Gundam Breaker 4: Steam Deck, Switch, PS5 Performance Review

Back in early 2016, when I was scouring for import-friendly games on the PS Vita, I frequently came across mentions of the Gundam Breaker series. If you're unfamiliar with it, imagine a blend of hack-and-slash action with deep RPG elements, all wrapped up in the passionate world of Gunpla. Around that time, Bandai Namco announced an Asia English release for Gundam Breaker 3 on PS4 and PS Vita, which prompted me to purchase both versions. It quickly became my first and beloved entry into the Gundam gaming universe. Since then, I've imported and played through Gundam Breaker 1 and 2 on PS Vita and explored nearly every Gundam game released in English across various platforms. The announcement of Gundam Breaker 4 earlier this year, with a global multi-platform release, was a delightful surprise in 2024. Now, with the game finally available on Steam, Switch, PS4, and PS5, I've invested about 60 hours across these platforms. While I adore Gundam Breaker 4, it does have its share of issues.

Gundam Breaker 4 marks a significant milestone, not only for the game itself but also for the series' progress in the West. No longer do fans have to rely on Asia English releases for imports; this game is available globally with dual audio and multiple subtitle options (EFIGS and more). A stark contrast to Gundam Breaker 3, which was exclusive to PlayStation and not released in the West. In this extended review, I'll delve into the game's features across different platforms and share my journey as I tackle my first Master Grade Gunpla kit, having previously built some High Grade kits.

The narrative in Gundam Breaker 4 oscillates between routine and engaging moments. Some pre-mission dialogues drag a bit too long, but the latter half of the game introduces compelling character reveals and more engaging dialogue. Even if you're new to the series, Gundam Breaker 4 does a commendable job of catching you up, though you might miss the significance of certain character appearances later on. I'm limited to discussing only the first two chapters due to embargo, which feel quite straightforward. By the end, I grew fond of the main characters, but my favorites appear much later in the story.

The true allure of Gundam Breaker 4 lies beyond its story—it's all about constructing your perfect Gunpla, enhancing it, acquiring better gear, and overcoming tougher challenges. Starting with the basics, the game's customization depth is astounding. You can adjust individual parts like arms, equip different ranged or melee weapons, even dual-wield, and scale parts to your liking, including using SD (super deformed) parts for a unique look.

Customization extends beyond parts with builder parts that add more functionality and skills to your Gunpla. Combat involves EX and OP skills, which are determined by your equipped parts and weapons. As you progress, you'll unlock ability cartridges that offer buffs or debuffs, adding strategic depth.

Throughout missions, you'll break parts and earn materials to level up your Gunpla. Each mission has a recommended parts level, ensuring a balanced challenge. Later, you'll gather materials to increase part rarity, allowing for more skills and the option to cannibalize older parts for their abilities.

While playing through the main story, I dipped into optional quests for money and parts, but found the game balanced well enough that grinding isn't necessary on standard difficulty. As you progress, you unlock higher difficulty settings that increase the challenge and part level recommendations. Don't overlook the optional quest types, especially the engaging survival mode.

You can also customize your suit's paint with color schemes unlocked through progression or DLC. With time and dedication, Gundam Breaker 4 offers an extensive playground for Gunpla enthusiasts. After painting, you can delve into decals and weathering effects, making this game a dream for fans of the hobby.

Gameplay in Gundam Breaker 4, across story missions, side content, and boss fights, is a joy, except for one specific mission type. Combat remains engaging, even on the easier normal difficulty, encouraging constant experimentation with weapons until you find your favorite, like my choice of a greatsword. The variety in skills and stats ensures a fresh experience throughout.

Boss and miniboss encounters are thrilling, emerging dramatically from Gunpla boxes before battle. Encountering a boss that resembles a Gunpla kit I built added a personal touch. Most fights require targeting weak points and managing multiple health bars, though one boss's weak points were tricky with certain weapons until I switched to a whip. The toughest fight was against two of a specific boss simultaneously, where AI coordination posed a challenge.

Visually, Gundam Breaker 4 ranges from great to satisfactory. Early environments may seem lackluster, but the variety is solid. The focus is clearly on the Gunpla kits and animations, which look superb. The game's aesthetic is well-suited and scales effectively across different hardware. Effects and boss fight scales are particularly impressive.

The soundtrack varies from forgettable to standout tracks, especially during key story missions. However, the absence of music from the Gundam anime and movies is a missed opportunity. No custom music loading option, like in Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs Maxiboost ON on PS4, is also a letdown.

Voice acting is a pleasant surprise, with both English and Japanese options being excellent. I preferred the English during missions for ease of understanding amidst combat.

Aside from one frustrating mission type and a few bugs, Gundam Breaker 4 has been smooth. Newcomers who dislike repetitive missions for gear might find it less appealing, but for fans, it's akin to Earth Defense Force or Monster Hunter, where post-story play is about perfecting your Gunpla.

I encountered a few bugs, including one where certain names wouldn't save and others specific to the Steam Deck. Returning to the title screen took too long, and one mission crashed when played on a monitor but worked fine on the Deck itself, likely due to performance issues.

The online component hasn't been fully tested pre-launch on PC, but I played the network test on PS5 and Switch. I'll update on the PC version's online performance once servers are live.

As for my Gunpla project, I made progress on my RG 78-2 MG 3.0 kit, though a small mistake led to a near-disaster, saved only by a guitar pick. I'm eager to finish it once the review embargo lifts.

Gundam Breaker 4 PC Port Controls – Keyboard, Mouse, and Controller Support

The PC version of Gundam Breaker 4 is unique in supporting above 60fps, unlike the PS5's 60fps cap and the Switch's 30fps. It also offers mouse and keyboard support alongside controller compatibility with various button prompts. On the Steam Deck, Xbox prompts appear, while the DualSense controller over the Dock correctly shows PlayStation prompts. The game auto-switches between input types but had issues detecting reconnected controllers. It comes with three controller presets and a custom option, allowing independent adjustments for keyboard, mouse, and controller settings. I recommend tweaking camera sensitivity and distance early on for an optimal experience.

Gundam Breaker 4 PC Graphics Settings and Display Options

Gundam Breaker 4 on PC supports multiple resolutions and frame rate caps, from 30fps to 360fps or unlimited. On the Steam Deck, it runs at 720p and 16:9, with frame rates set to 120fps on my OLED model. You can toggle v-sync and adjust settings for textures, anti-aliasing, post-processing, shadows, effects, brightness, and motion blur.

Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Performance – Does It Work Out of the Box?

I played Gundam Breaker 4 using Proton Experimental and default Proton on the Steam Deck, and it worked flawlessly, even invoking the on-screen keyboard for text input. It's likely to be Steam Deck Verified soon. With all settings on High except shadows, it easily reached 60fps, but I preferred medium settings for smoother 80-90fps gameplay. Late-game missions occasionally dropped to the high 60s, and in-engine cut-scenes ran at 50-70fps. A rare issue in the assembly section caused a temporary drop to 1-3fps, which resolved quickly. The only visual hiccup was smaller or less crisp fonts and menus on the Deck, a minor issue also seen on Switch.

Gundam Breaker 4 Switch vs PS5 – What to Buy?

On the console side, I focused on the Switch (Lite and OLED) and PS5 versions. Gundam Breaker 4 on PS5 runs flawlessly at 60fps, though I couldn't test the more demanding late-game missions. The Switch version, while impressive, suffers from performance downgrades, lower resolution, and reduced detail, particularly in Gunpla parts. The difference is akin to comparing an HG to an RG kit. PS5 offers decent rumble support and PS5 Activity Card support for quicker load times, while Switch load times are notably longer. The Switch port's assembly and diorama modes feel sluggish, though mission performance is better. I recommend the Switch version only for exclusive portable play without a Steam Deck.

I had access to some DLC included in the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions. The early unlocks weren't game-changing, but the builder parts were useful. The Diorama mode, though not fully available at launch, offers great posing options and a cel-shaded filter, ideal for photo mode enthusiasts. The included Gunbarrel Strike Gundam parts were a highlight, prompting me to order the collector's edition.

While some are drawn to Gundam Breaker 4 for its story, the real attraction is the customization, battles, and Gunpla building. For a story-focused experience, consider Megaton Musashi. As a fan of the older games, Gundam Breaker 4's gameplay resonated more with me.

Building my MG 78-2 Version 3.0 kit alongside playing Gundam Breaker 4 deepened my appreciation for Gunpla design. With help from friends, I navigated decals, panel lining, and other challenges, eager to finish this kit and move on to my next RG.

The wait for Gundam Breaker 4 was long, but it's finally here, and it's spectacular. It's my favorite Steam Deck game since Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance, and I look forward to exploring its online and offline features with the planned DLC.

Gundam Breaker 4 Steam Deck Review: 4.5/5