Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire

"Maybe not spectacular, but certainly a decent game"

Ah, according to some reviewers, such as those wonderfully intelligent folks on X-play [/sarcasm], this game has graphics from the Atari 2600 and controls like Yugo in need of a tune up. This is what comes of reviewing a game before you even learn what the buttons do.

In all actuality, this is a fairly decent game. It's not perfect, could certainly use some polish, and there are a few glitches, but certainly nothing game breaking. I found this game to be a solid, if at times repetitive, mecha shooter that I really enjoyed.

Here is my breakdown:

Graphics - 8/10
The big thing about this game is - play it in high def. I can not stress that enough. If you don't have at least a 720p screen, this game will not look nearly as good. But if you do have a high def TV, you are in for a treat. The backgrounds are competently done, but like many games, rather plain. The Mobile Suits, however, are something to behold. The level of detail is incredible on them, and when you first unlock that RX-78-2, you will thrilled by how it looks.

Sound - 8/10
The music can get repetitive, but it is well done, and appropriate to the game. The weapon sound effects are quite good, some of them lifted from the series, and others going for a more realistic feel. One of the most appealing options soundwise is the ability to chose Japanese voices to give you a break from the so-so English dubbing.

Gameplay - 7/10
The controls are not completely intuitive, and the computer AI leaves something to be desired. Still, once you have the control scheme figured out, the gameplay is fairly solid, and you won't have much trouble controlling your mobile suit. The missions themselves are fairly fun, with a decent variety among them, and blowing up the enemy MS certainly feels rewarding. Also, the different mobile suits do play somewhat differently, so the game does offer some variety of gameplay, allowing different styles of players to find their niche.

Replay Value - 5/10
This is where the game falls a bit short. You can get through it fairly quickly, and after playing both campaigns, and maybe one more run through to get everything if you are a completionist, there isn't much left. The missions in each campaign play the same way each time, so there won't be very many surprises after your first playthrough. Still, the different mobile suits offer a somewhat different experience, so you might find a bit more play time from this game if you really enjoy it.

Overall - 7/10
Overall, this is a solid game. No, it doesn't really do anything you haven't seen before, but it does do the same old thing pretty well, and looks a lot better to boot. If you are a Gundam fan, definitely get this. If you are not, I recommend a rental first, to check whether or not this game is up your alley. Take a couple of minutes to screw around and get a feel for the controls, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/02/07