Gundam Breaker 4: A Deep Dive Review Across Platforms, Including Steam Deck Performance
Back in 2016, the Gundam Breaker series was a niche find for PS Vita owners seeking import-friendly titles. Fast forward to 2024, and Gundam Breaker 4's global multi-platform release is a monumental achievement for Western fans. This extended review covers my 60+ hours across various platforms, highlighting its strengths and addressing some current shortcomings.
The significance of Gundam Breaker 4 extends beyond the game itself; it represents a major leap for the franchise's Western accessibility. No more importing Asia English releases! Gundam Breaker 4 boasts dual audio (English and Japanese) and multiple subtitle options (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish), a significant upgrade from the PlayStation-exclusive, Asia English release of Gundam Breaker 3.
The narrative, while serviceable, features some lengthy pre-mission dialogue that occasionally drags. However, the latter half delivers more engaging character reveals and dialogue. Newcomers will be brought up to speed, though the impact of certain character appearances might be lost without prior series experience. (Embargo restrictions limit my discussion to the first two chapters, which felt relatively straightforward.) While I grew to appreciate the main characters, my personal favorites appear much later.
Gundam Breaker 4's true appeal lies in its unparalleled Gunpla customization. Beyond adjusting individual parts (arms, legs, etc.), you can fine-tune ranged and melee weapons, and even manipulate part size and scale, allowing for creative, sometimes bizarre, combinations. Builder parts further enhance customization, adding unique skills and functionalities. EX and OP skills, dependent on your parts and weapons, along with ability cartridges offering various buffs/debuffs, add strategic depth.
Missions reward parts, materials for upgrading, and rarer materials for increasing part rarity and unlocking additional skills. While optional quests offer 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. However, don't overlook the optional quests; some, like survival mode, are particularly enjoyable.
Customization extends to paint jobs, decals, and weathering effects, offering extensive options for Gunpla enthusiasts. The gameplay itself is a triumph. Combat remains engaging even on normal difficulty, encouraging experimentation with various weapons. Boss fights involve targeting weak points, managing multiple health bars and shields, providing satisfying challenges (though one specific boss fight presented some AI-related difficulties). The spectacle of Gunpla emerging from crates before battle never grows old.
Visually, Gundam Breaker 4 is a mixed bag. Early environments feel somewhat sparse, but overall variety is decent. The focus is clearly on the Gunpla models and animations, which are exceptionally well-rendered. The art style is stylized, not realistic, and scales well on lower-end hardware. Effects are impressive, and the scale of many boss fights is breathtaking.
The soundtrack is a mixed bag, ranging from forgettable to genuinely excellent tracks in specific story missions. The lack of music from the anime/movies is disappointing, especially considering past DLC practices. Custom music loading, a feature in other Gundam games, is also absent.
Voice acting, however, is a pleasant surprise. Both English and Japanese dubs are well-executed, with a personal preference for English during action-heavy moments to avoid distracting subtitles.
Beyond a few minor bugs (some potentially Steam Deck-specific) and one particularly irritating mission type (thankfully infrequent), Gundam Breaker 4 has been largely stable. Repetitive gameplay might deter players who dislike grinding for better gear. Online functionality remains untested on PC at the time of writing, pending server activation.
My concurrent Master Grade Gunpla building project (RG 78-2 MG 3.0) provided a unique perspective, highlighting the intricate design and craftsmanship involved. The experience enhanced my appreciation for the game's detailed Gunpla models.
Platform Differences:
- PC: Supports over 60fps, mouse/keyboard, and controller input with customizable button prompts. Excellent Steam Deck compatibility (Proton Experimental recommended). Some minor font/menu issues on Steam Deck.
- PS5: Capped at 60fps, visually superior to Switch, with good rumble and Activity Card support.
- Switch: Runs around 30fps, with reduced resolution, detail, and reflections compared to PS5. Assembly and diorama modes feel sluggish. Portability is its main advantage.
DLC: The Deluxe/Ultimate Editions offer some early-game unlocks and diorama content, but aren't game-changing.
Conclusion:
Gundam Breaker 4 is a spectacular entry, especially for Steam Deck users. While the story is enjoyable, the game truly shines in its deep customization, engaging combat, and the sheer satisfaction of building the ultimate Gunpla. The Switch version, while portable, suffers from performance issues, particularly in assembly and diorama modes. PC offers the best performance and flexibility. Overall, a highly recommended title for Gunpla fans and action game enthusiasts.
Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5
