How Megaman X7 Could Have Been Done Better IMHO

While playing Megaman X7 -- I still think it's what I'd call innovation GONE wrong. Yup, as much as there's much to explore but this is one game that just had no idea on what to do or can't decide. I mean, the game annoyingly shifts between 2D to 3D forcing you to adjust to situations too quick. Some can go ahead and say Megaman X6 is the worst X game ever but I beg to disagree. This game is even worst than X6 due to factors like how X is reduced to a whiny brat or how gameplay can be SO horrible.

Now here's my thing -- Megaman X7 should have just focused on getting fully 3D instead of a mix of both. Aside from the fact like DO NOT make X a whiny crybaby -- the gameplay was also another focus. For instance, make Zero still have his effective jumping slash which was severely destroyed in this game. So how can we have a good 3D Megaman game? Analyze the Megaman Legends series' 3D gameplay together with the more effective Lock On feature for bosses. I mean, Megaman Volnutt using his Lock On could have easily taken on Flame Hyenard, right?

We're introducing Axl in a fully 3D world. So how can Axl's gameplay be done? If he can't do multidirectional shots then just at least, give him the rapid shot where you hold down the fire button for continuous barrage of shots than having to tap it as fast as you can. Also, his copy ability shouldn't have to be charged -- he can fire the copy bullets super fast then he gets the DNA from some of the enemies. Also, his weapons shouldn't be too the same with X and give him the unlimited ammunition he has in X8. It could be cool if all his bullets changed according to bosses like how Flame Hyenard gives him a flame thrower as an example. X8 did Axl's abilities right. Also, my style of gameplay is to make Axl more of a rebel like his Classic Megaman counterpart Bass.

I thought about a couple of stuff on how Megaman X7 could effectively throw in some references to Megaman Legends aside from full 3D gameplay. I could start with X for example. I think I'd give him the Hover Shoes from Megaman Legends. He could also get stronger regular buster shots as a result of the Buster upgrade. He will start out with weaker charged buster like he was in X1-X4 then have it it upgraded. Zero can also change his sword style gameplay in more or less the same way as the Blade Arm in Megaman Legends 2 while still giving him the air slash.

Not to mention, parts upgrades should not be done by rescuing hostages. That was one low-tier point of Megaman X6! Yes, once the hostage is dead then bye bye parts. Instead, they could collect zenny from the stages AND buy them in the Stage Select screen just like Megaman 7. Have them upgrade the amount of life energy (and I like the idea better than finding heart tanks so EVERYONE can have the same life energy later), weapons energy, etc. through a buy-in screen. I'd even give an increase to the the Energy Canteen -- it will appear as a singular item yet you can keep increasing its capacity so it can be used more than twice -- something similar to the Megaman Legends series. I'd still put rescuable hostages, have them get killed to add the challenge factor BUT NOT make them lose the parts forever. Maybe, they can give some added extra zenny though for each rescue. I think rescuing hostages isn't such a bad idea -- it's just that X7 took it at a VERY BAD direction.

Each Maverick Stage is fully 3D and make the stages a little longer than usual. Megaman Legends' one life system could be integrated this way -- add the option to save BEFORE every Robot Master fight or in the middle of the stage and give the person the option to retry defeating the Robot Master. Have a save capsule or let Alia pop out the "!" sign and you press select and you get to save in-between which allows a person to continue from a checkpoint. There may be RPG-ish type puzzles or the option to get out of the stage and return where you last saved even before the Robot Master is defeated, get upgrades and you know what I mean. Also, make the 3D gameplay controls easier. The Lock-On system from Megaman Legends could take care of some bosses such as Wild Boarski (and I'd actually get rid of that unnecessary Land Chaser and just make the characters diffuse bombs along the way by collecting them) and Flame Hyenard less hard. Also, it would mean that Tornado Tonion's tower stage may end up playing like the first Reaverbot Guardian base in Megaman Legends 2 to a certain extent. That means I'd actually freaking REMOVE the bottomless pits. Maybe, Wind Crowrang's stage would modify the whole Gesselschaft battle in Megaman Legends -- the character rides on some flying platform (and no they can't fall) where they fire shots at incoming enemies. Their aim is to survive until the platform crashes RIGHT INTO the enemy headquarters.

Maybe, the whole Maverick Castle stages can be modified this way. Remember that annoying steam roller? Well, without the bottomless pits then it'd be less annoying. But you can't hurt it until you've managed to reach the end of the finish line. This also gives me the idea of having a bit of Megaman Legends throwback. Maybe, we can have it where Red has had more minions to help him. Maybe make references to Bola and Klaymoor. The sword-wielding character would be named Slash and he will appear in some of the Maverick stages as a mini-boss. He appears as a castle boss where he finally meets his end. The Klaymoor counterpart would be named as Hard Knight where he would appear in some of the Maverick Stages as a mini-boss AND he also drives the steam roller and becomes the boss. Then Red can be much less annoying if you didn't fall down into any bottomless pit at all -- all the while maintaining his shadow clones and the platforms. But as said, you can save BEFORE every boss fight making it WAY more merciful.

Sigma's fights should also be all in 3D. The first fight with Sigma could make a reference to Sera's heavy armor form. He would throw shards of energy and you need to keep dodging. Next, Sigma's final form should still be a 3D battle similar to Sera's second form without falling down -- but he will unleash a deadly laser that could take you down and almost your entire health down with it so DODGE fast. I would also make him do the meteor showers which can be repelled back at him by using Soldier Stonekong's ability against him.

What do you think?