Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam
{{Short description|2004 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam
|image = Gundam VS Z Gundam.jpg
|caption = Japanese GameCube cover art
|developer = Capcom
|publisher = Bandai
|writer = Yoshiyuki Tomino (Story)
|producer = Jun Takeuchi
Hideki Miyake
Ken Matsumoto
|artist = Ojh
Ryuji Higurashi
Sho Sakai
|programmer = Manabu Kawase
Makoto Kadono
Kazushi Sano
|composer = Takeo Wantanabe
Yuji Matsuyamu
Shigeaki Saegusa
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 9, 2004|NA|June 29, 2005 (PS2)}}
|genre = Action, Mecha simulation, Third-person shooter, Hack and slash, Air combat simulation (for air-type Mobile Armors only) and Naval combat simulation (for Grublo only)
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|platforms = PlayStation 2, GameCube
}}
{{nihongo|Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam|機動戦士ガンダム ガンダムvs.Zガンダム|Kidō Senshi Gandamu: Gandamu vs. Zēta Gandamu}} is a third-person shooter published in 2004 for PlayStation 2 and GameCube. It takes place seven years after the One Year War Gundam storyline. The game includes 31 mobile suits{{cite web |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=January 21, 2005 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-gundam-title-mobilizing-to-ps2/1100-6116911/ |title=New Gundam title mobilizing to PS2 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926224655/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-gundam-title-mobilizing-to-ps2/1100-6116911/ |url-status=live }} which can be played in five different modes: Arcade, Versus, Universal Century, Survival, and Training.{{cite web |last=Mueller |first=Greg |date=July 12, 2005 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam-review/1900-6128914/ |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam Review |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926224657/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam-review/1900-6128914/ |url-status=live }}
Plot
The game takes place within the continuity of Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, and Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ. Although the overall environment that the arcade mode is placed in is set seven years after the one-year war that took place during the first major entry.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam/details/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam Details and Credits for PlayStation 2 |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive}} In the game, the player can play through several game modes that will allow access to unlock characters, weapons, artwork and more.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} It is even possible to unlock Gundam suits from Gundam SEED (despite the fact Mobile Suit Gundam SEED does not take place in the universal century continuity).{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/gundam-vs-zeta-gundam/cheats/ |title=Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam Cheats |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc |access-date=2021-03-23 |archive-date=2017-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515182251/http://www.gamesradar.com/gundam-vs-zeta-gundam/cheats/ |url-status=live }}
Gameplay
=Arcade Mode=
This allows players to choose between either the team up of the E.F.S.F and A.E.U.G, or the Titans and Zeons. Once done, the player will have the option to choose their own difficulty within the mode. The player must choose both a ground unit and a space unit for combat. They may also choose which weapons they want to customize for their characters. The player will then be put through a gauntlet of matches against computer control in which they have to fight. This mode is also two player, which can either be used to co-op or play against each other.{{cite web |author=GamesIndustry International |date=May 20, 2005 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam |title=MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM™: GUNDAM VS. ZETA GUNDAM™ |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network}}
=Versus=
Versus mode is quite similar to the one on one option on arcade mode, except that there is only one match rather than a gauntlet of matches.
=Survival Mode=
Survival Mode allows player to battle an endless gauntlet of CPU players. Unlike in the arcade mode, the player will not recover health from matches. The player continues to fight until they have been defeated.
=Training=
This is the standard training mode for players that want to learn and experience the controls and gameplay as well as experiment with suit and weapon combinations without consequence.
=Universal Century Mode=
The Universal Century mode is at its core the campaign mode of the game. This allows the player to pick between three forces, The A.E.U.G, The Titans, and The Axis. Each team is its own storyline that the player can play through. They all take place within the One Year War timeline that the First three Mobile Suit Gundam series revolve around.
Playable characters
| class="wikitable"
|+ Pilots | |
| Character | Team |
|---|---|
| Amuro Ray ( 0079) | Earth Federation |
| Hayato Kobayashi | Earth Federation |
| Kai Shiden | Earth Federation |
| Ryu Jose | Earth Federation |
| Sayla Mass | Earth Federation |
| Sleggar Law | Earth Federation |
| Jerid Messa | Titans |
| Paptimus Scirocco | Titans |
| Mouar Pharaoh | Titans |
| Four Murasame | Titans |
| Rosamia Badam | Titans |
| Kacricon Cacooler | Titans |
| Yazan Gable | Titans |
| Lila Milla Rira | Titans |
| Dunkel Cooper | Titans |
| Ramsus Hasa | Titans |
| Gates Capa | Titans |
| Sarah Zabiarov | Titans |
| Reccoa Londe | Titans |
| Emma Sheen | Titans |
| Buran Blutarch | Titans |
| Kamille Bidan | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Quattro Bajeena | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Apolly Bay | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Roberto | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Emma Sheen | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Katz Kobayashi | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Amuro Ray | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Fa Yuiry | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Rebeccoa Londe | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Judau Ashta | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Elpeo Pie | Anti-Earth Union Group |
| Char Aznable | Principality of Zeon |
| Lalah Sune | Principality of Zeon |
| Haman Karn | Principality of Zeon |
| Garma Zabi | Principality of Zeon |
| Dozie Zabi | Principality of Zeon |
| Black Tri-Stars | Principality of Zeon |
| M’Quve | Principality of Zeon |
| Ramba Ral | Principality of Zeon |
| Ple Two | Principality of Zeon |
| Apolly Bay | Principality of Zeon |
| Roberto (0079) | Principality of Zeon |
Development
The time of the production's start date is unknown. It is possible it could have been close to a year in between the release of its arcade counterpart, which would have been 2004. Although there is no official ties to the game, nor its developers. The possible prequel to this game in terms of story and setting is Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon as the campaign mode takes place closer to the storyline of the first Mobile Suit Gundam entry. It is also likely that the game was developed on the third generation of the unreal engine given Bandai history with that system{{cite web |last=Kayser |first=Daniel |date=May 5, 2020 |url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/spotlights/unreal-engine-spotlight---bandai-namco-entertainment |title=Unreal Engine Spotlight - BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment |website=Unreal Engine |access-date=March 23, 2021 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417140143/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/spotlights/unreal-engine-spotlight---bandai-namco-entertainment |url-status=live }} and the time period it was released.Unreal Engine{{Circular reference|date=May 2021}}
The GameCube version was only released in Japan.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| 1UP = C+{{cite web |last=Nutt |first=Christian |date=June 30, 2005 |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/msg-gundam-zeta_2 |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam |website=1Up.com |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618020920/http://www.1up.com/reviews/msg-gundam-zeta_2 |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 27, 2021}}
| Fam = (PS2) 33/40{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=1594&redirect=no |title=機動戦士ガンダム ガンダムvs.Zガンダム [PS2] |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |access-date=September 26, 2021}}
(GC) 32/40{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=14438&redirect=no |title=機動戦士ガンダム ガンダムvs.Zガンダム [ゲームキューブ] |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |access-date=September 26, 2021}}
| GI = 6/10{{cite magazine |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=148 |date=August 2005 |page=100}}
| GamePro = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |author=Rice Burner |date=July 29, 2005 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/47280.shtml |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam Review for PS2 on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112063046/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/47280.shtml |archive-date=January 12, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 27, 2021}}
| GameRev = D{{cite web |last=Gee |first=Brian |date=July 27, 2005 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33432-mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam-review |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam Review |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908085530/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam |archive-date=September 8, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=September 27, 2021}}
| IGN = 3.4/10{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Ed |date=June 28, 2005 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/29/mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926224657/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/29/mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam |url-status=live }}
| OPM = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=96 |date=September 2005}}
| XPlay = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web |last=Fischer |first=Russ |date=September 12, 2005 |url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52565/Mobile_Suit_Gundam_Versus_Zeta_Gundam_Review.html |title=Mobile Suit Gundam Versus Zeta Gundam [sic] Review |website=X-Play |publisher=G4 Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202091604/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52565/Mobile_Suit_Gundam_Versus_Zeta_Gundam_Review.html |archive-date=December 2, 2005 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 27, 2021}}
| rev1 = Anime News Network
| rev1Score = C{{cite web |last=Chase |first=Rob |date=October 28, 2005 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/gundam-vs-zeta-gundam |title=Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam |website=Anime News Network |access-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927031517/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/gundam-vs-zeta-gundam |url-status=live }}
}}
The PlayStation 2 version received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, however, Famitsu gave it a score of 33 out of 40 for the PS2 version, and 32 out of 40 for the GameCube version.
The game was praised for the number of available playable mobile suits and the number of different modes of play. However, it was criticized for the bland background, poor controls, low frame rates and a nonadjustable camera angle.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}
{{clear}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/mobile-suit-gundam-gundam-vs-zeta-gundam}}
{{Video Games of Gundam}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam Vs. Zeta Gundam}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games