Review of Gundam Breaker 4- A triumphant return to form for fans

Initial release date: August 29, 2024

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows

Series: Gundam Breaker

Genres: Adventure game, Role-playing video game, Fighting game

Developer: Crafts & Meister

Publishers: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.

Engine: Unreal Engine 4

The new Gundam Breaker was not amazing. It was universally lambasted, and previous game fans were equally unimpressed. We dreaded the demise of a small franchise we adored as Gundams, Gunpla (short for Gundam plastic model kits), and video game fans, but the news of Gundam Breaker 4 gave us hope. The phrase “New” was nowhere to be found, and it appeared to be based on Gundam Breaker 3, the popular favorite entry. I am very pleased to report that we are EATING GOOD once more with this one, and it has the potential to become the new definitive entry in the franchise.

Building and Battling: The Core of Gundam Breaker 4.

Gundam Breaker is a series about playing an online game in which you can create and control your own Gunpla robot and compete against other players and the CPU. It has INSANE customization, with just about every model kit you could want to see in a game like this, and allows you to smash together kits in fun ways, add extra parts, color everything in great detail, add decals, and now Gundam Breaker 4 adds a Diorama Mode, allowing you to assemble epic scenes with your customized Gunpla and all kinds of other options to make some seriously cool things.

Story and gameplay: an engaging experience.

The story mode is fundamentally similar to previous ones. You play as an up-and-coming silent protagonist who stumbles across a motley group of people and gradually builds it into an in-game “Clan” as he rises through the ranks of the game, facing all kinds of intrigue and strife along the way since nothing comes simple, right? Along the way, you will complete a variety of missions, including fighting back waves of enemies, defending objectives, fighting enemy teams of three with your teammates, and even large boss fights against Perfect Grade model kits, which are much larger in scale than what you begin with and feature additional mechanics in the fight.

Combat improves even more on the framework established by Gundam Breaker 3 by allowing us to dual wield weapons, broadening the normal light and heavy combo strings found in earlier games. You will be able to mix and match them to make even crazy strings to use than before. A highlight for me is the whip weapon type, which is a long-range melee weapon that can draw foes in or out depending on which direction you grip; combine that with something heavy, such as an axe, and you have a winning combination. It doesn’t end with close-range weapons; you can also equip a selection of ranged weapons in each arm to supplement your assault.

This game has about 250 kits’ worth of parts, with many real-life kits represented by high-quality box art. These components allow you to unlock EX Skills, which use a meter you build up for BIG DAMAGE assaults, as well as OP Skills, which are smaller attacks employing built-in weaponry on parts with a timed cool down. Put assemble an excellent robot without any damage? Slap some builder parts on it to unlock EX and OP skills, or simply make them as small as possible and conceal them in your kit if you don’t want to disrupt your aesthetic perfection. There is so much customization available that you will find yourself spending a LOT of time in menus designing awesome mecha to control, pose, and even hop online with.

Online Gaming: A Step Forward

Speaking of online, this episode contains a far more fascinating mechanism than the last one. You can join lobbies, meet people while going about as an avatar of your chosen Gunpla, form Clans, do tasks together, compete in tournaments, and much more. It’s great to see more emphasis on attempting to recreate the landscape depicted in the tale, as well as elements of the Gundam series in this universe. I could see this game becoming really popular for me if I discovered it after liking Gundam at a young age, and it’s pretty cool to see the effort put into creating something like that.

Review Overview

Gameplay – 87%

Controls – 85%

Aesthetics – 90%

Content – 88%

Accessibility – 84%

Value – 86%

Overall Rating – 88%

EXCELLENT!

Summary: “Gundam Breaker 4” delivers a triumphant return to form for fans, combining fast-paced mech combat with deep customization options. The gameplay is thrilling, with fluid controls that make piloting your Gundam both exciting and accessible. The aesthetics shine with detailed models and vibrant effects, bringing the iconic mechs to life in stunning fashion. The game offers a rich array of content, including diverse missions and robust multiplayer options, ensuring long-lasting appeal. With a well-rounded experience that caters to both veterans and newcomers, “Gundam Breaker 4” stands out as an excellent addition to the series.