Part 5: Climate Control Is Still A Thing
As soon as Geo leaves the suite, he gets a call for help from Bud.![](1-P5_001.png)
![](2-Bud.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
Or fair.
![](2-Bud.png)
Bud hangs up shortly afterward, giving Geo no choice in the matter. Too bad he has no clue where to look.
![](3-Geo.png)
He is confident that someone in the hotel has one at least.
![](4-P5_002.png)
And by the RPG Law of Convenience, he's totally right. Moustache directs him to the second floor's laundry room.
![](5-P5_003.png)
Which, as an employees-only room, is only accessible by Wave World.
![](6-P5_004.png)
Luckily for Bud, this employee used to be an eating contest champion.
![](7-P5_005.png)
![](8-Ome.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
Anyways, as a reminder I'm using the Hard Mode AR codes to give the game a fighting chance.
![](9-P5_006.png)
It still isn't doing too well. But this is the beginning of the game; eventually enemies will start scaling up, and I'll need to be ready. But what can I do?
![](10-P5_007.png)
![](11-P5_008.png)
Use a Wave Command of course. Aside from boosting my stats, aside from transforming MegaMan, aside from giving me cash, and aside from activating Blank Cards, Wave Commands can also straight up give me Battle Cards or Ability Waves.
![](12-P5_009.png)
The first card I used gave me three excellent defensive cards (Invisible makes me immune to most attacks for a while, Barrier will absorb one hit, and Holy Panel will make MegaMan take half damage as long as he's standing on it),
![](13-P5_010.png)
and the second gave me one of the game's most useful abilities (UnderShirt will let MegaMan endure otherwise fatal attacks as long as he has more than 1 HP).
![](14-P5_011.png)
Back at Foodtopia, everything's ready for the competition.
![](15-P5_012.png)
And so is Bud once Geo materializes Fill-U-Upper. I wish I was making that name up.
![](16-Gel.png)
Crowd: Yeahhh!!
![](17-P5_013.png)
![](18-Gir.png)
![](2-Bud.png)
![](19-Amy.png)
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As an aside, if you talk to Mr. Gelande before the contest he'll say he prepared a wide variety of dishes for the contest.
![:geno:](../Smilies/emot-geno.gif)
![](16-Gel.png)
![](21-Animation_017.gif)
Jeez, look at Fay go.
![:stare:](../Smilies/emot-stare.gif)
![](16-Gel.png)
Things start off well,
![](22-P5_015.png)
but even modern technology can not trump natural potential.
![](2-Bud.png)
Losing at the only thing he was ever good at shames Bud to his very core.
![](19-Amy.png)
But he has to go on.
![](2-Bud.png)
Bus is pushed to his very limits, but he cares not.
![](23-P5_016.png)
His vision goes hazy, but still he continues to eat. Desperation, pride, fear, all of these egg him on.
![](24-P5_017.png)
And before he knows it, the trauma he suppressed deep in his subconscious bursts free.
![](25-Animation_018.gif)
Taurus Funk walks again.
![](26-P5_018.png)
But seriously, midway through the competition Bud starts to feel weird.
![](2-Bud.png)
![](27-P5_019.png)
![](16-Gel.png)
![](2-Bud.png)
![](19-Amy.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
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Geo does so,
![](29-P5_021.png)
and sees a face from SF1.
![](30-Vis.png)
At the beginning of SF1, Luna threatened to cut her BB with Bud. This drove him into a depression (since Bud didn't have any other friends), and the emotions he felt drew Taurus to him like a magnet. Taurus easily manipulates Bud into fusing with him, and as the combined entity Taurus Fire they almost kill Geo and Omega-Xis. In the end the matter is resolved without any serious injuries, but Taurus Fire stands tall as a symbol of Bud's insecurities. And an easy tutorial boss.
In this game though,
![](8-Ome.png)
![](30-Vis.png)
![](8-Ome.png)
![](30-Vis.png)
![](8-Ome.png)
![](31-P5_022.png)
Bud turns into Taurus Fire because he ate too much.
Mega urges Geo to pulse in, but Geo doesn't want to do it full view of everyone.
![](32-P5_023.png)
I can totally make him though.
![](33-P5_024.png)
MegaMan's in the Visible Zone again.
![](34-Zac.png)
God damn it, Zack.
The crowd has no idea what's going on, but decide that cheering is better than cowering.
![](35-Meg.png)
And Zack should know this.
![](8-Ome.png)
![](36-P5_025.png)
On that note, now seems like a good time to discuss another game mechanic.
![](37-P5_026.png)
Click to watch.
Namely, effective damage. Star Force features your standard system of elemental weaknesses (Wood beats Elec beats Aqua beats Fire beats Wood), with a super effective attack dealing double damage. If the name weren't enough of a clue, Taurus Fire is Fire element, so he takes double damage from Aqua cards like Cancer Bubble.
![](38-P5_027.png)
But elements aren't the only way to do double damage. Gemini Spark is Elec element, yet here you can see the !! symbol that highlights double damage. Why? Because Taurus Fire was bubbled. Anything that gets hit by Cancer Bubble's tidal wave will be encased in a bubble for a few seconds, and during this state they both can't move and take double damage from Elec attacks.
------
Music: Wave Battle (SF1)
![](39-P5_028.png)
Boss summary time.
![](40-Animation_019.gif)
Taurus Fire's most basic attack is a simple punch. It's not normally this fast, but Hard Mode is boosting its speed.
![](41-Animation_020.gif)
Then there's his signature move, the Ox Tackle. Hard Mode is also bumping up his AI, so he'll immediately try and punch me after the initial charge.
![](42-Animation_021.gif)
Similarily, he'll use his flame breath to try and corner me. Having him do it on the side of the screen like I did here is a good idea.
![](43-Animation_022.gif)
Finally, he can do this stupid move. It'll cause fire pillars to erupt from random panels in the 2x3 area in front of Taurus Fire, and he'll be using the cover to try and punch you. Dodging can come down to luck at this speed, so I didn't even bother.
There's not much to say about Taurus Fire, since just like Dark Phantom he was designed as a tutorial boss. He can get pretty strategic in future rematches, where he'll constantly try and corner MegaMan with his attacks to set-up a guaranteed hit.
![](44-P5_029.png)
I thought about save scumming until I drew Pegasus Magic GX first turn, but
![:effort:](../Smilies/emot-effort.gif)
![](45-P5_030.png)
Anyhow, unlike Dark Phantom, Taurus Fire gives me a reward. This is a sign that I won't be seeing him again in the story.
------
![](46-P5_031.png)
![](34-Zac.png)
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The last thing Bud remembers is staring at the fire the big burger was on. Zack fills him in, and Bud is immediately depressed because now he's sure he has no chance with Amy.
![](3-Geo.png)
![](34-Zac.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
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More like gullible.
Bud cheers up again, much to Geo's relief. Zack then suggests returning to the suite since it's "getting dark".
![](48-P5_033.png)
By the way, did you notice that Luna wasn't here the entire time?
![](49-P5_034.png)
Luna's still pissy, so Geo throws in the towel again.
![](50-Lun.png)
![](51-P5_035.png)
![:shrug:](52-shrug.001.gif)
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Tonight's ominous cutscene focuses on Rich.
??: Our plans of using the snowslides has failed. As have our plans to take over the hotel.
![](54-Ric.png)
![](54-Ric.png)
![](55-P5_037.png)
And this chucklefuck.
Rich complains about not being warned of MegaMan, and Hyde has to admit he didn't see him coming either.
![](56-Hyd.png)
![](54-Ric.png)
![](54-Ric.png)
That has to be the worst use of using ellipses to mask a plan I've ever seen.
Hyde's intrigued by Rich's scheme and intends to kick back and enjoy the show. This is fine with Rich, who apparently would rather do things himself anyways.
![](57-P5_038.png)
![](54-Ric.png)
![](58-P5_039.png)
Yeti's not too pleased with having to help a human, but a fight's a fight so he's game.
![](54-Ric.png)
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![](60-YSn.png)
Incidentally, why would yeti sightings scare people away from Grizzly Peak? If anything, it should've attracted cryptozoologists like moths to a flame.
![](56-Hyd.png)
![](54-Ric.png)
There is no given reason for why Rich of all people was given an Ancient Star Carrier, and Rich certainly isn't that interested in whatever Hyde's concocting. Presumably it was in exchange for funding, but for all we know Hyde just walked up to the biggest asshole he could find and shook hands.
![](61-P5_041.png)
Geo's story resumes the next morning. He's still sore all over from sleeping on the sofa,
![](62-P5_042.png)
and being the accidental assholes they are, Bud and Zack rub it in when they talk about how great their rest was.
![](34-Zac.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
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Smack! Crash!
Nope. Zack returns with a couple bruises.
![](3-Geo.png)
![](34-Zac.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
![:allears:](../Smilies/emot-allears.gif)
Bud interrupts the conversation when he realizes he's late for his meeting with Amy. Geo asks how that happened, and Zack explains that last night Bud mustered up the courage to make a call. He asked to ski with her, and she accepted... skiing with the entire group. Good enough for Bud at least.
![](64-P5_044.png)
To get to where I need to go, I need to materialize the Welvuski Brothers.
![](65-P5_045.png)
This lets me use the ski lifts.
![](66-P5_046.png)
Amy's all set to start coaching the guys, and recommends the beginner course. When she offers to go with them though, Bud chimes in.
![](2-Bud.png)
![](34-Zac.png)
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I'd think having fun with your friends would be more important, but it's not like that's the theme of Star Force or anything.
![](19-Amy.png)
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Geo agrees,
![](67-P5_047.png)
and eventually so does Amy. Zack and Geo are very impressed at what Bud just did. Bud's not as glad,
![](68-P5_048.png)
but he gets over it quickly. Bud zooms off before the other two can react,
![](69-P5_049.png)
and while Geo makes a one-liner Zack heads off too.
![](70-P5_050.png)
Yet somehow Geo still wins.
![](2-Bud.png)
![](34-Zac.png)
If you're wondering, the "race" is just the player moving Geo down the slopes to Foodtopia. Bud and Zack vanish until Geo gets to the goal.
Bud wants to try again,
![](71-P5_051.png)
![](34-Zac.png)
but suddenly a blizzard kicks up. Foodtopia isn't hit for very long, but Zack notices that the parts higher up (the pro slopes) are still getting buffeted.
![](72-P5_052.png)
There is a problem with the EM weather control system. As a result, a blizzard has broken out over the resort. We are working hard to ascertain the cause of this problem. For now we ask guests to avoid areas affected by the blizzard. Please stay away from all slopes, including the pro course area.
![](73-P5_053.png)
Bud realizes Amy's in trouble and jets off. Geo and Zack try to give chase, but before they can move the intercom gives another announcement: the ski lifts have been halted!
![](74-P5_054.png)
Not that that means anything to MegaMan.
Music: Snowstorm
![](75-P5_055.png)
The storm does though. I'm not sure why an EM being would care about snow, but the designers had to get me on the wave road somehow.
![](76-P5_056.png)
Today's dungeon minigame is silly.
![](35-Meg.png)
![](8-Ome.png)
![](35-Meg.png)
![](8-Ome.png)
![](77-P5_057.png)
![](78-Her.png)
The Hertz screams that he and his friends are all buried under the snow (this EM crystal is basically a more refined EM snowball). Geo shouts back that he's coming to help.
![](79-P5_058.png)
![](35-Meg.png)
![](8-Ome.png)
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The game's simple enough. I can move MegaMan left or right, and I need to run over a certain amount of Hertzes.
![](81-P5_060.png)
I also need to avoid these trees (which do 2 damage each) and these snowballs (which rebury one of the Hertzes). The course loops infinitely until I'm done. Or if I die, but I've never had that happen so I can't tell you what happens.
![](82-P5_061.png)
This is probably the most inoffensive of SF2's minigames.
![](83-P5_062.png)
Now for the bestiary. The following pictures are going to be pretty messy since there's so much stuff going on, sorry.
![](84-Animation_023.gif)
PrivateMops will run up and stab me if I line up with them. They deal Wood element damage, and as you can see taking a super-effective hit will knock me out of Thunder Zerker. They drop MopLance cards, which make MegaMan stab the three panels in front of him.
![](85-P5_063.png)
Eyez will move around for a bit before locking on to MegaMan's position and firing three times. Their attacks can pierce mercy invincibility, so if you stand still the damage can really add up. They drop Voltic Eye cards, which are kind of complicated to explain. It's one of the better cards in the game though, so I'll get to it later.
![](86-P5_064.png)
Next, SnowRolls. The first thing to note about them is that you need to hit them out of their shell first.
![](87-Animation_024.gif)
They'll constantly roll around, and if they line up with MegaMan or hit one of the battelfield's walls they'll zoom down their column. The only things that can stop their path are holes and other enemies. And if they roll off the screen, they'll regenerate their shell.
By the way, see that Hertz up there? All of the fights with Hertzes in them are usually crafted to make saving it a puzzle of sorts.
![](88-P5_065.png)
The answer is almost always to call a Satellite Admin. All three GX giga cards only damage the far 3x3 panels, so if the Hertz is in the front row (it usually is), it'll be safe.
![](89-P5_066.png)
The final enemy type on the encounter table are HareJets.
![](90-Animation_025.gif)
They'll move around three times, then jet forwards. They drop Jet Ski cards, which cause MegaMan to zoom forwards in an invincible state. He'll also leave Ice panels in his wake.
![](91-P5_067.png)
Bud gives Geo a call once I get near the top of Bunny Slopes.
![](35-Meg.png)
![](2-Bud.png)
That should be the opposite.
![:doh:](../Smilies/emot-doh.gif)
![](2-Bud.png)
![](35-Meg.png)
![](2-Bud.png)
This would have been a much better time for Bud to go Taurus Fire. Too bad he won't be able to use that form productively until SF3.
Bud's at the very top of the pro course, next to the EM weather control system. Geo promises to be there as soon as he can.
![](92-P5_068.png)
Black Diamond Run got hit the hardest by the blizzard. All of the ski lifts are completely iced over.
![](93-P5_069.png)
The last EM crystal wants me to rescue 90 Hertzes, because if there's one thing the MegaMan franchise is known for it's taking something fun and running into the ground.
![](94-P5_070.png)
Before he can rescue his friends, Geo gets jumped.
![](8-Ome.png)
![](95-Animation_026.gif)
Literally.
![](3-Geo.png)
![](60-YSn.png)
Mega isn't fooled, and immediately susses the big guy out as Rich Dotcom. Geo realizes that that means Rich is behind all of the odd incidents at the hotel.
![](60-YSn.png)
![](60-YSn.png)
Yeti crows that soon he'll be able to buy the hotel on the cheap. MegaMan, on the other hand, isn't just going to sit by and let him.
![](60-YSn.png)
Don't most evil rich people say this after they lose?
![](35-Meg.png)
![](60-YSn.png)
![](96-P5_071.png)
I think he's throwing a tantrum.
![](97-P5_072.png)
Click to watch.
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![](98-P5_073.png)
Yeti Blizzard can be a hectic fight.
![](99-Animation_027.gif)
Whenever he jumps, snow will fall down on random panels. They'll stop doing damage as soon as they break up, so while they appear to block off MegaMan's movement they really don't.
![](100-Animation_028.gif)
After three jumps, he'll crash down on MegaMan's position. This can be really hard to avoid if the snow blocks you off.
Yeti Blizzard has another move where he smashes the ground and causes snowballs to start dropping down, chasing MegaMan's position, but I couldn't get him to use it.
![](101-Animation_029.gif)
Finally, every now and then he'll release a massive avalanche. The only way to avoid this is to rapid fire the buster, and normally he won't move until the attack is over so it's safe to do that. But on hard, he'll move almost immediately, so I guess there's no way to dodge beyond Invisible.
The thing about Yeti Blizzard is that once the difficulty starts climbing, his attacks start to flow into an endless wave. This can make dodging nigh-impossible, which isn't as bad as it sounds when I have a truckload of HP and Super Armor.
SF2 (and 3) has a very real problem where the player is eventually discouraged from fighting bosses as the difficulty climbs. It's just no fun when a) they're moving at supersonic speed, b) I have a billion HP,
![](102-P5_074.png)
and c) I can easily murder them before they can even move. The trick I used in this fight exploits another type of effective damage: Frozen enemies take double damage from Breaking attacks. Enemies can be frozen by getting nailed by an Aqua attack while standing on an Ice panel, or by being hit with certain Freezing attacks like Pegasus Magic GX.
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![](103-P5_075.png)
It is a MegaMan RPG tradition to have the boss die from a bad case of explosions.
![](104-P5_076.png)
Yeti going down also immediately fixes the weather.
![](54-Ric.png)
![](35-Meg.png)
![](54-Ric.png)
Geo and Mega are surprised to hear Hyde's name, and Mega wonders if they can survive another fight.
![](105-P5_077.png)
Unfortunately for Rich, Hyde is
![](56-Hyd.png)
It's not like EM beings are invisible to the naked eye right?
Rich scowls at Hyde's betrayal, and in response Hyde laughs that they were never friends: their only bond was business and money.
![](56-Hyd.png)
![](35-Meg.png)
![](8-Ome.png)
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The moment's broken by Zack, who reports that the rescue workers are on their way. Geo takes this as a sign to pulse out. And as for Rich...
![](107-Ins.png)
![](54-Ric.png)
![](108-P5_079.png)
A quick time skip later, and the group's getting ready to leave.
![](16-Gel.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
Geo is the best wingman.
![](34-Zac.png)
![](19-Amy.png)
![](2-Bud.png)
![](19-Amy.png)
![](2-Bud.png)
![](34-Zac.png)
Note: After this scenario, Amy never shows up again and Bud completely forgets about her.
![](109-P5_080.png)
![](50-Lun.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
Luna: still a jerk.
![](110-P5_081.png)
Meanwhile, Bud has important things to say. He admits that until MegaMan showed up he thought he was a goner, and he's really impressed that Geo doesn't think much of his heroic feats. Add in how Geo's always helping out, and Bud has come to a conclusion.
![](2-Bud.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
![](111-P5_082.png)
![](112-P5_083.png)
![:toot:](../Smilies/emot-toot.gif)
![](2-Bud.png)
(Keep this line in mind.)
Mr. Gelande cuts in to admire the group's camaraderie.
![](16-Gel.png)
Wouldn't he have already figured that out from not having any friends?
![](3-Geo.png)
![](19-Amy.png)
![](2-Bud.png)
Zack sneers that that must have been what Bud was after, causing Amy to hesitate. (Zack is the worst wingman.)
![](2-Bud.png)
Cue canned laughter.
![](113-P5_084.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
![](8-Ome.png)
![](3-Geo.png)
------
![](th-114-CA_YetiBlizzard.jpg)
Both of these look much better than what showed up in the game. I guess they were too hard to model.
![](th-115-CA_Rich.jpg)
What is it with the future and built-in shoes? Also, Rich Dotcom is a terrible name.