While Mega Man X4 was solid all around, X5 is a mess. It also establishes some tropes that the series could have done without, like the poorly explained virus mechanic and the ability to rescue reploids scattered around various stages. Rescuing reploids ultimately amounts to an annoying chore, especially since it’s generally a nightmare to navigate the game’s levels. This is never more true than in Volt Kraken’s stage, likely the worst auto-scrolling level in the entire series. Death is likely within its first few seconds. There is little of redeeming value for X5 aside from its traditional core gameplay.