GAME REVIEW: GUNDAM VERSUS – A Fan Service

Over the years, Sunrise has produced numerous television series and movies that features different themes using giant robots known as mobile suits or Gundams. Alongside the animated series, came the plastic-model collectibles, Gunpla. This year, Bandai Namco Entertainment collects all things Gundam into one video game and call it Gundam Versus.

STORY

This section of our review is going to be short. Gundam Versus has no story mode. It is not based on any particular Gundam storyline. If you’ve seen the Gundam Build Fighters series, that’s probably that closest story you’re going to get. Just imagine having access to any mobile suit of your choice and battle it out with other Gundams.

VISUAL AND PRESENTATION

If you’re a Gundam fan, then you’re in for a treat with Gundam Versus. Gundam Versus has gathered over 180 mobile suits from the different series over the years. It doesn’t matter which particular series you became a fan of, most likely it’s probably here. The selection is wide beginning with Amuro Ray’s RX-78 to Mikazuki Augus’ Gundam Barbatos. However, I’m quite disappointed that Gundam G is not included in the game. Gundam Versus almost had every Gundam ever released but they just had to leave my favorite series out.

Gundam Versus is a visual beauty. It captures every single detail of each mobile unit. When the battle starts it becomes almost a light show with the different laser beams, missiles, and explosions filling up your screens just like how a Gundam episode would.

GAMEPLAY

Story mode aside, Gundam Versus still has a lot of play modes to choose from. There’s the Ultimate Battle, which is Gundam Versus’ survival mode wherein you try to survive waves of mobile suits coming at you. The Trial Battle is where you try to progress in different stages against different Gundams. Free Battle is the custom battle mode wherein you customize your gameplay. The remaining battle modes: Ranked Match, Casual Match and Player Match requires online multiplayer.

While I was reviewing this game, I actually had difficulty connecting online. It’s hard finding other players during match making especially on 3 vs 3 matches and when I was lucky enough to get other players, I encountered connectivity issues. I was lucky enough to play 1 game in 1 vs 1 match during the week that I was playing. Once you get into the game, there’s really no lag or connectivity issues, the only problem I encountered was just getting into the multiplayer mode. I wouldn’t take it against Gundam Versus because we all know the state of our internet here in the country. My experience could be different from yours depending on your internet service provider.

The controls are relatively easy in Gundam Versus. Depending on the mobile suit of your choice the animation or move list may vary but the general move lists are: ranged, melee, sub weapon, special ranged and special melee. I highly suggest that before you try the other game modes, try familiarizing yourself with the basic controls on the three part tutorial mode. Once you get the hang of it and you’re familiar with the mobile suit of your choice, you can start combining your move list to execute combos.

Moving your mobile suit might take a bit getting used to. You would need to learn when to dash or use your flight mode as there is a limit to using it and when your movement bar is spent you’ll overheat and become vulnerable to attacks. Gundam Versus is hybrid of beat ‘em up and a fighting game. You could progress through the game by merely button mashing but you need to have some sort of strategy when going up against other players in multiplayer mode.

OVERALL

Gundam Versus is a game celebrating the Gundam franchise. It is a treat for fans as it feels like you’ve given keys to the Gundam vault based on the number of mobile suits to choose from. It is an eye-candy, a visual spectacle and lets players into the action. Gundam Versus offers a lot of play modes but it’s strength still lies in it’s multiplayer option. Gundam Versus is a great game which is hampered by match making, connectivity/internet issues. As a result, if you’re playing in offline mode whether in Trial or Ultimate Battle against AIs, it’ll get easily repetitive.

Gundam Versus is definitely a must have for any Gundam fan but is probably not to everyone’s liking.

This review was written based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.