Protovania - the Mega Metroidvania
Protovania - the Mega Metroidvania, often shortened to just Protovania, is a metroidvania-style level created by Plasma Admin.
| Protovania - the Mega Metroidvania | |||||||||||||||||
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| One of the more well-known screens of the level, famous for its sole Sniper Joe. | |||||||||||||||||
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The level is comprised of several different areas of varying sizes, linked together by pathways and bosses. In order to complete the level, the player (Proto Man) must collect various weapons to pass obstacles blocking the paths between said areas. Several weapons and areas are not necessary to complete the level and are thus optional.
Several adjustments have been made to the level since its original upload by its creator, including a version with an area hub (Protovania - Definitive Edition) and usage of the then-new Music Changer object to give individual areas different music (Protovania Deluxe - Music Changer Update). These tweaked versions are uploaded under the user account "Protovania Level Pack".
Walkthrough
Crystal Labs: The player begins at the bottom of the map, without any weapons at all. They must climb through some short, introductory challenges involving reflecting projectiles with Proto Shield, until they find the Proto Buster and can progress into Knight Man's boss arena. This area also connects to the Warehouse, Skull Tower, and Night Castle areas.
Warehouse: After defeating Knight Man, the player can move into a small, transitory area that connects to multiple parts of the map. Pathways to the Freeze Lifts, Gock Jungle, and Data Banks can be found here. Once the player has access to the Super Arrow, they can fight Spring Man and unlock the Silver Tomahawk.
Gock Jungle: To the left of the Warehouse area is a jungle-like area filled with Gockroach S enemies. Here, the player can fight Plant Man for the Plant Barrier. If the player returns here with Nado, they can access the path to the Bullet Crag.
Freeze Lifts: On the other side of the Warehouse is an area covered in ice, with winter-themed enemies. The player can proceed over Flip Platforms to the entrance to the Gigabit Sea, although they will need Skull Barrier to progress. If they fail the challenge, they fall into the bottom half of the area, where they can fight two Ice Men for access to the Proto Coil. They can then use the coil to escape the area.
Skull Tower: To the left of the Crystal Labs is a jump that can be made with Proto Coil, leading to a new area. The player must overcome a series of Yoku Block platforming challenges, before they can reach the boss, Skull Man. After defeating him, the player gets access to Skull Barrier and a Teleporter to the start of the area is unlocked.
Gigabit Sea: To the far left of the Freeze Lifts is a spike-covered entrance to a large, underwater area. Bubble Man and Pump Man are fought together here, and reward the Super Arrow when defeated. Traveling up, the player can climb a vertical segment to gain access to The Boilers.
The Boilers: Connected by the Fortress Walls and the Gigabit Sea is a fire-themed area with Flame Pillars and Fire Wall segments. It is here that Flame Man can be fought, and the player can acquire Nado.
Fortress Walls: Above the Data Banks is a large, transitory area with spikes, Telly Spawners, and Okosutobons. The player can find Napalm Man here, and gain access to the Thunder Claw or Block Dropper, depending on the version of the level they are playing. This area also connects to the Space Station if the player has Nado.
Data Banks: To the north of the Warehouse is a technology-themed area with many spikes and platforming challenges that involve various weapons. At the end of the area is Sheep Man, who rewards the player with Scramble Thunder when defeated.
Bullet Crag: To the left of Plant Man's boss arena is a western-themed area accessible with Nado. Here, the player can find two weapons. Defeating Grenade Man grants Flash Bomb, but a hidden passage can be found to a small area with Metal Man and the Metal Blade. This area also connects to the Space Station.
Space Station/Deep Space: The final and norternmost areas of the level involve several platforming challenges and enemies. Oil and Sheep Blocks can be found here, as well as plenty of spikes. At the very end of Deep Space is a fight against both Crystal Man and Stone Man, simultaneously. After defeating them, the pathway to the Energy Element and the end of the level is cleared. In the original version, the level simply ends when both are defeated.
Trivia
- This level, alongside Kerosene Fane, Mines at Dusk, Automata Fortress, Wind City, and A Taste of Whats to Come (styled as ID 52), were selected WreckingPrograms as track titles for the various editor music that plays in the level editor of 30XX.
- The creator has since uploaded a sequel level, titled Protovania 2 - Bigger and Better.
- Protovania has become a notable meme in the Mega Man Maker Official Server for its considerable size and length, and the resulting immense lag caused when attempting to load the level.