SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays is a tactical role-playing game that brings together some of the most iconic alternate-universe Gundam series, including Gundam Wing, SEED, 00, and Iron-Blooded Orphans. Rather than retelling the Universal Century saga, this entry focuses on parallel timelines and allows players to relive major story arcs and battles with faithful accuracy. The game’s charm lies in its dense grid-based strategy mechanics and the sheer breadth of playable characters and Mobile Suits. With its super-deformed (SD) art style and cinematic attack animations, it offers a mix of nostalgia and strategy that will especially resonate with longtime fans of the franchise.
Gameplay revolves around turn-based tactical combat on a grid, where positioning, unit stats, and pilot skills all play a crucial role. Each unit can move, attack, and use a variety of linked actions depending on their abilities and group composition. Attacks trigger highly detailed and stylized cutscenes that replicate the feel of Gundam battles from the anime, complete with flashy effects and dramatic camera work. These animations are a visual treat at first but can grow repetitive over time, especially during longer engagements. Fortunately, the game allows players to skip or fast-forward through them to maintain pacing.
Strategic depth is one of Cross Rays' strongest features. Players can build teams composed of main units, support characters, and warships, and each pilot and mobile suit can be leveled up, upgraded, or evolved into more powerful forms. The development tree allows for a staggering amount of customization, and dispatch missions—where units are sent on auto-resolving side tasks—help bolster progress without grinding on the battlefield. There’s also an emphasis on formation bonuses, cost management, and skill inheritance, making each squad feel uniquely tailored to the player's approach.
While the systems are deep and rewarding, the game’s pacing can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Many maps stretch into long sessions due to waves of reinforcements and the tendency to require full enemy elimination for victory. Some missions become a test of endurance rather than challenge, and those looking for quick, snappy matches might find the drawn-out battles exhausting. The repetition can also be exacerbated by the limited variety in mission structure, where many objectives feel similar despite changes in the storyline context.
Visually, Cross Rays presents a contrast between its spectacular attack animations and its relatively plain map design. Outside of combat, the story sequences are static, with minimal movement and simple dialogue windows, which might disappoint players hoping for a more dynamic narrative delivery. The summaries of each Gundam series are accurate and serviceable for fans who already know the lore, but newcomers might find them lacking in depth or emotional weight, as they’re often brief and assume prior knowledge.
Despite some rough edges, the game offers tremendous value for fans who enjoy deep strategy and mecha customization. The sheer number of units, unlockables, and pilot combinations offers a nearly endless loop of experimentation and team building. Higher difficulty modes like Inferno add another layer of replayability, challenging players to rethink their tactics and loadouts. Though not without flaws—particularly in pacing and repetition—Cross Rays remains a deeply satisfying experience for players who appreciate its systems and the universes it draws from.
In the end, SD Gundam G Generation Cross Rays succeeds as both a love letter to alternate-universe Gundam fans and a robust strategy RPG in its own right. While it may not convert those unfamiliar with the franchise, it rewards those who invest time into learning its mechanics and exploring its vast content. For those eager to build their dream team of Gundams and pilots and wage epic grid-based battles, this is one of the most feature-rich titles in the series to date.
Rating: 8/10
