Gundam Breaker 4: A Deep Dive Review Across Platforms
Back in 2016, the Gundam Breaker series was a niche find for PS Vita enthusiasts. Fast forward to 2024, and Gundam Breaker 4's global, multi-platform release is a monumental achievement for Western fans. Having logged 60 hours across various platforms, I can confidently say it's a fantastic game, albeit with a few minor caveats.
The significance of Gundam Breaker 4 extends beyond the game itself. No more importing Asia English releases! Gundam Breaker 3's PlayStation-exclusive, region-locked release is a distant memory. Gundam Breaker 4 boasts dual audio (English and Japanese) and multiple subtitle options, a significant leap for the franchise's Western presence.
The narrative, while functional, isn't the game's strongest point. Early dialogue can feel protracted, but the latter half delivers intriguing character reveals and more engaging conversations. Newcomers will be brought up to speed, though the impact of certain character appearances might be lost without prior series experience. (Embargo restrictions prevent detailed story discussion beyond the first two chapters.)
Gundam Breaker 4's true allure lies in its unparalleled Gunpla customization. The depth is astonishing. You can adjust individual parts, weapons (including dual-wielding), and even scale parts, allowing for truly unique creations, including the fun of combining disparate parts for bizarre, creative results.
Beyond standard parts, builder parts add further customization options and skills. EX and OP skills, along with ability cartridges, provide strategic combat depth. Missions reward parts and materials for upgrading and enhancing your Gunpla's rarity and skills.
The game's difficulty is well-balanced. Standard difficulty avoids excessive grinding, while higher difficulties (unlocked progressively) offer a significant challenge. Optional quests provide additional rewards and fun, particularly the survival mode. Paint, decals, and weathering effects further personalize your Gunpla.
Gameplay is consistently engaging. Combat remains fresh thanks to varied weapons, skills, and stats. Boss fights, with their dramatic entrances from Gunpla boxes, are a highlight. Targeting weak points and managing multiple health bars adds strategic depth. (One specific boss fight proved challenging due to weapon-weak point interactions, easily solved by switching weapons.)
Visually, Gundam Breaker 4 is a mixed bag. Environments initially feel somewhat lacking, but overall variety is good. The focus is clearly on Gunpla detail and animation, which are excellent. The art style is stylized, not realistic, and performs well even on lower-end hardware.
Music ranges from forgettable to exceptional, with some truly memorable tracks in specific story missions. The absence of licensed anime music is disappointing. Voice acting, however, is a pleasant surprise, with both English and Japanese options being high-quality. I preferred the English dub for action sequences.
Minor issues include one repetitive mission type and a few bugs (one save name issue, two potential Steam Deck-specific issues: prolonged title screen return time and a mission crash resolved by playing undocked). Grinding may feel repetitive for players prioritizing story over customization.
Online multiplayer was tested on PS5 and Switch pre-release, but PC server testing is pending.
My parallel Master Grade Gunpla build (RG 78-2 MG 3.0) provided a fascinating perspective on the game's design and the intricate work involved in creating these kits.
Platform Differences:
- PC: Supports >60fps, mouse/keyboard, and controller with customizable button prompts. Excellent Steam Deck performance (720p, 80-90fps at medium settings).
- PS5: 60fps cap, excellent visuals, good rumble and Activity Card support.
- Switch: Lower resolution and detail, performance around 30fps, long load times, sluggish assembly and diorama modes.
DLC: The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions offer early unlocks and diorama content, but aren't game-changing.
Story Focus: While the story is enjoyable, the game's core strength lies in customization and combat.
Conclusion: Gundam Breaker 4 is a spectacular entry in the series, especially for its accessibility to Western audiences. It's my top Steam Deck game of the year (alongside Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance), and I eagerly anticipate future online and offline gameplay.
Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5
