Sunday, February 15, 2009

Your Preference of "Stage Selection?"

Out of blatant curiosity, which method of "stage selection" do you prefer? The ever classic menu based stage selection ("the Brady Bunch") or the more open-ended "exploration" type ala' Zero, ZX?

Hands down, I love the traditional method: nothing beats that spiffy stage select tune, alongside foe's mugshots. At time, I do prefer the exploration method as it's sort of a "stage-before-the stage" thingie.

How about you guys?

12 comments:

  1. Exploration lends depth. Select lends simplicity and a quick pickup of the controller.

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  2. I prefer the one from MM3/MM9, 8 robot masters and Megaman's eyes moving along with the cursor

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  3. Exploration gets pretty confusing after a while.

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  4. Depends on the game.
    The exploration method makes the game feel like it has more of a story, whereas the selection screen makes it feel simpler.
    Selection works well for the older titles, whose stories WERE simpler, while the exploration works better for the newer games which have more story.

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  5. That's a good question. There's the nostalgic value of selecting your stage in the classic method and blasting your way through the stages. But then again, the exploration method adds depth to the game and it can be fun exploring.

    It all depends. I mostly like the exploration method, but the classic selection method is great as well.

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  6. I like all series include Megaman 9 and Megaman & Bass.

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  7. I'm all about what snap said, megaman's eyes moving while you choose your boss is the way to go

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  8. I can say a stage selection that I don't like - Rockman 8. The boss chosen animation is very cool though. Rockman X6 is very crappy. Don't get me mad, but the original Rockman (1) has the best stage selection screen! :)

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  9. Both selection screen and Zero/ZX methods work for their respective games. You don't expect much of a story from MMC, so stage select works. With Zero/ZX, exploration gives me a better feel of their "worlds." So they both are good.

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  10. I prefer it like in the later Zero games where there was both, since I like both.

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  11. "How the @!#$ do I get back to that stage?!"

    I prefer the classic select style, myself. ZX/ZXA confused the crap out of me.

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  12. You know, I think it would be possible if you could combine the two methods in some way. For example, if the player were presented with the traditional stage select for the Robot Masters, but when they got to the Fortress, they would be allowed to explore it (ala the "Metroidvania" style of gameplay). I think that would be pretty neat, and a nice variation. Still, I doubt we'll see that in MM10 if/when it comes out.

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