Difference between revisions of "Mega Man X4"
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− | {{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', known as '''''Rockman X4''''' (ロックマン X4) in Japan, is the fourth game in the | + | {{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', known as '''''Rockman X4''''' (ロックマン X4) in Japan, is the fourth game in the ''Mega Man X'' series. It was released in 1997 by [[Capcom]] for the [[Sega Saturn]] and [[Sony PlayStation]]. |
==Story== | ==Story== | ||
− | + | Taking place in an ambiguous year in the 22nd century (21XX), society is populated by humans and intelligent robots called "Reploids" with several having been labeled "Mavericks" as a result committing crimes crimes. | |
+ | |||
+ | Following the third defeat of the "Maverick" robot Sigma, Cain Labs issues an initiative to create a supplementary military force to complement the "Maverick Hunters." The army, called the "Repliforce," is a strict regime led by General and his second-in-command, Colonel. | ||
Six months following the inception of the group, Cain Labs finds its methods to be ineffective, questionable, and potentially dangerous in the Maverick defense. To make matters worse, behind the scenes, General has been meeting with a mysterious figure who plots the Hunters' demise, insinuating that they are a significant threat to the jurisdiction of the Maverick Hunters. Mayhem breaks out when the Sky Lagoon, a massive floating city, is sent crashing down onto the city below it, killing millions of civilians, humans and Reploids alike. The game begins here where either X or Zero is dispatched to investigate possible causes of the disaster only to become entangled, once again, in a struggle against Sigma to save the world. | Six months following the inception of the group, Cain Labs finds its methods to be ineffective, questionable, and potentially dangerous in the Maverick defense. To make matters worse, behind the scenes, General has been meeting with a mysterious figure who plots the Hunters' demise, insinuating that they are a significant threat to the jurisdiction of the Maverick Hunters. Mayhem breaks out when the Sky Lagoon, a massive floating city, is sent crashing down onto the city below it, killing millions of civilians, humans and Reploids alike. The game begins here where either X or Zero is dispatched to investigate possible causes of the disaster only to become entangled, once again, in a struggle against Sigma to save the world. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The story is told through [[full-motion video]] and in-game cutscenes. The storyline differs slightly depending on whether the player chooses X or Zero. | ||
In X's storyline, X partners up with a robot named Double, who turns out to be a spy for Sigma. | In X's storyline, X partners up with a robot named Double, who turns out to be a spy for Sigma. | ||
In Zero's storyline, the strained relations with Repliforce cause a rift between the bond of himself, his girlfriend Iris, and Colonel, who is Iris' brother. Zero also learns some shocking secrets about his past from Sigma. | In Zero's storyline, the strained relations with Repliforce cause a rift between the bond of himself, his girlfriend Iris, and Colonel, who is Iris' brother. Zero also learns some shocking secrets about his past from Sigma. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Gameplay== | ||
+ | {{ScreenThumb2|Mega Man X4, Character Select.png|Mega Man X4, Stage Select.png|width=200|Character and stage select}} | ||
+ | The game is an action platformer that allows the player to choose between the two mechanoid Reploid protagonists, Mega Man X, who uses traditional, long-range attacks, and Zero, who wields a short-range sword. The two characters cannot be switched during a playthrough. The player is presented with a series of stages that can be cleared in any order desired. In these stages, the player must avoid obstacles like falling debris and spikes and destroy enemy robots to reach the end of the stages. Some stages contain ridable vehicles such as hover bikes and armored-mecha. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Though both characters go through the same stages, they operate differently and are challenged differently from the terrain. X wields the X-Buster, a plasma cannon on his arm that he uses to attack foes from a distance. It can be charged to fire stronger shots. A new special weapon is given to the player with each boss defeated while playing as X. These special weapons have limited ammunition. In some stages, the player can find hidden capsules that contain armor upgrades that greatly enhance X's capabilities. Zero is more melee-oriented than X and uses the Z-Saber energy sword, which is shorter ranged but more powerful. Rather than acquiring weapons from the bosses (with the exception of his Giga Attack), Zero learns special techniques such as the Hienkyaku air dash and the Kuuenbu double jump. Unlike X, Zero cannot upgrade any of his body parts in this game. As in previous installments, each Maverick has a weakness to a particular weapon or technique, allowing the player to strategize the order in which to play the stages. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Characters moves with {{left}} or {{right}}. They jump with {{B}} and jump higher the longer the button is held. They can scale walls by jumping off of them. They dash forward by holding {{C}} (or {{left}}{{left}} or {{right}}{{right}}). They get a boost in jump distance after dashing. They climb ladders with {{up}} and {{down}}. | ||
+ | |||
+ | X's primary weapon is his arm-mounted X-Buster, which has unlimited ammunition but can only have three shots on screen at a time. It is fired with {{X}} (or {{A}} when selected). The X-Buster can charge a more powerful shot by holding {{X}} (or {{A}} when selected) and releasing it when X starts to glow. X acquires an assortment of special weapons by defeating Mavericks. Special weapons are fired with {{A}}. These special weapons cost energy to use; each has its own energy supply. The player can switch the special weapon with {{L}} and {{R}} or through the pause menu with {{Start}}. The player can further upgrade X's abilities by collecting armor parts found within capsules in some stages. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Health for the characters is indicated by a gauge in the corner of the screen. They lose health when they takes damage from an enemy. Some obstacles, such as spikes or bottomless pits, destroy them regardless of how much health they have remaining. If a character loses all of his health, he loses a life. The game ends if the player runs out of lives. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The game saves the player's progress to the Saturn's internal memory or a [[Saturn Backup Memory|backup cartridge]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Weapons=== | ||
+ | Weapons besides the X-Buster can only be charged after obtaining the X-Buster upgrade. | ||
+ | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=X-Buster | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Lightning Web | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Soul Body | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Aiming Laser | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Double Cyclone | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Rising Fire | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Frost Tower | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Ground Hunter | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Twin Slasher | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Techniques=== | ||
+ | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Z-Saber | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Raijingeki (雷神撃) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Kuuenbu (空円舞) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Kuuenzan (空円斬) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Rakuhouha (落鳳破) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Tenkuuha (天空覇) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Ryuenjin (龍炎刃) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Hyouretsuzan (氷烈斬) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Hienkyaku (飛燕脚) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Shippuuga (疾風牙) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Items=== | ||
+ | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=50| | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Small Weapon Capsule | ||
+ | | sprite={{sprite | Mega Man X3, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=16}} | ||
+ | | desc=Restores a small amount of energy for the currently selected weapon. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Large Weapon Capsule | ||
+ | | sprite={{sprite | Mega Man X3, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=16}} | ||
+ | | desc=Restores a large amount of energy for the currently selected weapon. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Small Energy Pellet | ||
+ | | sprite={{sprite | Mega Man X3, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}} | ||
+ | | desc=Restores a small amount of health to X. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Large Energy Pellet | ||
+ | | sprite={{sprite | Mega Man X3, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}} | ||
+ | | desc=Restores a large amount of health to X. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=1-Up | ||
+ | | sprite={{sprite | Mega Man X3, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=32}} | ||
+ | | desc=Gives the player an extra life. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Heart Tank | ||
+ | | sprite={{sprite | Mega Man X3, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=32}} | ||
+ | | desc=Permanently extends X's maximum health capacity. There are 8 Heart Tanks to find, hidden in all of the Maverick stages. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Sub Tank | ||
+ | | sprite={{sprite | Mega Man X3, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=24 | crop_height=24 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}} | ||
+ | | desc=Stores excess health. After a Sub Tank is collected, it stays in X's inventory and fills whenever X collects an Energy Pellet while at full health. The player can select a Sub Tank by pausing the game with {{Start}} and use it to replenish X's health during a stage. There are 4 Sub Tanks to find, two hidden in the Snow Base (Frost Walrus) stage and one each hidden in the Cyber Space (Cyber Peacock) and Marine Base (Jet Stingray) stages. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Ride Armor=== | ||
+ | Ride Armors are giant mechanical walkers that can be ridden by X or Zero. They are found lying in some stages. They provide combat toughness and can traverse some terrain that are otherwise impassable for X and Zero. While in the armor, it absorbs damage instead of X or Zero. However, the armor is destroyed if it sustains too much damage. It flashes before it is destroyed. The characters can jump out of a Ride Armor with {{up}}+{{B}}. | ||
+ | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Raiden (ライデン) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Mega Man X4, Ride Armors, Raiden.png | ||
+ | | desc=A melee combat walker found in the Military Train (Slash Beast) and Volcano (Magma Dragoon) stages. It stabs using an arm-mounted electromagnetic blade with {{A}} or {{X}}. Slashing twice successively performs an overhead slash. The weapon can be charged by holding either fire button and then released for a dashing thrust. It is immune to lava. It can dash with {{C}}. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Eagle (イーグル) | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | desc=A flight armor found in the Air Force (Storm Owl) and first Final Weapon stages. It can hover in the air indefinitely by continuing to hold {{B}} after jumping. It descends if hit by an enemy attack. It shoots large energy blasts with {{A}} or {{X}}. The weapon can be charged by holding either fire button and then releasing for three homing rays. This armor can dash on the ground and in the air with {{C}}. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Upgrades=== | ||
+ | {{ScreenThumb|Mega Man X4, Dr. Light Capsule.png|width=200|Dr. Light Capsule}} | ||
+ | Capsules containing a hologram of Dr. Light are hidden throughout the stages and provide X with armor upgrades that expand his capabilities (in addition to changing the appearance of his armor pieces). Zero does not have any upgrades. | ||
+ | |||
+ | *'''Head (Helmet):''' Gives X unlimited weapon energy for charged special weapons and reduced weapon energy use for charged special weapons. Found in the Cyber Space (Cyber Peacock) stage. | ||
+ | *'''Body:''' Reduces the damage taken by X and gives him the ability to use perform the Nova Strike with {{Y}}. Found in the Volcano (Magma Dragoon) stage. | ||
+ | *'''Leg:''' Gives X the ability to hover in midair by pressing {{B}} again or to dash horizontally in the air with {{C}}. Found in the Jungle (Web Spider) stage. | ||
+ | *'''Arm (X-Buster):''' There are two options for arm parts. Both upgrades allow X to charge his special weapons. | ||
+ | **'''Stock Charge Shot:''' Gives X the ability to hold up to four Charged Shots at a time in reserve. Stored Charged Shots are shown as icons next to X's health gauge. The charged shots are smaller in size. | ||
+ | **'''Plasma Charge Shot:''' Upgrades X's second-level Charged Shot to the Plasma Shot, which is much larger and splits into up to three plasma balls after hitting a target. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Stages=== | ||
+ | ====Opening==== | ||
+ | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Sky Lagoon | ||
+ | | screenshot=Mega Man X4, Stages, Opening 1.png | ||
+ | | screenshot2=Mega Man X4, Stages, Opening 2.png | ||
+ | | screenshot3=Mega Man X4, Stages, Opening 3.png | ||
+ | | screenshot4=Mega Man X4, Stages, Opening 4.png | ||
+ | | screenshot5=Mega Man X4, Stages, Opening Boss.png | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Eregion | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | ====Mavericks==== | ||
+ | After completing the opening stage, the eight Maverick stages can be played in any order. | ||
+ | |||
+ | X can revisit any stage after it is completed, which is often necessary to collect hidden items using newly obtained weapons and abilities. When revisiting a stage, the player can exit it at any time by pausing the game with {{Start}} and selecting "Exit." | ||
+ | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Jungle | ||
+ | | screenshot=Mega Man X4, Stages, Jungle 1.png | ||
+ | | screenshot2=Mega Man X4, Stages, Jungle 2.png | ||
+ | | screenshot3=Mega Man X4, Stages, Jungle Boss.png | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Web Spider | ||
+ | | desc=For X, Web Spider's weakness is the '''Twin Slasher''' weapon. X receives the '''Lightning Web''' weapon after defeating him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For Zero, Web Spider's weakness is the '''Shippuuga''' technique. Zero learns the '''Raijingeki''' technique after defeating him. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Bio Laboratory | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Split Mushroom | ||
+ | | desc=For X, Split Mushroom's weakness is the '''Lightning Web''' weapon. X receives the '''Soul Body''' weapon after defeating him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For Zero, Split Mushroom's weakness is the '''Raijingeki''' technique. Zero learns the '''Kuuenbu''' and '''Kuuenzan''' techniques after defeating him. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Cyber Space | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Cyber Peacock | ||
+ | | desc=For X, Cyber Peacock's weakness is the '''Soul Body''' weapon. X receives the '''Aiming Laser''' weapon after defeating him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For Zero, Cyber Peacock's weakness is the '''Ryuenjin''' technique. Zero learns the '''Rakuhouha''' technique after defeating him. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Air Force | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Storm Owl | ||
+ | | desc=For X, Storm Owl's weakness is the '''Aiming Laser''' weapon. X receives the '''Double Cyclone''' weapon after defeating him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For Zero, Storm Owl's weakness is the '''Rakuhouha''' technique. Zero learns the '''Tenkuuha''' technique after defeating him. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Volcano | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Magma Dragoon | ||
+ | | desc=For X, Magma Dragoon's weakness is the '''Double Cyclone''' weapon. X receives the '''Rising Fire''' weapon after defeating him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For Zero, Magma Dragoon's weakness is the '''Raijingeki''' technique. Zero learns the '''Ryuenjin''' technique after defeating him. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Snow Base | ||
+ | | screenshot=Mega Man X4, Stages, Snow Base 1.png | ||
+ | | screenshot2=Mega Man X4, Stages, Snow Base Subboss.png | ||
+ | | screenshot3=Mega Man X4, Stages, Snow Base 2.png | ||
+ | | screenshot4=Mega Man X4, Stages, Snow Base Boss.png | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Frost Walrus | ||
+ | | desc=For X, Frost Walrus' weakness is the '''Rising Fire''' weapon. X receives the '''Frost Tower''' weapon after defeating him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For Zero, Frost Walrus' weakness is the '''Ryuenjin''' technique. Zero learns the '''Hyouretsuzan''' technique after defeating him. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Marine Base | ||
+ | | screenshot=Mega Man X4, Stages, Marine Base 1.png | ||
+ | | screenshot2=Mega Man X4, Stages, Marine Base 2.png | ||
+ | | screenshot3=Mega Man X4, Stages, Marine Base Boss.png | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Jet Stingray | ||
+ | | desc=For X, Jet Stingray's weakness is the '''Frost Tower''' weapon. X receives the '''Ground Hunter''' weapon after defeating him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For Zero, Jet Stingray's weakness is the '''Hyouretsuzan''' technique. Zero learns the '''Hienkyaku''' technique after defeating him. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Military Train | ||
+ | | screenshot=Mega Man X4, Stages, Military Train 1.png | ||
+ | | screenshot2=Mega Man X4, Stages, Military Train Subboss.png | ||
+ | | screenshot3=Mega Man X4, Stages, Military Train 2.png | ||
+ | | screenshot4=Mega Man X4, Stages, Military Train Boss.png | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Slash Beast | ||
+ | | desc=For X, Slash Beast's weakness is the '''Ground Hunter''' weapon. X receives the '''Twin Slasher''' weapon after defeating him. | ||
+ | |||
+ | For Zero, Slash Beast's weakness is the '''Raijingeki''' technique. Zero learns the '''Shippuuga''' technique after defeating him. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | ===Intermission bosses=== | ||
+ | X and Zero encounter Colonel after completing four and eight Maverick stages. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Colonel's weakness is the '''Frost Tower''' weapon for X and the '''Hyourestuzan''' technique for Zero. | ||
+ | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Memorial Hall | ||
+ | | screenshot=Mega Man X4, Stages, Memorial Hall.png | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Colonel | ||
+ | | desc=Played after defeating four Mavericks. X fights Colonel here; for Zero, it is only a cutscene. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Space Port | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Boss | ||
+ | | info1=Colonel | ||
+ | | desc=Played after defeating all eight Mavericks. Both X and Zero fight Colonel in this stage. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | ====Final Weapon==== | ||
+ | The Final Weapon stages are played in order after the eight Mavericks are defeated. | ||
+ | {{InfoTable|imagewidths=320| | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Final Weapon 1 | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Mid-boss | ||
+ | | info1=Double (if X) or Iris (if Zero) | ||
+ | | info2name=Boss | ||
+ | | info2=General | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{InfoRow | ||
+ | | title=Final Weapon 2 | ||
+ | | screenshot=Notavailable.svg | ||
+ | | tabs=yes | ||
+ | | info1name=Mid-bosses | ||
+ | | info1=Mavericks | ||
+ | | info2name=Boss | ||
+ | | info2=Sigma | ||
+ | | desc= | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | }} | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
− | + | The game is the sequel to ''[[Mega Man X3]]''. It was released on the [[Sega Saturn]] and the [[PlayStation]] in Japan and the US, but other international releases only got the PlayStation version. The Special Limited Edition version, released only in Japan, came with a Mega Man figure model kit. | |
− | ''Mega Man X4'' was the first ''Mega Man X'' game designed for 32-bit hardware, rather than ported upwards, and so the character sprites were redrawn to take advantage of the ability to have larger sprites and more vibrant palettes. Another major change from ''Mega Man X3'' | + | ''Mega Man X4'' was the first ''Mega Man X'' game designed for 32-bit hardware, rather than ported upwards, and so the character sprites were redrawn to take advantage of the ability to have larger sprites and more vibrant palettes. Another major change from ''Mega Man X3'' is in the handling of the character Zero; he is now selectable from the start of the game as a character that can be played the whole way through, with his own storyline perspective, and an entirely different, melee-combat-oriented playstyle compared to X. Besides these changes, however, gameplay is otherwise similar to its previous entry. |
==Versions== | ==Versions== | ||
* The themes for the opening stage boss (Eregion) and the second part of Frost Walrus' stage include an introduction heard exclusively in this version of the game. Since the PlayStation version is the one represented in the game's official soundtrack, it is interesting to note the obscurity of this information as well as its absence in the official release (where the tracks generally have definite endings not heard in-game). | * The themes for the opening stage boss (Eregion) and the second part of Frost Walrus' stage include an introduction heard exclusively in this version of the game. Since the PlayStation version is the one represented in the game's official soundtrack, it is interesting to note the obscurity of this information as well as its absence in the official release (where the tracks generally have definite endings not heard in-game). | ||
− | * Some sound production differences for the game's sound effects and BGM are present, though not nearly to the extent as | + | * Some sound production differences for the game's sound effects and BGM are present, though not nearly to the extent as ''[[Mega Man 8]]'' for the console. |
===Localised names=== | ===Localised names=== | ||
Line 65: | Line 413: | ||
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Comparisons}} | {{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Comparisons}} | ||
− | === | + | ===Localisation=== |
''Mega Man X4'', like ''[[Mega Man 8]]'', suffered from a localization job which involved subpar English language voice acting. A pivotal scene which shows a major character's demise is turned from tragic to comical merely by the poor vocal execution of Zero screaming "What am I fighting for?!", and as such the scene became a popular source of parody and memes in video game pop-culture. | ''Mega Man X4'', like ''[[Mega Man 8]]'', suffered from a localization job which involved subpar English language voice acting. A pivotal scene which shows a major character's demise is turned from tragic to comical merely by the poor vocal execution of Zero screaming "What am I fighting for?!", and as such the scene became a popular source of parody and memes in video game pop-culture. | ||
==Production credits== | ==Production credits== | ||
− | {{multicol| | + | {{multicol|cols=3| |
{{creditstable| | {{creditstable| | ||
{{creditsheader|Staff}} | {{creditsheader|Staff}} |
Revision as of 03:23, 2 May 2023
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Mega Man X4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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System(s): Sega Saturn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: Capcom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developer: Capcom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (2 tracks) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre: Action[1][2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of players: 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Mega Man X4, known as Rockman X4 (ロックマン X4) in Japan, is the fourth game in the Mega Man X series. It was released in 1997 by Capcom for the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation.
Contents
Story
Taking place in an ambiguous year in the 22nd century (21XX), society is populated by humans and intelligent robots called "Reploids" with several having been labeled "Mavericks" as a result committing crimes crimes.
Following the third defeat of the "Maverick" robot Sigma, Cain Labs issues an initiative to create a supplementary military force to complement the "Maverick Hunters." The army, called the "Repliforce," is a strict regime led by General and his second-in-command, Colonel.
Six months following the inception of the group, Cain Labs finds its methods to be ineffective, questionable, and potentially dangerous in the Maverick defense. To make matters worse, behind the scenes, General has been meeting with a mysterious figure who plots the Hunters' demise, insinuating that they are a significant threat to the jurisdiction of the Maverick Hunters. Mayhem breaks out when the Sky Lagoon, a massive floating city, is sent crashing down onto the city below it, killing millions of civilians, humans and Reploids alike. The game begins here where either X or Zero is dispatched to investigate possible causes of the disaster only to become entangled, once again, in a struggle against Sigma to save the world.
The story is told through full-motion video and in-game cutscenes. The storyline differs slightly depending on whether the player chooses X or Zero.
In X's storyline, X partners up with a robot named Double, who turns out to be a spy for Sigma.
In Zero's storyline, the strained relations with Repliforce cause a rift between the bond of himself, his girlfriend Iris, and Colonel, who is Iris' brother. Zero also learns some shocking secrets about his past from Sigma.
Gameplay
The game is an action platformer that allows the player to choose between the two mechanoid Reploid protagonists, Mega Man X, who uses traditional, long-range attacks, and Zero, who wields a short-range sword. The two characters cannot be switched during a playthrough. The player is presented with a series of stages that can be cleared in any order desired. In these stages, the player must avoid obstacles like falling debris and spikes and destroy enemy robots to reach the end of the stages. Some stages contain ridable vehicles such as hover bikes and armored-mecha.
Though both characters go through the same stages, they operate differently and are challenged differently from the terrain. X wields the X-Buster, a plasma cannon on his arm that he uses to attack foes from a distance. It can be charged to fire stronger shots. A new special weapon is given to the player with each boss defeated while playing as X. These special weapons have limited ammunition. In some stages, the player can find hidden capsules that contain armor upgrades that greatly enhance X's capabilities. Zero is more melee-oriented than X and uses the Z-Saber energy sword, which is shorter ranged but more powerful. Rather than acquiring weapons from the bosses (with the exception of his Giga Attack), Zero learns special techniques such as the Hienkyaku air dash and the Kuuenbu double jump. Unlike X, Zero cannot upgrade any of his body parts in this game. As in previous installments, each Maverick has a weakness to a particular weapon or technique, allowing the player to strategize the order in which to play the stages.
Characters moves with or . They jump with and jump higher the longer the button is held. They can scale walls by jumping off of them. They dash forward by holding (or or ). They get a boost in jump distance after dashing. They climb ladders with and .
X's primary weapon is his arm-mounted X-Buster, which has unlimited ammunition but can only have three shots on screen at a time. It is fired with (or when selected). The X-Buster can charge a more powerful shot by holding (or when selected) and releasing it when X starts to glow. X acquires an assortment of special weapons by defeating Mavericks. Special weapons are fired with . These special weapons cost energy to use; each has its own energy supply. The player can switch the special weapon with and or through the pause menu with START . The player can further upgrade X's abilities by collecting armor parts found within capsules in some stages.
Health for the characters is indicated by a gauge in the corner of the screen. They lose health when they takes damage from an enemy. Some obstacles, such as spikes or bottomless pits, destroy them regardless of how much health they have remaining. If a character loses all of his health, he loses a life. The game ends if the player runs out of lives.
The game saves the player's progress to the Saturn's internal memory or a backup cartridge.
Weapons
Weapons besides the X-Buster can only be charged after obtaining the X-Buster upgrade.
X-Buster | |
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Lightning Web | |
Soul Body | |
Aiming Laser | |
Double Cyclone | |
Rising Fire | |
Frost Tower | |
Ground Hunter | |
Twin Slasher | |
Techniques
Z-Saber | |
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Raijingeki (雷神撃) | |
Kuuenbu (空円舞) | |
Kuuenzan (空円斬) | |
Rakuhouha (落鳳破) | |
Tenkuuha (天空覇) | |
Ryuenjin (龍炎刃) | |
Hyouretsuzan (氷烈斬) | |
Hienkyaku (飛燕脚) | |
Shippuuga (疾風牙) | |
Items
Small Weapon Capsule | |
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Restores a small amount of energy for the currently selected weapon. | |
Large Weapon Capsule | |
Restores a large amount of energy for the currently selected weapon. | |
Small Energy Pellet | |
Restores a small amount of health to X. | |
Large Energy Pellet | |
Restores a large amount of health to X. | |
1-Up | |
Gives the player an extra life. | |
Heart Tank | |
Permanently extends X's maximum health capacity. There are 8 Heart Tanks to find, hidden in all of the Maverick stages. | |
Sub Tank | |
Stores excess health. After a Sub Tank is collected, it stays in X's inventory and fills whenever X collects an Energy Pellet while at full health. The player can select a Sub Tank by pausing the game with START and use it to replenish X's health during a stage. There are 4 Sub Tanks to find, two hidden in the Snow Base (Frost Walrus) stage and one each hidden in the Cyber Space (Cyber Peacock) and Marine Base (Jet Stingray) stages. |
Ride Armor
Ride Armors are giant mechanical walkers that can be ridden by X or Zero. They are found lying in some stages. They provide combat toughness and can traverse some terrain that are otherwise impassable for X and Zero. While in the armor, it absorbs damage instead of X or Zero. However, the armor is destroyed if it sustains too much damage. It flashes before it is destroyed. The characters can jump out of a Ride Armor with +.
Upgrades
Capsules containing a hologram of Dr. Light are hidden throughout the stages and provide X with armor upgrades that expand his capabilities (in addition to changing the appearance of his armor pieces). Zero does not have any upgrades.
- Head (Helmet): Gives X unlimited weapon energy for charged special weapons and reduced weapon energy use for charged special weapons. Found in the Cyber Space (Cyber Peacock) stage.
- Body: Reduces the damage taken by X and gives him the ability to use perform the Nova Strike with . Found in the Volcano (Magma Dragoon) stage.
- Leg: Gives X the ability to hover in midair by pressing again or to dash horizontally in the air with . Found in the Jungle (Web Spider) stage.
- Arm (X-Buster): There are two options for arm parts. Both upgrades allow X to charge his special weapons.
- Stock Charge Shot: Gives X the ability to hold up to four Charged Shots at a time in reserve. Stored Charged Shots are shown as icons next to X's health gauge. The charged shots are smaller in size.
- Plasma Charge Shot: Upgrades X's second-level Charged Shot to the Plasma Shot, which is much larger and splits into up to three plasma balls after hitting a target.
Stages
Opening
Sky Lagoon | |
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Boss: Eregion | |
Mavericks
After completing the opening stage, the eight Maverick stages can be played in any order.
X can revisit any stage after it is completed, which is often necessary to collect hidden items using newly obtained weapons and abilities. When revisiting a stage, the player can exit it at any time by pausing the game with START and selecting "Exit."
Jungle | |
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Boss: Web Spider | |
For X, Web Spider's weakness is the Twin Slasher weapon. X receives the Lightning Web weapon after defeating him.
For Zero, Web Spider's weakness is the Shippuuga technique. Zero learns the Raijingeki technique after defeating him. | |
Bio Laboratory | |
Boss: Split Mushroom | |
For X, Split Mushroom's weakness is the Lightning Web weapon. X receives the Soul Body weapon after defeating him.
For Zero, Split Mushroom's weakness is the Raijingeki technique. Zero learns the Kuuenbu and Kuuenzan techniques after defeating him. | |
Cyber Space | |
Boss: Cyber Peacock | |
For X, Cyber Peacock's weakness is the Soul Body weapon. X receives the Aiming Laser weapon after defeating him.
For Zero, Cyber Peacock's weakness is the Ryuenjin technique. Zero learns the Rakuhouha technique after defeating him. | |
Air Force | |
Boss: Storm Owl | |
For X, Storm Owl's weakness is the Aiming Laser weapon. X receives the Double Cyclone weapon after defeating him.
For Zero, Storm Owl's weakness is the Rakuhouha technique. Zero learns the Tenkuuha technique after defeating him. | |
Volcano | |
Boss: Magma Dragoon | |
For X, Magma Dragoon's weakness is the Double Cyclone weapon. X receives the Rising Fire weapon after defeating him.
For Zero, Magma Dragoon's weakness is the Raijingeki technique. Zero learns the Ryuenjin technique after defeating him. | |
Snow Base | |
Boss: Frost Walrus | |
For X, Frost Walrus' weakness is the Rising Fire weapon. X receives the Frost Tower weapon after defeating him.
For Zero, Frost Walrus' weakness is the Ryuenjin technique. Zero learns the Hyouretsuzan technique after defeating him. | |
Marine Base | |
Boss: Jet Stingray | |
For X, Jet Stingray's weakness is the Frost Tower weapon. X receives the Ground Hunter weapon after defeating him.
For Zero, Jet Stingray's weakness is the Hyouretsuzan technique. Zero learns the Hienkyaku technique after defeating him. | |
Military Train | |
Boss: Slash Beast | |
For X, Slash Beast's weakness is the Ground Hunter weapon. X receives the Twin Slasher weapon after defeating him.
For Zero, Slash Beast's weakness is the Raijingeki technique. Zero learns the Shippuuga technique after defeating him. |
Intermission bosses
X and Zero encounter Colonel after completing four and eight Maverick stages.
Colonel's weakness is the Frost Tower weapon for X and the Hyourestuzan technique for Zero.
Memorial Hall | |
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Boss: Colonel | |
Played after defeating four Mavericks. X fights Colonel here; for Zero, it is only a cutscene. | |
Space Port | |
Boss: Colonel | |
Played after defeating all eight Mavericks. Both X and Zero fight Colonel in this stage. |
Final Weapon
The Final Weapon stages are played in order after the eight Mavericks are defeated.
Final Weapon 1 | |
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Mid-boss: Double (if X) or Iris (if Zero) Boss: General | |
Final Weapon 2 | |
Mid-bosses: Mavericks Boss: Sigma | |
History
The game is the sequel to Mega Man X3. It was released on the Sega Saturn and the PlayStation in Japan and the US, but other international releases only got the PlayStation version. The Special Limited Edition version, released only in Japan, came with a Mega Man figure model kit.
Mega Man X4 was the first Mega Man X game designed for 32-bit hardware, rather than ported upwards, and so the character sprites were redrawn to take advantage of the ability to have larger sprites and more vibrant palettes. Another major change from Mega Man X3 is in the handling of the character Zero; he is now selectable from the start of the game as a character that can be played the whole way through, with his own storyline perspective, and an entirely different, melee-combat-oriented playstyle compared to X. Besides these changes, however, gameplay is otherwise similar to its previous entry.
Versions
- The themes for the opening stage boss (Eregion) and the second part of Frost Walrus' stage include an introduction heard exclusively in this version of the game. Since the PlayStation version is the one represented in the game's official soundtrack, it is interesting to note the obscurity of this information as well as its absence in the official release (where the tracks generally have definite endings not heard in-game).
- Some sound production differences for the game's sound effects and BGM are present, though not nearly to the extent as Mega Man 8 for the console.
Localised names
Language | Localised Name | English Translation |
---|---|---|
English (US) | Mega Man X4 | Mega Man X4 |
Japanese | ロックマン X4 | Rockman X4 |
Comparisons
- Main article: Mega Man X4/Comparisons.
Localisation
Mega Man X4, like Mega Man 8, suffered from a localization job which involved subpar English language voice acting. A pivotal scene which shows a major character's demise is turned from tragic to comical merely by the poor vocal execution of Zero screaming "What am I fighting for?!", and as such the scene became a popular source of parody and memes in video game pop-culture.
Production credits
- Producer: Keiji Inafune, Bamboo
- Planner: Ohko, Mitsuru Endo, Hiroyuki Yamato
- Programmer: Hisashi Kuramoto, Hiroki Bandoh, Syuichiro Chiboshi, Tomohiro Akizuki, Yuuji Hagiyama, Akihiro Kashimoto, Hideaki Motozuka
- Object Design: Ikki Tazaki, Tsuyoshi Fujisawa, Nwo Hattori, Nottsu Man, Katsumi Toda, Obi Tomomi, Hayato Kaji, Nobuyoshi Mihara
- Scroll Design: Natsue Ueda, Shimoyan, Mayumi Yoshioka, J R, Kita-One, Kentaroh Ono
- Title Design: Ukabin
- Illustrations: Manashi, Hyper Mino, Sensei, Toyozo, Hideki
- Music: Toshihiko Horiyama
- Sound Effect: More Rich
- Voice Actor (Japanese): Kentarou Ito, Ryotaro Okiayu, Ryuzaburoh Ohtomo, Jin Yamanoi, Yūko Mizutani, Yasunori Matsumoto, Mugihito, Issei Futamata, Kazuo Oka, Mari Maruta, Osamu Hosoi, Takashi Nagasako, Toranori Yoshikawa, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Takeshi Aono
- Voice Actor (Overseas): Ruth Shiraishi, Wayne Doster, Mark Hagan, Matthew Meersbergen, John O'Corner, Jermy Felton, Michelle Gazepis, Charlie Fontana, Issei Futamata, Kazuo Oka, Mari Maruta, Osamu Hosoi, Takashi Nagasako
- Opening Theme: 負けない愛がきっとある
- Ending Theme: "One More Chance"
- Words by: Goroh Matsui
- Music by: Tetsuji Hayashi
- Arrange by: Takahiro Tashiro
- Song by: Yukie Nakama
- XEBEC: Nobuyoshi Habara, Shinji Takagi, Shinichi Yamaoka, Hideyuki Motohashi, Meijyu Maeda, Rieko Nakai, Masahiro Satoh, Kanami Sekiguchi, Minoru Ueta, Ryota Niino, Miho Asano, Masakazu Kawazoe, Yutiko Ikehara, Yūko Kami, Nobuo Horii, Youko Ito, Shingo Adachi, Ryuji Fujita, Masaru Echigoya, Kaori Takahashi, Ayumi Tsukamoto, Mitsuko Sekimoto, Hiromi Aoki, Shizuko Kawabata, Kazuyo Ikeda, Natsuyo Ban, Masaki Kimura, Hisaaki Sakabe
- K Production, Keison Production, Koni Production, Marix, Maki Production
- Trans Arts: Yukio Sugiyama, Hiroki Sekito, Haruhiko Tsumura, Saori Kibe, Hiroaki Matsuzawa, Tomohiro Baba, Chisato Asai, Takahiro Wada
- Production Ai: Yoshimi Umino, Hachidai Takayama, Dumie Kawai, Fuyuki Sakanoue, Megumi Ogawa, Yukiko Ogawa, Nobuko Akutsu, Tomoko Takamura, Motoko Iwahashi, Saori Ishibiki
- Special Thanks: Koji Nakajima, Takuya Shiraiwa, Erik Suzuki, Jun Takahashi, Takayuki Umezu, Ayumi Terada, Shinichi Sato, Tetsuya Tabuchi, Yoshihiro Sudo, Takeshi Kawano, Norikazu Fujikawa, Bandai (BANDAI) Katsuhiro Izumi, Takeshi Inoue, ...And All Capcom Staff
- General Producer: Noritaka Funamizu
- Executive Producer: Yoshiki Okamoto
- Thank You For Playing
- Presented by: Capcom
Magazine articles
- Main article: Mega Man X4/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
also published in:
- Ultra Game Players (US) #104: "December 1997" (1997-1x-xx)[7]
Artwork
Physical scans
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79 | |
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Based on 12 reviews |
Saturn, JP (Satakore) |
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Technical information
- Main article: Mega Man X4/Technical information.
References
- ↑ File:MMX4 Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee3.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-20 23:05)
- ↑ http://riehlspot.simplenet.com/vgame/new/saturn.html (Wayback Machine: 1999-02-21 17:22)
- ↑ File:E31997 Capcom PressKit.pdf, page 14
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 GamePro, "December 1997" (US; 1997-xx-xx), page 184
- ↑ File:Mega Man X4 Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ Ultra Game Players, "December 1997" (US; 1997-1x-xx), page 45
- ↑ Ação Games, "Setembro 1997" (BR; 1997-xx-xx), page 10
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1997" (US; 1997-1x-xx), page 198
- ↑ Famitsu, "1997-08-08" (JP; 1997-07-25), page 1
- ↑ Freak, "9/97" (IL; 1997-xx-xx), page 1
- ↑ MAN!AC, "10/97" (DE; 1997-09-10), page 49
- ↑ Mega Console, "Novembre 1997" (IT; 1997-xx-xx), page 78
- ↑ Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 18" (JP; 1997-09-12), page 82
- ↑ Saturn Power, "November 1997" (UK; 1997-09-17), page 81
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "April 1998" (UK; 1998-03-11), page 71
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1997-27 (1997-08-08)" (JP; 1997-07-25), page 196
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 12
Mega Man X4 | |
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Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information | Bootlegs
Prototypes: 1997-04-29
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Mega Man games for Sega systems | |
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Mega Man: The Wily Wars (1994) | |
Mega Man (1995) | |
Mega Man X3 (1996) | Mega Man 8 (1997) | Mega Man X4 (1997) | Super Adventure Rockman (1998) | |
Unlicensed Mega Man games for Sega systems | |
Rockman X3 (1996) | |
Mega Man related media | |
Rockman 8: Metal Heroes Hisshou Kouryaku Hou (1997) |