The strong interrelation between video games and anime is intriguing, particularly in the way certain themes seamlessly cross over. One significant shared element between these two mediums is the fascination with colossal robots and imaginative mechs. While robots are not confined solely to these platforms, some of the most exceptional mech-related content emerges from the realm of video games and anime.
Numerous long-standing anime series have centered around giant robots, yet video games have exhibited ingenuity within this genre, be it by crafting original narratives or translating beloved franchises. Hence, presented below are the top 8 video games tailored for enthusiasts of mechs and massive robots.
BattleTech
Unveiled in 2017, BattleTech is a strategy game characterized by turn-based tactical warfare, set within a distant galaxy amidst a period of political turmoil. In this context, the aristocratic class deploys groups of mercenary MechWarriors, who pilot mechs, to engage in warfare aimed at seizing dominance from one another. As the leader of one such mercenary company, the responsibility rests on your shoulders to lead a team, or 'lance', of mechs through a series of intense strategic confrontations.
This dynamic robotic game provides a plethora of options for customizing your lance, ranging from distinct chassis designs to varying armor and weaponry choices. To excel in various combat scenarios and terrains, a well-balanced lance should comprise mechs tailored to different purposes. Through this high degree of mech control, the developer Harebrained Schemes ensures that commanders experience a profound feeling of individualization and possessiveness over their lance.
Titanfall 2
Crafted by a squad of Call of Duty veterans affiliated with Respawn Entertainment, the Titanfall series seamlessly blends swift, arcade-style shooting action with weighty robot clashes. In a striking turn of events, Titanfall 2's exceptional solo campaign unfolds a futuristic tale involving a soldier and his mechanized companion, akin to a fusion of The Iron Giant and Singularity. This narrative boasts explosive cinematic sequences, exhilarating platforming segments, and an emotionally resonant conclusion, culminating in one of the finest mech-centered narratives to date. Astonishingly, the game's excellence surpasses expectations.
The fluid controls and gratifying firearm mechanics transition seamlessly to the multiplayer mode. With mechs and pilots engaged in intense battles across sprawling maps, each match exudes a grandiose vibe. While whispers of Titanfall 3 circulated for a period, Respawn was, in fact, immersed in the creation of Apex Legends, a battle royale title set in the Titanfall universe but absent the mechs—although one of the diverse cast of Apex Legends characters is a robot. Regrettably, Titanfall 2 remains one of the most outstanding mech encounters available, leaving little room for complaints.
Into the Breach
Offering another tactical, turn-based strategy gaming experience hailing from 2017, Into the Breach adeptly captures the grandeur of battles between robots and colossal insects within a compact and time-efficient framework. Drawing inspiration from the roguelike genre, the game shapes each narrative attempt into a distinct run. Between engagements, players can secure mech enhancements and select a pilot to retain across runs, infusing a degree of lasting significance into the gameplay.
The game's confrontations occur on a diminutive 8×8 grid and unfold more akin to puzzles than traditional tactical encounters. Each mech possesses distinct attacks capable of repositioning foes in specific manners across the map, rendering the meticulous planning of movement sequences almost as crucial as inflicting direct damage upon adversaries. The added complexity stemming from the need to safeguard civilian structures injects a layer of tension, transforming Into the Breach into an intense and gratifying intellectual challenge within the realm of indie gaming.
Transformers: Devastation
Although PlatinumGames has a relatively brief history in game development, they've emerged as a prominent contender in the field, propelled by successful titles like Bayonetta, MadWorld, and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Entrusting Platinum with the Transformers franchise appears to be an obvious decision, and while Transformers: Devastation might not stand as their pinnacle creation, it nevertheless offers a gratifying illustration of monumental robot-driven chaos. The game consistently inundates players with action and portrays urban devastation in a manner that only a handful of other games contemplate.
MechWarrior Online
During the extended seventeen-year interim spanning from the launch of MechWarrior 4 in 2002 to MechWarrior 5 in 2019, enthusiasts of mechs found solace in MechWarrior Online, a free-to-play title that transports the strategic intensity of mechanized combat into the realm of player versus player.
The game's accessibility is not immediate, and the free-to-play nature brings with it a set of challenges to overcome. However, its unwavering adherence to the time-tested MechWarrior gameplay is indisputable. Navigating various aspects demands attention, including monitoring your mech's heat levels and its torso's rotational capacity – hallmarks of traditional MechWarrior mechanics. For die-hard fans, an exclusively online gameplay approach might not align with their ideal MechWarrior encounter. Nevertheless, given that MechWarrior 5 leans predominantly towards single-player, MechWarrior Online remains the optimal means to engage in battles against friends within the BattleTech universe.
Front Mission Evolved
Debuting in 2010, Front Mission Evolved transformed the tactical turn-based framework prevalent in preceding entries of the series into an action-centric third-person shooter. Except for a port of the 2005 PlayStation 2 release Front Mission Online, it stands as the sole installment in the series available on the PC platform, a fact that holds inherent value.
While initial observations might draw parallels to MechWarrior, Front Mission Evolved delivers a considerably swifter encounter. Commanding a Wanzer, you engage in rapid dashes, hovering maneuvers, and intense firepower to secure triumph across a sequence of missions, each housing shooting scenarios populated by adversary mechs. The narrative of Evolved essentially rebooted the series, rendering it unnecessary to be acquainted with the lore – a history stretching back to 1995 – to fully appreciate the characters and plot twists presented.
Super Robot Wars 30
In case Super Robot Wars is unfamiliar, it's likely due to its previous exclusive availability in Japan. However, marking the 30th anniversary of the series, Super Robot Wars 30 now has the opportunity to introduce its impressive lineup of characters and mechs to an international audience.
As the commander of a robotic army with a mission to safeguard the planet, an extensive selection of renowned mechs and robots from acclaimed mecha anime, such as Mobile Suit Gundam, Mazinkaiser, and Code Geass, can be recruited. Beyond the turn-based tactical confrontations within the game, you'll also enhance your roster, assembling the ultimate team of mechas.
Xenosaga
The JRPG category frequently serves as a breeding ground for unbridled ambition. The Xenosaga series exemplifies this trait, narrating an intricate tale across multiple titles, all originating with Xenogears on the PlayStation platform. Xenosaga's narrative is genuinely compelling and justifies the expansive journey it undertakes.
Moreover, the series provides an abundance of enjoyable and frenetic combat sequences, prominently featuring KOS-MOS, a highly advanced battle android. These games extend beyond mere robot-based destruction, and it's astonishing how they effectively harmonize such levels of spectacle with a sophisticated storyline.
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