X5 feels much easier than X4

I recently replayed Megaman X5, and something struck me: the game feels noticeably easier compared to X4, especially in terms of how much power you’re given from the start.

First, X starts the game with the Fourth Armor already unlocked, giving him significant advantages like a charged plasma shot, air dash, and reduced damage intake. On top of that, the Fourth Armor allows X to charge special weapons, giving him powerful options early in the game. For example, after defeating Izzy Glow, X can fire a massive laser beam with the charged version of the F-Laser. Similarly, the charged version of the C-Shot surrounds X with energy blades, providing both offense and defense at the same time.

Meanwhile, Zero has access to his air dash right from the beginning, making platforming and evasion much easier compared to X4, where neither character could air dash at the start.

On top of that, Zero’s most powerful technique in X5, the C-Sword, is unlocked after defeating Grizzly Slash, arguably one of the easiest Mavericks in the game. C-Sword absolutely shreds bosses and even trivializes Duff McWhalen, who happens to be C-Sword’s weakness. Beating Duff then unlocks the invincible air dash (F-Splasher), which makes navigating levels even safer. Continuing this chain, Squid Adler goes down easily with the invincible dash.

Compare this to X4, where X starts with no armor at all, and both X and Zero lack air dashes from the start. Unlocking upgrades feels like a much bigger deal because you’re starting from scratch. Furthermore, several bosses in X4 feel harder, especially as Zero, due to the lack of reliable weaknesses:

  • Web Spider, Magma Dragoon, and Slash Beast don’t have weaknesses for Zero.
  • Jet Stingray’s weakness is Hyouretsuzan, but he’s in the air for most of the fight, making it hard to land.
  • Raijingeki, another key ability for Zero, has a long animation time that often leaves you wide open for counterattacks.

Don’t get me wrong, X5 is still a fun game, but the power creep is real compared to X4.