Springy Scaffolding

Chapter 2: Springy Scaffolding Make a Good Mega Man Level: Episode Zero

"What does a tall tower have to do with ice," you ask? Go up one, and see how cold it gets up there!

Overview Creator(s): PhazonMotherBrain Composer(s): Capcom Statistics Rank: Chapter 2 Enemies: Hovering Gachappon Metall Pandeeta Gimmicks: Needle Suzy Sticky Wall

Theme Music Mega Man X7 - Tornado Tonion Stage Order Previous: Nocturnal Assault Next: BlocBunker

Springy Scaffolding is the sixth level on the path to the Icicle Chip in Chapter 2 of Make a Good Mega Man Level: Episode Zero. Arriving at a tall radio tower, Zero encounters several magnetic springs mounted on the tower's walls. By touching these springs, he wil stick to them until he jumps off of them, giving him a pseudo-wall jump with which he can climb up the tower. Aesthetically, the level is a homage to Under Construction from the original Make a Good Mega Man Level, even reusing some of its enemies (though some are used in brand new forms).

Strategy

The level begins in a vertical scrolling section, with multiple magnetic springs lining the walls. Using them is the only way to progress, forcing Zero to understand how they work. Little threat is present here aside from some Metalls. The next section introduces Pandeetas and Needle Suzies, the latter of which are completely invincible and activate a needle trap while moving. These two threats are combined with the magnetic springs to make the next vertical section more challenging; additionally, some of the springs are arranged in such a way that reaching them requires airdashing back towards them after jumping off of a lower set of springs. After the first checkpoint, Hovering Gachappons are introduced; unlike their ground-based cousins, they only shoot one aimed projectile at Zero. They become a nuisance in another vertical climb; if Zero takes damage while on a magnetic spring, he will be knocked loose and unable to latch onto another one while stunned.

By the next checkpoint, the sky in the background will have darkened significantly. Here, Zero must cross a horizontal area with multiple spring-lined walls, while a variety of hazards try to knock him down or kill him. These include Needle Suzies, spikes, bottomless pits, and Hovering Gachappons. Understanding how to move from wall to wall effectively — such as airdashing away from one set of springs and into another, or airdashing back into the same set to climb higher — is important to avoid certain death. Beyond this gauntlet lies one last vertical climb, and a complete transition into night. Though there's very little obstacles as dangerous as a bottomless pit, multiple enemies are strategically placed to try and knock Zero down to the bottom with one hit, something assisted by the lack of safety platforms the higher he climbs. However, at the very top of the tower is an Energy Element, guarded by two Metalls.

Z-Phone Dialogue

	Contact	Transcript
	Dr. Wily	Springy Scaffolding? That's the radio tower near the city, right? The very... magnetic... radio tower. Nothing much to say about it, other than to use your airdash well. Well, I guess there was that incident... Some crazy robot took over the tower once and broadcasted his "silly, silly dance". Was... weird.
	Agent Krantz	Krantz: Springy Scaffolding? That area's got a lot of magnetic springs, which will pull you toward them until you force a rebound. Thankfully, you can airdash back onto the ones above, so you can use that to climb the tower. There's also Needle Suzies, which poke out a needle as they move back and forth. Zero: I shall keep an eye out for those. What about- Stern: Hey bud... you feeling OK over there? Zero: I feel fine... why? Stern: Aren't magnets supposed to like, damage your memory or something if they're super powerful? Zero: They are? Krantz: Pfft, just ignore Gil. He tends to forget that hard disk drives became obsolete years ago. Stern: Oh yeah? Then why's my favorite music still have CDs? Krantz: Because you only listen to music from two decades ago?
	Knives	Knives: No way! Maybe that spot is super high up and the air is as thin as I like it... But that place is TAINTED. You have to have known about what happened there, right? Zero: I do not really care to know. Knives: Not that long ago, some weirdo onion guy took over the tower and started broadcasting stupid things! He got chased out, yeah, but now it's TAINTED. No more romantic feelings there! I bet it was all an operation to get tourists like me away from the tower. I guess they WON!! RUINED!!

Notes

• Just like in Under Construction, the Metalls are coded to only shoot one projectile instead of the typical three.
• The unusually smooth day to night transitions throughout the level were achieved by making each transition room a giant sprite drawn at the depth of a background, which then animates the palette changing. Sometimes being a game developer is about how well you can do something while obfuscating the duct tape and prayers holding it together.
• Unlike PhazonMotherBrain's other two MaGMML1 homage levels, this one is never explicitly identified in-game as being the same area as the original Under Construction, meaning it's possible the two are separate buildings.
• If Dr. Wily and Knives's Z-Phone calls are any indication, Tornado Tonion somehow exists in the MaGMML universe despite the Mega Man X series never happening. If this is the case, it is unknown if (like Boomer Kuwanger) he's an alternate version that exists in this universe, or if he crossed over into it via a Wargate.