When it comes to Mega Man X games, anything beyond its fifth entry is often met with disdain, ridicule, and impassivity, as they had multiple problems that prevented them from capturing the essence of what made the series so great. While they were all lauded for being horrible in one way or another, nothing met the ire of fans more than Mega Man X7.
Released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, it was a game designed to allow the X series to take a step away from the usual 2D and into the world of 3D. While it did just that, it was not well-received, with many citing it as one of the worst entries due to issues like poor level design, unnecessary dialogue, and more.
Mega Man X7 certainly had its problems, but looking back, perhaps the amount of stick it received was uncalled for. After revisiting the game after so long, I can say that it should not be looked down on as much as it has been over the years.
One of the main reasons fans have voiced their opinion on why it's so bad is due to its 3D segments. They were seen as a negative because they provided an absurd amount of freedom in terms of movement, which made them easy for players to plow through.
While that is true to an extent, I believe that's what made the 3D segments more interesting. Being able to run around everywhere meant players could choose to take on the enemies in their path or rush through them if they felt like it.
This provided players with an option on how they could tackle the game, making it as hard or as easy as they wanted it to be, which was rarely ever given in previous games. Also, Mega Man X7 balanced it out by implementing side-scrolling segments that fans are accustomed to alongside the 3D ones, ensuring nobody could just run over everything in a matter of minutes.
Another huge reason why the game left a bad taste in people's mouths is due to the bosses. Some of them were said to be unnecessarily long, despite discovering their weaknesses, and that the voicelines they repeatedly say mid-battle were too annoying.
That complaint is somewhat justifiable, as hearing bosses saying the same thing over and over can get increasingly frustrating, especially in the case of Flame Hyenard. However, them yapping more often and being difficult despite hitting them with weapons they're weak against actually gives them more personality.
Even if what they say can get on mine and everyone else's nerves, it at least helps us remember that they're actual characters who are more than just obstacles that must be removed. Also, the bosses not going down super quickly when hit with weapons they're weak against is like the game's way of reminding players that they're supposed to be tough, which should be the case given the sufferings and trials they've undergone.
Finally, the biggest issue people had with Mega Man X7, which I think isn't so bad, is that everyone must play as the newcomer Axl or Zero for most of the game. The supposed main character, X, can only be unlocked after rescuing 64 Reploids, which takes a lot of effort and time.
I can somewhat understand people's anger over this, as Capcom did not have to hide an important character behind a wall. However, I don't see it as too much of an issue, as Axl more than makes up for the lack of X's existence until you can finally play as him.
The arrogant new kid has enough powerful weapons and gimmicks to get through any opposition, and Zero is still the fun melee character to play as he's always been. Given how enjoyable the two can be to use, getting X isn't as much of a chore as people would like to believe.
So if you've played Mega Man X7 before and didn't like it, consider giving it a revisit today. It may have its flaws, but they're not severe enough to take away the good times the game can potentially offer.
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