Hey, at least its better than X7.
The story begins with mankind focusing their attention to space since the Reploid rebellions have been plaguing Earth into countless wars ( X to X7. Amazing ain't it "Laughs"). Called the Jakob Project, new generation of Reploids help to build a space elavator to help speed this development. However, when things are moving smoothly, some Mavericks decide to wreck things up and kidnap a key new generation reploid named Lumine. Once again, its up to X, Zero, and Axl, to come to the rescue.
The rest of the story is not that bad. The climax is actually where this story gets interesting. However, it makes you wish how the other Megaman X story was just simple.
Like I say before, X8 brings back the similar gameplay before X7. You got the same stuff, 8 stages, 8 bosses, powerups, etc. etc. with a few exceptions. Now you can take two charcters on the stage out of X, Axl, and Zero for everyone of them have their advantages. X is the balance out of the three, Axl can fly, copy enemies powers for a short time, and shoot with his pistols but he's a little on the weak side. Zero has the double jump, different weapons besides the Z saber but, he's a little slow. You can also buy items to help you out on different stages.
Now maybe this is just me but, I believe X8 is the hardest Megaman X game to play. But its not because of the bosses, but the stages themselves. I swear, the Inferno stage was probably the stage I died the most. You can't tread softly in most of these stages. The worst way to die in this Megaman game are spikes. And you will see a lot of them....and if that doesn't kill you, something else will and you will constantly see your character die and you will probably cry or cry out in frustration and anger. If that don't make you upset, the ranking system probably will. It is hard to keep a high rank system ranging from E to S. At the end of each stage, you will be constantly reminded on how you either did well on that stage or terrible you did.
X8 also have voice overs in this game as well but its horrible. By the way, there is constant dialouge in this game where most of it doesn't even tie to the story at all. The music is pretty decent in this game as well but, not like the other megaman games.
Overall, this Megaman game is......not bad but not good either. Its decent. Its a big improvement than X7. To tell the truth, its because of the story that makes me want another one to come to works to at least finish the X series. Megaman still has something left to give. It just need a jump.