Cool review! I was thinking of playing this game way back when but I never really got around to it but it seems that I have dodged a bullet there

The Mega Man Zero series is awesome!

No you didn't.  The Mega Man Zero series is awesome.  Old school challenge at its finest.  I dunno about Rol, but I made it through the game without doing any grinding.  Of course, I was trying to not use Cyber Elves because they lower your score anyway.

Although I'd recommend the series, you'd be better off starting with 2 or 3 as they're the better entries in the series.  Better level design, better weapons, and abilities you can earn through playing well.  If you're a Mega Man fan, and you're not turned off by a hearty challenge, it's a great series.

Agreed. Its a great series. 2 is a step up from the first. Still liked 1 a lot. But the game get better.

I didn't like 1 as much, but that may be because it was the last one I played.  I didn't check it out till the Zero collection, so it felt like a huge step back.

I agree with the criticisms but not with the score. They made a lot of poor choices, but ultimately the gameplay and level design mostly redeem the game. It's good but not great. The second was better but most of the problems weren't really fixed.

Bolded is a good point. I still think you could completely ignore the elfs and experience a good (if difficult) Mega Man game. The implementation of lives is terrible but as you point out it can also be ignored.

I do think the player should be in the center most of the time as there may be times you wish to go "backwards" -- in fact I remember the factory level you mention (I think it was in that one), and a specific section early on where you can climb platforms opposite the starting direction to access a shortcut. That moving platform section did have those "camera" problems, but I guess I got through it so they didn't make it impossible. Maybe a more dynamic camera that could shift a bit or zoom in and out slightly would have served the game better.

Just wait until you play Mega Man Zero 2, 3, and 4.  The series gets worse with each installment.  The first game is amazing compared to the rest. 

I've finished the game on hard difficulty, it's pretty much required to use the shield as it's the only weapon you can charge up when not leveled and you can't level your stuff up on hard.

megaman zero wasnt a masterpiece but was enjoeyable

The Mega Man Zero series is amazing IMO.