When you consider Gundam, a number of issues come to thoughts, beginning with large robots preventing different large robots. Lengthy-time followers will know of its deconstruction of the mecha style and the way a few of the greatest entries within the franchise provide hard-hitting depictions of conflict, morality, and the value of progress. It additionally gives some unbelievable human drama, whether or not you’re wrapped up within the complexities and intergalactic battle of the unique Gundam collection, intrigued by the manipulations of Celestial Being in Gundam 00 or unraveling the mysteries of The Witch from Mercury.
Nonetheless, there’s one other fandom for the franchise past the anime, and it’s Gunpla – mannequin kits for hobbyists to construct a Gundam from scratch. They range in complexity and scale based mostly on grade, to not point out the in-depth processes of portray and modifying them (together with Kitbashing, the place elements from a number of kits are utilized in a single mannequin). Such is the passion for Gunpla that there’s a Builders World Cup Event the place the most effective compete. There’s even devoted anime, the Gundam Construct Fighters collection, leveraging the passion for storyline functions.
“Total, the characterization is about as typical as they arrive, with rote dialogue that’s serviceable at greatest and skippable at worst.”
In essence, that’s what Gundam Breaker 4 is about. As the primary true mainline sequel within the franchise since 2016’s Gundam Breaker 3 (faux that New Gundam Breaker by no means occurred), it gives all of the customization a Gunpla fanatic may need. The sheer variety of elements is in depth, with over 250 base kits, and you may customise them to your coronary heart’s content material with decals, climate, resizing, and extra. Nonetheless, as a hack-and-slash action-adventure, it leaves one thing to be desired.
The story focuses on a brand new Gundam on-line title (that sounds suspiciously akin to a Metaverse sport) getting into beta. It’s attracted many gamers, from the casuals to the try-hard aggressive sorts. The protagonist is a relative newcomer who begins with an RX-78, and it’s not lengthy earlier than one other participant, Tao arrives to show you the fundamentals. I appreciated having the choice to exclaim, “How dare you” when Tao known as me a newbie however I needed to undergo his firm regardless.
You encounter different characters like Lin, a talented participant who needs to be the most effective and might really feel a bit precarious round new folks; Mister, somebody who walks round attempting to assist newcomers like Tao, besides he has an afro; and Sheena, an overtly well mannered participant.
Total, the characterization is about as typical as they arrive, with rote dialogue that’s serviceable at greatest and skippable at worst. It doesn’t choose up or enhance, and a few ideas – just like the participant harnessing a expertise known as Spartan Rage – I imply, Tremendous Saiyan – I imply, Awaken – really feel cliche whereas missing actual gravitas.
“Although the giants can really feel damage-spongey, taking over an enormous Unicorn Gundam and watching it activate the NT-D to go all out is interesting.”
Maybe probably the most intriguing idea is that gamers can use totally different avatars and that possibly nobody is who they are saying. Absolutely, that received’t function a serious plot twist later. The general vibe is gathering collectively along with your in-game mates, taking over missions, and battling rival clans to work your means up the ladder, no less than initially. I do want my character had extra alternatives to voice their opinion, even when it was to make extra sassy remarks. It appears like a superb chunk of the story is taking part in out via different folks, and I’m merely standing by the wayside (whereas additionally doing all of the work, thoughts you).
As such, the fundamental gameplay circulation of Gundam Breaker 4 may be very easy. Go to the desk and pursue a narrative mission with three issue choices and a selection of companions. Increased difficulties necessitate higher-level elements on your Gundam. The missions themselves are extraordinarily simplistic, often consisting of little greater than clearing out waves of enemies earlier than continuing to the subsequent space and culminating in a boss. Some distinctive missions (like defending some extent) can come up. Nonetheless, they contain eliminating each single enemy attacking versus destroying a goal Gundam (which causes the smaller fry to vanish).
The boss battles can vary from preventing regular-sized Gundam to giants with in depth bars of well being, a number of break factors, obstacles that you need to pour harm into earlier than you’ll be able to resume depleting their HP, and massive dramatic assaults. Although the giants can really feel damage-spongey, taking over an enormous Unicorn Gundam and watching it activate the NT-D to go all out is interesting. Certain, some large bosses share a number of of the identical assaults, however such is life in a Bandai Namco-produced Gundam sport. No less than you’re incentivized to focus on and break elements so as to add them to your repertoire.
After progressing sufficient, you unlock quests and bounties. The previous gives easy missions in opposition to enemy Gundam with little to no narrative scenes, whereas the latter includes instantly going through rivals and amassing foreign money when defeating them. That is distinctive as a result of you’ll be able to choose as much as three opponents for a struggle, and the encounters might be attention-grabbing relying on their builds. Talking of which, I appreciated the menu outlining the totally different package elements that went into making these opponents, permitting gamers to simply copy their set-ups.
“The issue is that there in any other case isn’t an excessive amount of depth to the fight, which isn’t helped by the mission construction or the shoddy AI of most enemies (once they’re not stunlocking you without end with double-bladed weapons).”
Even when the mission sorts and aims are considerably mind-numbing and repetitive, there’s some hope that the fight can choose up the slack. That’s sadly not the case, but it surely’s not a misplaced trigger both. Customizing your Gundam means equipping distinctive weapons and elements that confer totally different OP Abilities, starting from a slashing combo along with your beam saber to grabbing some SD Gundam along with your claw protect and slamming them into the bottom. Every weapon additionally has distinctive properties – the whip is nice for attacking enemies in an space however may also pull one near you, as one instance.
You even have EX Abilities like Restore and Trans-Am, the latter granting an enormous buff to your stats. I didn’t discover the elements system too thrilling from a stats perspective within the early going, merely choosing the best ranges to satisfy the necessities, however the talents and weapon sorts can combine issues up. Whenever you’re launching an enemy into the air with a beam saber, solely to stab them repeatedly with a dagger after which pelt them with Gatling weapons and missiles, it may possibly really feel satisfying. The combo system additionally incentivizes constructing increased combos, enabling totally different buffs and rising merchandise drop charges.
The issue is that there in any other case isn’t an excessive amount of depth to the fight, which isn’t helped by the mission construction or the shoddy AI of most enemies (once they’re not stunlocking you without end with double-bladed weapons). They appear to lack a lot consciousness for dodging your long-range photographs, besides by chance, and develop into weak super-quick.
Sure, there’s an enchantment to turning into super-powered and stomping the competitors with a high-powered construct, however I’d respect it in the event that they put up some form of struggle. Watching an iconic Gundam present as much as problem my crew turns into much less thrilling over time when their habits is as predictable and shallow because the others.
“If nothing else, it is a less expensive choice than spending tons of of {dollars} on mannequin kits. Whether or not that’s price enduring all of the annoying caveats is one other matter completely.”
Your allies aren’t a lot better, typically getting caught on objects within the surroundings and seemingly providing no assist, even when it’s to attract aggro away. The motion can really feel awkward typically, as leaping and boosting are tied to the identical button. Activating the latter means holding it down whereas transferring, however you need to maintain it when stationary for higher soar peak. It’s not the worst, but it surely takes some getting used to, particularly for leaping up and hitting an enormous Gundam’s head.
Presentation-wise, there isn’t a lot to say concerning the visuals or music. The graphics received’t blow you away with their constancy, however like many different issues, they’re serviceable, and efficiency isn’t too shabby both. The voice performing is satisfactory and, as soon as once more, does little to raise the characters.
When you’re on the lookout for the most effective of the most effective in mech fight, Gundam Breaker 4 isn’t it, chief. Whereas the fight isn’t terrible and there’s oodles of content material for individuals who can get into it, it’s beset by repetitive aims, underwhelming AI, and reasonable depth. The story has some intriguing parts however doesn’t do a lot to drag you in.
However, because of the in depth customization choices and skill to personalize your individual Gundam, exhibiting it off via in-game images (which may use some higher background) and creating dioramas, is interesting. If nothing else, it is a less expensive choice than spending tons of of {dollars} on mannequin kits. Whether or not that’s price enduring all of the annoying caveats is one other matter completely.
This sport was reviewed on PlayStation 5.
