As somebody who has been a Gundam fan for a very long time, it was all the time inevitable that I’d cross paths with Gunpla sooner or later. Gunpla, which is brief for Gundam and Plastic Mannequin, has lengthy been a staple of the collection and even surpassing conventional media. It’s change into becoming then, that it looped again round to the realm of video video games with infinite customization potential.
However this isn’t the primary time that’s occurred, as we’re now as much as Gundam Breaker 4 – the fourth recreation within the Gundam Breaker collection that brings the customization and constructing side of real-life Gunpla right into a digital house.
That digital house side is performed up fairly a bit in Gundam Breaker 4 as gamers are launched to a digital arcade-like world from the leap, and it’s on this foyer the place all the pieces within the recreation takes place.
The story of Gundam Breakers 4 is straightforward however efficient sufficient in the way in which it’s informed via chapter-based missions. Whereas it’s a sequel to the occasions of the earlier recreation, it’s clear from the leap that it’s not required for any type of understanding. The participant in-game is a newcomer, they usually’re right here to participate within the beta take a look at model of the Gunpla Battle Simulator that has since expanded to a house console launch.
Within the recreation foyer, one other beginner often called Tao together with a feminine fighter often called Rin begin up a clan along with the participant, and from there, different fighters of all ranks and expertise will present as much as try to change into allies too – all whereas some mysterious glitches and curious characters hold showing within the Gundam Battle Simulator.
Definitely, the story isn’t as loopy as one thing you would possibly see in say, the Tremendous Robotic Wars collection, however as a car to get Gunpla components, it serves its objective sufficient with extra participating turns taking place after a reasonably sluggish begin. I used to be anticipating maybe slightly extra narrative-driven focus given the idea of Gundam Breaker 4 isn’t too far faraway from what the anime collection Gundam Construct Fighters did earlier than it, however essentially the most attention-grabbing half is assembly all of the totally different quirky characters and the entire idea of them enjoying a beta take a look at collectively the place issues can go awry at any second.
The gameplay is a bit more thrilling with an action-focused rogue-like that depends very a lot on the way you customise and put collectively Gunpla. You’ve received the choice to put in two ranged weapons comparable to rifles and different weapons, and two melee weapons just like the beam saber or axe. There’s truly an enormous assortment to select from and that is the half that makes Gundam Breaker 4 shine essentially the most.
Throughout missions, the bottom gameplay loop includes executing combos, and the longer you chain one up, the higher rewards you would possibly get, which may in flip offer you extra choices for Gunpla constructing. The secret is to land increased ranks on the finish of each mission, with S-Rank being the perfect. Rating can be decided by how briskly you get via every problem, and what number of enemy components you possibly can Break off by dealing a lot of harm.
There are even further skills other than regular assaults. Within the Gunpla construct menu, you possibly can set Non-obligatory and Builder Half expertise, which grant particular OP Expertise primarily based on how a lot the EX Guage bar is stuffed up and may deal out stronger assaults. They’re necessary to arrange as a result of among the boss battles might be actually difficult, and also you’ll want any benefit you may get.
That stated, the hack-and-slash gameplay can get repetitive over time, even when the missions begin mixing it up as a part of the principle story. There’s additionally a web-based mode you possibly can play with different individuals together with on-line leaderboards, in addition to a observe mode to check the waters earlier than taking a brand new construct out into the sphere.
Gundam Breaker 4 additionally has some quests that unlock Gunpla components and a Diorama Mode that allows you to pose your Gunpla after all of your onerous work.
So there’s a respectable quantity of issues to do in Gundam Breaker 4, however once more, the largest draw is the Gunpla constructing. There are lots of of kits obtainable, and simply as many components to gather via the course of regular gameplay. I discovered essentially the most enjoyable I had with the sport simply making an attempt to make the ugliest, most further cell swimsuit I might.
However after some time, you possibly can accumulate sufficient components to have most of them in a set, they usually’ve all received totally different stats and rarity labeled so it makes it straightforward to construct the perfect one you wish to battle with.
After enjoying the story for some time, collected components might be upgraded utilizing the Synthesize menu, with the power to swap out traits to construct essentially the most highly effective Gunpla. I might spend hours simply making an attempt to place collectively the perfect package, it’s actually spectacular simply how a lot Gundam Breaker 4 allows you to customise all whereas bringing in these acquainted cell fits from the collection.
I might spend hours simply making an attempt to place collectively the perfect package, it’s actually spectacular simply how a lot Gundam Breaker 4 allows you to customise all whereas bringing in these acquainted cell fits from the collection. These acquainted fits additionally present up throughout conditions like boss encounters as nicely, so for instance, I ended up having to tackle an enormous model of the highly effective Unicorn Gundam that required a bit extra technique to defeat than the standard grunts.
Gundam Breaker 4 retains a considerably stylized 3D look all through, with characters showing in an anime model much like the fashionable anime collection. The cell fits have a reasonably clear look, however they match whenever you notice they’re representing Gunpla.
My solely gripe is the environments are fairly primary, there’s not a lot occurring when it comes to modeling, however it’s a small criticism when there are such a lot of Gunpla components within the recreation.
General, Gundam Breaker 4 is a recreation designed for the followers of Gundam. There’s a lot to work together with and acknowledge from the unique collection, all whereas spending time making your personal customized mannequin with an enormous provide of components to take action.
The story isn’t the best and the hack-and-slash gameplay does get repetitive after some time regardless of the power to combine up expertise. That stated, if you happen to’re simply on the lookout for a mannequin package simulator, there’s loads of enjoyable available till the subsequent Gundam recreation comes round.
TechRaptor reviewed Gundam Breaker 4 on PlayStation 5 with a replica supplied by the developer over the course of 12 hours of gameplay – all screenshots had been taken in the course of the technique of assessment.
