GAME REVIEW: MS Gundam Crossfire

Every review you have ever read about this game is both right and wrong. First let me just get this out of the way. The only people who will enjoy this game are hard core UC Gundam fans. We are the only ones who could put up with this game's many flaws long enough to get to it's surprisingly satisfying gameplay.

Mobile Suit Gundam: crossfire was a launch title for the US PlayStation 3. It is clear as glass that this game was released in an unfinished state. It lacks the typical polish of most of the PS2 Gundam games... That isn't to say (as many mainstream reviewers did) that this game looks like a PS2 game. The mobile suit models are actually quite nice, while the levels themselves are a mixed bag ranging from detailed to pretty weak. The frame rate is at times attrocious, and the success of lockons seem to be at the whim of the gods.

It may sound like I hate this game, and in fact when I started it, I did. I was starting to feel buyers remorse even though I only paid $20 for it in pristine condition. However after coming to grips with the somewhat clunky boost mechanic, and compensating for the flakey lockon, I found that the gameplay is far more rewarding than in any other Gundam game I have played, with the possible exception of Gundam Sidestory on the Dreamcast.

What's so good about it you ask? For one location based damage. This isn't the first Gundam game to offer location based damage (that would be Zeta Gundam for the Playstation 1), but this is the best implementation of it. You can lose your MS's head and arms very easily, which can ruin your day mighty quick, especially considering my second major plus, weapon damage. This is the first Gundam game to have weapon damage that feels very authentic to the anime. The merest glancing brush of a beam saber blade will send limbs flying. and a 100 mm Machine gun burst to an MS's cockpit will destroy it pretty fast. It's very visceral to charge up on an enemy pumping him full of rounds from your head vulcans as you draw your beam saber for the kill. You can just blunder your way through most Gundam games without even thinking, not so in Crossfire. Because the weapons of your enemies can kill you so easily, you must approach each mission tactically.

Another nice touch is that between missions you must repair and upgrade your mobile suits and assign them pilots, as well as requisitioning new ones. This is handled by using points gained in missions and taking turns as if in a strategy game. As you progress you unlock new missions, as well as new MSes to use in both single player and offline.

Like the Versus series on PS2 you can play as either the Earth Federation or the Principality of Zeon. Playing each side is rewarding in it's own way.

Mobile Suit Gundam is my second favorite anime series after Armored Trooper Votoms. I have played a lot of crummy Gundam games over the years, but have a lot less patience than I used to. I recommend this game to only the hard core Gundam fans like myself, and those who like methodical giant robot games like Mech Warrior. Anyone else won't see anything but a mess. Oh and one more thing. Make sure to change the spoken language to Japanese, the acting in the English version is truly horrible, unlike the really solid job they did on the PS2 localizations.

WORTH $20