Summary
If video game fans took a survey on something they want to see in the future, what would they say? It’s safe to assume that many of them would choose to either see mechs fully realized in the military or something or even pilot one. It’s the dream of many fans who grew up watching anime like the variousGundamseasons along with a handful of games.
Some modern game examples includeTitanfall 2andArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. Those examples aren’t JRPGs though and there are quite a few available on the modern consoles like the Switch and on classic systems like the PS2. Let’s sort through the best.
Sakura Warsis technically the sixth game in the series but to get new fans onboard, the 2019 release was simplified in the West with its name. It also turned the game into an action RPG whereas many of the previous games were tactical RPGs. This one took place in the 1940s but during an alternate era of Japan wherein steam was everything and battles were fought with egg-shaped mechs called Kobu. Players could take a select party into missions and each character was controlled differently from blade-heavy Kobu to ones that excelled in firearms.
There was also a dating aspect to the gameplay as the protagonist could date his female team members. While the tactical entries may be more appealing for some,Sakura Warsdid a valiant job updating the series and it’s definitely the easiest game to find and pick up. Overall, if RPG fans love action or tactical gameplay splicedwith dating sims, the Sakura Wars series is worth exploring even though it may require some importing or emulation.
Sand Landwill appeal immediately to two types of players outside of mech fans. First, it’s an open-world game that is almost immediately open to players to start exploring. Two, it’s one of the last thingsAkira Toriyama worked onwho most may know from creatingDragon Ballalong with doing character designs on games likeDragon QuestandChrono Trigger. Sand Land takes place in a post-apocalypse where water is precious and some humans and demons have joined to find a new source.
The leader, a demon named Beelzebub, can be directly controlled with typical action RPG combat from kicks and punches to spells. Beelzebub can also pilot various vehicles from cars to tanks to mechs. So, it’s not solely a mech-fueled game but there are a lot and they are satisfying to pilot along with the destructive tanks. Most vehicles can be customized with parts too from new plates of armor to weapons.
Super Robot Wars 30is the latest game in the series and the first to make it to North America in a long time. This series was built on the idea of crossing mech-based games and anime together for tactical combat from variousGundamseasons to more obscure classics likeMazinger. While the maps are simplified with tiles, the animations used for combat are more elaborate. TheSuper Robot Warsseriesnever made it big in the West, but fans have been following it since it debuted on the Game Boy in 1991.
Thanks to dedicated groups, others can play these games with partial and complete fan translations in English. Some notable examples includeSuper Robot Taisen Alpha Gaidenon the PS1,Super Robot Taisen Jon the GBA, andSuper Robot Taisen A Portableon the PSP. This is the ultimate series for mech fans if only to interact with their favorite characters one more time, so they are worth tracking down.
3Mobile Suit Gundam AGE
Two Games Lost To Japan
There are too manygreatGundamgamesto name even in the RPG category includingDynasty Warriors: Gundam 3andMS Saga: A New Dawn. But, the best one is exclusive to Japan and there are actually two of them.Mobile Suit Gundam AGEwas divided into two entries:Universe AccelandCosmic Drive. Similar to thePokemongames, each entry is slightly different from the other, offering exclusive content to entice fans to buy both.
It wasdeveloped by Level-5who RPG fans may know fromDark Cloud 2, various Dragon Quest entries,Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, and so on. They are a legendary developer but for whatever these games never came over which is a shame. The cel-shaded art style looks great on the PSP and the action-based combat is engaging as is the story. Fans have partially translated these two games for those interested. Also, Level-5 fans may enjoy the mech-related games that did come out in North America includingLBX: Little Battlers eXperienceon the 3DS andWhite Knight Chronicleson the PS3.
Xenosaga Episode 1: Der Wille zur Machtis the first entry in what would become atrilogy of RPGson the PS2. The turn-based combat was divided into two sections. Heroes could fight normally without their mechs or they could call their mechs into battle as well. Like Summons inFinal Fantasy, the mechs helped change the tide of battle except that they could be directly controlled.
Mechs inXenosagahad various names including E.S., A.M.W.S., A.G.W.S. and so on sort of like how theGundamfranchise has various mech types and they aren’t all called Gundams. Besides the mech influence,Xenosagais also heavily inspired by religion and anime as a genre. It’s one wild ride that players need to strap in and see until the end as it will become an unforgettable trip.
Super Robot Warsis technically everything one could want, and more so in a mech-based series. However, the stories are all about fan service and they can get repetitive thanks to the large-scale battles. That’s why theFront Missionseriesis where the real money is at. Except for the fifth main entry which is on the PS2, all of the mainline games have crossed over into North America. Chief among them isFront Mission 4as it is the highest-rated entry at least on Metacritic.
The story is wonderfully dark and well-acted with characters having to wrestle with the concept of war and using their mechs, called Wanzers, for tools of peace. The tactical combat is challenging but the best thing about this series is the DEEP customization. Players can equip their mechs with new motherboards, arms, weapons, items, skills, and so on. They could spend hours tinkering their designs if they so choose and that ability is what a lot of fans are after.Front Mission 4 is great but the rest of the main games are all worth experiencing too.
