MegaMan X8 presents its 2Dstyle platformshooter action in a 3D game world. Mega Man X is joined in this adventure by two close associates, Zero and Axle, and each character has different strengths and abilities. Players can switch between two characters in the heat of battle, to solve a platform puzzle or fend of a particular enemy type, and the two characters not controlled by the player will try to help out in combat if the leading character becomes overwhelmed. Characters not controlled by the player recover more quickly when the hero on screen is performing well. As in most games in the longrunning Mega Man series, defeating a boss character earns the ability to use its special weapon. Other defeated enemies may leave behind metal bits, which can be collected and used to create custom powerups. In addition to the sidescrolling platform levels, some boss fights and other events are played from alternate perspectives.