Messages

2851

Gaming / Re: Metroid Discussion Thread

« on: January 06, 2010, 02:30:25 AM »

Considering you already jumped from the "traditional" yellow/red/orange scheme into purple, not to mention your first game appearance included green hair, I don't think color limits are too strict.  Samus can be whatever color she wants.  If anything a previously unseen suit color makes the Fusion Suit a little easier to swallow, at least then it feels more original.  By the end of the game, you're orange-over-yellow, which gives me the impression that the suit design is pretending to be something it isn't.  Of course, with fighting your fully powered self the whole damn way, pretty much the entire game gave me that vibe.

Blue is if anything the most pleasant of its colors for me.  I just think that, color irrelevant, the Fusion Suit looks like a sack of alien pond scum.  Granted, competing with the Varia Suit design is one hell of an uphill battle.

Get the [tornado fang] off this forum, you [tornado fang]ing piece of [parasitic bomb].

Blows.

2852

ZX / Re: ZX Cameos

« on: January 06, 2010, 02:12:28 AM »

Well, yeah, nobody's debating that.

2853

X / Re: Sigma's Belial Form (X8)

« on: January 06, 2010, 02:04:07 AM »

I'm personally of the "viral energy with a material shell" opinion on Belial Sigma, though I would not commit to where the line is drawn in the functionality of those two aspects of the body.  Marshmallow Man's argued with me to hell and back about it and there's really no way to draw detailed conclusions.  But I'm not buying the X8 body as just another Reploid.

For the virus not to be involved in Sigma's X8 body leaves the question of why his X8 death should be considered final.  This of course is not a very clearly answered question regardless, but still, it at least gives you something to start with.

I'll easily swallow X8's form being the most powerful yet; in fact I pretty much banked on it long before Marshmallow supplied such info.  In comparing Sigma's attitude in X8 to previous games there is a fairly obvious shift.  Ever since X4 he's had a "screw you, I'll be back" attitude, Final Sigma W being the only time during that 4-game stretch that he was playing for keeps (and that was with a body made by someone with the inside scoop on Zero, so it is understandable).  In X8, by VERY sharp contrast, Sigma really expects to come out on top, getting so cocky as to refer to the Hunters as "powerless", and still believing his defeat impossible when it actually happens.  Assuming Sigma DIDN'T lose his mind (which he already did in X6 and even so still wasn't so surprised at "death"), his X8 body has to be far more powerful than his previous forms in order to justify his mentality.

The general vibe I get is that Sigma is gathering all his power this time.  He's got an army of soldiers mass-produced under the public's nose, in charge of the biggest project the planet has seen, and all without requiring, or even allowing should push come to shove, viral manipulation of any kind.  Seems only logical to me that Sigma would therefore focus his viral energy on battle.

2854

X / Re: X8 virus refrences

« on: January 06, 2010, 01:51:25 AM »

Since Sigma admits to spreading the virus under Wily's direction, I think it's a fairly safe bet that Wily designed the Colony Virus, regardless of whether it was him or Sigma who got the hands-on part of the job.  It is speculation, yes, but I do feel it's most likely.

2855

X / Re: The MMX Offical Complete works is out.

« on: January 06, 2010, 01:44:47 AM »

The shoot-out at the beginning of Chapter 10, after Chief R gets gunned down.  When the mechaniloids attack, X and Axl return fire.  Massimo, Marino, and Cinnamon run for cover.  Zero, despite being front and center with the other two Hunters earlier, is not seen AT ALL once the shooting starts.  I presume this to be because as a melee fighter he is incapable of shooting back while it is not good for his character to be seen ducking behind boxes.

Whether he is sniping them with the never-seen Z-Buster, pulling the Jedi-reflect-saber move, or taking out the transport ship in X3 Spycopter style, we'll never know.

2856

ZX / Re: ZX Cameos

« on: January 06, 2010, 01:18:17 AM »

I meant that I do not consider that picture as any guarantee of their status as dead or alive. Not only does it allow characters such as X and Phantom a previously unseen materialized appearance, it is also complete fanon to exclaim that all of them have to have their feet obscured by special effect. For example, X's effects are clearly far more heavy than Phantom's. Between dead since Ciel was 9, dead since Zero1 and dead since Zero3, why would they all be the same?

How often do you see any program life object appearing in the substance world that DOESN'T have some manner of energy effect around it?  The specifics of such may not be an exact science but there's pretty much always something.

I think the difference in saturation of effects between X and Phantom is more a matter of style than timeframe.  MMZ makes it a point of presenting X in an "otherworldly" light, and the visualizations surrounding him have been anything but consistent.  You look at sprite, art, and mugshot, and get three or four completely different looks.

But on the timeframe issue:  ZX.  Giro.  Dead in same game, and discolored from the waist down.

Developer interview was a clear cut; "maybe". Never fact.

It said "maybe" in regards to what they were doing, not that they "maybe" survived.  Big difference.  There was no intention nor implication of death even after the sequel game was done, and the "general creation team" (a shame there are no specific names attached to this) go on to express their regrets for not including the remaining Guardians in Z4.  They also specifically mention that the reason Zero did not have a final showdown with the Big Four is because they did not want to see the Big Four defeated in Z3.

Barring the clear developer intent established there, on the "Nakayama's mind" issue, I think that they are alive in that image is obvious.  Not only for reasons I described above, which need to be deliberately rationalized away to work otherwise, but if Nakayama thought them dead, he wouldn't have stumbled when asked when that image is supposed to fit.  Aizu's explanation of the Guardians dying in Z3 is a simple matter of exploiting a loophole.  Nakayama's piece was the only thing in their way, so they made it a point to dismiss it.  Textbook definition of retcon.  That simple.

2857

Rockman Series / Re: Ancient Theories/Fanon

« on: January 06, 2010, 12:44:42 AM »

Well, brain exploding still stands.  Just in a more indirect way.  As expected Iris's system rejected Colonel's components, so she was pretty much toast then (as I am always obligated to point out, you can beat Iris in X4 without ever touching her).

Then there was that theory that Zero was created evil, uploaded a new memory and would turn on X when the time was right, which was proposed by the same guy that thought that Bass's memory was put into Vile.

The opportunity for that already existed in X5.  No reason for Awakened Zero to be announcing his intentions if he's content to stab X in the back.

I thought she was grown up in X4. :/

Safe bet that she is.  Sensei specifically notes trying to make her look younger for Xtreme2 in the MMXOCW commentary.

2858

Gaming / Re: Metroid Discussion Thread

« on: January 06, 2010, 12:32:53 AM »

It does?  When was this said?

*gives PB ZEE UPPERCUT!!*

How the F*@#!!! did you forget the awesome M3 Mother Brain image during the trailer?

I still want a game after Fusion.

Will never happen unless somebody has the sense to restore the Power Suit.  Fusion Suit blows, that's the way it is.  You can't tell me someone in Big N doesn't realize that when all involved with Metroid have collectively abandoned it for 5 games now; going on 6 with Other M.

2859

Gaming / Re: Warning!! Adult link inside!

« on: January 05, 2010, 04:20:19 AM »

2860

X / Re: The MMX Offical Complete works is out.

« on: January 05, 2010, 03:49:26 AM »

To be fair, not counting TvC, the Z-Buster pretty much dropped off the face of the Earth after X6 (and its absence during a certain XCM cutscene is especially conspicuous).  Still, since Omega is using Double Charge Wave, which is an X2 attack, the thought should have occurred to them.

2861

ZX / Re: ZX Cameos

« on: January 05, 2010, 03:38:45 AM »

Lie by omission, your statement is true only of the text of Vile's Incident, not of Vile's Incident in its entirety.

We've been over this, the illustrations accompanying Vile's Incident, specifically a single piece across pages 2 and 3, indicate that Levi at least is very much alive, as her ankles are visible and unlike Phantom's clearly solid.  Developer interviews around that time frame also stated that the remaining Guardians were alive and merely off-screen during Z4.

It is known fact they were not intended to be dead at Z3's ending until after ZX was under development.  It is senseless to kill three characters in a scenario which a fourth, closest to ground zero (not like that stopped anyone in X5, but still) survived, especially given that the entity credited with retrieving the known survivor was visibly incapacitated at the time of the explosion.

2862

Rockman Series / Re: Robot Master Tournament

« on: January 05, 2010, 03:29:37 AM »

Needle Man, FTW.  Weapons don't get much cooler than machine-gun spikes.

2863

ZX / Re: ZX Cameos

« on: January 02, 2010, 07:05:53 PM »

As such, it is the second game, not anything after, that changed the series.

Harpuia, Leviathan, and Fefnir would beg to differ.  More accurately, the second game and not anything after that changed the X-to-Zero series gap.

Although, it was not until MMZOCW that Inticreates threw us a frikkin' bone regarding what the hell they were thinking.  Before that all we had was guesswork.  The fact that Dark Elf's relation to Zero and the Sigma Virus is the full and sole reason Zero had to be sealed before Elf Wars threw pretty much everyone for a loop.  Nowhere in the games themselves is that stated, and even MMZOCW could have done a better job of emphasizing it.  It's a pretty darn key detail, given that half the timeframe between the two series is there simply to justify it.

2864

X / Re: The MMX Offical Complete works is out.

« on: January 02, 2010, 05:55:17 AM »

The problem with the "technology" rationale is that the MMZ art direction is a style change and not a canonical armor change, for Zero anyway (that Reploids are growing more human-looking over time certainly seems logical, although Iris can raise a few eyebrows considerably earlier in the timeline on that issue).  That aspect of Zero's design is fact unless something emerges to expand/retcon X6, since that is the first seal, therefore the body we see in that sneak-peek is the one that Weil uses to create Omega.  And thin limbs in combat Reploids has been a reality ever since X1; see Boomer Kuwanger.

Inti made it clear in MMZOCW that they redesigned Zero with the intent of being able to tell their series apart at a glance, purposefully trying to avoid looking similar to the X-series version, rather going as different as Inafune would allow.  With Omega, they had the opportunity to confirm an in-story design change, and chose not to.  Hell, they refused to even give Omega the true Z-Buster, despite the fact that they re-sprited the Buster Shot anyway.

Meanwhile, for trying to move closer to MMZ, it seems odd to leave Zero untouched.  The only aspect of his design that changed in XCM was adding the double-collar.

Also, wasn't he just talking about it being in the same "timeframe"?

Udon's translation is as follows:

*X image with his scarf taking up half the picture, you know the one*
MARKETING ILLUSTRATION
"When I heard the timeframe was set in the year 22XX, I realized it was the same as the Zero series.  That's why I added a few touches to give it a bit of a Zero flavor.  Initially, I had some reservations about X's design changes, but I think it suits him quite well." (Higurashi)

(and for any late-comers to this thread, I hereby attach the disclaimer to read my previous post on the matter before jumping to conclusions)

2865

ZX / Re: Who exactly created the Biometals?

« on: January 02, 2010, 05:39:16 AM »

You could also short-answer that with "fanservice". 

2866

Rockman Series / Re: The Megaguy series borrows heavily from Gundam.

« on: January 02, 2010, 05:35:09 AM »

Anyone who has played a ZX game and NOT noticed Gundam references obviously has not heard of Gundam.

Omega Zero is the Wing Zero to Rockguy Zeros Epyon

Shouldn't it be the other way around, Wing Zero being the longer lived good guy?  Or are you referring to the fact that Omega has more varied weaponry?

Speaking of which, X5's Genmurei charge-up is so totally the Epyon-about-to-destroy-Barge pose.

Fafner is Heavyarms, Harpuia is Wing, Levi is Shen Long, and Phantom is Deathscythe while Copy X is pretty much the Tallgeese.

So does that mean Asura Bazura is Sandrock?



You know, it might be fun to go the other way around and see if Gundam knocked off anything from the Blue Bomber.  I mean, what's Heavyarms's best attack after it runs out of ammo?  Top Spin.

2867

Rockman Series / Re: Robot Master Tournament

« on: January 02, 2010, 05:22:19 AM »

Even though I think Slash Claw is cooler than generic-seeker-missile, I had to go with Search Man as a character over the Wolverine knockoff.  Though in all honesty that may reflect my opinion of their respective games more than it does my opinion of them, since neither are particularly my favorite.

Still, nothing like burning down a bush hiding some two-headed camouflaged nutcase.

2868

ZX / Re: Who exactly created the Biometals?

« on: January 01, 2010, 10:31:04 PM »

At first, after experiencing (but most likely not completely comprehending) the story, I thought that Ciel made Model XZHFLP, whilst I thought that (at first) it was Dr. Viel who made Model V. Then, after playing ZX Advent, I learned that Albert created(?) Model V.

Perfectly understandable.  Albert as a character was not introduced before ZX Advent, nor were Model W's origins completely explained.  It was only stated that it was derived from the remnants of Ragnarok, but how it got to be something capable of transforming others with the R.O.C.K. system was never explored, nor were the origins of Pandora and Prometheus, the self-proclaimed voices of Model W.

And I need some clearing up. While Aile/Vent were away, they left Models HFLP in a lab, and someone stole 'em?

Yes.  And the Guardian science guy's name is Fleuve.

Also, why was Aile/Vent compatible with HFLP?

They weren't compatible with any model other than X, but X lets them double merge with any other biometal, so they can use their powers anyway.

False.

Vent and Aile are among Albert's Chosen Ones, and for the last time, any of Ciel's Biometals are compatible with any Chosen One.  Any notions to the contrary are complete fanon, and with the possible exception of Model A (being Albert's backup), there is no conceivable reason that such a restriction should exist at all.

Ciel's Biometals (Models X, Z, H, L, F, and P) are based off of her research on Model W.  There can be no further restriction within Ciel's usage of the R.O.C.K. System beyond Model W's unless Ciel herself added it, and she has neither the reason nor the ability to do so.  If she could modify R.O.C.K. System compatibility, she would never have limited her Biometals to those who share compatibility with Model W in the first place.  Given that she is stuck within the same "pool" as Model W, limiting her Biometals any further would only serve to handicap them against the very threat they were designed to counter, and for what benefit?  None.  The whole idea is a fan-based assumption, and a grossly illogical one at that.

"...the ones with the potential to use Model X and Z, are the same ones with the potential to unleash Model W. As a chosen one, you have the power to save or destroy the world."

2869

X / Re: The MMX Offical Complete works is out.

« on: January 01, 2010, 09:58:41 PM »

That is not in the least canonical fact.  It is a personal statement by Ryuji Higurashi in regards to why he chose to redesign X for Command Mission.  And, incidentally, it's also old news, since that quote was already spotted in the japanese version of R20.

Capcom supervised, but did not make, MegaMan Zero; Inticreates did that.  Higurashi is involved in Classic, X, and Battle Network, not in Zero.  Zero-series was initially said to take place 100 years after X, or 22XX.  HOWEVER, Inticreates themselves expanded the series gap during the development of Zero-series sequels in order to accommodate the origins of the Dark Elf, creating the Elf Wars which is in itself 100 years prior to Zero-series, and mandating that Zero has to drop out of action for a long time before Elf Wars in addition to being sealed afterwards.  For this reason it is exceedingly unlikely for MMZ to take place 100 years after anything X-series related unless the X-series were to touch on Elf Wars, which Command Mission gave no indication of doing.

On the surface, this seemingly necessitates a 200-year gap between X series and Zero series, although there is some debate on the matter of whether or not Zero's first seal lasted as long as was originally intended, due to MMZOCW referencing only a half-century of Sigma Virus experiments on Zero.  Whether or not Zero was subject to such experiments during the entire length of his seal, and at what point if any Weil obtaining Zero's body cut off the intended procedures of his first seal (which was initially estimated at 102 years) is a whole other batch of speculation.  Nevertheless, 150 years, bare minimum (200+ still being likely), following Zero's first seal, which there is no reference of in Command Mission.  That's when Zero-series takes place.

Zero-series in 22XX is ridiculously outdated information; no way is it true of the completed series without one hell of a forced and convoluted explanation.  Command Mission was released in 2004, Z2 in 2003, so Inticreates' reshaping of the series gap had already begun.  Higurashi was simply out of the loop on that, because the Zero-series isn't his bag.  But that misunderstanding yielded a cool design, so all was good.

2870

Rockman Series / Re: What was the first Megaman game you played?

« on: January 01, 2010, 07:30:51 AM »

We all thought that.  Until we noticed personal pronouns, anyway.

Ah, the days before we considered all fictional characters to be male until proven female...

What still boggles me is that I managed to make it to 10th grade having never even heard of Megaman. How'd that happen?

Freak of nature.

2871

X / Re: Sigma's Scars

« on: January 01, 2010, 07:25:17 AM »

I've seen the scan, and regardless of my general indifference to Iwamoto's art style, that scenario simply cannot compare to:

SIGMAAAAAA!!!
*SHINING FINGER*

2872

Gaming / Re: Legend of Zelda - The official Zelda thread

« on: January 01, 2010, 07:17:31 AM »

back in my day we had one item slot.
and we damn well enjoyed it.

damn kids.

I thought I was the old one?

And hey, I enjoyed that too.  Then they took away my frikkin' magic wand and gave us iron boots.

2873

Gaming / Re: Experiment: What Kind of Gamer Are You?

« on: January 01, 2010, 07:10:35 AM »

True enough.  I just resent the "Hardcore" label these days because IGN taught me that it applies to people who care more about polygon counts and orchestrated soundtracks than actual gameplay.  They insist that NSMBWii is not a hardcore title, merely that it miraculously attracted more Nintendo fanboys than Galaxy did in order to sell better (which make no sense when you figure Galaxy should be attracting both fanboys and the hardcore that NSMBWii allegedly shafted).

2874

Gaming / Re: Official Unofficial StarFox discussion thread

« on: January 01, 2010, 07:07:18 AM »

That's IF you kill them quickly.  Which granted isn't too hard.

Honestly speaking right now, I think the only reason I underrate Venom 1 is because hard/red route Venom is preceeded by THE best level in the game, Area-[tornado fang]ing-6. Seriously, I'll say the name and I'll remember the music, the intro and all the enemies that needed blowing up and [tornado fang]... I need to play it now.

Oh, the sweet sweet memories...

"Great Fox will cover you."

*blasts capital ships into oblivion*

That truly is the best of 64's lineup, but if not for Great Fox blasting the [parasitic bomb] out of the enemy, I'd probably rank SNES's Space Armada over it.  Very, very close call, though.

Which Corneria?  SNES or SF64?  I have this discussion with Jericho all the time about how I think the SNES Star Fox game has a much more superior soundtrack to SF64.  I think I made my case either in an old Star Fox thread, or in that VG Music Thread. 

64's soundtrack is awesome.  But Corneria?  Victory Jingle?  Professor Hanger?  Venom Course 2?  Space Armada?  You just can't argue with any of those on SNES, much less all combined.

I have gold medals on every stage! I'm the best!

I had, on N64.  I have yet to devote that much time into VC's SF64, though.

2875

X / Re: Sigma's Scars

« on: January 01, 2010, 06:54:38 AM »

What about them lines in X8? I mean, does that even COUNT?

As ridiculous as this sounds, X8's artist was mainly concerned with giving Sigma an "official" chin.