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 for PS Vita enthusiasts. The announcement of a global release for Gundam Breaker 4 in 2024 was a huge surprise, marking a significant milestone for Western fans. Now available on Steam, Switch, PS4, and PS5, I've logged 60 hours across platforms and have a lot to share.

This release is monumental, not just for the game itself, but for the series' accessibility. Gone are the days of importing Asia English releases; Gundam Breaker 4 boasts dual audio (English and Japanese) and multiple subtitle options (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish).

The Story: A Solid Foundation

Gundam Breaker 4's narrative has its ups and downs. While some pre-mission dialogue feels lengthy, 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 initially unclear. The embargo limits my discussion to the first two chapters, which feel fairly straightforward. While I grew fond of the main characters, my personal favorites appear much later.

The True Allure: Unparalleled Customization

The game's true strength lies in its incredible Gunpla customization. You can adjust individual parts, weapons (including dual-wielding), and even the scale of parts, allowing for truly unique creations. The inclusion of builder parts with unique skills further enhances this depth. EX and OP skills, dependent on parts and weapons, add strategic combat layers. Ability cartridges offer additional buffs and debuffs.

Progression and Gameplay

Missions reward parts and materials for upgrading and increasing part rarity, unlocking more skills. The game's difficulty is well-balanced; grinding isn't necessary on standard difficulty. Three higher difficulties unlock later, significantly increasing the challenge. Optional quests offer additional rewards and fun game modes like survival.

Customization Extends Beyond Parts

Beyond parts, you can adjust paint schemes, decals, and weathering effects. The sheer depth of customization is astounding for Gunpla enthusiasts.

Combat and Boss Fights

The combat is consistently engaging, even on normal difficulty. The variety of weapons and skills keeps things fresh. Boss fights involve targeting weak points and managing multiple health bars, offering satisfying challenges. One particular boss fight proved tricky, but switching weapons resolved the issue. The only significant difficulty spike involved a dual boss encounter.

Visuals and Audio

Visually, the game ranges from excellent (Gunpla models and animations) to adequate (environments). The art style is stylized, not realistic. The music is mixed; some tracks are forgettable, while others shine. The lack of anime music packs is a minor disappointment. Voice acting, however, is surprisingly good in both English and Japanese.

Bugs and Performance

Minor bugs exist, including one mission type that proved annoying and a few Steam Deck-specific issues (long title screen load times and a mission crash). Overall, the game is stable and enjoyable.

Online Multiplayer

Pre-release online testing on PS5 and Switch was positive. PC server testing was unavailable pre-launch. Further testing will be conducted post-launch.

My Gunpla Building Journey

Building an MG 78-2 3.0 kit alongside the game provided a unique perspective. The experience deepened my appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in Gunpla creation.

Platform Comparisons

• PC: Supports over 60fps, mouse and keyboard, and multiple controller profiles. Runs well on Steam Deck.
• PS5: 60fps cap, excellent visuals, good rumble and Activity Card support.
• Switch: Lower resolution and detail, performance issues in assembly and diorama modes.

DLC Considerations

The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions offer DLC, including additional parts and diorama content. The value proposition depends on individual preferences.

Final Verdict

Gundam Breaker 4 is a fantastic game, especially for Gunpla enthusiasts. While the story is enjoyable, the customization, combat, and building mechanics are its true strengths. The PC version, particularly on Steam Deck, offers a superior experience. The Switch version is acceptable for portable play, but suffers from performance issues. The PS5 version offers the best visual fidelity.

Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5