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Calling this game a perfect Mega Man game on mobile would undoubtedly attract unprecedented criticism, but before you grab your pitchforks, hear us out as we explain why.
For those unfamiliar with the game, Capcom Taiwan developed Mega Man X DiVE Online, transforming this franchise from an action platformer into a gacha game, a genre that dominates the mobile space. It launched in Taiwan in March 2021, followed by a global release in September 2021 on mobile.
The offline version (which this review covers) launched on mobile on August 15, 2023, just two months before X DiVE Online shut down its servers – October for the global version and December 2023 for Taiwan.
The game became available across multiple platforms (PC, PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch) on November 10, 2023.
The online version of X DiVE attracted a considerable fanbase, especially those seeking a new Mega Man game. Although free to play, like other mobile gacha games, players had to spend real money to stay competitive online.
The single-player mode suffered particularly, as players encountered stage lockouts while the slow progression of farming cards, item upgrades, and high-tier characters felt predatory. Players gradually left until its official shutdown two years later.
To compound matters, when the developers launched the offline version as a separate game, they prevented online players from transferring their progression and in-app purchases. Players had to pay the full price of $30 for the game, with no compensation for loyal players who had invested time and money in the online version. This decision understandably made the offline version unpopular.
The Mega Man franchise, which debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES/Famicom), established itself as one of the best action platformer series through its high difficulty curve, which became the franchise’s signature identity. Mega Man X DiVE’s platform sections and boss battles proved considerably easier, disappointing fans of the series. The game’s only redeeming quality (as a Mega Man game) lies in its fan service, featuring almost all characters from Mega Man and its various series iterations in one game.
Let’s set aside the online version and treat this as an entirely separate game, examining it with fresh eyes to see its merits and downsides.
Graphics/Presentation
Mega Man X DiVE Offline successfully transitions between classic sprites and modern 3D visuals. The cel-shaded graphics preserve the iconic designs of X, Zero, and other characters through fluid animations and dynamic lighting. Each fighter showcases precise details – from gleaming metallic armor to reactive clothing and hair physics.
In the gameplay segments, the 2.5D presentation layers depth through scrolling backgrounds and environmental effects. Combat effects and explosions enhance the atmosphere while maintaining clear visibility. The streamlined interface displays essential information and character art without cluttering the action.
Sound
The audio design in Mega Man X DiVE Offline balances nostalgia and modern quality. The soundtrack incorporates tracks from across the franchise, featuring remixed versions of classics from the X series alongside selections from Mega Man 1-6, Mega Man Zero, Mega Man Legends, Battle Network series and Battle Operations. These arrangements maintain their original appeal while benefiting from updated sound quality.
The game commits to Japanese voice acting, sidestepping potential issues that plagued earlier English localizations. This choice avoids the often-memed dramatic performances from the PlayStation era Mega Man X games, notably the infamous “What am I fighting fooooor!” delivery that became more distracting than immersive.
The Japanese voices enhance the game’s anime-inspired presentation, delivering solid character interpretations that support the narrative moments.
As for the Sound effects, they strike a careful balance between old and new. The signature X-Buster charge, wall jumps, and dash sounds (to name a few) stay true to their original form while using better sound quality.
This attention to sound design serves both returning fans and newcomers, complementing the game’s updated visuals without losing the series’ familiar sound style.
Controls
Mega Man X DiVE Offline introduces a highly customizable control interface with four distinct touch control presets, setting a new standard for mobile Mega Man games. Players can freely adjust button size, transparency, and positioning to create their ideal layout – a considerable improvement over previous Capcom mobile ports like Mega Man 1-6 and Mega Man X, which were criticized for their rigid, unappealing touch control schemes and limited customization options.
Mega Man X DiVE Offline delivers a robust control system that stays faithful to the classic Mega Man X series while adapting to modern mobile gaming standards.
Players can execute precise movements using the virtual D-pad, which enables responsive directional control for running, walking, and navigating through stages.
The virtual button layout provides dedicated inputs for jumping, shooting, dashing, and weapon switching, allowing players to chain together complex maneuvers like wall-jumping and mid-air dash attacks.
Combat controls maintain the series’ signature fluidity, featuring both rapid-fire capabilities and charge shots that can be powered up by holding down the attack button (this can be customizable where you can just tap the dedicated charge shot button then tap it again once it’s fully charged to fire).
The dash mechanic proves particularly valuable, as players can combine it with jumps and attacks to perform advanced techniques.
Special weapons and abilities are easily accessible through dedicated virtual buttons, though their positioning may take some time to master.
While Mega Man X DiVE Offline does support controllers, it’s worth noting that the button mapping isn’t automatic and requires manual configuration. We will be coming out with a guide on how to set up the controller in our future guides so stay tuned.
Despite this minor setup hurdle, the game’s control scheme together with it’s touch control optimization successfully bridges the gap between classic Mega Man X gameplay and modern mobile gaming conventions.
Note: there is an option for you to switch off the auto aim in the game and try manual mode where you hold down the shot button with it’s default location at the bottom right side of the screen and drag it towards the direction you want your character to shoot. This is specially useful on stages where there are a lot of enemies on the screen and the auto targeting on the game locks on the closest enemy to your character.
Story
In Mega Man X Dive Offline, You are pulled into the Deep Log, a digital world storing Mega Man X game data, now corrupted by irregular data that mixes different games. Aided by Hunter Programs and three original characters (Rico, Via, and Ico), You must cleanse the Deep Log by completing stages and defeating enemies to preserve the memories within.
Mega Man X Dive Offline’s simple story explains its diverse content: a corrupted Deep Log, a digital archive of the Mega Man X universe, mixes game elements. Players encounter alternate characters like Zero with unique abilities, altered stages such as a redesigned lava level from Mega Man X2, and bosses from spin-off titles, all explained by the need to restore the corrupted Deep Log. This straightforward narrative effectively supports the game’s unique gameplay.
Mega Man X DiVE Offline delivers intense side-scrolling action that builds upon the classic Mega Man X formula. Players blast through stages with a diverse roster of characters from across the Mega Man universe, wielding an arsenal of weapons and abilities that expand throughout the adventure.
The core gameplay loop focuses on mastering advanced movement techniques while managing combat encounters. Dashing, wall-jumping, and charged attacks blend seamlessly as players chain together fluid combinations to overcome challenges.
The game’s extensive customization mechanics elevate the traditional Mega Man experience to new heights. Players can outfit their characters with specialized weapons, active skills, and up to three stat-boosting chips to create devastating combinations. The chip system rewards strategic planning, as combining specific chip types triggers synergy effects that grant additional passive bonuses to your character.
This modular approach to loadouts transforms characters into highly specialized combat units. A support-focused Ciel build might emphasize healing abilities and ranged attacks, while an offensive Ultimate Armor X configuration could maximize damage output through chip synergies.
Character progression feels rewarding and well-paced, with a deep skill tree system that unlocks new abilities and passive bonuses as you advance.
Each character and their variants feature unique skill trees, encouraging players to experiment with different roster members. The regular X model might focus on buster mastery, while Nightmare Zero could emphasize devastating sword techniques, and Iris could specialize in support abilities and crowd control. Even characters like Layer, Axl, and different versions of classic fighters bring their own distinct playstyles and progression paths.
The combat system shines through its fluid mechanics and versatility. Players can seamlessly chain together basic attacks, charged shots, special weapons, and movement abilities to create devastating combinations.
A robust card system enhances both main and secondary weapons, with each card providing unique effects that can dramatically alter a weapon’s performance.
Players might enhance their buster with damage-boosting cards or modify their saber cards for improved critical strike chances, adding another layer of customization to combat strategies.
Character customization (Dive System)
The DiVE system introduces an innovative approach to character growth through memory research and enhancement. As you progress, you can unlock and upgrade memories that provide passive bonuses and new combat abilities.
These memories can be mixed and matched to create powerful combinations, adding another layer of customization to your character builds.
The system encourages players to continuously refine their loadout and discover new synergies between different abilities, chips, cards, and equipment.
Story Mode
Story Mode (Level Challenge) presents an extensive campaign divided into three distinct phases.
Phase 1 and 2 each contain 8 boss worlds, while Phase 3 features 7 boss worlds.
Each boss world consists of 6 challenging stages that players can tackle on both normal and challenge difficulties.
The three-star rating system for each stage encourages players to complete specific objectives, with each earned star providing bonus rewards and experience points for their respective world completion.
Jakob Orbital Elevator
Jakob Orbital Elevator challenges players to ascend through increasingly difficult floors, testing their combat prowess and build optimization.
This vertical battleground provides unique rewards and materials as players progress higher through the facility, demanding more refined strategies and stronger character builds at each level.
Race mode
Race Mode puts players’ skills to the test in time-based challenges, requiring quick thinking and efficient movement to achieve the best completion times. Players must optimize their routes and combat approaches to earn top rewards, making this mode particularly appealing for speedrun enthusiasts.
Event mode
Event Mode features four specialized farming stages:
- Armor Enhancement Level: Focused on gathering materials for armor upgrades.
- DiVE Trigger Enhancement Level: Provides resources for enhancing DiVE trigger abilities.
- Zenny Level: Offers opportunities to farm the game’s primary currency.
- EXP Level: Dedicated to fast character leveling and experience gain.
Extra events
The game also includes customizable Event Settings where players can manually activate seasonal and special events, adding variety to the gameplay experience through limited-time challenges and unique reward opportunities.
These events typically offer exclusive items and enhanced farming possibilities during their active period.
Verdict
Mega Man X DiVE Offline stands as the definitive Mega Man mobile experience, surpassing previous Capcom mobile ports that suffered from game-breaking performance issues.
While Capcom still sells the poorly-rated Mega Man X mobile port for $3, X DiVE delivers a fresh take on the series that celebrates its rich history.
The game masterfully incorporates elements from across the franchise, creating a love letter to longtime fans. The game shines through its unique approach to mobile gaming mechanics.
Unlike traditional gacha games, X DiVE Offline eliminates random chance by letting players purchase desired items directly with in-game currency. Though grinding is necessary, this player-friendly system feels refreshingly fair compared to the predatory mechanics common in mobile games.
With the recent price drop on mobile from $30 to $15 and now as low as $5, this one-time purchase offers a complete, offline experience that protects players from the fate of discontinued online games.
Players interested in this robust Mega Man experience will find it a worthwhile addition to their collection and the $5 price discount is considered a steal for as long as it lasts.
Mega Man X DiVE Offline delivers engaging gameplay, extensive content, and fair progression systems that make it a great value for both series veterans and newcomers to the franchise.
