Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. MaxiBoost On - Japanese version preview

Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. MaxiBoost On - Japanese version preview

After the publication of Gundam Versus on PlayStation 4 in 2017, Bandai Namco after a few years tries again with the same formula, exhuming Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. MaxiBoost On, a title first conceived only and exclusively for Japanese arcades - where it was released. in March 2016 -, and now, after the huge demand from fans, finally ready to land on Playstation 4 on July 30th with a worldwide release, an important step considering that the younger brother Versus was first released on Asian soil in July 2017 and only in September of the same year did it reach the rest of the world.



Winning formula does not change….

The game consists of the 2vs2 battle where each player controls one of the many Mobile Suits available - will be over 180 and will certainly be followed by many robots added via DLC -, carefully chosen and meticulously divided according to the numerous series of the famous Japanese anime, icon of the Rising Sun (we remember the RX-78 of Odaiba in Tokyo then recently replaced with a more fierce but always fascinating RX-0 Unicorn in scale 1: 1). The goal of course is to destroy the opposing team between photon beams, homing missiles and lightsaber duels. In fact, you can choose between 3 types of "Extreme Burst" for our Gundams, depending on the strategy we are going to use and the characteristics of the Gundam we will control; specifically, the F Burst (Fighting Burst) will be used by Gundams specialized in melee combat, the Burst (Extend Burst) will be used to improve dodging and physical counterattacks, while the S Burst (Shooting Burst) will be useful for Gundams more suitable for ranged combat with double guns, laser beam rifles, etc.



Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. MaxiBoost On - Japanese version preview

In the game interface there will be a value equivalent to the energy of our team and that of the opponent, based on the cost of our Gundams and those of the enemy. To deploy each robot in battle it will in fact be necessary to spend a certain price which, once destroyed in battle, will be subtracted from the total value until it is completely exhausted. The first who will then reset the opponent's energy will win the match. There will then be a respawn of our destroyed Gundam for a maximum of 2-3 times depending on the cost paid, as well as for the opponent's one. As in the predecessor, the battles appear frenetic and very fast between dodges and daring space chases, at the end of which a score will be assigned according to how many Mobile Suits we have destroyed and how many times we have been defeated in turn.

These battles are set in multiple arenas also made up of destructible elements, such as buildings, space bases and more, structures behind which it is possible to hide in order not to get caught by any attacks. While fighting we will fill a bar, which will allow us to activate our "Burst" chosen in the phases preceding the battle. The default configuration of the keys allows you to play safely with your Dualshock even though the use of Legacy Controllers for PS3 and various Arcade Sticks is also enabled, all in order to make the experience equal to that in the arcade. Each Gundam will also have its own Command List, through which we will be able to view the specific moves of each Mobile Suit, all with unprecedented attacks and able to showcase articulated combos made up of melee and ranged attacks.


Rich dish I stick with it!

If the disproportionate number of usable Mobile Suits is a step forward for this genre of games based on the franchise of the famous 80's robot Gundam, there is a substantial enrichment also from the point of view of the game modes, which although not present in the beta we tested (there was only 2vs2 online and the possibility of training against the CPU), will be present in the final product version. Specifically, as regards the single player, we will have Maxi Boost Mission, Machine Customize, Break Mission, Branch Battle and Free Battle. In-game will also feature the much desired Lan Battle, which will be accompanied - as regards the online - Player Match, Rank Match and Casual Match.


Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. MaxiBoost On - Japanese version preview

For the description of all these modes, we refer you to our review in conjunction with the release of the game, because as you can see we will have a lot to talk about. Obviously there will also be several DLCs that will be made available during the course of the year and which will expand an already beautifully rich roster full of Mobile Suits for all tastes and palates, while there will be no microtransactions or pay to win content in any way, which could seriously undermine the enjoyment of players around the world. The Japanese software house has also made it known that it will be possible to customize their Mobile Suits only in offline mode. The icing on the cake, the developers have stated that the game will allow you to read your mp3s via USB if properly configured with the console. Undoubtedly a not bad feature!


The splendor of Mobile Suit Gundam

From a purely technical point of view, the game looks like a clear step forward compared to its younger brother Versus (albeit released several years earlier in the arcade), all thanks to a graphic sector that focuses more on the anime style in Cel Shading, giving more value and charisma to the multiple Mobile Suits. The sound must also be rewarded, which as the numerous games based on Gundam teach us, has all the original music of the series from which they are taken, which are always pressing and rhythmic. The camera, on the other hand, appears quite a dancer - as already happened in Versus - and has a lock on unable to follow our target everywhere, especially when we are on stage, sometimes making melee combat a bit confusing and chaotic.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. MaxiBoost On - Japanese version preview

As for the online component and the 2vs2 that we have had the opportunity to try in depth, apart from the excellent management of the rooms where you can organize the games made up of 18 slots and which must be accompanied by the possibility of creating rooms on purpose to invite friends, we fortunately noticed very few problems in terms of lag. Furthermore, it will be nice to know that a penalty system has been introduced for the smart guys who are used to violently rage-quit games; in fact, if this happens, you will be immediately disconnected from the game server, which will block access for several minutes. In conclusion, after having thoroughly tested the beta of Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. MaxiBoost On, we can be satisfied and we are sure that the defects found - understandable given the nature of the Network Test tested - will be filed so as to offer potential customers a 'work that will delight any fan of the Gundam series.


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