Even the most ardent Japanophile would find it hard to argue the merits of mechs. The kitsch allure of J-pop is easy to understand and Japanese game shows have been known to draw a laugh on these shores, but surely mechs will never be as successful an export, a fate confounded by the quality of the Gundam games.

It almost goes without saying that this, the latest in the Mobile Suit Gundam series and the first one on the new generation of PlayStation, is a waste of time. The gameplay is tremendously uninspired, the clunky control system further hindered by some catastrophic errors that can see targets venture out of the playing field leaving you unable to complete the mission. Other elements, such as the AI of allies and nemeses, are severely lacking, whilst those hoping for at least a decent mech customization mode will find another reason to be disappointed. Rare are the times when we struggle to find anything really positive to say about a game, but this is certainly one of them.

Though the look of the game may not be all that far from the original trailer there is still far too much wrong with this game for anyone in their right mind to recommend it. Cumbersome, frustrating and smothered by a frightfully uninteresting plot, Gundam’s first foray onto the PlayStation 3 is one best forgotten immediately.

Aaron Asadi