When I stepped into my hour-long demonstration of SD Gundam Battle Alliance, I expected a straightforward action RPG featuring the adorable chibi mobile suits that Gundam fans adore. However, what I experienced was something much grander—a massive crossover of the Gundam series that can best be described as the Kingdom Hearts for Gundam enthusiasts. As soon as I found myself battling the Barbados Gundam in an entirely different timeline/universe, I instantly fell in love with the concept.
Gundam Hearts: Saving the G Universe
In SD Gundam Battle Alliance, you assume the role of “The Commander,” with the assistance of a programmer named Juno Astarte, in a mission to save the G (Gundam) Universe. This universe is plagued by anomalies known as “breaks” that disrupt the timelines, causing characters from various Gundam series to appear in unfamiliar places.
Together with your programming partner, an AI, and the adorable Gundam mascot, Haro, you’ll embark on an action-packed adventure, hacking and slashing your way through iconic mobile suits, locations, and events. Along the way, you’ll face characters from different generations while striving to restore order to the world. Of course, there’s also an original character from the Battle Alliance, an enigmatic organization determined to impede your progress. Sounds familiar, right?
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The resemblances to Kingdom Hearts abound in SD Gundam Battle Alliance. You’ll encounter a captivating dimension-hopping narrative, characters trying to adapt to unfamiliar worlds, and even two partner characters from various series who can aid you in battles. (My personal favorites are the SD Gundam versions of Musashi and Knight Gundam, reminiscent of Donald and Goofy).
Die-hard Gundam fans will undoubtedly be thrilled by the inclusion of numerous events and references from the franchise. For instance, I found myself in a showdown against Zechs with the iconic Gundam Wing theme booming, creating an exhilarating experience. These moments, accompanied by themes straight from the anime, deepened my love for the game during the demo.
But it’s not just the references that make the gameplay exciting. SD Gundam Battle Alliance delivers on its promise of an action-packed role-playing experience. While it may not match the complexity of games like Devil May Cry or Bayonetta, it offers a plethora of possibilities through the diverse selection of mobile suits that you can unlock, customize, and upgrade. Every time I unlocked a renowned mech, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement to test its capabilities.
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With an extensive array of unlockables, customization options, dialogue choices, and unwavering dedication to the Gundam universe, SD Gundam Battle Alliance is unquestionably a must-play for fans of the franchise. Moreover, even non-Gundam enthusiasts will find themselves engrossed in this action RPG, thanks to its compelling story and substantial depth. If you have any inclination towards hack ‘n’ slash gameplay akin to Shin Sakura Wars, the Warriors/Musou series, or simply crave an enjoyable action RPG, this game belongs on your radar.
Now, I eagerly await the full release to discover if my prediction of Char and Amuro or Heero and Zechs becoming the Cloud and Sephiroth equivalents in this game comes true.
Editors’ Recommendations
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