Customer Reviews

Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The biggest problem with "Gundam Side Story" is that it's too short. Way too short. "You're kidding me that this game is only seven missions long, right?" too short.

In some ways, the game is more accessible than the Mechwarrior series, because it doesn't take a pilot's license to control the thing, although having the torso and the legs on seperate sticks can be a pain. An enemy lock-on button helps counter this, but in a multiple enemy fight, it can get a little hectic.

For those of you caught up in the "Gundam Wing" rush from Cartoon Network, I stress now that the year in "Gundam Side Story" is 0079, and "Gundam Wing" takes place in 0195, over a hundred years after the game, so don't expect to see Wing Zero or any of the other Gundams you may be familiar with if you've only seen "Gundam Wing."

Overall, "Gundam Side Story" is a great game for a fans of the "Gundam" universe, a good game for fans of action-shooters and only somewhat fun if shooter games aren't your thing. This isn't the game that will turn you into a shooter fan if you aren't one already.

But it does offer a solid weekend of fun. Maybe the upcoming mission disc will extend the gameplay a bit, but if a game leaves you wanting more, that can't be a bad thing.

For those of you who wonder why they called this game "Gundam" Side-Story, it's because Gundam is a type of class of mobile suit based in the Gundam Universe. So technically there are "Gundam" class mobile suits in this game, but not the one's most people unfamiliar to the Gundam Universe are thinking of. (There is no Wing Gundam, no Death-Scythe or any of the mobile suits from Gundam Wing. Gundam Wing is based in an alternate timeline AND is a 100 years after when this game is based. If you're looking for a game based in the Gundam Wing universe, buy Gundam Wing battle for Playstation this winter.) So now that the rumors and questions are out of the way...how does the game itself play? Really well if you ask me.

Control-This is a breeze. It takes you a little while to get used to handling your Gundam's view point and manuevering seperately on the directional pad and analog stick, but that doesnt take long. The auto target button makes it a cinch to attack your enemy as well. Double tapping the directional buttons will let you use your verniers to get around easy. One gripe...down down shouldn't really crouch you, it should let you jet backwards. Besides that, control is very nice.

AI-This is kind of a double edged sword here. Your team's AI is great, they are responsive (at times they will kind of walk around though instead of heading directly to their goal) and do as they're told. Its a pain in the but when one of your buddies shoots rockets at you while yer saber dueling another mobile suit, but that isn't too damaging. However...enemy AI is kind of a let down. Most of the time they'll use their preset range attack (they have it set so AI controlled suits attack at long, medium, or short range) and not even move. Once your out of their preset range they'll move ONLY to get back into their specific range to attack. Only way to force them to change is to ram them and force them to saber duel you. While it may seem like you have the advantage when it comes to AI, it takes some of the fun and realism out of the game.

Graphics-Absolutely superb...enough said. I dont see one problem with these graphics, they're high res and the color count is just spectacular. This is the biggest place the game excels.

Sound-Another great feat in this game. Probably the only part of the game that reminds people of gundam wing. The sounds of movement of your gundam, the clashing sizzling sound of two beam sabers in a test of strength. That pretty much says it for sound effects, as for music it aint half bad. You dont really pay attention to it while in the heat of battle though, so it aint a big deal.

Gameplay-Fantastic. Put all the above together and you got one great game. The AI is flawed, but it can be forgiven with the way Bandai made the battle such a great experience. So the gameplay is almost perfect right? Wrong. While the gameplay itself is excellent, it doesn't last long. Ten missions goes by pretty quickly, if you're good at this game you can complete it in less than an hour. Right when you get to the end is when the game really stars to grow on ya. Replaying the game won't make up for it either, since the linear extras are unfulfilling. (You get to have a few photos placed in your cockpit and pick whatever weapons you want for your mission...this doesn't make replaying the expericence any better.) So while the game is short and enemy AI could have used some polishing, this is one game a Gundam fan can definitely enjoy.

This is probably one of the most intense dreamcast game ever. The best things about it are the Star-Wars like beam saber battles! You can even customize your gundam before you enter the battlefield! You need to choose the right mech and weapons for each mission. I can describe this game in one word... AWESOME!

If you're a fan of Gundam, then you should definitely pick up this game! I have been a long time fan of Gundam, and this game is very immersive and really puts the player in the Gundam Universe. The attention to detail is great. The animations of the various Mobil Suits are very well done. The in-game cinematics are also very well done and the modeling and texturing of the Mobil Suits are amazing! The English dubbing is good and thankfully, they used actual voice actors instead of inexperienced voice talent (you may recognize a couple of the voices from other Anime movies) Game Control is a little awkward at first, but with a little practice, controlling your Mobil Suit should be no problem. The "Lock-on" feature is a real great help, and lets you concentrate on dodging and fighting, instead of just trying to keep the enemy in your cockpit view. This makes the battles a lot more fun, and less frustrating. I have the earlier Import Sega Saturn versions of this game, and I must say that the Dreamcast version is an awesome upgrade from that version and "head and shoulders" more playable than the Saturn predecessor. The ability to command your "wingmen" and the scout vehicle is really a great feature, and adds a nice level of strategy to the game. With careful planning, you and your fellow Mobil suit team members can "kick some serious butt" on the enemy Zaku's and Mobil Suits. My only real complaint about the game is that it is too short (only 9 missions). However, the game is so well crafted and so much fun to play, that I still highly recommend you purchase it. It is a good addition to your game library, and a game that you will come back to in the future and play again (especially after watching some Gundam Anime).

Gundam is fun but it only has 10 missions. I beat it in two days. Also after a while it gets boring because the game is so easy. I recomend renting it first because you will like it but be bored of it by the time you have to return it. But if you liked mechwarrior and those types of game gundam may be more fun for you. Even though it is short it is a good game with great graphics and fun game play.

Hey, if your thinking about buying this game..... read this first.

See, I pre-ordered the game (before any good reviews were made) so I didnt know what I was bargaining for. The game is not bad, but not what you would expect. You get to pilot mass-production mobile suits; which means no gundams. I have not seen any other Gundam series than Gundam Wing..... but I say, if there are no Gundams, why call it GUNDAM Side Story? Well dont get me wrong, the game is OK, but too short. Buy it if you want but remember NO GUNDAMS!

This, boys and girls, is a superb game. Hardcore grunt warfare between the faceless GMs of the Earth Federation and the evil one-eyed Zakus, Goufs and Doms of the fascist Duchy of Zeon. Lots of fun! A warning, though. Players of Mechwarrior will be able to relate well to this game as it takes place completely in your GM's cockpit! It's actually a great game... The controls are a little scary for the beginner, especially with keeping your mobile suit lined up with its legs, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes quite fun. The only true problem with it is that you only get a pithy nine missions, each one fun and action-packed, but still... Nine missions is only one straight day of playing, you know. Anyhow, this isn't really a long-running action game, like Shenmue or Sonic Adventure, but rather, a game you play over and over to get a progressively better score, kind of like the old N64's beloved Starfox. Pretty much, if you're a fan of Gundam and have a little patience to learn the controls, this is your game. Four playable mobile suits against seven Zeon (...) suits and all the fun support craft, like tanks and aircraft, that anyone could want in a good war game. Excellent graphics, too. Highly reccommended.

Hello,

For those of you expecting a Gundam Wing game with Gundam Wing characters and mechs, this is not for you! This game takes place in the actual Gundam universe rather than the alternate universe Gundam Wing takes place in. It's a pretty fast paced game with incredible graphics and animation, and plays out like a very decent strategy game like Front Mission for Playstation. I gave it a star lower that I would have normally because it is a short game with only 7 missions to play and beat. All in all though, this is the best Gundam game I've played compared to some of the lack luster ones made in Japan for Sega Saturn, and Super Nintendo.

This is a great game. One problem is it's only 9 missions long,but you can go through some missions diffrently. Those of you who want it because you love the show(on cartoon network)Maybe shouldn't get it,but there is a gundam wing game on super nes that's pretty cool. But overall Gundam Side Story a fun game to play,so you probably should get it anyway.

I loved the game but if your friend has it just play it with him. It will take you about two hours to beat and it is short. It is a rental not a buyer.