Gundam Games

Gundam Video Games
Page Two

Go to Page:1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Although there have been a number of SD Gundam games over the years, G-Generation Zero is the first one I've played. I am glad I did because this is a fun game. It is a simple strategy game, with the extras piled on high.
As you progress through the 30+ missions you take a chronological tour through the entire Gundam saga. There are missions from the beginning all the way to V-Gundam . The alternative G/W/X gundams worlds have a single stand-alone mission each but the following series are all linked in a big Universal Century Campaign.

Original Gundam series
08th MS Team
Blue Destiny
0080: War in the Pocket
0083: Stardust Memories
Zeta Gundam
Sentinel Gundam (Hurray!)
Double Zeta
Char's Counterattack
F-91
V-Gundam

Ah, the game units. They come from everywhere. There are 500~600 units from every obscure corner of the Gundam saga--all shrunk down to cute super-deformed size. Unlocking units to add to your overall list is the big challenge of the game. You do this by maxing out its experience level-then upgrading it to the next advanced unit. Alternatively you can also capture enemy units. After completing the game for the first time, I had only a 35% complete unit list. You'll have to replay a lot of missions to get close 100%. (I stopped at about 92%)

To accent the story, there are several CG cut scenes. Most are very well done and a big part of the appeal of this game. In fact there are so many cut scenes and voice clips from the characters that the game comes on two CDs. (The packaging includes 3 CDs but the third one is just a demo disc for other games.)

Can you play this game if you don't know Japanese? Yes, though be ready to spend some time figuring the commands. A knowledge of Gundam is also recommended as to unlock certain game maps and cut scenes you have to replicate the story events. For instance knowing to have Char attack Hamaan Kahn in the final Zeta Gundam map will a show you a cool CG battle between the Hyaku-Shiki and Quebley.

I had a fun time with this game. Being only familiar with half the Gundam stories, I liked getting a taste of ZZ, F-91 and V-Gundam; and in getting complete overview of the UC universe. Those who like the alternative Gundams might be disappointed with what little is provided here. Being a fan of Sentinel Gundam, I was overjoyed to see it included. The only down points of this game are the long load times and the massive save requirements. (12 blocks! to save a game in the middle of a mission.) This is one of those games where if you aren't into Gundam, there's nothing for you here--but if you are... It's a real blast.

SD Gundam
G-Generation
Zero

A simple way to describe Giren's Greed is "Axis and Allies" set in Gundam. Like the classic board game, you get to play the big picture. The whole might of the Federation is at your disposal, or for that matter, the duchy of Zeon, or even the Titans or AEUG. You run the show. Decide what weapons to develop, alliances to make, assign pilots, push your pieces around the map, and change the course of U.C. history.
First off let me mention that although this game was originally released on Saturn, this version has been greatly expanded. A lot of new features have been added in addition to letting you play past the One-Year-War, all the way into the Zeta time frame.

Okay, you have two big strategic maps. One representing the earth, the other earth sphere, with various colonies, asteroid bases and the moon. These maps are divided up into areas. You move your units around trying to gain control over these areas. When opposing units meet in areas, instead of an abstract dice war like in "Axis and Allies" or "Risk", you zoom into a tactical map where you get to maneuver your units over mountains and rivers to try and eliminate each other. You have 5 turns of this tactical battle before you zoom out to the strategic map, complete that phase then its back to the tactical map for another 5 rounds. What is nice about this is that you don't really have to fight the other side. You could just move your units from one side of the map and exit out the other end into whatever area there. Of course you'll have to dodge the enemy units but it allows you to move reinforcements into a surrounded area or to scout the enemy units with fast recon MS. You can even try to replicate the White Bases' behind-enemy-lines adventures, (nice touch.)

The computer plays a tough opponent, and the game itself is nicely put together so that even if it didn't have Gundam it would make a fun game. It does have Gundam though. It has it in spades--nearly 300 units and over 150 characters. But the most interesting to Gundam fans are the new animated cutscenes. These attempt to weave the many side stories together by showing Giren meeting with Delaz and Gato, or 0080 MS fighting alongside original 0079 MS. It's really cool.

There is one big problem with all this though. It is very heavy on the Japanese. You should be willing to spend some time learning the commands before starting to enjoy the game. Of all the games I've reviewed so far, this has been the toughest. Fortunately, not all is lost. I've started a help guide to get you on your way. So this game is highly recommended bearing in mind that you will need to endure some frustration until you make sense of the Japanese commands.

Mobile Suit
Gundam-
Giren's Greed
"Blood of Zion"

I'm including this one merely for completeness as I think it was only available for a limited time, and besides--I don't recomend it, more on that later. Okay this bonus disc was released a few months after Blood of Zeon and has a number of features, the most valuable being able to unlock everything from Giren's Greed. Movies, MS data, Characters, Factions, Difficulty levels, i.e. everything. Sounds cool.
Let's give you the rundown on what this disc has. It has serval stand alone senarios you can play. It has a gallery featuring the paintings of Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (only about 10 pieces). It has a pretty cool new CG opening animation, the highlight of which is three Big Zam's floating high in the atmosphere at sunset. It has two movie clips which give tips on how to beat the game in a ridiculously short time (22 turns for the feds). And it has a quiz, sort of a Gundam trivia game. Did I mention that you can unlock everything--oh yeah, only if you beat the quiz.

The quiz is all in Japanese. Yep, face it--unless you have a decent command of written Japanese, and are a Gundam trivia nut, you aren't unlocking anything. Ah, I was extremely disapointed. Actually I was able to unlock a few things through manic persistance and luck but the questions get progressively harder and you can't save your progress making the trial and error process very difficult--esp. with a time limit. The kind of questions they ask are identifying MS (the easiest), episode titles from Gundam series, famous quotes from characters, various game related minutia, and stuff I never figured out. You have to answer 18 out of 20 questions (picked randomly from a large pool) right in order to advance to the next level of difficulty.

Don't bother with this. It's not worth it.

Mobile Suit
Gundam-
Giren's Greed
"Blood of Zion"
Bonus Disk

more reviews-->


		Although there have been a number of SD Gundam games over the years, G-Generation Zero is the first one I've played. I am glad I did because this is a fun game. It is a simple strategy game, with the extras piled on high. As you progress through the 30+ missions you take a chronological tour through the entire Gundam saga. There are missions from the beginning all the way to V-Gundam . The alternative G/W/X gundams worlds have a single stand-alone mission each but the following series are all linked in a big Universal Century Campaign. Original Gundam series 08th MS Team Blue Destiny 0080: War in the Pocket 0083: Stardust Memories Zeta Gundam Sentinel Gundam (Hurray!) Double Zeta Char's Counterattack F-91 V-Gundam Ah, the game units. They come from everywhere. There are 500~600 units from every obscure corner of the Gundam saga--all shrunk down to cute super-deformed size. Unlocking units to add to your overall list is the big challenge of the game. You do this by maxing out its experience level-then upgrading it to the next advanced unit. Alternatively you can also capture enemy units. After completing the game for the first time, I had only a 35% complete unit list. You'll have to replay a lot of missions to get close 100%. (I stopped at about 92%) To accent the story, there are several CG cut scenes. Most are very well done and a big part of the appeal of this game. In fact there are so many cut scenes and voice clips from the characters that the game comes on two CDs. (The packaging includes 3 CDs but the third one is just a demo disc for other games.) Can you play this game if you don't know Japanese? Yes, though be ready to spend some time figuring the commands. A knowledge of Gundam is also recommended as to unlock certain game maps and cut scenes you have to replicate the story events. For instance knowing to have Char attack Hamaan Kahn in the final Zeta Gundam map will a show you a cool CG battle between the Hyaku-Shiki and Quebley. I had a fun time with this game. Being only familiar with half the Gundam stories, I liked getting a taste of ZZ, F-91 and V-Gundam; and in getting complete overview of the UC universe. Those who like the alternative Gundams might be disappointed with what little is provided here. Being a fan of Sentinel Gundam, I was overjoyed to see it included. The only down points of this game are the long load times and the massive save requirements. (12 blocks! to save a game in the middle of a mission.) This is one of those games where if you aren't into Gundam, there's nothing for you here--but if you are... It's a real blast.
	SD Gundam G-Generation Zero


		A simple way to describe Giren's Greed is "Axis and Allies" set in Gundam. Like the classic board game, you get to play the big picture. The whole might of the Federation is at your disposal, or for that matter, the duchy of Zeon, or even the Titans or AEUG. You run the show. Decide what weapons to develop, alliances to make, assign pilots, push your pieces around the map, and change the course of U.C. history. First off let me mention that although this game was originally released on Saturn, this version has been greatly expanded. A lot of new features have been added in addition to letting you play past the One-Year-War, all the way into the Zeta time frame. Okay, you have two big strategic maps. One representing the earth, the other earth sphere, with various colonies, asteroid bases and the moon. These maps are divided up into areas. You move your units around trying to gain control over these areas. When opposing units meet in areas, instead of an abstract dice war like in "Axis and Allies" or "Risk", you zoom into a tactical map where you get to maneuver your units over mountains and rivers to try and eliminate each other. You have 5 turns of this tactical battle before you zoom out to the strategic map, complete that phase then its back to the tactical map for another 5 rounds. What is nice about this is that you don't really have to fight the other side. You could just move your units from one side of the map and exit out the other end into whatever area there. Of course you'll have to dodge the enemy units but it allows you to move reinforcements into a surrounded area or to scout the enemy units with fast recon MS. You can even try to replicate the White Bases' behind-enemy-lines adventures, (nice touch.) The computer plays a tough opponent, and the game itself is nicely put together so that even if it didn't have Gundam it would make a fun game. It does have Gundam though. It has it in spades--nearly 300 units and over 150 characters. But the most interesting to Gundam fans are the new animated cutscenes. These attempt to weave the many side stories together by showing Giren meeting with Delaz and Gato, or 0080 MS fighting alongside original 0079 MS. It's really cool. There is one big problem with all this though. It is very heavy on the Japanese. You should be willing to spend some time learning the commands before starting to enjoy the game. Of all the games I've reviewed so far, this has been the toughest. Fortunately, not all is lost. I've started a help guide to get you on your way. So this game is highly recommended bearing in mind that you will need to endure some frustration until you make sense of the Japanese commands.
	Mobile Suit Gundam- Giren's Greed "Blood of Zion"

SD Gundam G-Generation Zero

Mobile Suit Gundam- Giren's Greed "Blood of Zion"

Mobile Suit Gundam- Giren's Greed "Blood of Zion" Bonus Disk

SD Gundam
G-Generation
Zero

Mobile Suit
Gundam-
Giren's Greed
"Blood of Zion"

Mobile Suit
Gundam-
Giren's Greed
"Blood of Zion"
Bonus Disk