The Red Woods

Chapter 2: The Red Woods Make a Good Mega Man Level: Episode Zero

Not to be confused with the Blue Woods.

Overview Creator(s): Spade_Magnes Composer(s): Matt Furniss Statistics Rank: Chapter 2 Collectables: 010: Yamato Man 016: Genesis Unit 073: Totem Polen EX Enemies: Cyorown Heli Buton Mousubeil Gimmicks: Foot Holder Hanabiran Clock Arm Sub-Bosses: Totem Polen Plus Bosses: Totem Polen EX

Theme Music Puggsy - The Red Woods Boss: Mega Man 9 - Boss Battle Stage Order Next: Vertical Vine Venture

The Red Woods is the first level on the path to the Psycho Chip in Chapter 2 of Make a Good Mega Man Level: Episode Zero. While out looking for Energy Elements and SRARA, Zero enters a dense forest filled with wildlife-themed robots. While he has to contend with them, he also has to avoid spinning turbines on trees and jump across Foot Holders to reach other areas. If all that weren't enough, two extraordinary Totem Polens lie deep inside, waiting to give him even more trouble.

Strategy

Only a few Heli Butons pose a threat in the beginning, with Zero needing to jump across branches over a chasm, but soon enough, Cyorowns appear as long-distance threats. If the Zap Chip has been collected by this point, the Z-Saber's lightning bolt can be used to hit them from below while moving upwards. By taking a ladder near a CD marker, the first CD in the level can be collected at the top of a tall tree while avoiding Heli Butons; the Z-Burst is a powerful option in taking them down. Afterwards, Foot Holders are introduced with each one following set patterns - arrow markings dictate when and where they'll change directions. Two Foot Holders over a pit carry a pair of Cyorown that must be destroyed, and on the other side of the chasm is Totem Polen Plus.

After a few more simple platforming challenges, including the debut of Mousubeils on some branches, a dual Hanabiran Clock Arm appears on a background tree. Beyond it, more Hanabiran Clock Arms are present, as well as a small screen with a CD that needs two Foot Holders to reach. The speed and size of each arm varies, with the smaller ones generally moving faster than their larger counterparts. Just beyond a large group of three arms is a wide chasm with Foot Holders over it (with a small slide passage on the left leading to a CD). The Foot Holders quickly rise up and down, creating a three-pronged threat of falling into the pit, being damaged by nearby Hanabiran Clock Arms, and being crushed against the ceiling by Foot Holders. Careful but quick movement is necessary to avoid all three dangers. At the end of this crossing is the level's boss, Totem Polen EX.

Z-Phone Dialogue

	Contact	Transcript
	Dr. Wily	The Red Woods? Oh, you're over there. That's some fairly untouched woods out there. Popular with campers. I guess someone dropped an Energy Element and it's stuck there now. You know. Common stuff. I'm detecting an incredibly tall robot around there, though. Er... watch out?
	Agent Krantz	Krantz: The Red Woods? The trees in that area have been retrofitted with turbines for wind energy. They have varying lengths to accomodate each tree, so they'll each move at different speeds. Stern: Now they're roboticizing the trees? Just great. Let me know when they roboticize the ground too. Krantz: They already have Gil, it's called Foot Holders. Stern: ...I'm gonna need some more coffee. Krantz: Foot Holders will move in set patterns, but the ones in that area shouldn't shoot at you.
	Galaxy Man	(CD #1): Oh, for this one, keep your eyes peeled at the TOP! Around the entrance area. There should be a lil' marker! Then just go up instead of right and the CD should be yours! (CD #2): One of these should be in plain sight! There should be a little CD sign pointing up. Whoever put all those guides there is super helpful! (CD #3): This one's got a funny lil' helpful marker! Cool! Just keep an eye out for it on the lower left. Then, just dash through that tiny marked passage and the CD's as good as gotten!
	Yamato Man	Totem Polen Plus	Yamato Man: Huh?! What are you calling me for? Don't tell me you need some tips dealing with a bunch of weak goons! You aren't a baby, you're physically incapable of being a baby! You beat me one-on-one in a fight, didn'tcha?! Figure it out for yourself! Zero: (...He hung up. It seems he did not realize this was no ordinary Totem Polen...)
		Totem Polen EX	Totem Polen EX? Jeez, that's a massive creature! It looks even taller than that architectural abomination of a Dojo those incompetent workers built me! It seems to be able to compact itself into a single totem head though, perhaps that's why there are only rare sightings of this monstrosity? On that note, when it compacts itself into a single head and throws itself off the bridge, you'll see a huge line of skulls from the bottom of the bridge. Move to the safe zone, and the Totem Polen'll rise up and dash in the direction marked by the skulls, but with enough of a delay to let you cut it up a bit with your Z-Saber before it does!
	Knives	Knives: Woods, huh? Nahhhhh. That place is crawling with campers most of the time! We can't be seen, Zero. This all has to be secret before our amazing date success is finished! Then, we can be presented to the world as the ULTIMATE COUPLE. Zero: What? Knives: The final union. The lovers from beyond the dimension. The infinite power. Oooooh!!!

Trivia

• The Red Woods is based on the level of the same name from the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game Puggsy, and reuses its graphics and music.
• The house right before Totem Polen EX can be entered by pressing up against the door. Inside is Wood Man, who will tell Zero to get out.