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

Gundam Breaker 4: A Deep Dive Review Across Platforms

Gundam Breaker 4's global release is a significant milestone for Western fans, marking the end of import-only titles for the series. This extended review covers the game's core mechanics, platform-specific performance, and DLC, all while sharing my personal Gunpla building experience.

The game's narrative, while serviceable, takes a backseat to the core gameplay loop. While early dialogue might feel protracted, the latter half delivers compelling character reveals and engaging interactions. Newcomers will find the story accessible, though prior series knowledge enhances appreciation for certain character appearances.

The true star is the unparalleled Gunpla customization. Players can finely tune individual parts, weapons (including dual-wielding), and even scale, allowing for unique and creative builds. Builder parts further expand customization, adding skills and enhancing aesthetic options. Progression involves upgrading parts using materials earned through missions, increasing rarity and unlocking additional skills. The game's difficulty scales well, with multiple difficulty settings unlocking as the story progresses. Optional quests provide additional challenges and rewards, but aren't essential for progression on normal difficulty.

Combat remains consistently engaging, despite the easier normal difficulty. The variety of weapons and skills keeps things fresh. Boss fights involve targeting weak points and managing multiple health bars, though one specific boss presented a notable challenge. Visually, the game excels in portraying Gunpla detail and animations, though environments could benefit from improvement. The soundtrack is mixed, with some memorable tracks alongside forgettable ones; the absence of anime music is a minor disappointment. Voice acting, however, is surprisingly strong in both English and Japanese.

Beyond the core gameplay, extensive paint, decal, and weathering options allow for truly personalized Gunpla. Minor bugs were encountered, including save issues and a Steam Deck-specific crash. Online functionality remains untested on PC at the time of writing.

Platform Differences:

• PC: Supports over 60fps, mouse and keyboard, and multiple controller profiles. Steam Deck compatibility is excellent, running smoothly with Proton. Minor visual inconsistencies in menus were observed.
• PS5: Capped at 60fps, boasts excellent visuals, and features PS5 Activity Card support.
• Switch: Runs around 30fps, with noticeable downgrades in resolution, detail, and reflections. Assembly and diorama modes are noticeably sluggish.

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

Conclusion: Gundam Breaker 4 is a fantastic entry, offering deep customization and engaging gameplay. While the story is secondary, the sheer depth of building and combat makes it a compelling experience. PC and PS5 are the recommended platforms for optimal performance, with the Switch version best suited for portable play despite performance limitations.

Steam Deck Rating: 4.5/5