The combination of fast gameplay and the new features introduced in Zeta Gundam makes this game one to remember.
For those unfamiliar with Zeta Gundam, it is the direct sequel to the original Gundam Anime and takes place 7 years after the end of the One Year War. Mobile Suits (henceforth referred to as MS) have become faster, more agile and pack heavier firepower. And some feature the ability to transform into Mobile Armors, basically giant flying machines which sacrifice freedom of movement for speed. The pace of the game is a lot faster this time around; lumbering mobile suits like the Zock and Guntank have been replaced by fast nimble mobile suits like the Gaplant and Zeta. The game also introduces the Awakening system. This system features 3 powers: Assault gives the MS more power and makes it incapable of being stunned, Speed makes the MS faster both while boosting and dodging and recovery bring the MS back from 0 to 1/4th of it's armor points (a MS's health) and increases it's defense. However, when a mobile suit uses the Recovery power, it looses one of its limbs or it head. A bar that increases as the player's MS dishes out or takes damage. When the bar is full the player can activate the power unless he picked Recovery, recovery activates when the player's Armor points reach Zero. The game does suffer from faults however. The graphics look dated and a lot of the maps are bland and not very interesting to look at. The framerate is still a problem. When there is too much action on screen (too many things exploding at once, 4 MS to close to each other) the framerate slows down. This isn't choppy slowdown however; it is smooth and can actually help you figure out what's going on from time to time. Another problem is that the camera is fixed. You lock on to your enemy and the camera does it's best to follow it, if the target goes off screen, the camera immediately looks in front of your MS, making you manually have to target something again. Also, the right analog stick is completely wasted; it would have been nice to be able to control the camera with it. The biggest problem with this game however is the Campaign mode. Unlike FvZ’s UC mode; where you are a nameless pilot for the Federation or Zeon go through the OYW collecting mobile suits, this mode has to take the role of one of the main characters and play through the missions they were involved in. While this sounds great at first, in reality this just means you have to play the same mission with each character over and over again. The second problem is that the game gives you little or no details on just what is going on. To truly understand the scope of what is happening in the game, you have to have prior knowledge of what happens in Zeta Gundam. One nice addition to the campaign mode however is that instead of receiving better versions of the same mobile suit, you upgrade it yourself with points you receive after the battle is over. All in all, this is a great game for Gundam fans and is easily accessible to people who are looking for an arcade style shooter. It’s great voice acting, fast gameplay and interesting mobile suits make it stand out over the average Gundam game.