I’m torn about whether or not I ought to advocate Gundam Evolution to individuals. My emotions can just about be summed up with a classic Futurama Fry meme: Not positive if Gundam Evolution is an effective sport, 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 properly. People who could not even care about Gundam! Some of them are even saying it’s higher than Overwatch 2, one other big-name hero shooter that’s popping out subsequent week. Some 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 method an excessive amount of about Gundam.

It’s enjoyable! (And free!)

I’ll not have the ability to say if it’s “better” than Overwatch 2, however I can undoubtedly report that Gundam Evolution is an effective time. Despite being big steel robots, these Gundams battle and die quick. You’ll possible be respawning continuously 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 courses right here, with even probably the most supportive of cell fits packing sufficient firepower to make most 1v1s a fair check of talent. Best of all, it’s free and broadly obtainable on PC and consoles, so you possibly can simply give it a attempt.

The microtransactions are dangerous

Gundam Evolution could also be free, however it’s additionally laden with microtransactions. There are loot packing containers, 5 characters you possibly can pay to unlock, a season move, and deluxe editions that embody premium forex you must use in 120 days or it expires! You can grind it out within the free tier and earn sufficient non-premium forex to unlock a Gundam should you put sufficient time in, however you’re going to have a really boring-looking profile for a very long time. At least 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 shifting to five-person groups. Unlike Overwatch 2, Gundam Evolution has stun assaults. Only 5 of the 17 cell fits are locked at first of the sport, not like heroes in Overwatch 2. Are there extra similarities? Quite 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 actually lacks any references to the one Gundam sequence many American followers have ever seen. Big oversight, or a $20 buy down the road? Who can say?

Image: Sunrise

The playable Gundams embody some deep cuts

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

More stunning are the fits filling out the roster from the early Zeta and ZZ Gundam, like the remodeling Methuss and Asshimar. Another playable character seems solely in a Gundam manga and online game. Best of all, the sport has two fits from the comparatively obscure Turn A Gundam, which aired in Japan on the flip of the millennium however solely got here to America through DVD in 2015. This is essential as a result of this Gundam incorporates a mustache and you may play because it and it’s good.

Image: Bandai Namco

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

Gundam followers needs to be ready for canonical inaccuracies from the get-go, and the sport says as a lot on the character information screens. Gundam Evolution is just not desirous about a detailed adherence to supply materials, and it’s frankly a greater sport for it. Sure, the morning star surprisingly named the “Gundam Hammer” is much from the RX-78-2’s most iconic weapon, however it makes for an apt secondary capacity right here. Other models are given weapons and skills they’ve by no means had earlier than with the intention to make them extra balanced fighters.

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

There is not any story in Gundam Evolution. Unlike Overwatch, which has a single setting all of the characters are from, Gundam Evolution is extra like Super Smash Bros. or MultiVersus, the place a bunch of characters from utterly totally different sequence or timelines are all combating one another for no good purpose. The most essential factor is deciding which character will probably be your first Gunpla construct.

Gundam Evolution is offered now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.