Giant anime mechs fighting in space? That sounds like a pretty good time in VR. And it is, but that description doesn’t really tell the whole story. In 131XR‘s Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom review, we learn that this is a game that’s more for fans of the anime series than the intense adrenaline rush of mech battling.
Calling All Mobile Suit Gundam Fans
There’s no denying Mobile Suit Gundam is a hugely popular franchise. Beginning way back in 1979, the series has since been seen in all sorts of media. Anime, novels, films, manga, modelling and, of course, video games. Practically every major gaming platform has received several Mobile Suit Gundam games during its lifespan. That even includes the humble Virtual Boy! SD Gundam Dimension War launched in 1995, though whether or not you consider this the series’ VR debut is a matter of discussion.
What’s not up for discussion is the fact that Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom is here with us now. It’s a game that is clearly designed with a lot of love for its source material. However, as cool as the premise of giant mech battles in space may seem, it’s decidedly more limited than your imagination might be.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom Review
In 131XR’s Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom review (below), we learn that this isn’t so much a mech game as it is a love letter to fans of the series. It’s a combination of non-interactive movie sequences and what are essentially on-rails space battles. As the player, you’re essentially lead down a linear path opposed to given the freedom to truly experience what it means to be a Mobile Suit pilot.
The Competition
While the game will certainly appeal to fans of Mobile Suit Gundam, in the realm of mech battles there’s plenty of competition on Meta Quest. The recently released Iron Rebellion is a particular highlight. But the likes of Vox Machinae, a feature-rich VR mech game with both single-player campaigns and multiplayer modes, and Ultimechs, which is focused on competitive multiplayer using rocket-powered fists to score goals, similar to Rocket League.
You can check out XRSource’s picks of the 7 best VR mech games right here!
Sadly, according to 131XR, Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom simply doesn’t offer a comparable mech battling experience. It does however, offer an interesting take on providing an interactive movie in VR, similarly to Human Within. If that piques your interest then dive right in!
Are you a fan of Mobile Suit Gundam? Have you been playing Mobile Suit Gundam: Silver Phantom? We’d love to know your thoughts on the game! Hit up the comments below to let us know if you agree with our review partners at 131XR!
