Gundam Breaker 4 Review – Steam Deck, Switch, and PS5 Tested

Gundam Breaker 4: An Extended 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 significant event for Western fans. Having logged 60 hours across various platforms, I can confidently say it's a fantastic game, though not without a few minor flaws.

The significance of Gundam Breaker 4 extends beyond the game itself. No more importing Asia English releases! Gundam Breaker 3's PlayStation-only, regional release is a distant memory. Gundam Breaker 4 boasts dual audio (English and Japanese) and multiple subtitle options (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish).

The story, while serviceable, isn't the main draw. While the early dialogue can feel a bit lengthy, the latter half delivers interesting character reveals and engaging conversations. Newcomers will be brought up to speed, though the impact of certain characters might be lessened without prior series experience. The focus remains on the core gameplay loop: building, customizing, and battling with your Gunpla.

Customization is the star of the show. The depth is incredible, allowing adjustments to individual parts, weapon loadouts (including dual-wielding), and even part scaling – enabling the creation of truly unique Gunpla. Builder parts add further customization options, including parts with unique skills. EX and OP skills, determined by your parts and weapons, add strategic depth, further enhanced by ability cartridges offering various buffs and debuffs.

Progression involves breaking parts, earning rewards, and upgrading your Gunpla using materials. A recommended parts level for each mission ensures a balanced challenge. The game avoids excessive grinding, even on standard difficulty. Higher difficulty levels unlock as the story progresses, significantly increasing the challenge. Optional quests, including a fun survival mode, provide additional rewards and gameplay variety.

Beyond combat and upgrades, extensive paint, decal, and weathering options allow for highly personalized Gunpla. The sheer amount of customization is impressive.

The gameplay itself is highly polished. Combat remains engaging, even on the easier normal difficulty. The variety of weapons and skills keeps things fresh. Boss fights are satisfying, involving targeting weak points and overcoming various challenges. One specific boss fight presented a minor difficulty spike, but this was easily overcome by switching weapons.

Visually, the game is a mixed bag. Early environments feel somewhat lacking, but overall variety is good. The Gunpla models and animations are exceptionally well-done. The art style is deliberately non-realistic, and the visual effects are impressive. Performance scales well on lower-end hardware.

The soundtrack is a mixed bag, ranging from forgettable to excellent. The absence of music from the anime and movies is a slight disappointment. The voice acting, however, is a pleasant surprise, with both English and Japanese options being well-executed.

Minor issues include a repetitive mission type and a few bugs. One mission caused crashes specifically when played docked on my Steam Deck. Online functionality was untested on PC at the time of writing.

A personal anecdote: I attempted building an MG 78-2 3.0 Gunpla alongside playing the game, offering a unique perspective on the game's design and the effort involved in creating real Gunpla.

Platform Differences:

• PC: Supports over 60fps, mouse and keyboard, and multiple controller options. Runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck.
• PS5: Capped at 60fps, superior visuals to Switch.
• Switch: Lower resolution and detail, noticeable performance issues in assembly and diorama modes.

DLC: The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions offer additional Gunpla parts and diorama content. The additional content is enjoyable, but not game-changing.

Conclusion:

Gundam Breaker 4 is a spectacular game, especially for Gunpla enthusiasts. While the story is enjoyable, the true appeal lies in the deep customization, engaging combat, and the sheer satisfaction of building your perfect Gunpla. Minor issues aside, it's a highly recommended title, particularly for Steam Deck users.

Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5