Mega Man II in Depth Review
I'm going to run through each one of the Robot Masters in the order that I use to beat them. It may not be the best order according to some pretentious strategy guide writer, but I've been playing this game since I was 7 years old, so I think I know what I'm talking about.
Flash Man's Stage
I like to head down to Flash Man's hacienda first. It's the easiest stage and Flash man can be easily killed by normal weapons. If you wait to come here until after you kill Crash Man, you can get some nifty power ups, but I don't bother with that shit. Flash Man needs to be taken out as quickly as possible, that's how dangerous he is. Not really, he isn't dangerous at all. If you can't beat this stage you should just quit playing now. You just aren't suited for the alluring world of Mega Man.
Boss Strategies!
When you are fighting Flash Man time may freeze. Don't Panic! That is just his special weapon. Do not turn off your Nintendo. Do not blow into the cartridge and jiggle the reset button. Just wait for Mega Man to regain consciousness. Then point Mega Man at Flash Man and shoot him. Repeat until he is no longer alive, and then prepare to be equipped with Flash Beam.
Metal Man's Stage
Metal Man's stage is still pretty easy, but it does have some tricky jumps and conveyer belts to keep things thorny. You have to keep your wits about you and never lose hope. Only then can you succeed.
You might be wondering why I chose to go after Metal Man this early in the game. Well let me tell you why, the Metal Blade is the best weapon in any Mega Man game. It is so great because when you have it equipped you can finally shoot up. I have no idea why Mega Man is unable to shoot his normal gun above his head, but when Metal Blade is equipped, this is no problem. You can even shoot at angles; the possibilities are endless as long as you want to shoot up, down, straight, or at angles. I was unable to find a way to shoot Metal Blades through time. This is a shame because it would be pretty cool if I could use them in some of the other games. In every one of these damn games you get a shield weapon and a time stopping weapon, but do you ever get another weapon that you can use to shoot up? No. Why is that nobody ever uses those weapon but Metal Blade. That is a useful tool. I can't stress useful shooting straight up is. That is where all the enemies are hiding right above my head. Damn it, I've gotten myself all worked up now, I need a drink.
All right that's better, let's continue.
Boss Strategies!
Jump over Metal Man's saw blades and shoot him. That's it, he isn't very tough. After the fight, you will totally be equipped with Metal Blade.
Wood Man
Ha ha. Wood Man, his name is funny because it sounds like his weapon is supposed to have something to do with erections. It would have really changed the game if the people who made the game had gone in that direction. He could be shaped like a penis and could shoot white fluid at you. Then when you beat him you could get equipped with Dick Shooter, which when you shoot it sends homing missiles shaped like a penis at the enemy. Man. I so should work at Capcom.
Boss Strategies!
Wood Man is weak against Heat Man's weapon. However, I just always use the Metal Blade. Just avoid the leaves and shoot him when his shields are down. That is the secret to victory.
Congratulations, you are now equipped with Leaf Shield
Bubble Man
This stage is pretty tough. You have to avoid falling off a waterfall, fight some giant mechanical fish, and avoid wall explosives. Be prepared to have to restart a few times until you get all the tricks under control. Don't get discouraged, even a master like me runs into trouble sometimes.
Boss Strategies!
Use Metal Blade; it only takes about two hits to kill him. I guess they made him super easy to make up for how tough the stage is. Be wary though, from now on, all the bosses are going to be tough cookies. Get equipped with Bubble Lead and get ready for the next adventure.
Air Man
Get a look at this guy he's full of HOT AIR. Ha Ha. Sometimes I crack myself up. Hey, if you liked that get a load of this one: Air Man, that guy BLOWS. Man I should totally take this act on the road. One last joke before we get on with the strategy: Air Man is Dr. Wily's biggest FAN.
If you suck at timing jumps, then you will hate Air Man's stage. Most of it is jumping, and timing jumps, and jumping while shooting flying robots. Imagine how easy Mega Man's life would have been if Dr. Light would have bothered to give him the ability to fly. That Dr. Light is a lazy scientist. Mega Man should count himself lucky that he at least gets to shoot things. Roll wasn't even built with a gun, all she is designed for is house keeping and sex, and Dr. Light never even bothers to have her do any house work. Life is hard for a robot.
There's a portion of the level that features Son of Air Man. This guy looks like Air Man but is smaller and easier to kill. He will try to blow you off ledges. Kill them and the dreadful winds will stop blowing. Also watch out for the birds, they drop eggs not full of chocolate, but instead danger.
Boss Strategies!
Air Man is weak against the Leaf Shield. So what you do is get close to Air Man, activate Leaf Shield and let him have it. Just jump over the mini tornados Air Man produces, and get in close—too close to for comfort. When he has fallen, get yourself equipped with Air Blow.
Crash Man
Crash Man lives on top of a massive sky scraper. The only way to get to him is to climb the sky scraper and take out any enemies on the way. This is a mission Mega Man cannot afford to fail. Stand tall, move fast, and never look back. Your future lies before you Mega Man, good luck.
Boss Strategies!
Use the Air Blast you got from Air Man. If you time it right, it is entirely possible to kill Crash Man in one shot. The mighty Crash Man has fallen. Get equipped with Crash Bombs. You can use these to blow up certain barriers, quite the useful contraption.
Heat Man
This stage is frustrating. There is lava which kills you instantly, and disappearing block puzzles. In the first part of the stage, use the Flash Stopper to keep the flying enemies off you back. When that wears off just rely on Metal Blade. Towards the end of the level, there is a part were you have to time your jumps that disappear and reappear. If you miss the jump you fall into lava and die. Luckily there is a trick you can pull, just take the rocket you received from Air Man* and ride that sucker to the end of the lava. Watch out. If you aren't careful you may run out of rocket and fall in the lava. If you jump off the rocket at the right part you can get an extra life.
Boss Strategy!
Heat Man thinks that he is hot stuff, put out his fire with some Bubble Lead. Also make sure to jump over him when he charges at you. It will take several Bubble Leads before Heat Man is finally extinguished. Get yourself equipped with Heat Wave.
* Please note that I am not sure if you get the Jet from Air Man or not. I just don't feel like looking it up. So for purposes of this review that's where you get it.
Quick Man
To beat Quick Man you're going to have to be fast. There are these beams that come across the screen and you have to get past them before they cross the screen and destroy you. A good strategy is to use Flash Stopper to stop the beams, and then try to get past them before you stop flashing. Other then the beams, this stage isn't to bad.
Boss Strategy!
If you have some Flash Stopper built up, you can use it to on Quick Man. He will be render helpless, floating in the middle of the room while his life slowly whittles away. It will only take half of his life at most. Then it is up to you to take him out with your blaster.
Now that the Robot Masters have gone to Robot Hell it's time to take out the puppet master. By that comment I mean Dr. Wiley, not that guy from the movie Puppet Master.