3.5/5 ★ – BlueSorcerer's review of Mega Man X3.

Mega Man X3 is an interesting game, mainly in the sense that it is difficult for me to describe my feelings towards. It’s a perfectly decent game that I don’t have a huge problem playing, but it’s also riddled with a number of issues that don’t make it as enjoyable as the first two games. It very much feels like a double-edged sword. There are two versions of X3 that exist: the original SNES version and a later version for the PlayStation 1, SEGA Saturn, and PC with some FMV cutscenes and a remixed soundtrack. In my personal opinion, either version of the game is fine to play after doing a runthrough of both of them. However, the latter version isn’t the most quality product and can have a slew of performance issues depending on the console you play it on. The additions it welcomes are cool and I would say that I like the remixed soundtrack just a bit more than the SNES soundtrack, however you are still probably better off playing the original version in an objective sense. Mega Man X3 introduces a new antagonist by the name of Dr. Doppler, who was originally herald for his efforts in concluding the war between Reploids and Mavericks. However, Doppler's followers soon turn Maverick and comprise the eight main Mavericks of this game. Because as it turns out, Doppler was under the control of the returning Sigma who practically looks like he’s on life support in the 32-bit console version very akin to Palpatine in the Rise of Skywalker. I digress though. So while the journey mainly involves taking out the new eight Mavericks as well as Doppler and his henchmen—as well as the revived Vile—Sigma is still the head honcho so it ends once more with a battle between X and Captain America 3.0. Yeah not kidding. I mean Sigma's first form in the previous games were clearly inspired by Lucasfilm and Marvel properties; hell Vile has a similar appearance to that of Boba Fett. But yeah, Sigma's first form in this game has him equipped with a shield that he can throw around so… Captain America. Anyway, the game's story is certainly one that branches but the same can kind of be said for the gameplay. X3's main assortment of levels are filled to the brim with enemies and obstacles. And while some ideas are cool like the different Ride Armors, X3's levels often feel more populated than they need to be. Some of the stages are decent like Blizzard Buffalo, Toxic Seahorse, and Crush Crawfish, but other stages like Blast Hornet, Volt Catfish, and Tunnel Rhino aren't such. And I also don't got much to say about the bosses themselves because all of them—excluding Volt Catfish and Neon Tiger to a degree—go down like nothing with their weaknesses because their attack patterns reset when damage is inflicted. The special weapons really do feel situational in this game too, especially for breaking these Maverick bosses in half. Other bosses in the game are more or less alright, but again there's just a lot happening here. I don’t really like Sigma's final boss either. I like that this game confirms Sigma's means of returning are the result of him being a virus that can corrupt and assume any robotic body or entity. It's definitely logical in concept, but by the end of X3 you would think that being handed a dose of an anti-virus program would terminate him for good, right? Right? To go back to the soundtracks for this game, they are alright. In terms of the SNES version, I do like the prologue theme, password theme, opening stage, Zero’s theme, Gravity Beetle, Toxic Seahorse, Stage Selection 2, ending theme, and the staff roll theme. And in the 32-bit console version, I like the opening theme, Hunter Base, Zero’s theme, Stage Start, Gravity Beetle, Toxic Seahorse, Dr. Light’s theme, Abandoned Factory, Boss Battle 2, the ending theme, the regular staff roll theme, and the alternate staff roll theme. I also like the opening vocal theme “One More Time” and the ending vocal theme “I’m Believer”. I often think about the latter version's music more, but both soundtracks are still equally alright. Regardless, Mega Man X3 is, to repeat, an interesting game. It doesn't fail at everything but it also doesn't succeed with everything at the same time. It’s a decent game that I don’t mind picking up to play, but it's still a very populated entry that's only worth so much.