I think MMZ2 has the worse level design and bosses

[zerogear5]

Examples are

• the numerous blind spike traps you drop into
  
• Explosive respawn enemies used for progression
  
• Ice platforming mechanics are just garbage
  
• Don't get me started on the invisible platforming section and the mid mission where you stop the bomber.
  
  The only bosses I can even consider good are the guardians the first encounters and the tag team match

[rockmanx1989]

Hmm... arent your examples what you always expect in a Megaman game?

[Xaks32]

MMZ2 probably has the best story in the Z Series.

MMZ3 is the worse in my opinion, robots just appear out of nowhere into your face - you can't predict object collision in none of the stages - the game just forces you to memorize when/where monsters or bullets may appear. Very little to no story development, except with what happens after the final boss fight.

MMZ4 isn't bad, but has the easiest stages in the Zero Series. Easy bosses too. But it's longer than the other Z-Games, and has the best soundtrack and battle/movement system. The story is good, but not as fun, once you've played once through it you already know what's going to happen next. Too linear storyline.

MMZ1 is very good, but has some really annoying stages like the desert rescue one, and the Neo Arcadia elevator stage.

ZX is decent for a 1st open-world megaman game, you kind'a get what you pay for.
ZXA is perfection.

So my top-tier list goes as:

ZXA > ZX > MMZ2 > MMZ1 > MMZ4 > MMZ3

[zerogear5]

Originally posted by rockmanx1989:

Hmm... arent your examples what you always expect in a Megaman game?

While it is true most mega man games have some form of those levels/obstacles. How they implemented them just felt awful compared to other games.

Originally posted by Xakurinha32:

MMZ2 probably has the best story in the Z Series.

How is mmz2 the best story? It barely explains anything and the villain's motives are just *whine* im weak and need to power to I have power so kill all humans. MMZ3 has a consistent story and explains pretty much everything without really needing to talk to npc's.

[Washing Machine]

Gotta love how every example I immediately know which stage you mean, and remember the dozens of resets I did in Polar stage /Harpuia stage.

It's still a step up from Z1 stage design though, but it's pretty awful overall. The beetle platforms are just foul, you do a blind jump only for the pantheon that's slapped on the platform to fire at you before it's even on your screen and you fall and die.

[zerogear5]

Originally posted by Washing Machine:

Gotta love how every example I immediately know which stage you mean, and remember the dozens of resets I did in Polar stage /Harpuia stage.

It's still a step up from Z1 stage design though, but it's pretty awful overall. The beetle platforms are just foul, you do a blind jump only for the pantheon that's slapped on the platform to fire at you before it's even on your screen and you fall and die.

I kinda liked z1's stages just over half were repeats or barely a 1 min long. Z2 has variety i can give it that.

[Washing Machine]

That elevator stage is a stellar example of everything I hate about Z1. You get off the first elevator, there's the moving platforms, you see a ledge, you jump. And boom. Spikes. Above you. No way to really see them until you hit them.

It's just wretched all around. Those stupid submarines in Levi stage you can't see where to go after the first one, it's a blind jump forward to reach the second sub.

I always feel like the guy designing the stages didn't realize how zoomed in the camera was going to be, and here's the result.

[zerogear5]

Originally posted by Washing Machine:

That elevator stage is a stellar example of everything I hate about Z1. You get off the first elevator, there's the moving platforms, you see a ledge, you jump. And boom. Spikes. Above you. No way to really see them until you hit them.

It's just wretched all around. Those stupid submarines in Levi stage you can't see where to go after the first one, it's a blind jump forward to reach the second sub.

I always feel like the guy designing the stages didn't realize how zoomed in the camera was going to be, and here's the result.

Those submarines gave me same problem too lol. I guess when I was younger I was more prone to blindly jumping because reasons. Yea the game would of done better to be slightly less zoomed in since timed ranking means we have to rush forward with no real chance to react to enemies.