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 find for PS Vita import enthusiasts. Fast forward to 2024, and Gundam Breaker 4's global multi-platform launch is a monumental event for Western fans. After 60 hours across various platforms, I'm captivated, though a few minor issues remain.

This release signifies a significant leap for the series in the West. No more importing Asian English releases! Gundam Breaker 3's PlayStation-exclusive, region-locked release is a distant memory. Gundam Breaker 4 boasts dual audio (English and Japanese) and extensive subtitle support (EFIGS and more). This review covers the game itself and the nuances of each platform version, culminating in my personal journey into Master Grade Gunpla building.

The narrative is a mixed bag. While some pre-mission dialogue drags, the latter half delivers compelling character reveals and engaging conversations. Newcomers will be quickly brought up to speed, though the significance of certain characters might be initially unclear. (Embargo restrictions prevent detailed story discussion beyond the first two chapters.) While I grew fond of the main cast, my personal favorites appear later in the game.

However, the story isn't the main attraction. Gundam Breaker 4's core appeal lies in its unparalleled Gunpla customization. Beyond swapping arms and legs, you can fine-tune ranged and melee weapons, even adjusting individual part size and scale. Mixing SD (super deformed) parts with standard Gunpla creates truly unique, often bizarre, creations.

The customization extends beyond basic parts. Builder parts add extra features and skills, complemented by EX and OP combat skills tied to your equipment. Ability cartridges further enhance your Gunpla's capabilities with various buffs and debuffs.

Missions reward materials for upgrading parts and increasing rarity, unlocking additional skills. While optional quests offer extra parts and funds, the main story is well-balanced on standard difficulty, minimizing the need for excessive grinding. Three higher difficulties unlock later, significantly increasing the challenge. Don't overlook the optional quests, particularly the enjoyable survival mode.

Customization goes beyond parts. Paint jobs, decals, and weathering effects allow for extensive visual personalization. The sheer depth of customization is staggering, making this a dream come true for Gunpla enthusiasts.

Gameplay is a triumph. Combat remains engaging, even on easier difficulties. Weapon variety keeps things fresh, and skill/stat combinations ensure consistent novelty. Boss battles are a highlight, with enemies dramatically emerging from Gunpla boxes. Targeting weak points, managing health bars, and overcoming shields are standard fare, though one particular boss fight proved challenging due to weapon limitations (easily solved by switching to a whip). A dual-boss encounter presented the most significant difficulty, primarily due to AI behavior.

Visually, the game is a mixed bag. Early environments are somewhat underwhelming, but overall variety is decent. The Gunpla models and animations are exquisitely detailed, though the art style is decidedly non-realistic. Effects are impressive, and the scale of boss battles is breathtaking. Performance scales well on lower-end hardware.

The soundtrack is inconsistent, ranging from forgettable to truly memorable tracks. The absence of licensed anime music is disappointing. Custom music loading, a feature in other Gundam games, is also absent.

Voice acting is surprisingly excellent in both English and Japanese. I preferred the English dub for its immersive quality during action-packed battles.

Minor issues include one frustrating mission type (thankfully infrequent) and a few bugs. New players who dislike repetitive mission replaying for better gear might find it monotonous. I encountered a save-related bug and a couple of Steam Deck-specific glitches (long title screen load times and a mission crash resolved by playing undocked).

Online multiplayer (tested on PS5 and Switch) functioned well during pre-release and limited post-launch testing. PC online functionality remains untested at the time of writing.

My concurrent Master Grade Gunpla building project (RG 78-2 MG 3.0) provided a unique perspective. The experience highlighted the intricate craftsmanship involved in these kits.

Platform Differences:

• PC: Supports over 60fps, mouse/keyboard and controller support, multiple button prompts, customizable controls, extensive graphics settings. Steam Deck performance is excellent (720p, 80-90fps at medium settings).
• PS5: 60fps cap, excellent visuals, good rumble and Activity Card support.
• Switch: Lower resolution, detail, and reflection quality compared to PS5. Assembly and Diorama modes are sluggish.

DLC: Early DLC access revealed non-game-breaking additions. Diorama mode enhancements are promising.

Conclusion: Gundam Breaker 4 is a fantastic entry, especially for Gunpla enthusiasts. While the story is enjoyable, the true appeal lies in the deep customization and engaging gameplay. The PC version, particularly on Steam Deck, shines. The Switch version, while portable, suffers from performance issues. Highly recommended, especially for PC and PS5 players.

Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5