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Gundam, a name synonymous with giant robots and epic space battles, has transcended its anime origins to become a global cultural phenomenon. From its iconic RX-78 making a memorable appearance in Ready Player One to its vast array of Gunpla model kits, Gundam’s influence is undeniable. This legacy extends into the gaming world with titles like Gundam Battle Assault and Super Robot Wars, further solidifying its place in popular culture. Gundam Breaker 4, the latest installment in the action-packed Breaker series, builds upon this legacy, offering players the ultimate Gunpla customization and combat experience. Available on Nintendo Switch, PC, and PlayStation 4/5, this game promises a thrilling adventure for both seasoned veterans and newcomers to the world of virtual Gunpla battles.

Building Your Dream Gunpla

Gundam Breaker 4 retains the core gameplay loop of its predecessors: fight, collect, assemble, and upgrade. Beginning with the legendary RX-78, players embark on a journey through Gunpla Battle Blaze: Beyond Borders, a fictional online game within the game where they take on the role of a beta tester. This in-game setting provides a narrative framework for the action, allowing players to connect with their custom Gunpla avatars and engage in thrilling battles alongside their clan and friends.

Gundam Breaker 4

The combat system is intuitive, featuring dedicated buttons for melee attacks with different equipped weapons, ranged attacks, dashing, and jumping. Players can also block with shields and perform quick dodges. The skill system is divided into two branches: OP skills (cooldown-based) and EX skills (energy-based), offering a variety of offensive and support options. By accumulating energy, players can activate Awaken mode, temporarily boosting their Gunpla’s stats or debilitating enemies.

Gundam Breaker 4

The heart of Gundam Breaker 4 lies in its extensive customization options. With over 1500 Gunpla parts to collect, players can mix and match components to create their ultimate fighting machine. Parts are categorized by type (head, body, arms, legs, backpack, weapons, etc.) and have varying levels and rarity. Rarity affects the number of bonus stats a part can have. Beyond combat, the game offers a robust suite of creative tools, allowing players to paint their Gunpla with detailed color schemes, build dioramas, pose their creations, and capture stunning screenshots. This deep level of customization adds significant replay value, allowing players to express their creativity and build the Gunpla of their dreams.

Engaging Combat Mechanics

Gundam Breaker 4 excels in its combat mechanics, offering a fast-paced and impactful experience. The game embraces the toy-like nature of Gunpla, allowing for fluid movements and quick responsiveness. Despite this agility, the combat retains a sense of weight and impact, especially with the diverse arsenal of weapons available. From beam sabers to metal swords, each weapon offers a unique feel and range.

Gundam Breaker 4

The missions in Gundam Breaker 4, while not overly varied, provide enough diversity to keep the gameplay engaging. Mission types include Suppression (eliminate all enemies), Target (destroy specific targets), HLV (protect an escape vehicle), Monolith (destroy enemy structures), and Boss battles. The boss battles, in particular, stand out, offering a Monster Hunter-esque challenge with massive bosses requiring strategic targeting of weak points.

Gundam Breaker 4

Room for Improvement

Despite its strengths, Gundam Breaker 4 suffers from some noticeable shortcomings. The user interface, particularly during combat, is cluttered with unnecessary elements that obstruct the view. The combined jump/boost button hinders fluid movement, making aerial maneuvers and dodging more difficult than they should be.

Gundam Breaker 4

The inclusion of Breaker Tickets, an in-game currency that significantly boosts drop rates and item quality, feels like a thinly veiled microtransaction system, even in a full-priced game. Finally, the excessive loading times, even on relatively powerful hardware, disrupt the flow of gameplay and can be frustrating.

Gundam Breaker 4

Gundam Breaker 4

Gundam Breaker 4

Gundam Breaker 4

Conclusion

Gundam Breaker 4 delivers a compelling Gunpla building and battling experience. Its intuitive combat, deep customization options, and engaging boss battles make it a must-have for Gundam fans. However, the cluttered UI, awkward controls, and excessive loading times hold it back from reaching its full potential. Despite these flaws, the game offers hours of entertainment for those seeking the ultimate virtual Gunpla experience.