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 import title for PS Vita enthusiasts. The announcement of a global, multi-platform release for Gundam Breaker 4 in 2024 was a huge surprise, and after 60 hours across various platforms, it's clear why. This isn't just a game; it's a testament to the series' growth in the West.

Gone are the days of importing Asia English releases. Gundam Breaker 4 boasts dual audio (English and Japanese) and multiple subtitle options (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish), a significant leap from its predecessors. This review covers the gameplay, platform differences, and my personal journey into Master Grade Gunpla building.

The story, while serviceable, isn't the game's main draw. Early dialogue can feel protracted, but the latter half delivers compelling character reveals and more engaging conversations. Newcomers will be brought up to speed, though the significance of certain characters might be lost initially. The focus is on Gunpla customization – an incredibly deep system. You can adjust individual parts, weapons (including dual-wielding), and even scale parts, allowing for truly unique creations. Builder parts add further customization options, some with unique skills. EX and OP skills, dependent on parts and weapons, along with ability cartridges, add another layer of strategic depth.

Missions reward parts, materials for upgrading, and materials to increase part rarity. The game is well-balanced; grinding isn't necessary on standard difficulty. Higher difficulties unlock as the story progresses, increasing the challenge. Optional quests offer additional rewards and fun modes like survival. Beyond parts, you can customize paint, decals, and weathering effects.

Gameplay is consistently engaging, even on normal difficulty. Weapon variety keeps combat fresh. Boss fights involve targeting weak points and managing multiple health bars, though one particular boss fight presented a challenge due to AI behavior. Visually, the game is a mixed bag. Environments can feel basic, but Gunpla models and animations are superb. The art style is stylized, not realistic. Music ranges from forgettable to excellent, with a notable absence of licensed anime tracks. Voice acting, however, is surprisingly good in both English and Japanese.

Minor issues include a repetitive mission type and a few bugs (some potentially Steam Deck-specific). Online multiplayer functionality remains untested on PC at the time of writing.

My personal Gunpla-building journey accompanied the game, highlighting the intricate detail and skill involved in creating these models. 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 even with high settings. The Switch version, while portable, suffers from lower resolution, detail, and performance issues, particularly in assembly and diorama modes. The PS5 version offers superior visuals and performance but is capped at 60fps. The Ultimate Edition offers additional content, including builder parts and diorama enhancements, but the early unlocks aren't game-changing.

Ultimately, Gundam Breaker 4 is a spectacular title, especially for Steam Deck users. While the story is enjoyable, the true appeal lies in the extensive customization, engaging combat, and the sheer satisfaction of building your perfect Gunpla. The Steam Deck version earns a 4.5/5 rating.