Mega Man X7

This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Mega Man X7
Developer(s)	Capcom Production Studio 3
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, PC
Release date	JP 2003-07-17 NA 2003-10-14 PAL 2004-03-05 KOR December 31, 2003 (PC)
Genre(s)	Platformer
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone
Media	1 DVD-ROM

Mega Man X7(ロックマンX7, Rockman X7)is the seventh main game in the Mega Man X series, and the first to have 3D gameplay. It is the first in the series to appear on the sixth generation of video game consoles, and the debut of the series on the PlayStation 2.

It was also released for the PC in Asia though it suffered from numerous bugs (such as Zero's hair being "missing" during gameplay.) A patch was later released that fixed numerous bugs, though it was much more difficult to execute than the unofficial English patch.

Story

As the Reploid Conflicts proceed after the Nightmare Phenomena event, the world is slowly recovering. But as always, Maverick crime goes on the rise at newly constructed cities. As this new crime wave hits, X finds himself trying to answer moral questions that have plagued him since he joined the hunters: "Are we doing the right thing to solve this matter?" Unable to assuage his conscience, he drops from the battle frontlines and assumes a more strategic support role at headquarters. With X's retirement, a massive power vacuum ensues and many independent groups develop, trying and fill the void left by the hunter.

Prominent among these groups is Red Alert, growing large enough to become a dominant force. The Red Alert Syndicate is a new group of Reploids, similar to the Repliforce, but consisting of vigilantes. They claim to hunt Mavericks, like the Maverick Hunters, but apparently do far more than that. One of their members, Axl, decides he's had enough of their "murdering" and tries to leave the group. Unfortunately, Red, the group's leader doesn't appreciate this much, and goes on a rampage to get Axl back.

Axl is chased by a mechaniloid sent by Red Alert to retrieve him, and their chase causes havoc that calls for the Maverick Hunter Zero to investigate the area. After a quick meeting and battle against the mechaniloid, Zero takes Axl into custody at Hunter HQ. With this action, Red issues a challenge to the Hunters--he will release some Mavericks that Red Alert has in captivity, and whichever group can defeat the Mavericks first will gain custody of Axl.

Zero goes into the action without hesitation, and Axl's remorse for what he has done fuels his desire to become a Maverick Hunter. With no word from X, Axl promises to impress the former hunter, and to not disappoint him. X stays behind, trying to find a more peaceful solution to what he views as another pointless conflict. Eventually, X decides that his involvement in the matter is required to assure the quick end to this bloody war.

Characters

New characters

This video game-related article or section describes an aspect of the game in a primarily in-universe style. Please rewrite this article to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective.

• Axl - An ex-member of Red Alert who joins the Maverick Hunters. He has the unique ability to replicate the appearance and attacks of enemies defeated with his copy shot. Though he can only replicate the appearance of Reploids his size, he can still copy the abilities of those smaller or larger than himself. With no memory of his past or any explanation of his enigmatic copy ability, Axl is a mysterious character that prefers to be more cheerful, rather than dwelling on questions of his past. Axl is voiced by Lenne Hardt in English and by Minami Takayama in Japanese.

• Red - Red is the commander and creator of the Red Alert Syndicate. Eventually, he becomes influenced by Sigma and begins commanding his troops to attack the Maverick Hunters instead. In order to retrieve Axl, he starts a war against the Hunters, challenging them to defeat his 8 generals. It may not seem like it, but Red is actually concerned for Axl's safety, since he is basically his foster father. Red is voiced by Barry Gjerde in English and by Akio Otsuka in Japanese.

• Cedar - Cedar was a reploid who was often seen with a cigar-like object in his mouth (edited out of the US version.) His illegal business was interrupted by Red Alert, but he managed to escape from them after acquiring the virus "Sigma-02." Cedar did not suspect, however, that the syndicate was merely letting him get away to see what he was going to do next. Hiding at Point RD-13-29, Cedar found himself attacked by Red Alert once again. He was assassinated by Axl. Cedar was presumably affiliated with Sigma, as the success of Red Alert against Cedar attracted Sigma's attention toward the vigilante group and Axl.

• Aluce - The Reploid Aluce was an associate of Cedar's, apparently being his bodyguard of sorts. When Red Alert attacked Point RD-13-29, Aluce was sent to investigate and fight off the intruders. Aluce met up with Red and Axl, and was retired by the latter. Axl then used Aluce's DNA to assume his form, and assassinate Cedar.

Recurring characters

Gameplay

X7 is the first game in the series to have 3D gameplay in addition to the standard 2D style. As this was received negatively by fans, it is also to date the last.

This is also the first and only X series game where X's buster can be fired directionally (although in 2D form like Axl). This is also the first game where Zero gains additional attacks in his standing Saber combo, and the ability to attack while dashing.

Mavericks

This is the only Playstation/Playstation 2 X series game without a mythological or an extinct themed Maverick among the eight bosses, and the only game to include a boss based on a vegetable (disregarding bosses based of conventional plant life, e.g. Split Mushroom of Mega Man X4, Axle the Red of Mega Man X5, and Optic Sunflower of Mega Man X8).

Items

• Heart Tank/Life-Up - Extends the life meter for whoever finds them. One is found in each stage.
• E-SubTank - There are two of them in the game, and they can be filled with energy pellets for later consumption. It takes 16 pellets worth of energy to completely fill one tank, with large pellets counting for two and full-life pellets counting for four.
• W-SubTank - Can be filled with weapon pellets and used to reload your arsenal.
• EX Tank - Extends the starting amount of lives from three to five when the player continues from a save or game over.

Upgrades

Usually found in well-hidden areas, a projection of Dr. Light will give X encouragement and allow him to acquire an upgrade for the Glide Armor through use of a capsule. This is the first game where the Light capsules are closed as opposed to being open and functional. Only X can activate the capsules by walking up to them; it would stay closed if approached by Zero or Axl.

Legs: Found in Soldier Stonekong's stage. Gives X the ability to glide in the air.

Armor: Found in Wind Crowrang's stage. Reduces damage and knock-back for X, and converts damage into a powerful Giga Strike.

Helmet: Found in Snipe Anteator's stage. Draws in dropped items from further away.

X-Buster: Found in Flame Hyenard's stage. Allows X to fire charged shots with quadruple previous firepower, and to charge-up special weapons.

Music

It is interesting to note that this is the only mainstream X series game in which there isn't a special BGM that plays whenever you encounter one of Dr. Light's upgrade capsules. The stage's music continues to play during the armor upgrade process.

The song of the opening movie is "Code Crush" performed by Rina Aiuchi. The ending theme is "Lazy Mind", performed by Shōtarō Morikubo, the voice actor for X in the Japanese games.

External links

• http://www.kokocapcom.com/products/rockmanx7/RMX7Patch1.exe Rockman PC Execution Patch is found here.