GUNDAM BREAKER 4 Review (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 & PC)

After an eight-year break, Gundam Breaker 4 is finally here. Patience pays, huh? The game is ready to reignite the passion of Gunpla enthusiasts and mech combat fans alike. Building on the legacy of its predecessors, this latest entry in the series doesn’t just assemble parts; it assembles a fantastic experience. 

What Is a Role-playing Game?

The mech game offers a unique blend of creativity and action that promises to keep you hooked for hours. With a focus on break, build, and battle, the game delivers satisfying, fast-paced combat. But has the break brought anything new? Let’s review all the news and old Gundam Breaker 4 has to offer.

A Mech’s Tale

Gundam Breaker 4 drops you into the virtual world of GB4, where you’re a newbie looking to make a name in the community. You step into the shoes of a new player in the competitive world of Gunpla building and battling. The adventure begins in a bustling city known for hosting high-stakes Gunpla tournaments, with the player joining a local team determined to rise through the ranks. 

Now, things get interesting when you meet Tao and Lin, the two protagonists of the game. Tao is an expert in Gundam but lacks experience, and Lin is a spirited newbie with a fierce competitive drive.

The story unfolds in chapters, each with five stages. In these stages, you’ll face new rivals and deal with a hacker threat. It’s a decent setup, but let’s be honest, nobody’s here for the story. It’s cool, but it never dives deep. Some characters get their moments, while others are just kind of… there. It feels like the game wants to say more but never commits.

A big letdown is the lack of a customizable character avatar in cutscenes. Instead of seeing your character grow and interact with others, you’re represented by your Mobile Suit. The worst part is when your suit looks like a mismatch of random parts. It’s difficult to take emotional scenes seriously. Imagine trying to have a deep conversation while dressed as a clown. Not cool, right?

Let’s Suit Up

First things first, let’s talk customization since that’s what Gundam Breaker 4 is all about. If you’re the type who loves playing with every detail, you’re going to have a blast. The game hands you an endless toolbox filled with Mobile Suit parts, weapons, and abilities. It lets you mix and match to your heart’s content. Notably, the possibilities are almost endless, and that’s where the fun lies.

As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock more parts and customization options. It’s like building with Legos, but way cooler and with a lot more lasers. And when you think you’ve done it all out of your Mobile Suit’s potential, the game introduces Synergy. Now, this system lets you fine-tune your suit by levelling up weapons and transferring unique buffs between gears. Suddenly, you’re not just building a Mobile Suit but crafting a masterpiece.

But here’s the kicker: all this customization is tied to the game’s difficulty and progression. If you want the best parts, you’ve got to earn them by replaying stages on higher difficulties. Ultimately, you must nail those S ranks in this fighting game. It’s a clever way to keep you coming back for more, but it can also feel like alittle boring if you’re not into repeating missions.

Building Epic Moments

One of Gundam Breaker 4’s standout features is its diorama mode. The mode serves as a creative playground for players who love to showcase their Mobile Suit creations. In this mode, you can stage epic battles, set up dramatic scenes, or simply arrange your suits in cool poses. 

The level of detail and customization available in diorama mode is impressive. You can add various background elements and even adjust the positioning of individual parts on your suits, allowing for a wide range of creative expression. It’s a perfect feature for those who enjoy the visual side of the game and want to share their work with others.

Apart from being a fun side activity, the diorama encourages players to think about their Mobile Suit designs in new ways. It provides a space to celebrate the hard work put into customizing and upgrading their suits. Ultimately, diorama mode offers a unique way to engage with Gundam Breaker 4’s rich customization options.

Mastering the Battlefield

Where Gundam Breaker 4 really shines is in its gameplay. The game is a hack-and-slash, and it does that job well. You’ll spend most of your time slicing, dicing, and blasting through waves of enemy suits. The combat is fast-paced and satisfying, especially once you’ve got your Mobile Suit decked out with all the best gear. 

Additionally, the game throws a ton of abilities your way, from melee combos to long-range missile barrages. If you want to survive more challenging missions, mastering them all is key to success.

Speaking of missions, this is where things get a bit repetitive. Most stages involve fighting off waves of enemies, defending a point, or taking down a boss. It’s fun, no doubt, however, you’ll start noticing similar patterns after a while. The game lacks variety in missions. That said, the boss battles do mix things up. Each boss is unique, with its own set of challenges, and taking them down feels genuinely rewarding.

Forging Alliances

No Gundam game would be complete without the online play, and Gundam Breaker 4 doesn’t disappoint. Of course, it’s always a cool vibe playing with a bunch of friends in multiplayer mode. The game offers various multiplayer modes where you can team up with friends or face off against other players. Whether you’re looking to test your suit against others or just want to co-op through missions, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

The online experience is smooth for the most part, though it can suffer from occasional lag. But when everything’s working well, it’s a blast. The community around Gundam Breaker 4 is passionate, and there’s a real sense of friendship when you’re building and battling alongside others. It’s a great way to show off your latest Mobile Suit creation.

The game’s hub area is where players spend most of their downtime between missions. While it’s not the most exciting place, it does the job. You can chat with other players, visit shops, and customize your suit. It’s functional, but it could use a bit more life. Hopefully, future updates will add more interactive activities perfect for a hack-and-slash game.

The Grind

Here’s where things get a little tricky. Gundam Breaker 4 isn’t just about building the coolest suit. You must earn it. The game’s progression system is tied to its difficulty, so if you want the best gear, you must work for it. That means replaying missions on higher difficulties and aiming for those elusive S ranks. For some, this is the perfect challenge. For others, it might feel like a challenge.

The difficulty spikes can be a bit annoying, too. One minute, you’re cruising through missions, and the next, you’re getting wrecked by a boss because you didn’t upgrade your suit enough. The game pushes you to improve and refine your build constantly. It’s a great idea if you’re into that sort of thing. But if you’re just looking to enjoy the ride, the sudden jumps in challenge might throw you off.

And let’s not forget the music. While the battle theme is catchy at first, it quickly becomes repetitive as it plays over and over in missions. It’s a small thing that can affect the overall experience, especially when you’re deep into a long play session.

Verdict

In conclusion, Gundam Breaker 4 is a game that offers an action-packed, customization-heavy experience through the Gundam universe. If you’re a fan of the series or just love the idea of building your own Mobile Suit, this mech game has a lot to offer. The customization options are deep, the gameplay is satisfying, and the boss battles are genuinely exciting.

But it’s not without its flaws. The story is cool but doesn’t really stand out, and the lack of a customizable avatar during cutscenes is a missed opportunity. The mission variety could be better, and the music can benefit from variety. And then there’s the elephant in the room: earning the best gear takes time and effort, which might not be for everyone.

Despite these shortcomings, Gundam Breaker 4’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses. The extensive customization options, both in terms of Mobile Suit design and diorama creation, provide endless opportunities for creative expression. The game’s depth in these areas always ensures something new to discover, even after many hours of play.

Ultimately, Gundam Breaker 4 is a solid entry in the series. It delivers its promise of giving players the tools to build their dream Mobile Suit. The best part is that the game lets them take it to the next level with a fast-paced action vibe. It’s not perfect, but if you’re into customization and don’t mind a bit of repetition, this is one adventure worth embarking on.