Megaman X7 Review
I liked the Megaman Series, well, uh, most of them. Battle Network and Starforce are kinda meh in my opinion, but whatever. My first time playing the games was Megaman Powered up and Megaman Maverick Hunter X for the PSP and the Megaman Zero Collection for the Nintendo DS.
And they were fun games! And I also realized something... I fucking suck at Megaman. I must have died, I don't know how many times. But it's a hard series if you don't know what you're doing. For example, me. There were two Megaman X games that were terrible. Megaman X6 for being a fucking mess with an incoherent storyline and that was clearly made in a few months of the same year.
No, really. Megaman X5 and Megaman X6 came out in the same year in 2001. Yeah. But time has passed and we transitioned into the world of 3D! We have Megaman X7 on the Playstation 2 and it sucks. Oh, God it sucks. But why? Well, let's go into the futuristic world of Megaman X and find out shall we?
STORY
Our story begins with two mysterious Reploids named Axl and Red infiltrating a facility by two smugglers named Cedar and Aluce. They manage to eliminate them and retrieve something they kept in a briefcase. It's not exactly clear what it is, maybe a virus? Copy chips in development? Who knows?
We then get a narration that tries to be serious but fails and explains the world of Megaman X. Uhm... is this necessary? I mean, maybe for newcomers but come on, people had to at least have some knowledge of the series. Anyways, X decides to retire after six wars because of too much violence and bloodshed.
So in the words of ProJared "MEH! Violence!" So our replacement is a group of vigilantes called Red Alert who carry on the jobs that the Maverick Hunters are struggling with. However, something changed over time and Axl, their important member, runs away as they seem to have gone Maverick.
Zero goes to Central Highway to investigate Maverick activity when they bump into each other after Axl's chased by a mantis Mechanoloid, after teaming up and killing it, the young Reploid boy is taken into custody for questioning and taken to Signas, Alia and X. And... oh God. This has to be the worst portrayal of X I've ever seen.
X immediately blames Axl for the upcoming crises, not even hearing his side of the story and xl feels his pain but sometimes not all things can be solved with words. Actions speak louder than words but X has a hissy fit and wants to send Axl back to Red Alert.
What the fuck X?! When did you turn into such a dick? If he had this kind of mentality and personality from the past games, I don't think anyone would play the series anymore. Anyways, Red contacts the Maverick Hunters and issues a stupid challenge. They will eliminate Mavericks they've captured in a sort of Hunger Games type of match and if the Hunters win, they keep Axl.
But if Red Alert wins, Axl is theirs for the taking. X whines some more about how there's more violence and everyone being an idiot poopface. Axl and Zero team up take care of the rest of the members as Zero seems to be the only one giving a damn in this game, showing more favoritism from Capcom.
After you defeat a Maverick, you get these scenes where Axl explains his reasons for leaving Red Alert and demonstrating his power to shapeshift into any Reploid his height and size. Zero wonders how the kid does it and explains through the use of DNA Data. Zero also wonders where and when did he learn this skill to which Axl doesn't know.
Axl doesn't know his own life, he only knows he can shapeshift, has combat powers and his name. But this is also where the writing goes downhill fast. They just keep repeating the same conversations over and over again.
"Why did you leave Red Alert?"
"They changed and started hurting people!"
"Okay, but why?"
"I dunno."
Basically that. We then get some scenes with Red starting a few months ago before he issued the challenge to the Maverick Hunters. He is confronted by a cloaked figure who seems impressed with Red's leadership and combat skills. And from there, the figure introduced himself as The Professor and provides DNA Data for his group to be stronger.
But it's not enough. He needs Axl back and needs X and Zero's DNA Data to become even more powerful to the point of a God. Red eventually realizes to his horror what they've been actually doing and who the man is. Red refuses and demands The Professor leave, but surprise! The Professor is actually Sigma... which makes no sense.
In Megaman X6, he was a fucking zombie. He was just revived and his mind deteriorated even more. But here, he has a body back and he seems more calm than before. In fact, not once does he mention to create a world filled with Reploids and without humans. Weird. Anyways, he blackmails Red and using his new powers, he brainwashes the group and erases part of their memories.
They have no choice but to serve Sigma unless they're killed. And that starts the events, X, finally nuts up and decides to join in the fight against Red. And somehow... for some reason, Axl thinks that Red was manipulated by The Professor? Huh? Did I miss something in my notes? I thought Axl guessed that Red went insane, not blackmailed-ugh, whatever.
They storm into the base and confront Red. After a long battle, Red rigged the room they're in to blow up in case he lost. But, uh... what happened if he won? Would it self destruct anyways? What the hell was the point of this fight?! So Red dies and they fight the ghosts of the fallen Mavericks, I don't even know... And face off against Sigma who the group is more annoyed than shocked at this point, and for good reason. The bald bastard refuses to die.
Just when the trio think they've won, Sigma somehow survives and punches Axl through a wall and corners X and Zero. Tired and exhausted from the upcoming battles, they're helpless as Sigma summons... tendrils from his back? I've seen enough of porn to see where this goes...
But Red comes to save the day... despite the fact we saw him get killed. Nope, it's Axl who SOMEHOW managed to get Red's DNA. Sure. Why not? He defeats Sigma as the Maverick falls to his death. X get's pissy again after Axl saved their asses. What a fucking prick.
We get three endings so we go in chronological order.
Axl's Ending
The deal was that if Axl did his job, he would be made into a Maverick Hunter, but X, being the fucking bastard he is in this game is like: "Nah, I lied. Fuck off kid." And so, Axl goes off to prove to X and the Hunters he does have potential.
X's Ending
It continues from where Axl's ending picked off. A few months have passed and there have been reports that Axl has saved more people with few casualties. X is still frustrated on why the kid even tries when Signas lets him ponder the answer himself.

Zero's Ending
Zero's... is a bit weird. It seems to foreshadow the Megaman Zero series as Zero see's X on top of a mountain of Reploid corpses and seems to have lost his minds. Rambling about Mavericks and they need to be eliminated. Zero then wakes up from his nightmare after hearing a distress call.
And, that's it. No, really. That's all of it. What a boring piece of garbage.
GAMEPLAY
The game is in 3D and it will flaunt that fact. We have two gameplay modes, 2D Mode and 3D Mode. 2D Mode is where it plays like the classic games but at certain sections of the levels, we go to a free roam perspective and we come upon a problem. The camera. The camera is so unhelpful and depth perception be damned. I have no idea how far or how close a gap or pit is unless it's too late.
Zero seems to be useless in this game. He swings his sabre so slowly despite the fact he can swing at lightning speed in the past. Really, you need to rely on X and Axl since they came shoot enemies from a distance and you'll never be hit. And of course, we have the Dr. Light Capsules again.
But here's the stupid thing, in Megaman X5 and X6, Zero can grab the parts for X to use. In X7, only X can access it. I would have liked to see an interaction with Zero more of shed some light with Axl, maybe he seems familiar to Dr. Light? Who knows. And the Reploid rescue system returns.
Yay... In Megaman X6, the Nightmare can capture a Reploid and kill them. However, in Megaman X7, every attack from an enemy kills them. Another stupid thing, X is not playable from the start, and you have to unlock him. There are two requirements. One, rescue 64 Reploids and he'll join. Or two, defeat all eight Mavericks and he'll join at the end.
The game also moves so slow for some reason, Megaman X is supposed to be faced paced and filled with action. Maybe it's the game engine they used or something? I have no idea. The bosses also take forever due to their long health bars. It's ridiculous. The gameplay is by far the worst in the series.
MUSIC
The music's actually the highlight of this game. Filled with rocking tunes and some generally creepy ones fitting the dark tone. My favorites are Axl's Intro Stage, Vanishing Gungaroo, Red Relations and of course, Sigma's themes. Our Blood Boils and Conclusion.
Plus, the Japanese opening song, Code Crush, is amazing. I love it.
SOUNDS AND VOICES
... Do I have to? Ugh. The voice acting is atrocious. What, don't believe me?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipimqs81xzo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLaEgbEanqM
... Yeah... I... I don't know.
X sounds like an old man.
Axl sounds like Naruto with a cold.
Zero sounds like Solid Snake.
And the rest are... awful. Just awful. Jesus H. Christ...
FUN FACTOR
I honestly don't know. This is just... boring. I don't see anyone coming back to this.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND SCORE
Megaman X7 is guilty for being the most bland and boring entry in the series. Thank God Megaman X8 fixed the damage. Hell, this is really Axl's game. The game talks about him, the manual does, hell, the game disc is Axl's face! X and Zero are just there for the ride even though they're the MAIN CHARACTERS!
My final score is...
3/10
The graphics are decent and the music is kickass like always, but the voice acting, storytelling and sluggish gameplay ruined it. This is a bad, boring game. If you like it, good for you. But it moves WAY too slow.
REWRITE
Have X and Zero be more involved and have X also have scenes with Axl, hearing his side of the story and actually list off the members and what they were like before. Then, X realizes the situation is his fault for retiring and his treatment to Axl was horrible. He then makes it up by joining back on the frontlines.
And even though he hates violence and these wars, he knows he has to do it and follow Dr. Light's dream of a peaceful world. Also, have Zero and Axl interact with the Dr. Light Capsules for more lore and backstory. Axl could be more broken up about basically killing his adoptive family and tries to act all cheerful and tough.
But when Red sacrifices himself and says how strong Axl is by surpassing him and following his dream of becoming a Maverick Hunter, Axl breaks down and reveals everything. His sadness, his despair, his anger and rage towards the man who ruined his life. Sigma. ... Or is it Sigma? Hear me out!
In the game, they never refer to him by name and Sigma seems to act differently compared to his other versions. What if this is actually Dr. Wily inhabiting a Sigma Body by finally getting revenge himself? It's happened before. In Megaman X5, he worked with Sigma by telling him the plan with Eurasia and making a battle body for him.
Would this be such a stretch? Plus, this will finally put a nail in the coffin of the Wily story for good. Of course, he has to play along and act like Sigma. And when everything is said and done, Axl is made a member of the Maverick Hunters but needs his space for a while.
Yeah, it's a downer ending but it makes sense. Red and the others were Axl's family in life and taught him everything he knows. And Red urged Axl to follow his dreams and become a proper hunter. And that's it. That's my rewrite. It's not perfect, but it's way better then what we got.
Anyways, that's all for now. Later!