Why destroy Zero in the first place if we're just gonna put him back together again? :P

There is absolutely no reason to kill Zero again in the series. He had 2 different busters, one he lost in X5 when he was jumped by Sigma. The other he simply doesn't prefer.

I would like the chance for Zero to use it again, but there is no need to duplicate the X2 event in order to achieve that.

If his old body was hijacked by, say, Dr. Weil to use as a container for Omega, then we'd have to collect a new suitable body for Zero.  Too early in the timeline, I know, but in this manner Zero could get a new body without dying.

Or it'd be neat to have Axl try and mimick Zero's powers and abilities, but because he's new at this, he'd have to 'level up' his own unique skills, and create sort of immitation powers by mixing and matching abilities/forms stollen from bosses. This way we could bring back Zero game mechanics without resetting Zero.  Some story stuff would have to be worked out, but it'd be interesting.  For example, if Axl is under attack by a mind altering virus, and his mind begins to split into two--Copying the discipline and focus of Zero would be the only way to keep his other half sane and useful, or at least delay his eventual insanity.  This would give Axl some appeal amongst players who like martyrs or a darker tone, and be a nice set up into setting some background story for how he eventually ends up as Model A.

Yet another alternative, have Zero loose his body and be reverted to a cyber-program.  Then search for program enhancements to let him fight viruses in this form.  So every battle will have two overlapping views: Real World, and Cyber World.  Players can switch between one character in the real world, and another partner in the cyber world to defeat bad guys who could might have different characteristics in each of those worlds.  I.e. a tank in the realworld might be being controlled by a magician virus in the cyber world. This would add some nice puzzle elements and strategy to the levels.  One reason why the cyber-partner can't just take on the level by himself: His physcial partner acts as a hot-spot that allows the cyber partner to have power and influence in a certain range of cyber space.  The reason why the physical partner can't take on the entire level by himself: Need a cyber partner to take down firewalls and traps that'll fry the physcial partner's brains if he goes through...We can really make up excuses for anything we want.

Aug 23, 2011 -- 8:29PM, 人修羅 wrote:

Then what would be the purpose of having X...? As of now, X is the only character capable of charging up his attacks: giving Zero a Z-Buster in addition to that on crack Z-Saber would just make X pointless to play as.

Personally, I prefer the way Zero is in X4 and onwards, although I understand why you like the X3 version.

Speaking of the X3 version, Zero was tougher to use because his sprite was bigger, which just made it harder to dodge things.  You sacrifised finesses for power.  So can't we stick with that theme? Take away Zero's normal shot, and make it so he can only do super-moves and charge shots, keeping the time delay between them.  This way players won't be able to spam the attack button, but strategically decide when to release charges, sometimes releasing it earlier so another shot will be ready right when an enemies on them.