Gundam Evolution is a fun, free, Gundam-y alternative to Overwatch

I’m torn about whether or not I ought to suggest Gundam Evolution to individuals. My emotions can just about be summed up with a classic Futurama Fry meme: Undecided if Gundam Evolution is an efficient recreation, or if I identical to Gundam an excessive amount of to see its flaws.

What’s making my confusion tougher to shake is that different individuals are having fun with the sport as nicely. Individuals who could not even care about Gundam! A few of them are even saying it’s higher than Overwatch 2, one other big-name hero shooter that’s popping out subsequent week. A few of that will merely be bitterness over the truth that Overwatch 2 isn’t only a sequel, however a wholesale substitute for the unique Overwatch.

If Blizzard’s choice has left you looking for a brand new hero shooter, then let me attempt to reply your questions on Gundam Evolution. Not as a result of I do know a lot in any respect about Overwatch, however as a result of I do know means an excessive amount of about Gundam.

It’s enjoyable! (And free!)

I could not have the ability to say if it’s “higher” than Overwatch 2, however I can undoubtedly report that Gundam Evolution is an efficient time. Regardless of being large steel robots, these Gundams combat and die quick. You’ll probably be respawning ceaselessly whereas making an attempt to seize or defend factors or detonating and disarming bombs, so that you’ll by no means be wanting for motion. There aren’t strict character lessons right here, with even essentially the most supportive of cell fits packing sufficient firepower to make most 1v1s a fair take a look at of ability. Better of all, it’s free and extensively accessible on PC and consoles, so you possibly can simply give it a attempt.

The microtransactions are dangerous

Gundam Evolution could also be free, nevertheless it’s additionally laden with microtransactions. There are loot bins, 5 characters you possibly can pay to unlock, a season move, and deluxe editions that embrace premium foreign money you need to use in 120 days or it expires! You’ll be able to grind it out within the free tier and earn sufficient non-premium foreign money to unlock a Gundam when you put sufficient time in, however you’re going to have a really boring-looking profile for a very long time. Not less than it isn’t locking new characters behind a battle move like Overwatch 2.

It’s extra like Overwatch 1 than Overwatch 2

Gundam Evolution has six-player groups, identical to Overwatch — Overwatch 2 is transferring to five-person groups. Not like Overwatch 2, Gundam Evolution has stun assaults. Solely 5 of the 17 cell fits are locked at the beginning of the sport, not like heroes in Overwatch 2. Are there extra similarities? Fairly presumably, however that is the extent of my Overwatch information.

No, you possibly can’t play as Deathscythe

Gundam Evolution lacks not solely a playable XXXG-01D Gundam Deathscythe, however in actual fact lacks any references to the one Gundam collection many American followers have ever seen. Huge oversight, or a $20 buy down the road? Who can say?

Picture: Dawn

The playable Gundams embrace some deep cuts

Gundam Evolution contains a complete of 17 playable cell fits at current (all of those robots are thought of cell fits, however technically solely a few of them are really Gundams). This consists of many fashionable cell fits from the unique collection, together with the Zaku, Guntank, and unique RX-78-2 Gundam, in addition to fashionable fits just like the Unicorn Gundam and the Gundam Barbatos from Iron-Blooded Orphans.

Extra shocking are the fits filling out the roster from the early Zeta and ZZ Gundam, like the reworking Methuss and Asshimar. One other playable character seems solely in a Gundam manga and online game. Better of all, the sport has two fits from the comparatively obscure Flip A Gundam, which aired in Japan on the flip of the millennium however solely got here to America by way of DVD in 2015. That is essential as a result of this Gundam contains a mustache and you may play because it and it’s good.

Picture: Bandai Namco

The playable characters aren’t at all times screen-accurate

Gundam followers must be ready for canonical inaccuracies from the get-go, and the sport says as a lot on the character data screens. Gundam Evolution is just not occupied with an in depth adherence to supply materials, and it’s frankly a greater recreation for it. Certain, the morning star unusually named the “Gundam Hammer” is much from the RX-78-2’s most iconic weapon, nevertheless it makes for an apt secondary potential right here. Different items are given weapons and skills they’ve by no means had earlier than so as to make them extra balanced fighters.

You don’t have to know something about Gundam to get pleasure from Gundam Evolution

There isn’t any story in Gundam Evolution. Not like Overwatch, which has a single setting all of the characters are from, Gundam Evolution is extra like Tremendous Smash Bros. or MultiVersus, the place a bunch of characters from utterly totally different collection or timelines are all preventing one another for no good motive. Crucial factor is deciding which character will probably be your first Gunpla construct.

Gundam Evolution is accessible now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Home windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Sequence X.