic & Mega Man: Worlds Collide/Unite (ESPECIALLY, since it fixed issues Worlds Collide had like Eggman and Wily fighting each other in the end and Sonic & Mega Man from the start) and Archie Sonic Boom, but also because normally, I see people praise both video game comic adaptations by Archie Comics like they’re some of the best comic series (and speaking of the subject, comics normally have an AMAZING reputation with Calvin & Hobbes, Garfield, Dilbert, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Disney comics, the list just goes on)... because.

[@rift3487]

To be honest one of my favorite stories come from Zero 1, because of copy x. Sure, it gives more depth in lore and what not but all I really need are great villains and portags to keep me invested, the story is the main course while the lore is the side dish or sauce that makes you appreciate it more. With zero 1s case, I find copy x to be a very unique villain when comparing him to the likes of wily, sigma, and even Weil. Copy x thought of himself as righteous because he was doing good for the people of neo Arcadia, the humans while leaving Reploids to suffer. Copy x has an ideology of humans being more important than Reploids which is his main flaw, the opposite of the original X’s where both humans and Reploids are equals, which is why he was a great hero in the first place. My favorite stories are stories that show the protagonists and antagonists representing realistic motives, ideology and development that fit in with the key theme of the game which copy x can fit into since 1. He was programmed to serve humans 2. He sees that he must protect humans no matter what with him seeing Reploids as the obsolete ones 3. Overtime while ruling he either got frustrated or bored and began harboring violent intentions which got its way into the Reploids Of course this is the way I see copy x and I may or may not have stretched a few things but this how I see him and why he’s my favorite villain.

[@kylecampbell565]

While I like your ideas I feel you jumped the gun on this video topic. As you admitted yourself you haven’t played the Legends series in several years and haven’t touched the Battle Network Continuity. I feel had you waited to make this after revisting Legends or playing Battle Network you could’ve gone more in depth and showed that there are multiple methods to handle story in Mega Man. I still like the video but I feel a follow up will be in order a few years from now

[@rithalos]

MMX7 was a mistake... Excet for the intro(Jp) and "our blood boils" soundtrack... and the Axl shooting Sigma scene. Change my mind.

[@joegreen3802]

I love the Zero series. It definitely isn't perfect, Zero 4 definitely could have been better, but overall, it was a great story for Megaman.

[@rolvirata9003]

Mega Man Zero on GBA game came at the perfect time for me. I was so down on the Mega Man and X games at the time, I unfairly contributed their failures to the entire 2d platformer genre. I was seriously considering abandoning the genre all together. So MMZ saved not only Mega Man but all platformers for me.

[@kai_824]

Just a question, have you ever tried the other timeline games? I can understand why you wouldnt want to, however I still feel as a Megaman fan it's worth trying out at the very least

[@hassanghanim3966]

A megaman story is only good when its a new beginning with a different megaman, every megaman game after 3 shows how they never have any character development at all, they all have the same personality, the only one who managed to somewhat made it work after 3 is MM Zero simply because there is a clear ending, Megaman legends would also be another one but we are stuck with cliffhanger ending in MML2.

[@INFERNO95]

Zero only had four games while the others had five or more. Not a fair comparison.

[@moesabally1502]

X5 has the best story in the X series, it was a great way to end X and Zero's character arcs.