Gundam Breaker 4: A Deep Dive Review – From PS Vita Imports to Steam Deck Domination
Back in 2016, the Gundam Breaker series was a niche find for PS Vita enthusiasts. These hack-and-slash RPGs, brimming with Gunpla customization, were a revelation. The announcement of a global release for Gundam Breaker 4 in 2024 was a huge surprise, and now, having logged 60+ hours across multiple platforms, I'm ready to share my thoughts. This isn't just a game review; it's a journey, mirroring my own foray into Master Grade Gunpla building after mastering High Grade kits.
Gundam Breaker 4's significance extends beyond the game itself. No more import struggles! Unlike the Asia-only English release of Gundam Breaker 3, this title boasts global multi-platform launch, dual audio (English and Japanese), and extensive subtitle options. But how does the game fare across different platforms? Let's explore.
The narrative, 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 quickly grasp the basics, although some character appearances might feel more impactful with prior series experience. While the first two chapters feel somewhat straightforward, I grew fond of the main cast by the end, even though my personal favorites appear later.
However, the true heart of Gundam Breaker 4 lies not in its story, but in the unparalleled Gunpla customization. The depth is staggering. You can tweak individual parts, including arm-specific ranged and melee weapons, and even adjust part size and scale. Mixing and matching, even using SD parts on regular Gunpla, creates truly unique and often hilarious Frankensteinian creations.
Customization extends beyond basic parts. Builder parts add extra features and skills, complementing EX and OP combat skills tied to your chosen parts and weapons. Ability cartridges further enhance your Gunpla with buffs and debuffs.
Missions reward parts, materials for leveling up, and eventually, materials for rarity increases. This unlocks additional skills and allows for strategic part cannibalization. The game's difficulty is well-balanced; standard difficulty doesn't require excessive grinding, although three higher difficulties unlock later, significantly increasing the challenge. Optional quests, including a fun survival mode, offer extra rewards and replayability.
Painting, decal application, and weathering effects add the final touches to your creations. Gundam Breaker 4 is a Gunpla enthusiast's dream, but does the gameplay deliver?
The combat is consistently engaging, even on easier difficulties. Weapon variety keeps things fresh, and skill customization provides a unique experience throughout. Boss fights, with their dramatic reveals from Gunpla boxes, are a highlight. Targeting weak points, managing health bars, and overcoming shields are standard fare, though one particular boss fight proved challenging due to weapon limitations (easily solved by switching to a whip!). The only significant difficulty spike involved a two-on-one encounter with a specific boss type, where AI presented a minor challenge.
Visually, the game ranges from good to excellent. Early environments feel somewhat sparse, but overall variety is decent. The Gunpla models and animations are clearly the focus, and they look fantastic. The art style isn't realistic, but it's effective and performs well even on lower-end hardware.
The soundtrack is a mixed bag, with some forgettable tracks and a few standout pieces. The lack of licensed music from the anime is a slight disappointment. Voice acting, however, is excellent in both English and Japanese, with the English dub being particularly well-suited for action-packed missions.
Minor issues aside (a frustrating mission type and a few bugs), Gundam Breaker 4 is a solid experience. Repetitive mission replay might deter those averse to grinding for better gear. I encountered a save issue and a couple of Steam Deck-specific bugs (long title screen load times and a mission crash resolved by playing undocked). Online functionality remains untested on PC at the time of writing.
My own Gunpla building journey, undertaken alongside the game, provided a new appreciation for the craftsmanship involved. I started an MG 78-2 Version 3.0 kit, but encountered a setback early on. A guitar pick saved the day, but I paused to focus on the review. It will be completed post-embargo.
Now, let's examine the platform differences:
PC Port: Supports over 60fps (unlike the 60fps PS5 and ~30fps Switch versions), mouse and keyboard, and controller support with customizable button prompts. Performance on Steam Deck is excellent, easily hitting 60fps on High settings (excluding shadows). Minor font issues were noted.
Switch vs. PS5: PS5 offers superior visuals and performance (60fps). The Switch version suffers from reduced resolution, detail, and reflections, making Gunpla appear less detailed. Load times are also significantly longer on Switch. Assembly and diorama modes feel sluggish on Switch.
Ultimate Edition: The additional DLC provides early access to parts and diorama content, enhancing the experience but not fundamentally altering it. The Diorama mode itself is excellent for Gunpla posing and photography.
Story Focus: While the story is enjoyable, the game's core appeal lies in customization and combat. Those seeking a narrative-driven experience should look elsewhere.
Steam Deck Performance: Runs flawlessly, exceeding expectations. A minor performance dip in the assembly section was noted.
Final Verdict: Gundam Breaker 4 is a fantastic entry in the series, a must-have for Gunpla fans and a surprisingly strong contender for Steam Deck users. The Switch version is acceptable for portable play, but the PS5 offers a superior experience.
Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5
