Rockman Zero

Hey, I can't always be complaining about something, especially on Christmas day itself. So for a change, today I'm going to talk about Rockman Zero, and why it's one of my favorite games.

People like games for various different reasons. Generally, it can be simplified into this: Gameplay, or story. StarCraft is a good example of the former - it was released nearly 10 years ago and is still played - but few would argue that it continues to be a fan favorite because of its storyline. On the other hand, nearly every single Role Playing Game is an example of the latter. To put it simply, the fighting in RPGs just isn't exciting. That's not to say that battle systems are important and can make or break a game, but you play through a RPG because it's like reading an interactive story. Despite the Rockman series being primarily "action", there's definitely a good story behind it that lends itself a fair amount of analysis. To understand where I'm coming from, here's a brief summary of the first game:

Summary:

It's been 100 years since the heroes X and Zero helped end the Maverick Wars (those featured in Rockman X1-X8), and now a new power has risen - an oppressive society controlled by a totalitarian government - Neo Arcadia. Under the pretext of protecting the humans, enforcers hunt down the Reploids (Robots with free will and thought processes comparable to humans) in order to help alleviate an ongoing energy crisis. Many of the Reploids have fled Neo Arcadia in hopes of survival; one group has found its way into the ruins of an old city, forming a small but determined Resistance. But they're completely outclassed by the military might of Neo Arcadia, and in desperation they seek out a legendary hero from the past, to awaken him and ask for help. He is Zero.

While being chased by Neo Arcadian soldiers (Pantheons - all based off of the original X's design, interestingly enough), these rebels find their way to the place where Zero is in hibernation. Ciel, the human leader of the Resistance, uses her personal Cyber-elf to break the forcefield holding Zero in place. This brings him fully operational once more, and he mows down the Neo Arcadian forces with a weapon dropped by a killed Resistance soldier.

Interestingly, Zero has complete amnesia about who he was before (I suppose a hundred year sleep would do that to you), but escorts Ciel back to the Resistance base, encountering a large Neo Arcadian robot known as a Golem. However, his Buster attacks are unable to harm it - but suddenly, a light appears on a nearby monitor, with a voice telling Zero "Save her." A new weapon materializes in front of Zero - his trusty Z-saber. With a single slash, he destroys the Golem, saving Ciel. The unknown figure then vanishes. Zero finds many reploid outcasts huddling in the Resistance base. Ciel explains to him that Zero's ally X from the previous era is actually the one behind Neo Arcadia. There appears to be more to the story, but Ciel doesn't share it with him yet. She asks him if he is willing to help them in their fight for survival, and he accepts.

Then, as Zero you begin running missions for the Resistance. (In this regard, I think the missions are well designed, and quite fitting for their outgunned situation, relying on guerilla warfare) In some you save stranded or captured Resistance soldiers, defeat Neo Arcadian assaults, and find technology that might help them survive another day. However, Neo Arcadia quickly realizes that something is up, and the legendary Four Guardians of Neo Arcadia - poweful Reploids built from X's own DNA, get themselves involved. Zero confronts them at various occasions, and ultimately beats them all back.

Finally after the Resistance base itself is attacked by a unit from Neo Arcadia, Ciel notes that as long as X exists, the attacks will continue until they are all destroyed. As Zero does not remember his past as X's partner, he easily agrees to enter into the cit and destroy X. But here a complication arises - they cannot transport directly into Neo Arcadia without access codes. Suddenly, the mysterious light appears once more on a screen, the same one that supplied Zero with his saber during the battle with th Golem. The figure says that he has cracked the access codes, and urges Zero to destroy "that copy" of him. As it is revealed to Zero afterwards, the menace behind Neo Arcadia is in fact not the original X - rather, a "Copy X". Zero fights his way through the Neo Arcadian stronghold, but after he makes his way to the shrine before the throne, Ciel stops him. She reveals that she was actually the one who built this current copy of X, but Zero reassures her that it's okay, because she had the best intentions in mind. There was no way she could have foreseen the consequences. (The fact that she was a prodigy and build Copy X when she was six probably helped excuse things a bit too)

And so he continues his way, eventually being challenged once again by the Four Guardians. Again Zero defeats them and they retreat - except for the most loyal one, Phantom. He self-destructs in hopes of taking down Zero with him, but ultimately fails. Inside Copy X's inner chambers, Zero prepares himself for another showdown with the three remaining Guardians, but a familiar voice orders them to stand down. Copy X has revealed himself at last. Copy X claims that he has done what the original X and Zero himself were never able to accomplish - bring about true peace. Neo Arcadia was built for the humans, and he ended the war giving them a chance to do so. Zero points out the injustice of hunting down innocent Reploids in order to maintain this "perfect society", but Copy X is adamant, holding strong to his belief that it is better for the humans to live without fear of Reploids going Maverick, without the constant threat of war. Tired of arguing, the two battle, with Zero prevailing. As Copy X lies broken on the ground, he wonders how he could have been defeated, given that he is the true hero. Zero who at this point is slowly remembering his past, remarks that the original X was just, but not naive. In frustration, Copy X activates the building's self-destruct sequence (funny how all enemy fortresses have this kind of mechanism). Zero manages to escape, just barely.

As he lies damaged outside the ruins of the sanctuary, the light reappears and transforms into a holographic representation of his old friend from 100 years before - the original X. He recounts to Zero countless struggle and war for the century where Zero sealed himself up away from the world. He talks of how he was so tired; eventually losing the will to fight and protect. X pleads with Zero to protect the Earth now that he cannot, to protect both humans and Reploids. Zero accepts the request, and as he does, he sees a field of Neo Arcadian Pantheons in front of him. And thus, the battle continues.

Commentary

One of the single biggest differences between the Rockman X and the Rockman Zero series (besides the new art style) is its blurring of who and what is good and evil. Essentially, it's about the what constitutes justice in the eyes of each faction. Copy X and his Guardians are doing what they believe to be just - likewise, the Resistance does as well. Although you as a player control Zero who fights on the side of the Resistance, ultimately it is also up to you to decide who is truly right. This differs from the previous series where you *knew* who was evil - Dr. Wily from the original Rockman, or Sigma from the X series.

A tradition in many of the Rockman games is to name characters according to a theme. Interestingly, the Zero series appears heavily influenced by key players from various different religions. Anubis Ncromancess III comes from Egyptian mythos. Maha Ganeshariff is based off of a Hindu God, both in name and structure. Likewise, higher-level characters such as Leviathan and Harpuia draw their names from various mythology as well. Ciel means "sky" or "heaven" in French. No more "Rock and Roll".

Indeed, religious metaphor is quite prevalent in RMZ, most interestingly in the two different incarnations of X; in both the original and his Copy. While both arguably take on a form of an "angel", the original has a traditional garb and even a halo above his head. In contrast, the fake takes on the form of Seraphim in his final incarnation. (Seraphim represent the highest known rank of angels of angels, mentioned in Isaiah. It's a rather "fire and brimstone" type of book, so I suppose that's fitting) In the Old Testament, Seraphim are described as warrior angels which describe Copy X fittingly. Capcom did a great job at utilizing the realm of angels to demonstrate the completely opposing natures towards violence that our two X's had - the original still shies away from it when possible, where the Copy embraces battle, considering it the most noble form of justice. This could also be illustrated physically by the fact that by the time the Zero series takes place, everything military-related has been modeleted after X. Pantheons are described as Reploid copies of X that have been altered with lower autonomy and intelligence for Neo Arcadian usage in armies. The Four Guardians were also created using X's own data, and the Copy himself utilizes the original's status as a heroic icon to retain legitimacy. One might say that Neo Arcadia was created in his image.

Yet obviously, the Copy is not a perfect duplicate. The biggest distinction is that the original X was designed to live in peace, but was also equipped with necessary equipment should it ever come to battle. In contrast, the Copy was built and designed as a warrior. Without the original intent that existed behind X's creation, their priorities and decisions branched out sharply.

As noted above, I have a hard time categorizing any faction as "pure evil" at this point in the series. Each side battles for their beliefs, with legitimate arguments. From Copy X's idealist point of view, destroying Reploids is necessary in the long-term for peace. To put it in another way, his way is to try and "sacrifice a few to save many".
Ciel's prominent role also distinguishes the Zero series from the previous Rockman games. Unlike other female side characters from the X series such as Iris or Alia, her character is quite maternal. The Resistance is comprised of orphan-like Reploids, separated from their homes and original lives. They fight not because they are soldiers, but because they have no alternative left. Within this motley bunch, we even see children, most notably Ciel's adopted daughter, Allouette (though I wonder who would create a Reploid child).

I tend to like stories where it's not immediately clear who you must sympathize with. Much like the real world, there's always a story behind every person and their beliefs. Rockman Zero has its own story and foundation, which I really appreciate. While the X games were fun as well, ultimately they all had the same storyline - "Sigma's back, and he's out to destroy the world AGAIN." But within this framework, there weren't really consistent characters on the opposing side that you could follow, save for perhaps the Repliforce in Rockman X4. As such, for most of the games you would have relatively arbitrary enemies for bosses. Robotic whales, T-Rexes, Dung Beetles...

Rockman Zero deviates from this formula particularly where Bosses and missions are concerned. The minor ones are all related to their Generals above, the Four Guardians. Missions all have a purpose, and the free roaming style of the game where you can access all areas of the world without using a select screen is interesting, and helps create a sense of continuity. The Guardians are distinctly humanoid, which in a way probably makes it easier to relate to them as opposed to anthropomorphic Dragonflies. Meeting these bosses multiple times helps too, and I'm not talking about fighting all of them once again before the final battle. Each one is given a distinct personality and mission besides the old, "Rargh. This is my train, you must die!"

As we learn from the later games in the Zero series, the Guardians aren't just mindless devoted followers of Copy X who just do what he says. While they are indeed intensely loyal to him, they have their own doubts and do not necessarily relish fighting and bloodshed. As such, it's more of a call of duty thing more than anything else, which always helps make me feel a bit more guilty about chopping them to bits.

Plus, they show up again in Rockman Zero 2 and 3, and you see their stories developed even more. But that'll have to wait for another post. Suffice to say, the Guardians are the coolest thing in the Zero series.