Hypermode is primarily an exclusive Hunter technology that grants Maverick Hunters incredible power.
Testing for hypermode capabilities began after 2170 (around the time New Generation reploids were starting to be produced). Hypermode technology was a byproduct of New Generation reploid development and was undertaken by Maverick Hunter R&D groups. The early hypermodes were unstable and had tendency to disable easily. They also consumed a tremendous amount of energy which meant they were highly limited. It took years for them to be able to stabilise Hypermode enough to last for more than a very short span (from seconds to a few minutes). This technology was then pressed into service in 2175 (Chaos Advent).
Although this technology gained greater focus from Force Metal discovery which allowed for more power than traditionally possible. Many residents of Giga City (a chief producer of Force Metals) were outfitted with Hypermode capabilities to aid them in work. Though this was eventually deemed unnecessary and hypermode was relegated to back Maverick Hunters only.
Force Metals were eventually abandoned for hypermodes given their possibility to increase maverick tendencies. Hunter researchers looked for other ways to power hypermodes. They eventually found that by sacrificing all 8 maverick moves stored in the Variable Weapon System they could extend hypermode's duration and even capabilities even further at the cost of using all those move's energy.
Hypermode works by constantly drawing energy from the user's power core. This energy is then set aside inside the hypermode module. After the module has been fully charged the user can then trigger hypermode to unleash this stored power. The transformation varies by user… (some only change colours, some glow, some project energy, some change their armour entirely, etc…) But in cases where the user's armour physically changes that change is made by the user's nanomachines charged by the hypermode's energy. (Much like how New Generation reploids transform.)
When it comes to using special attacks, the user's power core still supplies energy for their abilities, but hypermode's energy reserve adds a bit more to amplify their power. In most cases Hypermode has collected enough energy for them to use their moves sufficient number of times without worry about running out of power. (Unless of course they have a move that specifically sacrifices all their hypermode energy for one large attack…)
Hypermode in it's perfected state grants a reploid a tremendous increase in power. All of their core abilities are increased. They also gain access to new powers and abilities they may not have had before. Though every user's hypermode is different.
With sufficient power (requires a full 8 maverick moves in order to function) Hypermode can be expanded even further. By sacrificing all the energy from those moves, the user gains an extended Hypermode state. They may also unlock further special abilities and capabilities depending on what moves they channelled into their hypermode. (This form doesn't truly last forever, but it lasts much longer… basically until that reploid chooses to power down.)
Hypermode still consumes an enormous amount of energy even after all these years of using it and researching it. ( Hypermode can only be sustained for a short time because of the draw.) Though the use of 8 maverick's moves for energy makes it possible to use hypermode for much longer. However, a full 8 must be used in order to power the hypermode less than that will not power it fully or for very long so as a safety precaution it is limited to all 8 or not at all.
Still even with hypermode enabled, that hunter is not invincible. They can still be overwhelmed and/or killed. Should they get knocked out/shut down then their hypermode will disengage. (If they used maverick moves to fuel it then they lose all those weapon's energy.)
Mavericks are largely unable to access hypermode technology. Hypermode is an extremely controlled technology available only to hunters. Hypermode technology has several safeguards to prevent mavericks from being able to access and use this technology. (Hypermode requires an active hunter ID signature to work as well as special modifications to the hunter's armour.)
The maverick virus also causes massive problems and malfunctions with the hypermode unit and will cause severe drawbacks ranging from powering down to simply refusing to enable. Mavericks were never able to solve these issues and mostly abandoned hypermodes as a viable option for combating hunters. (This happened in Chaos Advent.)
The only noted time a maverick has successfully managed hypermode is the case of Merge Silkworm. (And that was due to Merge having absorbed a hunter capable of using Hypermode.) Though successful activation is debatable given using hypermode caused Merge to become a berserker.
While hypermode technology is an offshoot of New Generation reploid development, the two technologies are largely incompatible. Both require a tremendous amount of energy to function simultaneously. (Although this was possible with Force Metals, having abandoned them for hypermode use makes this impossible.)
Hypermodes gave:
Hypermode only lasts for 3 posts (unless users with all 8 maverick moves give up all that energy to fuel hypermode. In that case hypermode lasts for as long as they want.) Once hypermode is exhausted (all 3 posts have been used) if the user makes 3 more posts* then they can use their hypermode again. (It regenerates over time, unlike in Command Mission where it was demoed.)
* Posts that aren't short or don't really do much. So a post that only asks a single question wouldn't count. And these 3 posts cannot use hypermode. Hypermode during this time is offline while it recharges.
While it is theoretically possible for New Generation reploids to have hypermode capabilities (demonstrated by Megaman X: Command Mission) I chose not to allow that in these roleplays to give a differentiation between New Generation and Old Generation reploids.