Zero has disappeared since the last adventure and the Resistance Army have been waging war against Neo Arcadia without his help. When Zero collapses in an unknown area, he's recovered by the Resistance Army and reunited with old buddy Ciel. The former Resistance Base has been destroyed and the new Resistance Army is headed by Commander Elpizo. Elpizo wants to wage a war against Neo Arcadia and Zero is pulled into the action.

The control setup is standard. Zero can attack, jump, dash, and use a sub weapon by holding R and hitting B. More sub-weapons like a grapple hook and shield appear after each level. But they have to be switched at the pause menu and pauses the action quite a bit.

After each level Zero returns to the Resistance Base to speak to the crew, save data, or grab new weaponry. Zero 2 nods back to previous Mega Man titles by letting you choose from several missions, each with a different objective.

The levels are all action as enemies fire in fast or odd cadences to test any gamer's true platform skills. Learning all the enemy patterns to master each level is key to success. Zero 2 is one of the most difficult Mega Man titles. Some of it is fair and some of it isn't. While a player can memorize AI patterns, the level structure will put Zero in unavoidable damage. For example while Zero is walled on both sides by hot steam that rises in different cadences, a bulldoze enemy will shoot then charge towards Zero to leave no room for escape. Zero also has the worst grapple hook ever. Zero's chain hook can latch onto specific points to let him swing across – except that the swinging never gains any momentum. Players will die and die again as Zero tries to swing with a lame chain hook that moves just far enough to barely make a jump.

The sequel retains the Cyber Elf system from the first title. Tiny helper robots known as cyber elves are dropped by various enemies and contain offensive and defensive powers that can be accessed after they're downloaded at the Resistance Base. The elves ease difficulty a bit, but you have to be able to finish a level before utilizing their power.

Zero 2's graphics are top-notch. The main character is well animated as are most enemies. Each level is decorated in sprite-riffic detail and bright color. Enemies explode or scale to their death in slick fashion as Zero slices through with his Z Saber.

Mega Man Zero is a solid platformer that will appeal to the most hardcore gamer. Like the first title the difficult level is set high and will turn off anyone who can't pull off precise movements in dodge and attack. You've been warned.