Written by Alexander O. Cuaycong and Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Super Robot Wars X
Developer: B.B. Studio
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
Price: $65.59
Genre: SRPG
For gamers familiar with Bandai Namco’s productive history, Super Robot Wars' longevity should not come as any surprise. The series comprising turn-based strategy mecha games is one of the company’s longer running, having been conceived on the Nintendo Game Boy back in 1991. While the franchise is popular in Japan, however, few attempts have been made to localize it for the West, with only a handful of its games receiving official English releases. Super Robot Wars X is one such title, and, coming on the heels of Super Robot Wars V, it promises to be bigger, badder, and better in every way, and for a wider audience to boot.
Super Robot Wars X follows a simple storyline: A pair of protagonists band together to put an end to the all-encompassing rule of the Doakdar. Through teamwork and the use of their mecha, they gradually bolster their forces, recruiting new characters to join in on their fight, purchasing and using various skills and equipment, and working to save the world of Al-Warth from its devious conquerors.
Admittedly, Super Robot Wars’ narrative is lined with trope. As expected of a release from the franchise, It never becomes too grim or too dark. Instead, it focuses on the elements that make it entertaining, namely the characters and the mecha they use. The good news is that they clearly know where their bread is buttered: The design more than makes up for limitations in the story. With each protagonist having a distinct personality, possessing a unique mecha, and boasting of different equipment, skills, and weapons at their disposal, the sheer depth of choices stands out.
Indeed, Super Robot Wars X parades a wide swath of mecha from all sorts of partner franchises like Gundam and Mazinger Z. As a result, these designs all vary greatly, with some robots feeling and looking bulky and clunky, and others being sleek and fast. Some are larger and able to absorb hits that would otherwise prove fatal, while others are more adept at fighting at range or in close combat. The number of options juxtaposed with the outstanding presentation injects the game with flair and charm. Battle scenes, in particular look gorgeous and are animated well, and despite their repetitive nature and the robots’ diverse art styles, they help the elements blend together to create a believable universe.
The aforesaid features carry over well gameplay-wise, enabling Super Robot Wars X to keep players engaged through its many difficult missions. Taking place on a grid-based map, the game employs a combat system familiar to those who have played a Fire Emblem or Advance Wars release. Units do battle in turn-based fashion, with players getting to pick what skills and weapons to use in the interim. The assortment at their disposal can lead to interesting situations during combat, especially during later stages, when full use of available resources is required to progress. Proper planning becomes essential, and when a particular strategy winds up working out, it generates satisfying results. And while it may feel overly difficult at times, it never borders on unfair. Management is key.
While Super Robot Wars X’s core design is solid, it does have some flaws. As previously noted, its story is forgettable, and is little more than an excuse to pair all the robots up under one banner. Its presentation is amazing, but it does get repetitive after a while to see the same attacks happen over and over. The sprites look good, but the backdrops and backgrounds seem fairly generic by comparison. Most tellingly, it suffers from mecha imbalance, which becomes more evident in higher levels of difficulty. The challenge spikes can turn players off if they're unprepared or inexperienced.
Make no mistake, Super Robot Wars X is a solid release. With fulfilling gameplay and notable presentations, it’s certainly a must-buy for fans of the tactical genre. And while it does possess the potential to shock the unprepared and uninitiated, it rewards patient gamers with an experience they’ll remember and lean on whenever another title from the series is in the offing.
THE GOOD
- Solid tactical gameplay
- Difficult and challenging, but never unfair
- Superb presentation and design
THE BAD
- Lackluster storyline
- Difficulty spikes can test even veterans of the genre
- Occasionally tedious and repetitive
RATING: 8/10
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