Gundam Breaker 4 is here and you would not believe it but eight years ago, the words “Gundam” and “Breaker” were probably the last two things I wanted to hear in the same sentence. As someone new to the Gunpla-building scene, the very concept of Gundam Breaker felt almost blasphemous. Was this game going to make me fall in love with the idea of destroying my painstakingly built Gunpla, or would it pull me deeper into an already dangerous rabbit hole?
Fast forward to 2024, and here I am—an avid fan of the Gundam Breaker series, ever since my first taste with the third installment. I’ve sunk over 500 hours into the franchise, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But let’s save the nostalgia for another time—because today, we’re talking about Gundam Breaker 4, the latest entry in the series. And yes, we’re going to politely ignore the existence of New Gundam Breaker.
In many ways, Gundam Breaker 4 feels like a reboot—a return to the series’ roots with a blend of fresh ideas from more recent titles. It still carries the heavy firepower of the RX-78GP02A Gundam “Physalis,” but with the sleek polish of the Hyaku Shiki. I’ll stop myself before this metaphor takes us to even darker places, though.
From the moment you start playing, Gundam Breaker 4 delivers exactly what you’d expect from a proper sequel: exhilarating, frantic hack-and-slash combat reminiscent of Gundam Breaker 3. It packs a massive arsenal of guns, melee weapons, and ballistics. The cherry on top? More than 250 mobile suits to play with, offering endless customization options to create something mind-blowingly unique—or, you know, something that will make you question your sanity.
What, It’s Already Over?
Unlike the dense, intricate plots of Gundam Universe, Gundam Breaker 4 keeps things simple. You’re the self-inserted protagonist, entering a beta test for the game within a game. You’ll meet a mentor, learn the ropes, and eventually form lasting bonds with other characters. Maybe you’ll even start a clan and enter a battle tournament where you fight a big boss at the end.
The story is barebones—split across a few chapters with light dialogue. It doesn’t overwhelm you with depth, but at the same time, it doesn’t really offer much substance either. By the time the curtain falls, I found myself both confused and shocked. While the ending wasn’t terrible, it left me disgruntled that it only managed to grab my attention at the very end.
Button-Mashy but Addictive
At its core, Gundam Breaker 4 is exactly what the name implies—a game about breaking Gundams and Mobile Suits. As an action RPG, you’ll hack and slash through waves of enemies or mow them down with long-range weapons like beam rifles and missile launchers. It’s the most expansive and customizable title in the series yet, appealing to both newcomers and veteran players alike.
The game is mission-based, and you’ll take on assignments from a central base. Unlike Gundam Breaker 3, where you only moved around as a pilot avatar, the fourth installment lets you roam the base with your Mobile Suit, showing off your customizations in online lobbies. The base is also where you’ll interact with NPCs to buy parts, form clans, join online lobbies, or check out the rankings.
Finally, Boss Battles!
Battles in Gundam Breaker 4 are wave-based, where enemy Gunplas spawn in hordes for you to dispatch. You’ll use melee and ranged weapons, some requiring both hands, meaning no dual-wielding in certain cases. Mobile Suit parts also come with special EX or OP skills, adding depth to the combat.
A new addition is boss-type battles, a welcome change from Gundam Breaker 3, where you only faced enemy Gunplas with massive health pools. Though not particularly challenging, these boss battles offer a nice change of pace with their flashy moves and provide a break from the usual combat grind.
Customization—Where Do I Even Start?
Customization is the cornerstone of Gundam Breaker 4. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll spend more time tweaking and building your Gunpla than actually fighting. With over 250 Mobile Suits from various Gundam universes, including Gundam Seed, Destiny, and the original Mobile Suit Gundam, the possibilities are almost endless.
You can mix and match parts from SD, HG, and MG-grade suits with no real restrictions. You can even resize individual parts to ensure everything fits cohesively. However, builder parts feel limited compared to the variety of suit parts. At this point, I’d love to have the freedom to add 16 or 32 additional spikes to complete my edgy goth-punk look!
And of course, no RPG is complete without stat customization. Each part has unique sub-stats that can be leveled up, while rarity upgrades now require part evolution items rather than merging higher-rarity parts. Additionally, cartridges allow further customization to fine-tune your Mobile Suit’s playstyle.
Once your parts are chosen, upgraded, and perfectly positioned, it’s time for the real fun—painting! You can pick from a wide palette of colors, textures, and decals, allowing you to put your personal stamp on your creation. The level of detail is impressive, adding even more layers of customization.
Barren, but Not in a Good Way
Unfortunately, Gundam Breaker 4’s environments feel bland. Compared to SD Gundam Battle Alliance and its interactive, destructible cityscapes, Breaker 4 offers none of that. The arenas are circular and static, with no destructible elements. Still, the game looks good overall—Mobile Suits are highly detailed, and performance on the Steam version is smooth.
The controls, while smooth, take some getting used to. Boosting and jumping share the same button, which feels awkward, and inventory management—especially with cartridges—could use a better sorting system. That said, there is controller support for players who prefer it.
Conclusion
Gundam Breaker 4 is a straightforward, fun game that knows exactly what it wants to be. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll love it just as much as the previous entries. And if you’re new, be prepared to sink hours into its deep customization systems rather than its story. The chaotic, action-packed combat combined with massive online lobbies for up to 24 players makes this a must-try for anyone who loves Gunpla. So, if this sounds like your kind of game, now is the perfect time to dive in.
Gundam Breaker 4 Video Review
This Video Review has been modified for viewing purposes, so it’s longer than the written review and more personal.
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