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

Gundam Breaker 4: A Deep Dive Review Across Platforms

Back in 2016, the Gundam Breaker series was a niche import title for PS Vita enthusiasts. The announcement of a global, multi-platform release for Gundam Breaker 4 in 2024 was a significant surprise. Having logged 60 hours across various platforms, I can confidently say it's a fantastic game, though not without a few minor flaws.

This release is monumental, marking a significant leap for Western Gundam fans. No more import hassles! Gundam Breaker 3's Asia English release is a stark contrast to the current global launch with dual audio (English and Japanese) and multiple subtitle options. This review will cover the game's core mechanics, story, and platform-specific performance, culminating in my personal journey building a Master Grade Gunpla.

The story, while serviceable, has its ups and downs. Early dialogue can feel protracted, but the latter half delivers compelling character reveals and more engaging conversations. Newcomers will be brought up to speed, though the significance of certain characters might be lost without prior series experience. The embargo restricts my discussion to the first two chapters, which felt relatively straightforward. While I grew fond of the main characters, my favorites appear much later.

The true heart of Gundam Breaker 4 lies not in its narrative, but in its unparalleled Gunpla customization. Beyond adjusting individual parts (arms, legs, weapons), you can fine-tune part size and scale, even incorporating Super Deformed (SD) parts for wildly creative combinations.

Customization extends beyond basic parts with builder parts offering additional features and skills. Combat utilizes EX and OP skills tied to your equipment, further enhanced by ability cartridges providing various buffs and debuffs.

Missions reward parts, materials for upgrading, and rarer materials for enhancing part rarity and unlocking additional skills. While optional quests provide extra income and parts, the standard difficulty feels well-balanced, minimizing the need for grinding during the main story. Three higher difficulty levels unlock later, significantly increasing the challenge. Don't overlook the optional quests; some, like survival mode, are particularly enjoyable.

Beyond combat and upgrades, extensive paint, decal, and weathering options allow for truly personalized Gunpla. The sheer depth of customization is astounding.

The gameplay is exceptionally well-executed. Combat remains engaging even on normal difficulty, encouraging experimentation with various weapons. Boss fights involve targeting weak points and employing strategic weapon choices. While I encountered a minor difficulty with one boss's weak points, switching weapons quickly resolved the issue. The only significant challenge involved a dual boss fight, hampered slightly by AI behavior in one specific encounter.

Visually, the game is a mixed bag. Early environments feel somewhat lacking, but overall variety is good. The focus is clearly on the Gunpla models and animations, which are beautifully rendered. The art style isn't realistic, but it's effective and scales well on lower-end hardware. Effects are impressive, and the scale of many boss fights is breathtaking.

The music is a letdown, ranging from forgettable to occasionally excellent. The absence of licensed anime music, a common feature in previous releases, is disappointing. Custom music loading, as seen in other Gundam titles, is also absent.

Voice acting, however, is surprisingly good in both English and Japanese. I preferred the English dub for its immersive quality during action sequences.

Minor issues aside (a frustrating mission type and a few bugs), Gundam Breaker 4 is a solid experience. Repetitive gameplay might deter players averse to replaying missions for better loot. I encountered a few bugs, including save file issues and some Steam Deck-specific problems (long title screen load times and a mission crash).

Online functionality remains untested on PC at the time of writing. I'll update this review once online play is fully tested.

My parallel Gunpla building project (an RG 78-2 MG 3.0) provided a unique perspective. The experience highlighted the intricate design and craftsmanship involved in creating these kits.

Platform Differences:

• PC: Supports over 60fps, mouse and keyboard, and multiple controller options. Steam Deck performance is excellent, achieving 60fps+ at medium settings. Minor text rendering issues were observed.

• PS5: Runs smoothly at 60fps. Excellent visuals, rumble support, and PS5 Activity Card integration.

• Switch: Lower resolution and detail compared to PS5. Performance is acceptable but not ideal, with noticeable slowdown in assembly and diorama modes.

DLC: The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions offer additional Gunpla parts and diorama content. The early unlocks aren't game-changing, but the builder parts are helpful.

Story Focus: While the story is enjoyable, the game's strength lies in its customization and combat.

Conclusion: Gundam Breaker 4 is a spectacular game, especially on Steam Deck. Minor flaws aside, it's a must-have for Gunpla enthusiasts and fans of the series.

Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5