History VideoGame / MegaManX8

* {{Angrish}}: When Bamboo Pandemonium reaches half his stamina, there is a chance for either this or Bamboo saying, "It's not over!"

* AdvancingBossOfDoom: A giant Mechaniloid that chases the player for the first half of Trilobyte's mission. The second half involves the player chasing ''it''.

* AutoScrollingLevel: Gigabolt Man-O-War must be pursued on a Ride Chaser and shot down [[TimedMission quickly]] before he challenges the Maverick Hunters to a BossBattle. The Hunters also use a Ride Chaser to approach Avalanche Yeti's base, complete with ShootEmUp mechanics.

** Gigabolt Man-O-War is unique in that aside from himself, there are only hazards in his level.

* DegradedBoss: Exaggerated. [[spoiler:A copy of Sigma]] is the boss of Gateway. Come the next level and suddenly all enemies are [[spoiler:copies of Sigma]], except much weaker for no real reason.

* ElectricJellyfish: Gigabolt Man-O-War; a man-o-war is different from a jellyfish but the idea is there. In Japan, however, he really is a jellyfish.

* GravityScrew: In Gravity Antonion's stage, you have to push switches that rotates many of the rooms 90º or 180º to access teleporters closed off by blocks. Later Antonion himself can turn the gravity of his boss stage, screwing with your movements and potentially make the existing big block fall on you.

* RuleOfSymbolism: Plenty of things in this game references Literature/TheBible. The first stage is called Noah's Park. The stage after you defeat the 8 Mavericks is called Jacob's Elevator, and the Orbital Elevator project is called the Jacob Project. [[spoiler:And EVERY SINGLE DAMN THING about [[LouisCypher Lumine]] screams off Lucifer.]]

* {{Action|Girl}} RobotGirl: Alia, Layer, and Pallette become one once unlocked.

* AntiFrustrationFeatures: Instead of normal lives, the player is given "[[CallAHitPointASmeerp Retry Chips]]", and how many can be held vary on difficulty. Easy offers infinite Retry Chips, Normal is limited to three but also provides two free Retry Chip that refreshes in between stages, and Hard is limited to only three. Players can also buy Retry Chips back from the R&D Lab, which also refreshes in between stages and the cheapest Retry Chips are available first.

** There are a few Intermission levels that exist solely for the player to grind Metal if they need to.

** Unlike ''X7'', LazyBackup is (mostly) averted, as unless a character is put in an instant death scenario like falling into SpikesOfDoom or into a [[BottomlessPits Bottomless Pit]], they'll simply retreat while the secondary character takes over. Refilling the Double Attack meter will also restore a bit of that character's health, allowing them to return.

* AutoRevive: If the player can manage to refill the AT Gauge after their partner has fallen in battle, it will bring him or her back with some HP. Having the Spare Energy item on hand will also save the player from death once and recover some HP if their partner was already defeated.

* BlackoutBasement: Dark Mantis's military base, since it's technically a StealthBasedMission. Using Gigabolt Man-O-war's weapons on a hidden generator on the stage, however, will turn on the lights for the stage.

* BonusBoss: [[VideoGame/MegaMan1 Cut Man]] can be fought in Optic Sunflower's stage. He is animated similar to ''VideoGame/PaperMario''[='=]s [[SpritePolygonMix 2D art-style]]. The method of encountering him differs on each version. If you're playing the [=PlayStation=] 2 version, you can must either have a game save of ''VideoGame/MegaManXCommandMission'' on your memory card or use a cheat code to fight Cut Man; on the PC version and ''X Legacy Collection 2'' version, however, you have to beat all of the hard level simulations in order to fight him.

** Gateway is the requisite BossRush level, with no minor enemies. It only has three rooms, the starting point (where the main Boss is actually fought), an L-corridor and the hub containing the Boss teleporters.

* InfinityPlusOneSword: X, Zero, and Axl can unlock their Infinity+1 Armors in New Game+ on Normal or Hard if they are fully-powered to 100%. X gets his Ultimate Armor, which grants him infinite weapon energy, the devastating Nova Strike, and the Shoryuken move; Zero gets his Black Armor that turns him into a GlassCannon and extends his dashing distance; and Axl gets his White Armor, boosting his agility and allowing him to hover indefinitely while firing his weapon. Zero's [[spoiler:Σ Blade]], an actual sword that's also unlockable on New Game+, is capable of wrecking enemies in seconds and breaks their guard, as well as halving his Giga Attack's energy use.

* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:It is implied that this is the end of Sigma. Even still, it's stated that the copy chips of the New-Generation Reploids, which contain his viral DNA, were eventually in production again, so he may come back anyway. And while Sigma himself may be gone, his virus persists on until it's finally cured with the Mother Elf in-between the ''X'' and ''[[VideoGame/MegaManZero Zero]] series.]]

* MetaTwist: [[spoiler:Would you believe that Sigma ''isn't'' the true BigBad[=/=]FinalBoss this time? In fact, he may have finally been KilledOffForReal.]]

** After defeating Burn Rooster, the stage does not end. Instead, the lava begins to rise and our heroes must RiseToTheChallenge before reaching shelter and finishing the stage.

* AmbiguousSituation: Due to confusing writing, the answer to "who's behind who?" in the story was is very unclear. [[spoiler:Lumine says that Sigma helped his plan all along, and that the entire rebellion was his and the other New-Gen Reploids' doing, which is clearly what TheReveal seems to go for. However, Sigma says that the New-Gen Reploids were his "children", and that Sigma oversaw the Jakob Project which in turn created the New-Gen Reploids including Lumine. That statement, combined with Sigma's DNA inside the New-Gen Reploids copy chips effectively turning them into Reploid sociopaths, seems to imply that they were intentionally designed by Sigma to carry on his rebellion, even if they may "use" Sigma.]]

-->-- '''Vile, ''Mega Man X8''.'''

* ArmorPiercingAttack[=/=]UnblockableAttack: X's charge shot, the third slash of Zero's combo, and Axl's eighth bullet will stun a guarding enemy. You can flip over a [[MascotMook Mettool]] and hit its soft underbelly. Bamboo Pandemonium's and Gravity Antonion's weapons will do this by default, as will the T Breaker and [[spoiler:Sigma Blade]].
* AttackReflector: Zero and Layer's Rekkyoudan can deflect weak enemy fire with a blade swing, and that bullet may or may not collide with an enemy; this technique gets upgraded with the B Fan, as it allows them to reflect the shots back directly to the attacker.

* AutoScrollingLevel / UnexpectedShmupLevel: Gigabolt Man-O-War must be pursued on a Ride Chaser and shot down [[TimedMission quickly]] before he challenges the Maverick Hunters to a BossBattle. The Hunters also use a Ride Chaser to approach Avalanche Yeti's base, complete with ShootEmUp mechanics.

* BashBrothers / TagTeam: Very much like ''X7'', except all three heroes are readily available, and unlike ''X7'', Axl isn't an under-powered version of X. The Navigators can join in on the action too after unlocking them. See BigDamnHeroes, LimitBreak and RegeneratingHealth below for the mechanics that spawn from this.

** Gigabolt Man-O-War is unique in that aside from himself, there are only obstacles in his level.

** When Axl debuted in ''Mega Man X7'', he was an underpowered version of X who [[BagOfSpilling stole X's ability to hover]]. Now Axl's special weapons are completely different from X's and he relies on MoreDakka compared to X (akin to a machine gun versus artillery). Axl can also rapid fire in eight directions now (similar to [[VideoGame/MegaManAndBass Bass]]), so he avoids the DenialOfDiagonalAttack that continues to plague X.

* EasterEgg: If Zero is equipped with the K Knuckles, he can perform a HurricaneKick with Rasetsusen and a {{Shoryuken}} with Hyouryuushou. X can perform a Shoryuken while equipping his Ultimate Armor.

* HolodeckMalfunction / VirtualTrainingSimulation: Optic Sunflower sabotaged the Troia training base so its simulations are quite lethal.

** X's Giga Abilities for his each armor sets are also this, like the Giga Attacks from the previous games.

* MiniGame: The Intermissions of Noah's Park, Optic Sunflower's, Avalanche Yeti's, and Burn Rooster's stage feature mini-games where you must destroy as many crab Mechaniloids as possible, a timed boss rush, destroy obstacles on a Ride Chaser, and descend deep into the volcanic factory respectively. These Intermissions can be a good way to rack up Metals.

* SelfImposedChallenge: {{Invoked}}. The game does give you the option to delete items and upgrades off your characters so you play through the game without them, but you won't get back the Metals you used to develop them. There's also the Navigators, as Alia cannot get armor upgrades that X can and Pallette who cannot use Axl's copy shot abilities, while Layer gets an aversion by not being able to use Zero's Black Armor.

* [[TitleDrop Subtitle Drop]]: ''Mega Man X8: Paradise Lost''. [[spoiler:Guess what's the true final boss' ultimate attack's name?]]

* WingShield: The FinalBoss has a DesperationAttack where he covers himself with his robot wings while teleporting every 3 seconds; the screen will slowly darken until it goes black, and you'll then die, unless you quickly attack the boss to make him uncover himself and then hit him some more to damage him.
* WreathedInFlames: Whenever a boss is becoming close to their desperation attack threshold, they'll cloak themselves in a fiery aura to let the player know the kid gloves are coming off.

->''"That's right. The Orbital Elevator is under our control now... It begins now, X. A new world will be born!"''

* OneHundredPercentCompletion: Collecting all the items in ''X8'' and upgrading the three (later six) playable characters, which even has a percentage counter for each character. Fully upgrading (100%) each of the main characters is the only way to obtain his Infinity+1 Armor without the use of cheat codes. The stages themselves even have a percentage rating.

* BladeOnAStick: The D Glaive, purchasable as a weapon for Zero once its Rare Metal has been found. It is capable of attacking from longer ranges, and the weapon will also modify Youdantotsu into a [[BladeSpam 4-hitting thrust attack]].

* Gigavolt Man-o-War, gives [[ShockAndAwe Thunder]] [[ChainLightning Dancer]] (X), [[FlashStep Raikousen]] (Zero), and [[LightningGun Plasma Gun]] (Axl); is weak to Earthrock Trilobyte's weapons

* Avalanche Yeti, gives [[AnIcePerson Drift Diamond]] (X), [[{{Shoryuken}} Hyouryuushou]] (Zero), and [[AnIceGun Ice]] [[GatlingGood Gatling]] (Axl); is weak to Gigavolt Man-o-War's weapons

* TwoAndAHalfD: The gameplay of ''X8'' is mostly 2D, but the game uses the 3D space to have enemies appear from the background, and in some cases like Dark Mantis' stage, incorporates the foreground into the 2D plane. Gigavolt Man-o-War's stage plays very much like a {{rail shooter}} as you chase him down while dodging on-coming traffic and street signs.

* AutoScrollingLevel[=/=]UnexpectedShmupLevel: Gigavolt Man-O-War must be pursued on a Ride Chaser and shot down [[TimedMission quickly]] before he challenges the Maverick Hunters to a BossBattle. The Hunters also use a Ride Chaser to approach Avalanche Yeti's base, complete with ShootEmUp mechanics.

* BashBrothers[=/=]TagTeam: Very much like ''X7'', except all three heroes are readily available, and unlike ''X7'', Axl isn't an under-powered version of X. The Navigators can join in on the action too after unlocking them. See BigDamnHeroes, LimitBreak and RegeneratingHealth below for the mechanics that spawn from this.

* BlackoutBasement: Dark Mantis's military base, since it's technically a StealthBasedMission. Using Gigavolt Man-o-war's weapons on a hidden generator on the stage, however, will turn on the lights for the stage.
* BladeOnAStick: the D-Glaive, purchasable as a weapon for Zero once its chip has been found. Capable of attacking from longer ranges, and the weapon will also modify Youdantotsu into a 4-hitting thrust attack.

** Gigavolt Man-O-War is unique in that aside from himself, there are only obstacles in his level.

* CombinationAttack: Set up next to a target and press a button, and both your chosen characters will beam in and blast the crap out of it and everything else on the screen. It can also be used against bosses to deal a substantial amount of damage to them or [[FinishingMove finish them off with style]].

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: The Metals you collect are in different colors (and sizes) based on their value. From lowest value to highest: blue (1), yellow (5), red (50), purple (500), and rainbow (3,000); Rare Metals (white) opens up a new upgrade for you to purchase. The rainbow Metals are only found from defeating the Maverick bosses, while the purple ones only show up in a few places and are not dropped by slain enemies.

* ElectricJellyfish: Gigavolt Man-o-war; a man-o-war is different from a jellyfish but the idea is there. In Japan, however, he really is a jellyfish.

* FinalExamBoss: The first phase of the [[spoiler:true]] final boss will use all of the desperation attacks of the eight Mavericks. The good news is that he also gains the boss' weakness while emulating them.
* FireIceLightning: Burn Rooster, Avalanche Yeti and Gigavolt Man-o-War respectively.

* GameplayGrading: You're graded on how quickly you've beaten the stage, highest combo, and enemies defeated, earning a letter rank based on your performance. There's also a bonus for {{No Damage Run}}ning a stage as well. Doing an Extra Finish (finishing the boss with Double Attack) will also count for your rank.

* HolodeckMalfunction[=/=]VirtualTrainingSimulation: Optic Sunflower sabotaged the Troia training base so its simulations are quite lethal.

* ProactiveBoss: Gigavolt Man-o-war's level is a big chase against him, with you on your Ride Chaser and him flying around the city area, occasionally leaving bomb traps or exploiting tight turns to slow you down. Shoot him enough with your Ride Chaser and he'll go down to a platform, initiating the proper boss battle.

* ArmorPiercingAttack[=/=]UnblockableAttack: X's charge shot, the third slash of Zero's combo, and Axl's eighth bullet will stun a guarding enemy. You can flip over a [[MascotMook Mettool]] and hit its soft underbelly. Bamboo Pandemonium's and Gravity Antonion's weapons will do this by default, as will the T-Breaker and [[spoiler:Sigma Blade]].

* DropTheHammer: The purchasable T-Breaker Zero can use. It can instantly break through defenses and deals heavy damage, but its normal swings are slow and can only be swung once. It also modifies Juuhazan into a powerful downward smash that can break crumbling floors.

** [[NintendoHard Hard]]: All characters' Life Gauge starts at 12 HP and Weapon Gauge starts at 24 WE, players only have three Retry Chips, enemies are 50% stronger and some of them have new attacks compared to Easy and Normal modes, bosses are more aggressive and perform their desperation attacks when their HP reaches 50% or below, two Hard mode-exclusive story sequences are added in the final stage to shake things up, items developed from R&D can also be carried over into New Game+, and the Navigators and the Ultimate Armors can also be unlocked.

* DifficultyLevels: Easy, Normal, and [[NintendoHard Hard]].

* DistaffCounterpart: The Navigators are this to the Maverick Hunters. Originally, the Maverick Hunters were supposed to fill their place as MissionControl if the Navigators were dispatched (see DummiedOut on the Trivia sub-page).

* ContinuityNod: When Optic Sunflower activates his KillSat as a desperation attack, images of the [[VideoGame/MegaManX4 Final Weapon]] flash across the screen before it fires.

** To play as the Navigators, first you have to max out the Maverick Hunters, beat the game on at least Normal to unlock the navigator that you used the most during your playthrough -- the other two can be unlocked by replaying any four stages in New Game+ (any cleared stages except Noah's Park will still count) -- ''then'' fork over the 40,000 Metals (or less if you have the Metal Discount) to unlock each of their weapons.

* AnimeThemeSong: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I5quHEN9KM WILD FANG]]" by Janne Da Arc.

* ClassicCheatCode: If hoarding Metals is not your idea of fun, there are cheat codes in the [=PlayStation=] 2 version as well as the ''X Legacy Collection 2'' re-release to unlock the heroes' Infinity+1 Armors and the Navigators instead. There's also a code to unlock the bonus boss battle with Cut Man in Troia Base. These cheats codes were, however, removed in the 2005 PC port.
* CombinationAttack: Set up next to a target and press a button, and both your chosen characters will beam in and blast the crap out of it and everything else on the screen.
* {{Combos}}: A combo counter appears as you land successive hits on enemies. Your mission rank is determined by doing as many combo hits as possible; using Axl makes it easier. Getting hit by enemies, or taking too long a break between attacks, will make your combo counter drop; there's a purchasable chip that extends the combo counting time, making landing more hits easier.
* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: The Metals you collect are in different colors (and sizes) based on their value. From lowest value to highest: blue (1), yellow (5), red (50), purple (500), and blue-dull pink (3,000); Rare Metals (white) opens up a new upgrade for you to purchase. The 3000 Metals are only found from defeating the Maverick bosses, while the purple ones only show up in a few places and are not dropped by slain enemies.

* GravityIsPurple: Gravity Antonion's weapon, the Squeeze Bomb (which X can copy after defeating him), is colored black and purple. He himself is also colored mostly purple.

* RuleOfSymbolism: Plenty of things in this game references Literature/TheBible. The first stage is called Noah's Park. The stage after you defeat the 8 Mavericks is called Jacob's Elevator, and the project is called Project Jacob. [[spoiler:And EVERY SINGLE DAMN THING about [[LouisCypher Lumine]] screams off Lucifer.]]

* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: The game's 2004 TGS trailer uses footage from the [=FMVs=] around the end to imply [[spoiler:that Lumine is the game's true villain]]. The UsefulNotes/{{E|lectronicEntertainmentExpo}}3 2004 trailer in Western territories makes this even more obvious [[spoiler:as Lumine (in a modulated voice) thanks the Maverick Hunters for taking Sigma out and assuring them that he isn't coming back]].

* ClassicCheatCode: If hoarding Metals is not your idea of fun, there are cheat codes in the [=PlayStation=] 2 version to unlock the heroes' Infinity+1 Armors and the Navigators instead. There's also a code to unlock the bonus boss battle with Cut Man in Troia Base.

* DiscountCard: The Metal Discount item will make every other purchasable items cost 10% less Metal.

* FighterMageThief: Zero, X, and Axl respectively (and to that extent, Layer, Alia, and Pallette). To wit: X (Mage) is [[JackOfAllStats the well-rounded character]] that focuses on long-range combat, and his special weapons do the most damage to bosses, but have limited supplies. Zero (Fighter) has [[MightyGlacier limited ground mobility but strong close-ranged attacks]], and his special moves do a decent amount of damage to bosses. Axl (Thief) is the weakest in terms of dealing damage, but he's very agile and has the ability to shoot rapidly in eight directions without consuming energy.

* AntiFrustrationFeatures: Instead of normal lives, the player is given "[[CallAHitPointASmeerp Retry Chips]]", which refresh in-between levels, and the player can even buy extras, which also refresh as long as the player doesn't get a game over.
** The player can spend Metal at the R&D Lab to refill their Sub Tanks, instead of having to do so within a level.

** There are now two more navigators - Layer and Palette - who specialize in giving hints as to boss weaknesses and pointing out secrets in levels. Players who don't like the navigator system also have the option to turn it off entirely.

* BigNo: X lets one out upon dying via BottomlessPit, wasting HP, spikes, etc.
* BigfootSasquatchAndYeti: Avalanche Yeti.

* BladeOnAStick: the D-Glaive, purchasable as a weapon for Zero once its chip has been found. Capable of attacking from longer ranges, the weapon will also modify Youdantotsu into a 4-hitting thrust attack.
* BonusBoss: [[VideoGame/MegaMan1 Cut Man]] can be fought in Optic Sunflower's stage. He is animated similar to ''VideoGame/PaperMario''[='=]s [[SpritePolygonMix 2D art-style]]. The method of encountering him differs on each version. If you're playing the [=PlayStation=] 2 version, you can must either have a game save of ''VideoGame/MegaManXCommandMission'' on your memory card or use a cheat code to fight Cut Man; on the PC version, however, you have to beat all of the hard level simulations in order to fight him.

* DropTheHammer: the purchasable T-Breaker Zero can use. It can instantly break through defenses and deals heavy damage, but its normal swings are slow. It also modifies Juuhazan into a powerful downward smash that can break crumbling floors.

* EasyModeMockery: The game ends after you beat Sigma on Easy. You also can't access the secret items and characters on Easy, and you don't keep your items and upgrades on New Game+.

** One of the rooms in Bamboo Pandamonium's level features an endless assault of Ride Armor enemies. It's suggested that you demolish them with the Cyclops Armor, but a better alternative is to switch to Axl, stick to the uppermost part of the entrance and wail on all the enemies with the Axl Bullets. As long as Axl keeps firing, he will not slide down, and the enemies won't bother to jump up to hit him. Time-consuming, but it would rack up your hit counter to 100+.

* EmergencyEnergyTank: The Sub-tanks, as usual; you'll need to find the Rare Metals for them. There's also the life bottles and weapon bottles, in case you don't have the sub-tanks yet; they have to be repurchased after use.

* HeartContainer: Unlike the previous installments, they have to be developed in the [=R&D=] Lab for each character.

* OldSaveBonus: In the [=PlayStation=] 2 version, those with a save file for ''Command Mission'' in their memory card can access a bonus boss fight with Cut Man in Optic Sunflower's stage. The ''Mega Man X Legacy Collection'' release changed the requirements to getting a top rank in every simulation room in the stage (which was already required for getting one of the Rare Metals.)

* PowerFist: The K-Knuckle changes Zero's moves into awesome martial arts moves, as well as modifying a lot of his special techniques. The drawback is that his normal combo no longer breaks guards (but at least the modified Juuhazan - which breaks guards - is faster to perform) and his attack range is very short.

* RankInflation: For each stage and your overall Hunter Rank. From lowest to highest: D, C, B, A, AA, and finally [[CosmeticAward AAA]]. In the Japanese language version, AA is replaced with 特A (Special A) and AAA is replaced with S.

* RuleOfSymbolism: Plenty of things in this game references The Bible. The first stage is called Noah's Park. The stage after you defeat the 8 Mavericks is called Jacob's Elevator, and the project is called Project Jacob. And EVERY SINGLE DAMN THING about [[LouisCypher Lumine]] screams off Lucifer.

* SelfImposedChallenge: {{Invoked}}. The game does give you the option to delete items and upgrades off your characters so you play through the game without them, but you won't get back the metals you used to develop them. There's also the navigators, as Alia cannot get armor upgrades that X can and Pallette who cannot use Axl's copy shot abilites, however, Layer can still get chips that reduces damage taken from enemies and eliminate knockback.

* TookALevelInBadass: Alia, once unlocked. She goes from helping you kick some ass to actually doing that herself. The other navigators can join in the ass kicking as well.

* VideoGameLives: Handled differently from the previous games. In ''X8'', you have Retry Chips that act like continues in order to resume at the stage's checkpoint; however, you have a limited number of them (unless you're on Easy) and they must be re-purchased after using them.

* RankInflation: For each stage and your overall Hunter Rank. From lowest to highest: D, C, B, A, AA, AAA, and finally [[CosmeticAward S]].

* SelfImposedChallenge: {{Invoked}}. The game does give you the option to delete items and upgrades off your characters so you play through the game without them, but you won't get back the metals you used to develop them. There's also the navigators, whom cannot get special upgrades the Maverick Hunters can save for Layer as she can get Zero's ability to withstand knockback and damage reduction.

** [[spoiler:The "Gateway" ([[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin never mind the title]]!)]] level is the standard ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' formula for the final level: Shorter than most levels, the BossRush initiated halfway, and confronting Sigma as the boss. [[spoiler: However, this Sigma is not even the real one. The final level is on the Moon afterward.]]

* AnimeThemeSong: "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wv0NAMJ1kQ WILD FANG]]" by Janne Da Arc.

* DistaffCounterpart: The Navigators are this to the Maverick Hunters. Originally, the Maverick Hunters were supposed to fill their place as MissionControl if the Navigators were dispatched (see DummiedOut below).

* DummiedOut: ''X8'' might have been planned to have X, Zero, and Axl to be Navigators like their female counterparts. In the PC version's second installation disc, you could find a folder of the Japanese voice actors' sound data, including the main characters' voices as Navigators. The idea seemed to be scrapped out because it would involve further scripting and scenarios. It's amusing to find that Axl feels very, very bored to have his job as a Navigator in his line.

* FighterMageThief: Zero, X, and Axl respectively (and to that extent, Layer, Alia, and Pallette). To wit: X is [[JackOfAllStats the well-rounded character]] that focuses on long-range combat, and his special weapons do the most damage to bosses, but have limited supplies. Zero has [[MightyGlacier limited ground mobility but strong close-ranged attacks]], and his special moves do a decent amount of damage to bosses. Axl is the weakest in terms of dealing damage, but he's very agile and has the ability to shoot rapidly in eight directions without consuming energy.

* FixedDamageAttack: inverted, Hermes Armor (its body part, specifically) gives X fixed damage ''defense''. No matter how much damage X took, it will always be subtracted by a few, fixed amount of units. This means he has complete immunity to weak enemies/attacks with the armor.

* GoombaStomp: Piloting a ride armor gives you the ability to do this to smaller enemies (even guarding metools.)

* PlantPerson: Optic Sunflower.

* SelfImposedChallenge: {{Invoked}}. The game does give you the option to delete items and upgrades off your characters so you play through the game without them, but you won't get back the metals you used to develop them.

* TheSociopath: [[spoiler:Every single copy generation Reploid save for Axl]] is revealed to be this, as they can [[spoiler:become Maverick at will '''in the sense of turning off their conscience''' thanks to Sigma's DNA inside the chips]].

* TookALevelInBadass: Alia, once unlocked. She goes from helping you kick some ass to actually doing that herself. Of course, the other navigators as well.

* ActuallyADoombot: The justification for this game's BossRush is that the revived bosses [[spoiler:and Sigma]] are new generation Reploids copying each of them, as evidenced by them transforming after being defeated.

However, Lumine is suddenly kidnapped by Maverick Hunters' old enemy Vile, and a worldwide Maverick riot breaks out among the new generation Reploids. The Jakob Project has been hijacked for reasons unknown. Now it's up to X, Zero, and Axl to stop the Mavericks once again and rescue Lumine.