<div style='font: 12pt ; text-align: left; '>Capcom really outdone themselves. This is supposed to be a filler game with a pointless boss that's just to set up for the inevitable show down in Zero 3 (or perhaps later... though I really hope not). Instead we get Harupia who is all X ever was but way cooler. If X isn't going to fight Zero for real, then EX Harupia versus Zero is as good as it gets. Honestly EX Harupia should've had like 5 lifebars and it should be the 2nd to last battle, instead of EX Harupia SP who is a total joke compare to his earlier form. Even the rather unimpressive other 2 Guardians (Leviathan and Fenrir) actually make sense when you realize that they're most likely affected by the Baby Elves already unlike Harupia who was not affected as easily. Zero 2 very clearly shows Harupia as the successor of X and he lives up to that role. And like X, he's still rather humble. I really like his quote when he kills you, "Are you serious? How can a legend die?" It seems logical that X will return in Z3, but I actually would rather Harupia stay in his place. Of course, that doesn't quite fit the series seeing Harupia never wanted to replace X.
Zero 2 also ties in to X4, which I believe is the best X series. Heck, Colonel even makes a cameo in one of the boss stages. But of course, the real important link to X4 is the Dark Elf. I'm not sure how anyone who has played X4 won't know who the Dark Elf is, but I guess not everyone is as a rabid fan of X4 as I am.
Ciel's still a solid character as always, even though she just screams "I am cute I'm not supposed to have a personality!" Even the voice acting is pretty good, even though the quality is obviously pretty poor due to the format limitations. Music is about normal, and there are a few really nice tracks (Neo Arcadia Core and ending comes to mind).
Now some minor gripes about the game:
This game is sadistically difficult especially if you're trying for a high rank, and you should at least see EX Harupia once. His EX move is probably the coolest attack ever in the Megaman game. Honestly, it doesn't feel like it's just one of X's clones (all the Guardians are essentially clones of X). It feels like you're fighting the real thing, especially if you don't cheese him out of his EX move (which you'd need save states to pull off the timing, like I did). EX Leviathan SP can kill you at full life with her EX move if you're using your starting stats.
On the opposite spectrums, some bosses are ridiculously easy. You can take away 1/4th of the last boss's 1st form in one 3-hit combo in the Rise Form (not sure if other forms do more or less damage). It seems like some bosses are made assuming you'd use Cyber Elves (EX Leviathan SP for example. Though not particularly difficult the one hit EX move kill is really cheap) and some are not (like the last boss).
Some chain rod stages are annoying. The spike traps in this game is especially difficult, though I understand you're supposed to use the Cyber Elf that makes you not die when you step in lava/spikes for the really hard spike jumping stages. However using Cyber Elves trashes your rating and denys you the chance of fighting the EX version of the bosses. It'd be nice if you can just fight EX Leviathan and EX Harupia right away. Those two are definitely worth getting the A rank to see their EX moves, and then you can use all the Cyber Elves you want.
Harupia should have had more dialogue. Though of course given the nature of the Megaman games, he can't appear very often hence limiting his lines.</div>
Zero 2 also ties in to X4, which I believe is the best X series. Heck, Colonel even makes a cameo in one of the boss stages. But of course, the real important link to X4 is the Dark Elf. I'm not sure how anyone who has played X4 won't know who the Dark Elf is, but I guess not everyone is as a rabid fan of X4 as I am.
Ciel's still a solid character as always, even though she just screams "I am cute I'm not supposed to have a personality!" Even the voice acting is pretty good, even though the quality is obviously pretty poor due to the format limitations. Music is about normal, and there are a few really nice tracks (Neo Arcadia Core and ending comes to mind).
Now some minor gripes about the game:
This game is sadistically difficult especially if you're trying for a high rank, and you should at least see EX Harupia once. His EX move is probably the coolest attack ever in the Megaman game. Honestly, it doesn't feel like it's just one of X's clones (all the Guardians are essentially clones of X). It feels like you're fighting the real thing, especially if you don't cheese him out of his EX move (which you'd need save states to pull off the timing, like I did). EX Leviathan SP can kill you at full life with her EX move if you're using your starting stats.
On the opposite spectrums, some bosses are ridiculously easy. You can take away 1/4th of the last boss's 1st form in one 3-hit combo in the Rise Form (not sure if other forms do more or less damage). It seems like some bosses are made assuming you'd use Cyber Elves (EX Leviathan SP for example. Though not particularly difficult the one hit EX move kill is really cheap) and some are not (like the last boss).
Some chain rod stages are annoying. The spike traps in this game is especially difficult, though I understand you're supposed to use the Cyber Elf that makes you not die when you step in lava/spikes for the really hard spike jumping stages. However using Cyber Elves trashes your rating and denys you the chance of fighting the EX version of the bosses. It'd be nice if you can just fight EX Leviathan and EX Harupia right away. Those two are definitely worth getting the A rank to see their EX moves, and then you can use all the Cyber Elves you want.
Harupia should have had more dialogue. Though of course given the nature of the Megaman games, he can't appear very often hence limiting his lines.</div>
