Mega Man X8

Mega Man X8,known asRockman X8(ロックマンX8)in Japan, is a 2004action-platform gamedeveloped byCapcomfor thePlayStation 2.It is the eighth game in theMega Man Xseries. It was first released in North America on December 7, 2004. The PS2 version, as well as aWindowsiteration, were released in Japan and Europe the following year. On December 16, 2015, it was released onPlayStation Networkin Japan. It was released forNintendo Switch,PlayStation 4,Windows, andXbox Onein July 24, 2018 worldwide and July 26, 2018 in Japan as a part ofMega Man X Legacy Collection 2(Rockman X Anniversary Collection 2in Japan).

Mega Man X8
Developer(s)	Capcom Production Studio 1
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Director(s)	Eiro Shirahama
Designer(s)	Hiroyuki Yamato
Programmer(s)	Sotaro Arakawa
Artist(s)	Tatsuya Yoshikawa
Writer(s)	Makoto Ikehara Kohsuke Nasu
Composer(s)	Yuko Komiyama Naoto Tanaka Shinya Okada
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2 Windows
Release	PlayStation 2 NA:December 7, 2004 EU:February 11, 2005 JP:March 10, 2005 Windows JP:March 10, 2005 EU:September 21, 2005
Genre(s)	Action,platform
Mode(s)	Single-player

The plot ofMega Man X8focuses on the abduction of a next-generation "Reploid" from the construction site of aspace elevator,and the subsequent pursuit of his captors. During the course of game play the motivations of these captors comes into focus, and it is up to the heroes, led byX,to stop them. The gameplay ofMega Man X8is similar to the other games in the series, in which the player must complete a series of stages. Defeating their bosses will earn that player character its special weapon.

AlthoughMega Man X8uses3D graphicslikeMega Man X7,the development team chose not to opt for 3D gameplay, instead opting for 2.5D gameplay. The game was met with a positive critical reception.

Plot

See also:List of Mega Man X characters

The story is set during the late 21XX. TheReploidrebellions across the past years continue, seemingly with no possible solution. To escape these troubles, mankind has begun the next generation of research and development by constructing an orbital elevator able to take equipment and handwork to the moon which they seek to colonize. This operation is labeled as the "Jakob Project", with the orbital elevator bearing its name, and a Reploid named Lumine is placed in charge of the project.TheseNew Generation Reploidsare able to use DNA data to change their shapes. They are the perfect workers because they can change their shape according to a task, and have subroutines built in to prevent them from goingMaverick.

Everything seems to be running smoothly untilVile,who has apparently been resurrected from his earlier defeat inMega Man X3,kidnaps Lumine for unknown reasons.It becomes theMaverick Hunters' mission to rescue him. However, what the Hunters do not know is thatSigmahas returned. Contained on every single copy chip in these robots is Sigma's own DNA, meaning that the next-generation 'Maverick-Proof'reploidsare in fact able to go Maverick. Sigma seeks to remove the "old generation" and repopulate it with his "children". When Sigma is defeated in his palace, Lumine steps in to take the entire operation over and kill the Maverick Hunters. Lumine gloats to the Hunters that, in order for evolution to take its course, he and his fellow new-generation Reploids must destroy both humans and "obsolete" Reploids. After a massive struggle, Lumine is defeated. When Axl walks up to Lumine's body, however, he is shocked as a tentacle springs from it and damages the crystal on his head. As the three different characters ride back down the Jakob Elevator, Zero wonders if he no longer has to fight now that Sigma is dead for good, while X ponders Lumine's words on evolution. Axl is unconscious, but his shattered crystal can be seen glowing with a tiny fragment of a crystal shard.

Gameplay

Gameplay ofMega Man X8featuring X is in 2.5D style with Axl as his ally.

Overall gameplay inMega Man X8is mostly similar to previousMega Man Xgames and has removed the 3D style fromMega Man X7in favor of a 2.5D style, although 2 of the stages, namely "Central White" and "Dynasty", are fully 3D. After an introductorystage,Mega Man X8presents the player with a choice of 8 stages, with aMaverick robotserving as the stageboss.After defeating the 8 bosses, a series offortressstages open up for the player to complete in linear progression until the final boss is defeated. The difficulty chosen makes an impact in regards to the size of the health bar and if other items can be used.

The player starts the game with access to three playable characters: X, a shooter able to wear multiple armors that can be found hidden in the stages; Axl, a shooter able to transform into enemies; and Zero, a sword fighter able to double jump.Additionally, Zero can equip additional weapons that can be purchased at the store such as hammers and additional swords after finding a certain Rare Force Metal for it, excluding one of the weapons which is only available for purchase upon completing the game with Zero or entering the code in the title screen of the PlayStation 2 version.X8introduces new mechanics to the game; the first is Guard Break, which can break enemy defenses when enemies are attacked with certain weapons. The second is Double Attack, where the playable character and the chosen partner character perform a screen-filling attack that causes heavy damage to all enemies on screen. Additionally, X's new armor, the Neutral Armor, can be customized with parts that can either form two new armors, or mixed together for different effects. However, mixed parts of armors are not as effective as complete armors, forcing players to choose wisely when building armors.

Two characters can be selected to go to a stage, while a navigator can be assigned to assist the player. Depending on the navigator's qualities, the character will be informed about the stages' hidden paths or boss weaknesses.In every stage, the characters can obtain items that can be used in a shop to buy upgrades.Much likeX7,New Game Plusis also available in this game. One of these features is content unlocked under certain conditions from the previous game or by entering asecret codeon the title screen of the PlayStation 2 version and then starting the game on Normal or Hard. One example is the three navigators can be unlocked as the playable characters by buying chips in the store after completing this requirement. In addition Cut Man as portrayed in the firstMega Mangame can be found as a hidden boss by either having a save file for the PS2 version ofMega Man X Command Missionon the Memory Card or through one of the codes.

Development

Mega Man X8was developed byCapcom Production Studio 1.The game's direct predecessor,Mega Man X7,was the first entry in theMega Man Xseries to feature full3D graphics,as well as 3D gameplay. However, as stated by Capcom producer and originalMega ManillustratorKeiji Inafune,the development team chose not to pursue 3D gameplay forMega Man X8simply because of its graphical style.Inafune himself was not involved in the production ofMega Man X8,although the game's art designers did consult with him before changing the overall style of the characters.The game's main illustrator, Tatsuya Yoshikawa, was an assistant inX7and took a bigger role. He was responsible for designing the protagonists, the Maverick bosses, and the newer ancillary cast. Yoshikawa took into account what the characters may resemble if they were toys, and even imitated the joints ofRevoltechfigures. Similar to his previous work inX7,Yoshikawa wanted the designs to pander to his feelings about the firstMega Man Xgame while still following his own ideas too.The three main characters were revised forMega Man X8as Yoshikawa planned to give them more unique features to contrast their personalities.The new antagonist, Lumine, was given a human-like face rather Reploid to symbolize the concept of a new generation of Reploids. To contrast Lumine's his angel-like appearance, Sigma was instead made to look like a demon.

AWindowsversion ofMega Man X8was released in Asia, Europe, and as a download fromGameStopin North America.This version can run in windowed mode, in addition tofull screen,and includes mouse and keyboard features, although it does support using acontroller.The Windows version also features several languages and the possibility to toggle between Japanese and English voices, which can be changed from the main menu or after starting a new game. All of the music and cutscene dialogue is encoded inOgg Vorbisformat.

The musical score forMega Man X8was co-composed by Yuko Komiyama, Naoto Tanaka, and Shinya Okada. The 51-songRockman X8 Original Soundtrackwas released in Japan on April 13, 2005 bySuleputer.The Japanese opening theme for PlayStation 2 (also available for PC platform in any regional version, including Europe which had received the North American opening theme in the European PlayStation 2 version) is "Wild Fang" byJanne Da Arc;the band had previously donetelevision advertisementthemes forMega Man Battle NetworkandMega Man Battle Network 2.However, the theme was not included in the soundtrack and was even omitted on the game's localization in English for PS2 platform. It became available for Windows viaSteam,PlayStation 4,Xbox One,andNintendo Switchas a part ofMega Man X Legacy Collection 2on July 24, 2018, worldwide and on July 26, 2018, in Japan.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	68/100

Review scores

Publication	Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly	6.7/10
Famitsu	30/40
Game Informer	8.3/
GameSpot	6.3/10
GameSpy
IGN	7.3/10

Mega Man X8received a generally mixed response based on the 68 score fromMetacritic.It was generally praised for returning to a more classic style of Mega Man gameplay and removing the criticized gameplay elements ofMega Man X7.IGNpraised the game for its mixture of 2D and 3D, and its camera system, saying "Thankfully the transition from one plane to another is pretty seamless and isn't the bothersome chore that switches in X7 were. It's an easy and totally acceptable gameplay method and one that should have been used in 2003 to begin with." In comparing the characters, IGN found X and Axl to be the most skilled especially due to how easy is it to find the former's upgrade for his armor but still found the system lacking when compared withCapcom's action gameDevil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening.AlthoughGameSpypraised the improvements of the gameplay as well as the contrast between the three protagonists, the site still felt it had no innovation.GameZone criticized the game design for making X to come across as the weakest playable character when compared to the more useful weaponry from Zero and Axl while also felt that most stages lack appeal enough to revisit them.Though also finding the formula repetitive,Electronic Gaming Monthlyliked the new moves the characters can perform and the 3D looks appealing.

Though the narrative was criticized, the visual presentation was still praised when compared with previous games.GameSpotcriticized the game for its level design, which often made the game extremely frustrating to play. They also derided the story, remarking that it "dabbles in a lot of nonsensical anime-style ramblings about things that are of little importance to the actual game."1UP.comcalled the story ofX8"dry for bone" but noted the presentation was well executed despite it short length.Gaming Age liked the handling of the gameplay not only for giving the players three playable character but how they are given the possibility of working together. Though the reviewer claimed that the story does not amount to anything despite the simplicity, presentation was well-executed.While GameSpy appreciates whether or not the player can be assisted by navigator, he still called the main story "bad cyberpunk nonsense".

In comparing the three main characters fromMega Man X8,Luthfie Arguby Purnomo fromStudies on Shiftnoted that X's weapons symbolized his status as a cultural hybrid in contrast to the Western Axl and the Eastern Zero.

Sales

According toFamitsu,Mega Man X8was the tenth best-selling game in Japan during its week of release at 14,927 units.A total of 35,546 units were sold in the region by the end of 2005.

External links

• Mega Man X8atMobyGames
• Official website(in Japanese)