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Many series make that perilous transformation into the third dimension. It's simply seen as a sign of the times, that a series should automatically follow the trends of new technology. But sometimes, certain games should remain in 2D. Mega Man X7 is one of them. Capcom initiated 3D graphics for the characters and environments for the first time, and they look pretty good. However, some of the actual 3D gameplay can be a bit awkward; a 3D shooter should be a piece of cake, but with many enemies no longer in plain sight thanks to wonky camera angles, it's more difficult than it ought to be. Plus, X has never needed to lock on to anything -- he just shoots and destroys! Mega Man X7 introduces a new character, Axl, who is capable of copying enemies' patterns (and transforming into a copy of the enemy itself). You'd better get used to him: Zero and Axl will be your playable characters for the first half of the game. That's right: the title character, X, does not show up until much later. He's too busy being indignant at the thought of fighting any longer. Geez. Zero and Axl (and maybe X, if he gets out of his funk at a convenient time) now have a new threat to deal with, the Red Alert Syndicate, led by a vigilante Reploid named Red. I'm pretty sure Sigma's still around somewhere, too.

Mega Man X8 serves as a return-to-form for the series, though it has yet to prompt a new X game beyond it. Reploids have apparently caused so much trouble on Earth that colonizing space is looking like a promising idea. The operation known as "Jakob" is now complete, in which an elevator was built to the moon. Suddenly, the director of the project, Lumine, is abducted and so, again, the Maverick Hunters must investigate. Enter X, Zero, and Axl for another heartwrenching adventure... in spaaaaaace! Mega Man X8 uses 3D models like Mega Man X7 (though completely different ones -- everyone got taller), but it is generally a 2D adventure like its classic brethren. You can still use the tag team function like in X7, and Axl's ability to copy enemy attacks remains intact as well. Actually, in this plotline, every new Reploid has a copy chip! That sure takes the fun and singularity out of that function. Mega Man X8 also removes the ability to duck, so the game is officially broken now! Okay, maybe not.


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