this one is a big step up from the last few games. some of the unique mechanics here (the combo system, mixing armor parts, Zero's weapons, Axl being in something besides X7) are really fun to work with.

the levels in this game are excessively gimmicky, however. the new currency and upgrade systems encourage you to replay the game a lot in order to collect everything and get better ranks, but it's hard to want to do so when the levels often don't let you play very naturally. if that makes any sense.

there are some other things i take issue with (collecting hidden items but then having to pay to use them for some reason, boss fights feeling slower because of the increased invincibility frames, etc.), but these are more negligible.

if this game had more standard levels, it would probably be the third-best, or even second-best, game in the X series. here's hoping X9 is just this but slightly better