Gundam Evolution, the new Overwatch clone, has garnered a surprising amount of interest. The game recently held a playtest. Many people seem to enjoy the game for its similarity to Overwatch and what it brings new to the hero shooter genre. As a Gundam fan, I hope for the success of this game, but the game still needs balance and a stronger identity.
The first playtest of Gundam Evolution was generally positive as well. Still, the main criticism was that the mobile suits, the machines you play as did not feel like the giant robots portrayed in the tv shows. This issue has been somewhat addressed in the recent game test, which is a step in the right direction, but I think there is more work to do on that end.
Another positive about the game is the design of the playable mobile suits. Players commented that you cannot tell what role a mobile suit is supposed to play by looks. The combat roles of hero shooters are typical: attacker, defender, and support. With those roles in mind, artists design characters who visually fill that role. The cyborg ninja Genji from Overwatch is an attacker because he is a cyborg ninja. Some call it the rule of nature. Gundam Evolution has a plethora of mobile suits and Gundams to choose from across the series. In most of the series, many machines in the show are not designed with roles in mind. The mobile suit, Sazabi, is in the game as a tank, but if you are like me and have seen the movie where the MS premiered, you know it got destroyed by losing a boxing match in space.
In the end, I hope this game does well. It has already created a community of people interested in trying the game when it comes out. I know I will be supporting the game. They have the groundwork for success, but I think it will be tough to compete with the iconic Overwatch characters, even as a fan. I knew the line “Heroes never die!” before touching Overwatch. Bandai Namco has a chance to make some grand. They have been pushing harder to become a more international brand, with gunplay, games, and a Hollywood movie, so the game will be supported for some time. I think the game will develop a strong community of players.
Before I end this, I have to list 5 mobile suits I would like to see added to the game, not just because they are my favourite but because they would add a unique playstyle to the game. My favourite would be the Freedom Gundam, and Gundam Seed is top-rated in Japan, as Gundam Wing is in the West, so I won’t list the Tallgeese either.
- Gundam Heavyarms (Kai/EW), easy this machine was Gatling guns for an arm and missiles. Just like an Apache helicopter.
- Forbidden Gundam can curve its beam cannon and has shields that can redirect beam weapons.
- The Qubeley, an iconic mobile suit in the series, and funnels are fantastic weapons that need to be shown off correctly.
- The GN-XIII is an excellent-looking grunt suit with a lance and a beam rifle. Also a plethora of other weapons the developers could choose from. It was this or the Flag.
- GP02A Gundam Physalis, for those who know, you know why. For those who don’t know, thicc boy with a nuke.