Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon

"Finally a good Gundam game..."

This game isn't spectacular in presentation nor in revolutionary techniques...so why the high rating or praise?

Because it is fun and visceral.

Seriously this game capture what I truly want in a mech game...point, shoot, kill. No bandying with energy controls, no ammo concerns(they are there...but not nearly as pronounced as they are in some games), just straight out action. That and add I can be either Federation or the Zeon really adds a lot.

Now onto the meat of the review

Gameplay - 10/10. Easy intuitive controls...with the computer only doing a few cheap shots...but then again if you run into the bullet it's your fault. First off...the basic controls are easy...but they have a complexity when added to other factors. For one you learn to lean your shots...sounds easy? Not as much as people think but is oh so valuable...and that is still very basic when you take into consideration that many Mobile Armors and Suit play differently...then adding in the variety they have. It opens up the game in a way that simple suddenly becomes so much more. I mean in one scenario a fave suit of yours is huge hindirance while another eh suit is perfect for the job. That and you have to cope with weapons and the sheer difference of land vs Space combat. All in all...so very nice.

Story - 10/10...if for nothing else it is a replay of the whole One Year War. I mean nothing special but it is fun to participate in the BIG battles.

Sound- 8/10 Nice and does the game justice...the sounds are plain as well as the music but it does the job...some could've been better but I'm not asking for more

Graphics- 7/10...plain but more than handle the job...the game menu screen is too little but the game itself does very nice even though the scenery is hardly anything to laude about...but then again ten thousand lensflares with bad controls a game does not make it good.

Replayability - 10/10. Two warring sides...with look see on each side on a variety of battles. Seriously the mission count alone is good...then multiply by two makes it much more...and that's the campaign mode...then adding in Arcade and then playing EX...there's a lot.

Go and buy this game...seriously. One thing Bandai failed in the past that is made up in spades in this game is control...and that alone makes this a fantastic game for Mech and Gundam fans.

The high rank is that it is a very well translated anime to game without making me wonder if the name is the only holding this ship up.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/22/02, Updated 09/22/02