Mega Man X Dive (2020)

Now, I know that gacha games aren’t exactly known for balance or a good pvp mode, but x dive’s is laughably terrible. If you find a match, you’re either against an afk player, or someone who destroys you in under 40 seconds while not even being on-screen. If you ever think your competitive game has bad balance at the moment, x dive’s pvp is a reminder that at least your devs are trying to balance your game.

I got the offline version of this game and I thought the removal of the gacha mechanics would make me like it more, but I don't. It's still dull, grindy, and clunky. The hidden elements don't really add engagement, they're just there to pad the game out by making you look through every corner of the stage to find those things. Sometimes they're off screen, sometimes they're so hidden I couldn't even see them even after I knew where they were after looking them up online. The novelty of all of the Mega Man franchises coming together doesn't take away from the fact that this game doesn't feel like playing any game in the franchise. And as neat as it is being able to play with a bunch of characters, since weapons can be freely equipped to anyone, none of the characters feel particular distinct. Yes, they have different passives and active skills, but they don't prevent the characters from playing largely the same. Level design and flow is pretty meh. Levels are generally short so there really isn't enough time to get into a groove. The gacha version had issues with progression because you would be stuck unless you had enough resources, the offline version makes it easier to progress in the game, but that in turn gives you more time to play the game and realize how boring the game actually is at its core. That being said, I am still glad the game exists and I hope more devs make offline versions of their games once they remove the online versions from the stores. I am still planning on finishing the game despite my complaints, but I'm not really expecting to change my opinion on the game.

I love spending 4 months, saving up 12,000 element metals then seeing a banner I actually want to pull from, and yet somehow not pulling either of the legendary characters I wanted, but instead pulling the same legendary weapon 4 times. And apparently, not getting want I want in 120 pulls isn't enough to trigger the loyalty reward system. Gachas really are the worst genre of games