Zero-Sum Game – Let’s Play the Mega Man X Series

Let's Plays
#1

Hey, it’s the next one of these! I’ve already played through the whole Classic Mega Man series here, so now it’s time for the X series. You can also find a full list of the whole X series here in case you just want to scroll through a Youtube playlist for some reason. And lastly, here’s a riff of the prequel OVA, The Day of Sigma:

The NeXt Generation - Let’s Play Mega Man X1

Now, every robot has a chance of saying, “I’m more than just a robot. Die, Wily.”

Long ago, there was a genius roboticist named Dr. Thomas Light. His expertise in the field had helped populate the world with advanced robots who helped people in their every day lives. But at the end of the day, they were mere machines, bound to the will of humanity. But recently, a scientist named Dr. Cain made a discovery: Dr. Light had created something even more advanced than the robots of that time period. A new type of robot who could think for himself, who Dr. Light had named X. Although X could not be finished before Light’s passing, all he had needed was time to ensure that he wouldn’t become a threat. But that time had passed, and Cain could unseal X from his capsule. Indeed, X was far more advanced than any robot the world had seen before. By using Light’s notes, Cain was able to mass-produce more of these robots, which came to be known as “Replica Androids,” or “Reploids” for short. These Reploids integrated quickly into society, and seemed to be a greater boon than their predecessors. However, a problem soon arose: the ability to think freely came with the danger of turning against humans. Although robots had been used as tools against the world before, now they could go maverick and become a threat without a human master. A group of Reploids were banded together for the purpose of combating the threat of Mavericks, but even these Maverick Hunters are susceptible to going Maverick themselves. Sigma, formerly a Reploid Commander, has begun a rebellion against humanity. With eight other powerful Mavericks by his side, the casualties could be immense. Even without their superiors, the Maverick Hunters must muster the strength to stop Sigma’s rebellion. And amongst their ranks is the original Reploid, X, a mere Class-B Hunter who must nonetheless prove he’s not going to be left in the dust.

It’s finally time for Mega Man X! Although the Classic series did eventually move to the Super Nintendo, the X series got the console first. And as far as reputation goes, X1 is incredibly popular. And for good reason: it’s got solid level and boss designs, it looks amazing, and the soundtrack breathes even further life into each stage. Yes, X1 is most certainly a classic, which is a good note going into this game.

… the bad news is, it’s one of the best games in the series. A series with seven other games after it. That’s… not usually where you want the best entry to be. Ah well, let’s not worry about that yet! Let’s just enjoy X1 while we have it.

Episode List

Part 1: Highway to the Vile Zone

Part 2: For Good or for Chill

Part 3: Arm-adillo, Watch it Fight

Part 4: Eagle to Please

Part 5: Bully Mammoth

Part 6: Mr. Mandriller

Part 7: Boomer and Buster

Part 8: King of Sting

Part 9: Octopus in Boats

Part 10: Your Best Foot Quarter Circle Forward

Part 11: Zero Damage

Part 12: Sigma Wars

Don’t be so down, X, you’ve already got a fan clu- oh wait those guys hate you personally.

X may have defeated Sigma, but there’s still work to be done to clean up the remnants of his rebellion. Thankfully, that’s just a factory raid away from being finished! … Or at least it would be, if there weren’t another shadowy organization lurking just around the corner. And this group seems to have a particular interest in X’s deceased friend…

Welcome to Mega Man X2! X1 did well, and we know from the Classic games that Capcom is no stranger to a long series, so this was more or less inevitable. So how does X2 fare against its predecessor? Well, this game is far more polarizing than the universally-loved X1, so you can probably guess the answer is, “less good.” And when compared to the advancement from Mega Man 1 to 2, X2 doesn’t really do anything incredibly new or exciting after X1. Personally, though, I’m pretty fond of it even if it isn’t quite as good as the first game. It stands up well enough on its own, which is more than what some of the actually bad games in the series can say.

Episode List

Part 1: Maverick Hunter X Hunters

Part 2: Oily Maverick Monday

Part 3: At a Snail’s Framerate

Part 4: Desert Yellow Overdrive

Part 5: Turn of the Centipede

Part 6: Down to the Wire Sponge

Part 7: A Stag in the Dark

Part 8: Bubble or Nothing

Part 9: Trash Moth

Part 10: Cleanup at the Gator Tank

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#2

Part 1: Highway to the Vile Zone

It’s been a long time since the year 20xx. Things have changed. I mean, cities are still being attacked by robots. But now the robots are smarter and they’re the ones in charge of the attacks. Progress??? Anyway, our new Mega Man is named X, and he’s got a charge shot and the ability to dash get pummeled by some guy’s mech.

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#3

Part 2: For Good or for Chill

X rushes off to stop Chill Penguin from causing an avalanche. And this time around, it seems like X won’t hesitate to take any shots. So does that mean he’ll get more or fewer lectures from 'ol Icy Penguigo this time?

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#4

Part 3: Arm-adillo, Watch it Fight

Zero’s searching for Sigma’s Fortress, but what better way to do that than to cut off their weaponry? A mine in the region has been occupied by the Mavericks, so everyone’s favorite red Reploid will start his campaign by spelunking.

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#5

Part 4: Eagle to Please

The Death Rogumer has landed in a nearby airport for… I dunno, refueling or something. X must rush to the scene and sabotage the Death Rogumer, lest it drop more cars on unsuspecting cities. But who else could be at the helm but Zero’s best buddy and all around swell guy, Storm Eagle.

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#6

Part 5: Bully Mammoth

Zero has destroyed the rebellion’s mining operations, and now he has his buster set on the factories that were using those resources. Flame Mammoth has been set up to oversee weapon productions, and is more than happy to throw his weight around. Literally, by stomping anyone who tries to attack the factory. Bad news for him though: his factory has already been sabotaged due to the death of Chill Penguin.

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#7

Part 6: Mr. Mandriller

As it turns out, X managed to defeat Storm Eagle at the perfect time, as the Death Rogumer has crashed into a power plant that the rebellion had taken. So let’s not waste a perfect opportunity; time for X to go fight Spark Mandrill.

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#8

Part 7: Boomer and Buster

Sigma’s rebellion has now been bereft of its weapon production, all thanks to Zero. So why not kick them while they’re down and take back the tower they occupied as well? This one’s guarded by Boomer Kuwanger, who’s overclocked and ready to run a mile around a small room if anyone tries to fight him.

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#9

Part 8: King of Sting

X has one more stop in his battle against Sigma’s generals: Sting Chameleon still remains, and he’s… well, he’s guarding a base. Look, it’s not a complicated situation, but someone’s still gotta take this chameleon out.

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#10

Part 9: Octopus in Boats

Sigma’s down to one more Maverick, and it’s the guy in charge of his navy. Zero takes to the sea to take down Launch Octopus, as well as a single ship and two giant snakes. And I hope you weren’t planning on showing off that flamethrower you got from Flame Mammoth, because this is an ocean we’re dealing with here.

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#11

Part 10: Your Best Foot Quarter Circle Forward

Today, we find a concept that was only rarely in the Classic series: cleanup! The X series, with its focus on “permanent power ups being located in stages instead of just shop selections,” will typically require you to double back to stages you’ve completed with weapons you didn’t have before. So, just how inefficient was this run? We’ll say: so-so.

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#12

Part 11: Zero Damage

With Sigma’s eight main underlings down and out, X and Zero move to take down the man himself. However, Sigma’s base isn’t defenseless. You may remember a certain punk-ass Boba Fett cosplayer stomping X at the start of this adventure. Well, nothing was ever done about that guy, so he’s still hanging around the guy who employed him. Now we get to see how X’s upgrades let him fare against his strongest opponent so far!

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#13

Part 12: Sigma Wars

X has overcome Vile and conquered half of the fortress. But without Zero by his side, taking on Sigma will be a challenge. None the less, it’s time for X to prove his limitless potential!

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#14

Don’t be so down, X, you’ve already got a fan clu- oh wait those guys hate you personally.

X may have defeated Sigma, but there’s still work to be done to clean up the remnants of his rebellion. Thankfully, that’s just a factory raid away from being finished! … Or at least it would be, if there weren’t another shadowy organization lurking just around the corner. And this group seems to have a particular interest in X’s deceased friend…

Welcome to Mega Man X2! X1 did well, and we know from the Classic games that Capcom is no stranger to a long series, so this was more or less inevitable. So how does X2 fare against its predecessor? Well, this game is far more polarizing than the universally-loved X1, so you can probably guess the answer is, “less good.” And when compared to the advancement from Mega Man 1 to 2, X2 doesn’t really do anything incredibly new or exciting after X1. Personally, though, I’m pretty fond of it even if it isn’t quite as good as the first game. It stands up well enough on its own, which is more than what some of the actually bad games in the series can say.

Part 1: Maverick Hunter X Hunters

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#15

Part 2: Oily Maverick Monday

Right, it’s off to the eight-boss races once again! Today, X is taking on the most pressing matter at hand: the giant alligator tank that is currently driving through the middle of some city. In charge is a much smaller alligator, but one that’s certainly a bigger threat to X personally than the tank itself.

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#16

Part 3: At a Snail’s Framerate

X heads to the crystal mines to obtain another item he should have waited to get, and to fight exactly one snail. It’s a snail with either time or gravity manipulation powers, though, so it’s not as sad as I made it sound.

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#17

Part 4: Desert Yellow Overdrive

So what’s out in this desert? One very large missile, probably pointed at somewhere important. Gonna be honest, nobody asked what it was for specifically, and after the alligator tank just about any given danger seems kinda self-evident. So off X goes into a perilous sandstorm to fight an ostrich.

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#18

Part 5: Turn of the Centipede

Huh, something seems vaguely familiar about this stage. Ah well, I’m sure it’s nothing! Anyway, Magna Centipede’s lined his base with various security systems, all of which will surely bog X down if they catch him. But while X may not be the stealthiest robot, he does have the ability to traverse an area at high speeds, and that’s the next best thing!

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#19

Part 6: Down to the Wire Sponge

Welcome to the weather station! There’s a sponge here. The sponge is very angry.

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#20

Part 7: A Stag in the Dark

Today, X moves on out to stop Flame Stag from causing a volcanic eruption! I mean, an eruption does kinda happen in the middle of the level anyway, but that one’s small potatoes. There’s a far worse eruption that could happen without intervention, and that’s the only one we need to care about!

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