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

Gundam Breaker 4: A Deep Dive into Gunpla Customization and Combat

Gundam Breaker 4, finally released on Steam, Switch, PS4, and PS5, delivers a thrilling experience for both newcomers and veterans of the series. This extensive review explores the game's strengths and weaknesses across various platforms, culminating in a personal journey of Gunpla construction.

The game's narrative, while serviceable, takes a backseat to its core mechanic: Gunpla customization. The initial story chapters are straightforward, but later reveals and dialogue add depth. While newcomers will find it easy to follow, veterans might appreciate the character callbacks more.

The true allure lies in the unparalleled customization. Players can meticulously adjust individual parts, weapons (including dual-wielding), and even scale, allowing for truly unique creations, blending standard and SD (super-deformed) components. Builder parts add further layers of customization and skill enhancements. EX and OP skills, along with ability cartridges, further enhance combat strategies.

Progression involves completing missions, earning parts, and upgrading them using materials. The game offers a balanced difficulty curve, avoiding excessive grinding on standard difficulty. Higher difficulties unlock as the story progresses, significantly increasing the challenge. Optional quests, including a fun survival mode, provide additional rewards and gameplay variety.

Beyond combat and customization, players can personalize their Gunpla with paint jobs, decals, and weathering effects. The depth of customization is staggering, offering endless possibilities for Gunpla enthusiasts.

Combat is engaging and varied. Boss fights, featuring the dramatic reveal of Gunpla from boxes, remain consistently exciting. While most fights involve targeting weak points and managing health bars, one particular boss presented a unique challenge, requiring strategic weapon choices.

Visually, the game is impressive. While early environments may seem simplistic, the Gunpla models and animations are beautifully rendered. The art style, though not realistic, is effective and well-optimized for various hardware. The music is a mixed bag, with some forgettable tracks and a few standouts. The inclusion of dual audio (English and Japanese) is a welcome addition.

Minor bugs and one particularly annoying mission type were encountered, but these didn't significantly impact the overall experience. Online functionality was tested on PS5 and Switch, but PC server availability prevented a full evaluation at the time of writing.

The PC port shines with its support for over 60fps, mouse and keyboard controls, and multiple controller options. Steam Deck compatibility is excellent, running smoothly with Proton Experimental. The Switch version, while portable, suffers from performance issues in assembly and diorama modes. PS5 delivers a visually stunning experience, though capped at 60fps.

The Ultimate Edition offers extra content, including additional Gunpla parts and diorama items. While not game-changing, the extra content enhances the overall experience.

The review concludes with a personal anecdote about building a Master Grade Gunpla kit alongside playing the game, highlighting the connection between the virtual and real-world aspects of Gunpla building.

Final Verdict: Gundam Breaker 4 is a must-have for Gunpla enthusiasts and action game fans alike. While the story is secondary, the exceptional customization, engaging combat, and overall depth make it a truly spectacular experience. The PC and PS5 versions are highly recommended, while the Switch version, though portable, requires consideration due to performance limitations. The Steam Deck version is exceptionally well-optimized.