Super Robot Wars is a classic series from Bandai Namco with plenty of spinoffs and video games. The latest entry, Super Robot Wars Y, takes a more unified approach by weaving together a narrative that spans multiple mech anime series into one story. The main idea is to bring together mechs, pilots, and characters from different shows, while also serving as a kind of fan service. The story itself is original, but it ties in events from the various series. You do not need to have watched every single anime to follow along, but knowing them does help with understanding certain plot points and character motivations.
I went into the game completely blind and was surprised by the opening, which seems to pick up right after the ending of Code Geass. I really loved Code Geass (and who wouldn’t) since it was such a great mech anime with Lelouch as the hateful yet oddly loveable lead. So, seeing that prologue caught me off guard. That said, it quickly became clear that while the game’s story is original, it still pulls in characters and mechs from across different anime. I have not seen any of the other shows, but even so, I found the story interesting, though much of it feels like a filler chapter from a manga or anime.
The core of the gameplay loop is a turn-based tactical RPG where battles play out on a grid system. It feels a lot like the Fire Emblem series, especially in how fights are structured. You place your teammates on specific tiles across the map and decide what actions they take, whether that is attacking enemies, defending, or providing buffs. Since the combat is turn-based, the pacing is naturally slow, and finishing a full mission can take some time.
There are several systems that help keep the combat interesting. Assist links let a sidekick join in during fights without taking up their own slot on the grid. The game also offers plenty of upgrades for both mechs and pilots, which you can unlock by completing missions and gathering resources. The customization runs fairly deep and goes beyond just surface-level tweaks.
After the most recent Super Robot Wars entry, SRW 30, many fans went into this new game with low expectations. Surprisingly, it has turned out to be a pleasant experience. There is a reason why some consider it one of the best entries in the franchise since the PS2 era. The story, while still feeling a bit like filler, is well-written, and the character interactions and development are excellent. What stood out to me most was how the attacks play out. Every time you face enemies, the camera shifts to a close view of the mechs, which are beautifully drawn and animated. Each attack feels distinct because of this, though a few can start to feel repetitive.
The difficulty can be adjusted, making it approachable for newcomers while still offering a tougher challenge for veterans. This makes it a great entry point for anyone interested in trying the series. As someone who has not played many of the older games, I went with what I assumed was the normal difficulty. The ability to save during battles also helps with tough encounters and serves as a welcome quality-of-life improvement.
While the story moves forward through main missions, there is also plenty of side content to explore. The main missions are clearly marked, so it is easy to know what needs to be done to progress, but skipping the side content would be a shame since some of it is really well designed and written. Side missions can range from simple cutscenes to character interactions or optional battles. The variety on offer also helps prevent the gameplay loop from feeling too repetitive.
On the downside, the enemy and unit variety is a bit limited. The soundtrack, however, is excellent, featuring remixed tracks and energetic songs that make battles more exciting. The animations are stunning, and the overall presentation gives the game the feel of a polished release. That said, the user interface can be clunky and confusing, especially for newcomers. The game also frontloads a large number of tutorials, which can feel overwhelming and slow down the pacing early on.
While I found the animations excellent, I can understand why longtime fans might be frustrated with the reused ones. The PC port generally runs well, though it lacks support for higher resolutions. Most of my playtime was on the Steam Deck, where it worked without major issues. There has also been some controversy about the DLC being overpriced and overpowered, but since the game is a single-player story, those concerns did not bother me much.
Super Robot Wars Y Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Developer: Bandai Namco
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
