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

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 players seeking import-friendly titles. These hack-and-slash action RPGs, with their extensive customization and Gunpla love, quickly gained a following. The 2024 announcement of Gundam Breaker 4's global, multi-platform release was a major surprise, and after 60+ hours across various platforms, I'm thrilled to share my comprehensive review.

Gundam Breaker 4's significance extends beyond the game itself; it marks a significant milestone for Western accessibility to the series. No more importing Asia English releases! Gundam Breaker 3, for example, was a PlayStation-exclusive Asia English release. This time, we have dual audio (English and Japanese) and multiple subtitle options, a welcome change. But how does the game itself fare across different platforms?

The story, while enjoyable, has its ups and downs. Early dialogue can feel drawn out, but the latter half delivers intriguing character reveals and more engaging conversations. Newcomers will find the game easily accessible, though the significance of certain characters might be lost without prior series experience. (Embargo restrictions limit my detailed story discussion to the first two chapters.) While I grew to appreciate the main cast, my personal favorites appear much later.

The true heart of Gundam Breaker 4 lies in its unparalleled Gunpla customization. Beyond simply equipping parts, players can adjust individual components, including weapon placement (dual-wielding!), and even scale and size. Mixing and matching parts, including SD (super deformed) elements, allows for truly unique creations.

Further customization comes from builder parts, adding extra features and skills. Combat utilizes EX and OP skills, determined by parts and weapons, and later, ability cartridges offer additional stat boosts or penalties.

Missions reward parts, materials for upgrading, and eventually, increased part rarity. Each mission has a recommended part level, but the game's balance prevents excessive grinding on normal difficulty. Three harder difficulties unlock later, significantly increasing the challenge and part level recommendations. While optional quests offer extra rewards, they aren't strictly necessary during the main story, although some (like survival mode) are particularly fun.

Customization extends beyond parts; players can adjust paint schemes, decals, and weathering effects. The depth of customization is impressive, offering countless possibilities for Gunpla enthusiasts.

Gameplay is mostly excellent. Combat remains engaging even on easier difficulties, with varied weapons and skills maintaining freshness. Boss encounters feature a satisfying spectacle: Gunpla emerging from crates before the fight. Targeting weak points, managing health bars, and breaking shields are common tactics. 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, where AI behavior presented some frustration.

Visually, the game is a mixed bag. Early environments feel somewhat sparse, but overall variety is good. The focus on detailed Gunpla models and animations pays off; the aesthetic is well-suited to lower-end hardware, and effects are impressive.

The soundtrack is a mixed bag, ranging from forgettable tracks to some genuinely great pieces in specific story missions. The absence of music from the anime and movies, typically included in DLC for other regions, is a disappointment. Custom music loading, a feature in other Gundam games, is also missing.

Voice acting, however, is surprisingly strong in both English and Japanese. I preferred the English dub for missions, finding subtitles distracting during combat.

Beyond a few minor annoyances (one specific mission type and some bugs), my experience was largely positive. Players averse to replaying missions for better gear might find it repetitive. Bugs encountered were minor: one save issue and a couple potentially Steam Deck-specific (long title screen load times and a mission crash resolved by playing undocked).

Online play (tested pre-release on PS5 and Switch, limited retail testing on PS5) remains to be fully evaluated on PC, especially on Steam Deck.

My parallel Gunpla building project (an RG 78-2 MG 3.0) provided a unique perspective, highlighting the craftsmanship involved in these kits. I'll complete it post-embargo.

Platform Differences and Features:

• PC: Supports >60fps, keyboard/mouse/controller support, multiple button prompt options, customizable settings.
• PS5: Capped at 60fps, excellent visuals, rumble support, Activity Card support.
• Switch: Around 30fps, lower resolution and detail, slower assembly and diorama modes.

Verdict:

Gundam Breaker 4 is a fantastic entry, especially for Gunpla enthusiasts. While the story is enjoyable, the real draw is the extensive customization and engaging gameplay. The Steam Deck version performs remarkably well, making it a top choice for portable play. Choose PS5 for optimal performance and visuals, but consider Switch only if portability is paramount and a Steam Deck isn't an option.

Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5