X1 relied so much on standard iv/V/vi progressions so you got that "epic hero" feel. X2 was all about descending chromatic harmonies, it gave the game a much more industrial dystopian vibe.
What if... (I have too many ideas) 'Mega Man X: The Maverick Hunters' It could maybe take place between X3 and X4. Playable characters: X, Zero, and Vile (I don't know who's be the 4th character) Note: Special move = Up+Release charged attack Character Overview: X: Uncharged 3 round bursts, and his special move is the Mega Upper (hits twice). The only character that can use his special mid-air. Has the highest projectile velocity and damage, no air dash, but the fastest dash. Zero: Uncharged attacks will be a quick 3-hit sword combo, charge 1 level to use mid power buster shot, level 2 for a strong shot, level 3 to use the his 2-hit buster combo, level 4 for the wave slash combo ender, must be grounded to execute the combos. Special move is Rising Slash (hits 1 time). Has an air dash. Dashes farther than X. Vile: Uncharged will be machine gun fire, 4 round bursts, weakest projectiles. Level 1 charge will shoot an electro shock bullet, paralyzing enemies for a.short amount of time, level 2 charge will fire a missile. His dash can damage enemies if timed well and enemy will be knocked down (like Power fighters Duo). Special attack is a short distance dash punch. Has the longest range special move and dash, but it doesn't get him as low to the ground as X and Zero's dashes. After defeating 4 enemies in their respective conditions: (All) Recover Parts: Super Jump (Up+Jump) (X, Zero) Rescue Navigator: X's special turns into the Shoryueppa (so now a 4-hit combo, 2 each upper cut), Zero's Rising Slash turns into the Earth Gaizer (3-hits, damage dealt is higher, can break enemies super armor, knocks them airborne, can juggled for one hit) (Vile) Beat the X hunters: Special becomes a backflip kick, into jumping towards the enemy launched in the air and knee bombing them. (Executed in the same way Duo's special was done: Up(held for the entire combo)+ Charged Attack+Jump+Attack Power-ups: X: X3 Armor (Mach dash, more damage and defense) Zero: Temporary shield (Invincibility) Vile: Ride Armor (More defense, different moveset, simliar to his ride armor boss battle) Haven't thought of anything beyond the character mechanics.
Stories: X, Zero: Rescue the navigator! Foil the X hunters efforts! Stop Doppler before he gets to those parts! Vile: Get your revenge on X before the X hunters do! Take Dopplers parts, find him, and kill him! Search and destroy Zero!
New gameplay addition: Giga attack The bar will be filled up with damage. The giga attack can only be used once per battle, so you'd have to make it count. Button input would be a theoretical 3rd button on an arcade machine. X: Shin shoryuken. Has the most vertical reach. Shortest horizontal range. Launches the enemy in the air afterward. Zero: Ranbu combo. Mid-ranged. Knocks enemies down afterward. Vile: Gets ride armor to shoot the paralyzing shot, then dashes across to grab the enemy and crush them. Longest ranged. Vile jumps out of the ride armor, distancing himself.
