History YMMV / MegaManX7

** Explosion fires a large shot that moves slowly forward a short distance before disappearing, and consumes the entire default Weapon Gauge in one shot. That said, Explosion itself also shines on anything that will stand there and take it, as it can atomize the Drill Mole boss of the Palace Road stage in a couple shots, even on Hard Mode, though unfortunately it's useless against [[ThatOneBoss Red]] despite being his intended weakness, because the first hit will cause him to snap into an invincible hitstun, meaning that an attack that individually deals multiple points of damage only gets to deal damage once. This also applies in a sense to Stonekong, whose weakness to it is undermined by the fact that his MercyInvincibility is so short that it's safer and more efficient to hammer him with the G-Launcher itself instead.

* {{Padding}}: The game has been accused of having a lot of this. Common criticisms include the character feeling slower than in past games, long cutscenes, [[LoadsAndLoadsOfLoading the game's loading screens being too frequent and too long]], [[AnnoyingVideoGameHelper Alia repeatedly teaching redundant tutorials]], and bosses [[DamageSpongeBoss taking longer]] than any other ''Franchise/MegaMan'' game even with the bosses' weaknesses.

** The second form can also be mostly cheesed if you realize two simple facts: the highest platforms can block certain projectiles and get you out of his beam's path, and Gokumonken (Zero's special deflection guard obtained from Soldier Stonekong) can deflect some of the other projectiles back at Sigma. Considering how annoying Sigma is and how much you've had to slog through to get to this point, though, some players will easily call it fair game.

* GameBreaker: While X is the go-to example mainly due to his Charge Shot, he's not the only one to have a weapon that's super-strong. The G-Launcher obtained from Gungaroo is effectively Axl's version of X's charged shots, and can provide comparable and sometimes superior results thanks to its faster rate of fire even when X has Quick Charge at his disposal; only held back by being more stiff to handle and getting blocked by some things that X's shots pass through (such as the platforms in the Sigma 1 fight). Also, defence in general is a major GameBreaker, as any of the three characters will end up [[NighInvulnerability Nigh-Invulnerable]] to anything short of Red and Sigma if they have the Shock Absorber and Triple Barrier parts (Power 3 and Special 3 respectively) combined with a pile of Life Ups, with X's only unique trait being that the Glide Body prevents him from getting knocked over as easily, in particular by Sigma 2's rocket punch.

* ThatOneAttack: Sigma's second form has a MegatonPunch that deals a ton of damage, charges quickly, can knock you into the BottomlessPits, and there's nothing stopping him from spamming it over and over again. Whenever he appears on the far side of the arena, get ready to quickly air dash away from his range. However, you can completely nullify this by using Zero's deflect technique learned from Soldier Stonekong (Gokumonken), which completely nullifies it.

** The first portion of Wind Crowrang's stage, Air Forces. The player has to platform across flying jets. [[EventObscuringCamera The camera angle makes it difficult to tell where you are]], the shadows don't help much, and your aerial momentum is warped while dealing with jets that move, which is not helped by the stage being somewhat inconsistent on where you can WallJump, or the game's brutal knockback. By comparison, the rest of the stage after you get to the main battleship isn't too bad.

* AngstWhatAngst: Axl is surprisingly eager to tear apart his adoptive family members in Red Alert. He wasn't on the best terms with some -- like, say, Gungaroo or Warfly -- but there's a history implied between him and others like Stonekong, Crowrang or Anteator that isn't really brought up. This continues with the death of Red: after a big scream, Axl is right back to his old self in the next scene. In his defense, Axl wasn't the one who dealt the killing blow in that case; it was Red's decision to go down in the self-destruct.

* TheScrappy: Flame Hyenard. Not only does [[GoddamnedBoss the unorthodox setup]] of his boss battle[[note]]To start with, Hyenard summons two clones that attack you in what appears to be the arena itself, but trying to hit them deals no damage. The real Hyenard can be found [[HumongousMecha atop a giant gazelle-shaped mechaniloid]] that bombards the arena with missiles, which the player has to slow down -- by way of shooting it in the legs -- and then [[ColossusClimb climb up to get to him]]. Once up there, Hyenard will attack you in two different ways depending on where you're standing on the gazelle mechaniloid; being on the body makes him summon his clones -- where they'll run around you, throw fire and occasionally dash into you all at once to knock you down -- while the head/neck/shoulder area have the mechaniloid [[MacrossMissileMassacre fire volleys of missiles that come down on you]]. This makes it easier to attack Hyenard and prevents him from summoning his clones, but the lack of traction and narrow space makes it very easy to slip off and fall either back down or [[AMoltenDateWithDeath into the lava below]].[[/note]] make him borderline ThatOneBoss, but he's infamous for having an extremely annoying voice. He and his clones constantly clip over each other and frequently repeat, disturbingly evocative of his character as a [[TorturedMonster tortured hyena]], as he runs around screaming "BURN! BU-BURN TO THE-BURN TO THE GROUND! BURN!" like a broken record. He's slightly more tolerable to listen to in the Japanese version, but it's still aggravating.

* GameBreaker: While X is the go-to example mainly due to his Charge Shot, he's not special in this regard. The G-Launcher obtained from Gungaroo is effectively Axl's version of X's charged shots, and can provide comparable and sometimes superior results thanks to its faster rate of fire even when X has Quick Charge at his disposal, only held back by being more stiff to handle and getting blocked by some things that X's shots pass through (such as the platforms in the Sigma 1 fight). Also, defense in general is a major GameBreaker, as any of the three characters will end up [[NighInvulnerability Nigh-Invulnerable]] to anything short of Red and Sigma if they have the Shock Absorber and Triple Barrier parts (Power 3 and Special 3 respectively) combined with a pile of Life Ups, with X's only unique trait being that the Glide Body prevents him from getting knocked over as easily, in particular by Sigma 2's rocket punch.

* TheScrappy: Flame Hyenard. Not only does his unorthodox boss design make him borderline ThatOneBoss, but he's infamous for having an extremely annoying voice. He and his clones constantly clip over each other and frequently repeat, disturbingly evocative of his character as a [[TorturedMonster tortured]] [[TheHyena hyena]], as he runs around screaming "BURN! BU-BURN TO THE-BURN TO THE GROUND! BURN!" like a broken record. He's slightly more tolerable to listen to in the Japanese version, but still aggravating.

** Ride Boarski's weapon, the Moving Wheel (or Zankourin for Zero), is Snipe Anteator's weakness. Unfortunately, it's very hard to hit with, and even if you do, the boss takes very little damage from it.

* PolishedPort: The version in the ''[[CompilationRerelease Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2]]'' is a solid way to play the game thanks in no small part to better picture clarity than previous releases, as well as the near-complete removal of the aggravatingly long loading screens.
* PortingDisaster: The Korean-only PC port of ''X7'' was a rushed port of the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 version and it shows. The game's graphics quality went down (especially on high resolution displays) with jagged character models and missing shadows, with only way to close the game being ALT+F4 and task manager. It also lacks English voice overs unlike most versions.

* TheScrappy: The infamous Flame Hyenard. Not only does his unorthodox boss design make him borderline ThatOneBoss, but he's infamous for having an extremely annoying voice. He and his clones constantly clip over each other and frequently repeat, disturbingly evocative of his character as a [[TorturedMonster tortured]] [[TheHyena hyena]], as he runs around screaming "BURN! BU-BURN TO THE-BURN TO THE GROUND! BURN!" like a broken record. He's slightly more tolerable to listen to in the Japanese version, but still aggravating.

* UnderusedGameMechanic: [[VoluntaryShapeshifting A-Trans]], the unique special ability of Axl that is ''the'' reason Red Alert rises to prominence and catches Sigma's eye, sounds like it'd make for an interesting spin on [[PowerCopying the series formula]] by allowing Axl to copy the appearance and powers of his foes. Unfortunately, it's only usable on a tiny handful of enemy types, many of whom are so limited in ability -- [[UtilityWeapon mainly just for level traversal, item collection, and Reploid rescuing]] -- that players are better off sticking to Axl's regular abilities.

* AngstWhatAngst: Axl is surprisingly eager to tear apart his adoptive family members in Red Alert. He wasn't on the best terms with some like Gungaroo or Warfly, but there's a history implied between him and Stonekong or Crowrang that isn't really brought up. This continues with the death of Red: after a big scream, Axl is right back to his old self in the next scene. In his defense, Axl didn't deal the killing blow -- it was Red's decision to go down in the self-destruct.
* AnnoyingVideoGameHelper: Alia recovered this status with her "Can you hear me?", although she isn't as annoying as she was in ''VideoGame/MegaManX5''.

** X's TenMinuteRetirement could have been handled a lot more gracefully. The series was constantly building up to a CrisisOfFaith where X would either [[ItGetsEasier double down on violence]] (the [[FallenHero original concept]] for the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' series, before it was ultimately replaced by the similar [[KnightTemplar Copy X]]) or give up on it altogether (''X7'' proper). Unfortunately, they never explain what X was doing to help the world instead of fighting -- like, say, getting into science to help develop countermeasures against the Sigma Virus, or taking a more command and/or diplomacy-based role -- or even go into detail as to what caused his crisis of faith, causing his angst to feel more like {{Wangst}}. What should have been a pivotal moment in X's CharacterDevelopment instead felt rushed.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: X is not playable from the beginning. You have to unlock X by beating all 8 Mavericks (or rescuing 64 Reploids, which still requires getting through 4 stages at the minimum) in order to play as him. By the point you've unlocked him, Axl and Zero have gotten enough Chip upgrades from the rescuable Reploids that he's [[CantCatchUp left in the dust]], meaning he only gets time to shine on NewGamePlus.

** X's TenMinuteRetirement could have been handled a lot more gracefully. The series was constantly building up to a CrisisOfFaith where X would either [[ItGetsEasier double down on violence]] (the [[KnightTemplar original]] [[FallenHero concept]] for the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' series) or give up on it altogether (''X7'' proper). Unfortunately, they never explain what X was doing to help the world instead of fighting, causing his angst to feel more like {{Wangst}}. What should have been a pivotal moment in X's CharacterDevelopment instead felt rushed.
** Zero and Sigma also had some character potential with how they reacted to X's retirement. Zero does seem a bit grumpier than usual but it's never explored, and his reaction to [[HesBack X's return]] (in the dub at least) is a completely unemotional "Okay. Do as you please." One must also wonder how Sigma feels about his nemesis retiring. Would he want to get X fighting again? Or would Sigma empathize, also being tired of the perpetual cycle of death?

* UnderusedGameMechanic:
** [[VoluntaryShapeshifting A-Trans]], the unique special ability of Axl that is ''the'' reason Red Alert rises to prominence and catches Sigma's eye, sounds like it'd make for an interesting spin on [[PowerCopying the series formula]] by allowing Axl to copy the appearance and powers of his foes. Unfortunately, it's only usable on a tiny handful of enemy types, many of whom are so limited in ability ([[UtilityWeapon mainly level traversal, item collection, and Reploid rescuing]]) that players are better off sticking to Axl's regular abilities.
* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: The biggest criticism of X's character in this game. By all rights, having gone through multiple mini-wars and ''several'' near world-ending catastrophes all caused by the same antagonist who stubbornly refuses to die with no seeming end to the madness would make even the most hardened of veterans incredibly frustrated and consider retirement. Since ''[[VideoGame/MegaManX1 X1]]'', X has [[ContemplateOurNavels pondered]] the never-ending cycle of conflict at the end of each game -- it's almost a tradition at this point. However, X's insistence on trying to find a peaceful solution to Mavericks, Reploids who have proven ''many'' times in the past that they can't be reasoned with and are incredibly dangerous, willing to kill multiple innocent people with little provocation, on top of him refusing to do anything about it until the final levels, ''on top'' of him being one of the most powerful Maverick Hunters in the organization, so much so that there was an apparent sharp decline once he left, all come together to make X come off as irresponsible. ''VideoGame/MegaManX8'' provided some [[AuthorsSavingThrow much needed]] CharacterRerailment by still portraying X as a war-weary MartialPacifist but having him be far more mature and pragmatic about the situation, outright stating -- without so much as a fuss -- he knows he needs to end the newest conflict under his own power and as soon as possible in order to prevent innocents from being caught in the crossfire.

* AngstWhatAngst: Axl is surprisingly eager to tear apart his adoptive family members in Red Alert. He wasn't on the best terms with some like Gungaroo or Warfly, but there's a history implied between him and Stonekong or Crowrang, for example, that isn't really brought up. This continues with the death of Red: after a big scream, Axl is right back to his old self in the next scene. In his defense, Axl didn't deal the killing blow -- it was Red's decision to go down in the self-destruct.

* TheScrappy: The infamous Flame Hyenard. Not only does his unorthodox boss design make him borderline ThatOneBoss, but he has hands-down the most annoying voice clips of any boss in the ''Mega Man X'' series. He and his clones constantly clip over each other and frequently repeat, disturbingly evocative of his character as a [[TorturedMonster tortured]] [[TheHyena hyena]], as he runs around screaming "BURN! BU-BURN TO THE-BURN TO THE GROUND! BURN!" like a broken record. He's slightly more tolerable to listen to in the Japanese version, but still aggravating.

** Flame Hyenard's level, the Lava Factory. The first half is a 2D MarathonLevel with almost [[EverythingTryingToKillYou Everything Trying to Shoot You]], and if you die you have to restart the whole thing. The second half is a 3D section that will frequently have you flung by knockback into the lava that is better left cheesed by the Glide Armor or else you're in for pain. Not helping either segment is that there are wounded Reploids littered around the level that are placed in close proximity to several potential death traps.

* FridgeBrilliance: Much of Axl's arc in this game resembles X's from ''[[VideoGame/MegaManX1 X1]]'', such as feeling responsible for the main conflict, butting heads with former allies as Mavericks, and a mentor giving up their life for them. The main difference is Axl's trigger-happy gusto compared to X's naive idealism.

* NarmCharm: Despite Sigma's cheesy direction, Walter Roberts has [[HamAndCheese a hilariously hammy performance]] that makes Sigma seem like he's having a great time bothering the Hunters again.[[labelnote:*]]Doubly so if you look at things from an in-universe perspective, considering [[CameBackWrong Sigma wasn't exactly of "sound" mind]] [[VideoGame/MegaManX6 the last go-round]].[[/labelnote]] Lines such as "Thanks for coming by, fellas!" or "Ready for the real thing?" seem out of character for Sigma, but they're undeniably charming. And you can't help but love his doofy Dr. Claw impression.

* FridgeBrilliance: Much of Axl's arc in this game resembles X's from ''[[VideoGame/MegaManX1 X1]]'', such as feeling responsible for the main conflict, butting heads with former allies as Mavericks, and a mentor giving up their life for them. The main difference is Axl's trigger-happy immaturity compared to X's naive idealism.

** X's TenMinuteRetirement could have been handled a lot more gracefully. The series was constantly building up to a CrisisOfFaith where X would either [[ItGetsEasier double down on violence]] (the [[KnightTemplar original]] [[FallenHero concept]] for the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' series) or give up on it altogether (''X7'' proper). Unfortunately, they never explain what X was doing to help the world instead of fighting, so he just sits around whining. What should have been a pivotal moment in X's CharacterDevelopment instead felt rushed.

** X's TenMinuteRetirement could have been handled a lot more gracefully. The series was constantly building up to a CrisisOfFaith where X would either [[ItGetsEasier double down on violence]] (the [[KnightTemplar original]] [[FallenHero concept]] for the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' series) or give up on it altogether (''X7'' proper). Unfortunately, they never explain what X was doing instead of fighting. What should have been a pivotal moment in X's CharacterDevelopment instead feeling rushed.

* AngstWhatAngst: Axl is surprisingly eager to tear apart his adoptive family members in Red Alert. He wasn't on the best terms with some like Gungaroo or Warfly, but there's a history implied between him and Stonekong or Crowrang, for example, that isn't really brought up. This continues with the death of Red: after a big scream, Axl is right back to his old self in the next scene. In his defense, Axl didn't deal the killing blow -- it was Red's decision to go down in the self-destruct.

* AngstWhatAngst: Axl is surprisingly eager to fight his adoptive family, Red Alert. He wasn't on the best terms with ones like Warfly, but there's a history implied between him and Stonekong or Crowrang, for example, that isn't really brought up at all. This continues with the death of Red: after a big scream, Axl is right back to his old self in the next scene. In his defense, Axl didn't deal the killing blow -- it was Red's decision to go down in the self-destruct.

* AngstWhatAngst: Axl is surprisingly eager to fight his adoptive family, Red Alert. He wasn't on the best terms with ones like Splash Warfly, but there's a history implied between him and Crowrang, for example, that isn't really brought up at all. This continues with the death of Red: after a big scream, Axl is right back to his old self in the next scene. In his defense, Axl didn't deal the killing blow -- it was Red's decision to go down in the self-destruct.

* AngstWhatAngst: Axl has a lack of angst over fighting his adoptive family in Red Alert. He wasn't on the best terms with ones like Splash Warfly, but there's a history implied between him and Crowrang, for example, that isn't really brought up at all. This continues with the death of Red: after a big scream, Axl is right back to his old self in the next scene. In his defense, Axl didn't deal the killing blow -- it was Red's decision to go down in the self-destruct.

* TheScrappy: The infamous Flame Hyenard. Not only does his unorthodox boss design make him borderline ThatOneBoss, but he has hands-down the most annoying voice clips of any boss in the ''Mega Man X'' series. He and his clones constantly clip over each other and frequently repeat, disturbingly evocative of a [[TorturedMonster tortured]] [[TheHyena hyena]], as he runs around screaming "BURN! BU-BURN TO THE-BURN TO THE GROUND! BURN!" like a broken record. He's slightly more tolerable to listen to in the Japanese version, but still aggravating.

* TheScrappy: The infamous Flame Hyenard. Not only does his unorthodox boss design make him borderline ThatOneBoss, but he has hands-down the most annoying voice clips of any boss in the ''Mega Man X'' series. He and his clones constantly clip over each other and frequently repeat, disturbingly evocative of his TorturedMonster character, as he runs around screaming "BURN! BU-BURN TO THE-BURN TO THE GROUND! BURN!" like a broken record. He's slightly more tolerable to listen to in the Japanese version, but still aggravating.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: X is not playable from the beginning. You have to unlock X by beating all 8 Mavericks (or rescuing 64 Reploids) in order to play as him. By the point you've unlocked him, Axl and Zero have gotten enough Chip upgrades from the rescuable Reploids that he's [[CantCatchUp left in the dust]], meaning he only gets time to shine on NewGamePlus.