Plot. In the year 21XX, a reploid scientist named Dr. Doppler, built a machine known as the Neuro Computer, which prevented reploids from going Maverick and berserk. Dr. Doppler then founded Dopple Town, a perfect Utopian community, and the world seemed to enter a new era of peace. A few months later, Mavericks began to attack, and it was found out that Doppler was the mastermind, and his anti-virus was a placebo. Maverick Hunter dispatched X and Zero, to stop the Mavericks and bring Dr. Doppler to justice. Then a few hours later, headquarters was under attack by the Doppler army. X and Zero succeeded in defeating the assailants, but now, they must once again battle against Doppler and his Mavericks.
Concept. As always, X begins fighting against Mavericks by defending a city, a base, or assaulting a Maverick hideout. Then players fight eight bosses in eight different stages. Also, there are mini-bosses sent by Dr. Doppler to destroy you. These new bosses are called Bit and Byte. And also, Vile from the first game returns. If defeated with the correct weapons, they will not be fought in the Doppler stages. The game has two different endings, depending if Zero is alive or injured.
Design. The game is 2D side scrolling, and thanks to the Cx4 chip, it has limited 3D graphics and transparency effects. The PlayStation and Sega Saturn versions depicted Anime sequences for the first time. The anime intro featured scenarios from the first and second games, and it was extremely epic. The anime sequences are also depicted in the introduction of the Mavericks, and also when they're all defeated. Anime sequences would be used once again in the next games. The characters are rendered in sprites during gameplay.
Music. The music is great and all. However, in the stage of Neon Tiger, the music theme is a remix version of "My Michelle" performed by the famous rock band, Guns N' Roses. My favorite boss themes are the fight against Dr. Doppler and Sigma's Final Form.
Rantings. The mini-boss of Tunnel Rhino's stage, the Hell Crusher, was more annoying than staggering. This guy always bothered me, and put my gaming skills to the test. The other boss fight that I hate is against Crush Crawfish, he uses his claws and can send them out to hit you. If he grabs you, he crushes you (as his name implies) multiple times. The enemies I hated where the Hamma Hamma (weird name), which attacked with two flails, even more bothersome than the Reploid enemies from X1, those who wielded shields and flails.
Good Aspects. Playing as Zero got me pumped because, he is one of the best characters in the game series. Also, the game's anime sequences on the PlayStation were a great addition to the game, and that would be used for it's many sequels, and also on the remake of the first Mega Man X game for the PSP. It has a lot of replay value, and the storyline becomes much more darker than the first two games. The first time I beat this game, the game left me quite appalled at the message that would be used in the future.
Overall. Mega Man X3 lives on in the hearts of old school gamers. It can also be played on the Mega Man X Collection on the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Gamecube. This game gets an 8.3 out of 10