Chapter 534: Chapter 484: Player Reactions for ZEPS 2 Part 2
The next game is Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and players absolutely loved it. The smoother frame rate and enhanced graphics over Sonic 1 on ZEPS 1 made a powerful first impression. The game felt faster, cleaner, and more responsive. As players dashed through loop-de-loops and zipped across sprawling levels, they could truly feel Sonic's speed in a way that felt thrilling and new. It wasn't just a visual upgrade—it was an experience that delivered on the promise of speed and style, and fans were ecstatic, especially the fans who long awaited the Sequel of Sonics. They are delighted that ZAGE still loves their hedgehog.
In Sonic 2, players were introduced to a new companion character—none other than Miles "Tails" Prower. Tails follows Sonic throughout the game and can even fly, which adds an exciting new layer to the gameplay. The addition of Tails wasn't just cosmetic; it changed how players approached levels by offering new ways to explore and strategize. Players could switch between Sonic and Tails during gameplay, or a second player could join in and control Tails directly using the switch function. His flying ability was often essential for reaching hidden areas, creating shortcuts, or navigating tricky platforming sections. This mechanic gave the game a more collaborative feel This cooperative option added depth and made the game even more enjoyable, especially for friends playing together.
This sequel also impressed fans by introducing pseudo 3D stages, giving the game a bold and dynamic visual edge. The shifting between classic 2D and cleverly crafted 3D-like perspectives kept gameplay feeling inventive and full of surprises. Fans praised Sonic 2 for expanding its world and gameplay depth while staying true to the fast-paced charm and tight design of the original.
Zabo-man also makes a cameo appearance in this game. In certain stages, he can be seen leaping from a portal in the background, only to vanish into another a moment later. He's clad in his signature Zabo-man suit—a sleek black coat, a black-and-gray Z helmet with a gleaming visor, and in this version, he's equipped with a Shark Jetpack. The surprise sightings added a fun touch for fans
The next game is Fire Emblem 2: Mysteries of Emblem, and players were thrilled to dive into it. While the original Fire Emblem 1 on ZEPS was well-received, it was known for its steep difficulty curve. In contrast, Fire Emblem 2 offers more refined gameplay, balancing challenge with accessibility. Players especially appreciated that most of the characters now come with fleshed-out backstories, adding emotional weight and personality to every decision made on the battlefield.
In terms of core gameplay, both the graphics and performance have seen significant improvements. The class system has been expanded, allowing players to promote units at level 10—a brand new mechanic compared to the original Fire Emblem. This system adds more depth and variety, with evolutions like Swordfighter to Hero, Knight to General, Thief to Rogue, and many others, giving players more strategic options and rewarding progression.
Oh, and Zabo-man also appears in this story as a special recruitable character. His class is called "Hands Thrower," and at first, he's hilariously underpowered—unable to use any weapons and extremely fragile in battle. However, if the player invests in him and manages to level him up to level 10, he undergoes a dramatic transformation into "Z-Fighter." At that point, he unlocks two powerful skills: Ki Blast and Ki Strike, turning him into an overpowered force on the battlefield. The challenge lies in keeping him alive long enough to reach that evolution, which makes him both a gamble and a reward for committed players.
Overall, the gameplay becomes much deeper thanks to its high-stakes design. Players must think carefully with every move, because if a unit falls in battle, they're gone for good—no revives, no second chances. This permanent loss mechanic adds serious weight to each decision and makes strategic planning essential. Keeping the whole team alive becomes a rewarding challenge that keeps players fully engaged.
Also, there are more strategic map layouts, and indoor and outdoor battles also affect what weapons players can use. Another thing that the players love is the story. This Fire Emblem includes a remake of the first ZEPS versions and its sequel too.
And the sequel is after the first events: two years later, peace begins to crumble. Although Medeus is gone, internal conflict and betrayal threaten Archanea. Emperor Hardin, Marth's former ally, becomes consumed by darkness after being manipulated by Gharnef, who secretly survived and seeks to revive Medeus once more. Hardin wages war on Marth's kingdom, forcing Marth to rise again. This time, the threat isn't just from the outside—it's from former friends and noble houses now turned against him.
As Marth travels across the continent, he uncovers Hardin's corruption and Gharnef's sinister plot. Along the way, he learns about the divine dragon Naga, the origins of the Earth Dragons, and the Shield of Seals—an ancient relic capable of containing dragonkind. He reunites with allies from his past journey, and new companions join his cause, including descendants of the original heroes.
Eventually, Marth confronts Hardin in a tragic battle, putting an end to his reign. With Gharnef's dark plans nearly complete, Marth travels to the ancient temple where the Earth Dragons are awakening, and Medeus is reborn in a terrifying new form. With the restored Shield of Seals and the Falchion, Marth defeats Medeus once and for all, sealing away the dragons and saving humanity.
The story is highly engaging, and the enhanced portrait detail on ZEPS 2 adds a new level of immersion that resonated strongly with players. This visual upgrade made the game stand out and significantly boosted its popularity among ZEPS 2 users. In contrast, Fire Emblem on ZEPS 1, while appreciated by its loyal fan base, remained somewhat niche due to its more limited presentation and steeper learning curve.
Next game on the list is F-Zero. Players loved F-Zero because it delivered an experience that felt fast, futuristic, and unlike anything they'd ever seen on a home console.
The use of Mode 7 graphics gave the game a smooth, almost 3D look that made races feel immersive and intense, with tracks that twisted, looped, and stretched far into the distance. The incredible sense of speed made every race thrilling, especially at a time when most console games were much slower and simpler.
Players also appreciated the tight, responsive controls, which rewarded skill and precision while still offering a real challenge. The sleek vehicle designs and futuristic setting added to the appeal, with standout characters like Captain Falcon, Pico, Samurai Goroh, and Dr. Stewart quickly becoming fan favorites. And the soundtrack—with its high-energy, adrenaline-pumping music—amplified the excitement of every race.
There's also Zabo-man in this game as a hidden unlockable racer, in which he uses a machine called "Z-Eagle."
As for single-player, F-Zero also introduces a great, simple story. Set in the year 2560, F-Zero takes place in a future where humans and aliens from across the galaxy gather to compete in a new high-speed racing sport. Inspired by the wealth and thrill of Formula One racing from centuries earlier, the galaxy's richest elites created F-Zero, a deadly and exhilarating racing league where hovercrafts called "F-Zero machines" race at extreme speeds on anti-gravity tracks suspended high above futuristic cities and wastelands.
In single-player mode, players can choose from five racers—Captain Falcon, Dr. Stewart, Pico, Samurai Goroh, and the hidden character Zabo-man—and compete through a series of Grand Prix races across the Knight, Queen, and King Leagues. While the game doesn't include cutscene-driven storytelling, each racer is given a distinct backstory in the manual and official materials. For example, Captain Falcon is a mysterious bounty hunter who races not just for glory, but also to maintain his reputation and chase dangerous targets. These character backgrounds add personality, context, and a subtle narrative layer to the racing experience, enriching player immersion without interrupting the fast-paced gameplay.
Overall, the stories add an extra layer of excitement to an already fantastic game. It's comparable to Star Fox 2 on ZEPS 2 in how it pushes the system's capabilities. Both games showcase not just the technical power of ZEPS 2 but also ZAGE's commitment to creative, genre-defining experiences that leave a lasting impact on players.
As for the other 3 games…
To be continued.
To be continued
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