Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 Review


Over the last fourteen years, musuo masters have seen the Dynasty Warriors series recontextualized to a number of interesting settings- from Samurai Warriors’ feudal Japanese context, Warriors: Legends of Troy‘s Homeric era, to Bladestorm: Hundred Years’ War‘s Western Europe. While each of these historical venues are enticing, none can hold a candle to the giant, skirmishing mobile suits of the futuristic Gundam universe.

Regretfully, the two previous entries in the Dyanasty Warriors: Gundam series relied too much on Koei’s familiar formula. As such,  directing Amuro Ray didn’t feel wildly different from say, controlling Guo Huai- which was disheartening to any mecha enthusiast.  While the third entry in the series still abides by hack-and slash tradition, the game’s array of collectables, strategic elements, and gameplay tweaks might be enough to tempt even hardened Dynasty Warriors detractors.


With a narrative which transports protagonists and villains to an alternative universe, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3‘s plot may seem silly, but its new start doesn’t require any knowledge of Sunrise’s animes. Smartly, each of the story mode’s collection of characters perceive the  plotline from their own vantage point- allowing players to see the world from a divergent perspective once they take control of a former foe. While some might seem to find the dialog and in-game e-mail messages too verbose, each helps to flesh out Gundam‘s web of relationships.

However for most players, the focus will be on conflict, not conversation. Aptly, the developers made a number of small changes which combine to give Gundam 3 a fresh feel. Arguably, the most rewarding element is the addition of a chain explosion- where defeated foes fall backward with a pink burst, potentially blowing up their own teammates. Despite seeming like a trivial tweak, this supplement makes clearing crowds of enemies extremely gratifying. Much like Warriors Orochi 2’s Team Assist, pilots can also call for a fellow Mobile Suit to release a devastating attack with the Partner Strike. Defensively, an Emergency  Dash can be used to evade an imminent hit, or even recover after an opponent attacks. While many of Gundam 3′s enemies still politely wait for a laser to lacerate a limb off, advanced adversaries now follow the player (and any allies) doggedly through each stage.


Similarly, missions have been given an overhaul as well. Instead of wandering through environments, smashing away at clusters of baddies, maps are separated into distinct control zones. Now, clashes have a specific objective, as players vie for control of resource sectors. From catapults, that are capable of instantly transporting your mobile suit to a hot spot, or cannons- which pepper enemy field with demoralizing fields of fire, regions often hold strategic advantages, requiring players to have a purposeful plan of attack. Once players whittle down the strength of the opposing force (indicated by a bar graph), a mini-boss typically requires defeat before the mission is completed. Alternatively, some missions take place in a single spacious region, tasking players with defeating a larger boss character. Regretfully, the musuo mechanics which work well against hordes of foes are monotonous against a single opponent.

Gratifyingly, Gundam 3 bestows enough collectable minutiae to keep the average player busy for weeks. Between the ability to build bigger, more formidable mobile suits as well as upgrade and unlock pilots the game’s customization options are impressive. Even more striking is the game’s selection of missions- with over 300 single-player and 15 co-operative assignments, the title delivers a cornucopia of content, testing the stamina of steadfast completionists. While some might find that Gundam 3‘s hack-and-slash gameplay drifts into tedium, the thrill of unlocking a new weaponry produced a Pokémon-like perseverance, and I struggled to collect every last suit from Mobile Suit Gundam 00, UC, Zeta, ZZ and Char’s Counterattack.


Both sonically and visually, Gundam 3 is a overwhelming success. Pleasingly, dialog can be set for either Japanese or English, with voice actors from both languages delivering a proficient performance. The title’s decision to offer cell-shaded characters and environments allows the game to capture the spirit of the anime, while keeping a consistently solid framerate on both platforms. While the character portraits used in conversations don’t emote fastidiously, they are able to convey the emotions of the game’s personas.

If players can get past the obvious prerequisite, by showing tolerance toward Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3’s combo strings and traditional musuo mechanics, the title has the potential to cultivate long-term satisfaction. While the exhilaration of slaughtering a swath of adversaries isn’t unique to the title, the thrill of doing so in a content-crowded crammed and brilliantly fine-tuned Gundam universe certainly is.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

25 comments

  1. Deagkle, how did I know you were going to eat this up like cake?

  2. I know IGN gets picked on a lot here, but did anyone read their sorry ass review of the game?

    http://ps3.ign.com/articles/118/1180286p1.html

    “Hack” DeVries should be ashamed of himself. Writing like this:

    “Well… here we are again. Another Dynasty Warriors game. Another Gundam version. Another excuse to veg out in front of the TV and slaughter armies with less effort than it takes to write this sentence. Half of you who clicked this review did so because you like this series and you should know that it’s the same as it ever was. Take that how you will.”

    • I saw that abortion of a review. While I’m not DW fan, you’d think at least IGN could get someone who didn’t HATE the game going into it.

    • But the guy makes jokes!

      “Look up “repetitive bullsh–” in the Urban Dictionary and you’ll find this game.”

      Hey, why aren’t you laughing?

    • Super Guido Bros

      What a shitty review. Reminds me why I rarely read IGN anymore. When I was a kid they were great.

  3. I noticed with games like this smaller sites seem to overrate while the big ones don’t even seem to get ‘it’ and just kill the game. Somewhere there’s a happy medium.

  4. that top pics looks so much like I remember Gundam, it made me smile. While I’m not the biggest DW fan, I’m sure I’ll get this when the price drops.

  5. But the guy makes jokes!

    \”Look up \”repetitive bullsh–\” in the Urban Dictionary and you\’ll find this game.\”

    Hey, why aren\’t you laughing?

  6. Great review, most of the ones I read were about 4 paragraphs and didn’t say anything beyond “it plays like Dynasty Warriors”. duh.

  7. Not a fan of the DW games, but I have to amit it was a pretty good review. I would have like more coop info.

  8. You know what resolution it runs in on PS3?

  9. God, why do they even make DW games anymore? They are all the same. Enough!!!

  10. I like the way the graphics look. Need to play it before I buy.

  11. I cant wait for a price drop.

  12. I wish I could say I wanted interested in a game with giant ass fighting robots. But I’d be lying.

  13. Good review guys. One of the better ones out there right now.

  14. I actually played a lot of the first two. You made it sound like they didn’t have a lot of content. They did.

  15. A B? No freaking way!!!

  16. Not a fan of all the DW games. I’m surprised you gave it a B.

  17. sanity's fringe

    Thanks for the review. So much better than that four paragraph and wipe review that IGN shit out. I bet the guy didn’t play for more than two hours.

  18. Bought it yesterday since I had a coupon. Fun game so far.

  19. Its cool they made a few changes to the old DW engine, but I want a new Gundam game.

  20. Azul the Cerulean

    What kind of DLC is coming out for it? I saw the link on the main menu.