Mega Man X2 is set in a world where the Maverick army was defeated by a lone warrior known as X , who later rose to become the leader of the Maverick Hunters. However, 6 months have passed and X 's first task is to eliminate the last of the Mavericks. A mysterious group of Reploids called the X-Hunters appears with a message that the remains of his fallen comrade Zero are in their possession and they plan to resurrect Zero to fight alongside them and for their leader Sigma.
The game follows X as he must stop the X-Hunters and rescue Zero, while also preventing Sigma from rising back into power. The story is a mix of action and adventure, with X facing off against various enemies and bosses in his quest to save his friend and foil the plans of his former enemy.