PROS:
+ Blaster Master Zero does an excellent job of combining the platform shooter synergy of a Mega Man game, mixed with the addicting exploration/power up element of Metroid and topping it off with a fine rop down shooter mode. Control is tight in all modes
+ Like Castlevania, Blaster Master Zero strives to make it's bosses a major part of the joyride. Bosses are not only well designed from a boss perspective, but a visual as well. They can also be challenging... when your not skull fucking them to death with the level 9 weapon. More on that later.
+ Game is developed by inti creates, the team full of ex CAPCOM Mega Man guys, so the game has a very distinct Mega Man sound. If this soundtrack was put in a actual Mega Man game I'm pretty sure it would be up in the top 3-5 best soundtracks. There are 2 boss themes; they kick ass.
+ A retro 8 bit look that feels modern, not cheap. Bright, colorful, and detailed (by 8 bit standards). It cheats a little bit by incorporating visual elements that could not have been done or done well at that time, but who cares.
+ Game is totally speed runable. Very important to me in a platformer. If a platformer can be sped run, its a terribel platformer.
CONS:
- Game design whiplash: Area 8 decides after we spent the previous 7 areas blowin shit up, it wants to be a stealth game ... WHY?
- ladders - I'm not kidding. A ladder can only grabbed from a neutral UP, not up/left or up/right. When Jason is not in the SOPHIA III and he falls too far, he dies. Game loves to make you jump over large chasms and catch ladders. Switching from a whatever direction you are holding to neutral, then UP is difficult on a analog stick while falling at the speed of sound. Last Area 8 boss has you do shit while dodging projectiles. Must of died like 30 times.
- Inti Creates added all sorts of modes and challenges in their previous games (Mega Man 9/10/MN09/Gunvolt) but nothing to speak of here. I would have been fine with a just a boss rush.
- Not really a con but ... There are nine different weapons for top down shooter mode. Each time you collect a red power up one is added. You take a hit you lose one. The level 9 weapon is a 3 hit,piercing, through wall gun that wrecsk shit up. Bosses are designed to be weaker/stronger to certain weapons and you may also have to wait for an opening to land a good hit. Level 9 gun? ignore the previous sentence. You are rewared for playing well,but its too overpowered. Fake final boss is immune to it just so cant stay at door maul him.
Inti Creates did a awesome job with this game. I had a blast all the way through to the point that I'm disappointed I beat it. Hopefully they permanently adopt this series as I am eagerly awating a sequel. Spare 10 bucks on BMZ.
