Gundam Breaker 4: A Deep Dive Review Across Platforms
Back in 2016, the Gundam Breaker series was a niche import title. Now, Gundam Breaker 4 boasts a simultaneous global release on Steam, Switch, PS4, and PS5 – a significant milestone for Western fans. After 60 hours across multiple platforms, I can confidently say it's a fantastic game, despite a few minor issues.
This release is monumental. No more importing! Gundam Breaker 4 offers dual audio (English and Japanese) and multiple subtitle options (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish), a far cry from the Asia English releases of previous titles.
The story, while serviceable, isn't the main attraction. Early dialogue can feel protracted, but the narrative improves in the latter half with compelling character reveals and more engaging conversations. Newcomers will be brought up to speed, though some character appearances might lack context initially.
The true appeal lies in the unparalleled Gunpla customization. You can modify individual parts, weapons (including dual-wielding), and even adjust part scaling, allowing for truly unique creations. Builder parts add further customization options, some with unique skills. EX and OP skills, dependent on parts and weapons, and ability cartridges add strategic depth.
Gameplay is rewarding. Missions provide materials to upgrade parts and increase rarity, unlocking more skills. The game is well-balanced; grinding isn't necessary on standard difficulty. Three higher difficulty levels unlock later, significantly increasing the challenge. Optional quests, including a fun survival mode, offer additional rewards.
Customization extends to paint, decals, and weathering effects. The sheer depth of customization is impressive. Combat is consistently engaging, even on easier difficulties, thanks to varied weapons and skills. Boss fights are exciting, often involving targeting weak points and multiple health bars. One specific boss fight presented a challenge due to AI behavior.
Visually, the game is a mixed bag. Environments are initially underwhelming, but improve. Gunpla models and animations are exceptional. The art style is stylized rather than realistic. Effects are impressive, and boss fight scale is remarkable. The music is mostly forgettable, lacking iconic anime tracks. Voice acting, however, is surprisingly good in both English and Japanese.
Minor issues include a repetitive mission type and a few bugs (one affecting Steam Deck's title screen loading time, another causing a crash in a specific mission on my monitor, but not on the Deck itself). Online multiplayer functionality remains untested on PC at the time of writing.
The PC port shines with support for over 60fps, mouse and keyboard, and multiple controller presets. The Steam Deck version works flawlessly out of the box, achieving 60fps at high settings and even higher frame rates at medium settings. Minor visual issues with fonts were observed on the Deck and Switch.
The PS5 version is visually superior to the Switch version, running at a smooth 60fps. The Switch version suffers from lower resolution, detail, and reflections, impacting visual fidelity. Load times are significantly longer on Switch than PS5 and Steam Deck. Assembly and diorama modes are sluggish on Switch.
The Ultimate Edition's DLC offers additional parts and diorama content, but isn't game-changing. The story is enjoyable but secondary to the core gameplay loop.
Overall, Gundam Breaker 4 is a spectacular game, especially on PC and PS5. The extensive customization, engaging combat, and impressive Gunpla visuals make it a must-have for fans of the genre. The Switch version is playable but suffers from performance issues. Steam Deck owners will find it a perfect fit.
Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5
