Game Recommendation: Strike Suit Zero – Zeta Gundam Simulation
This is the Strike Suit – the key to victory
Well, us mecha fans have always wanted to have a good Macross game – basically Ace Combat BUT the planes can transform into a robot. Over the years we’ve gotten some very similar games, and some Macross games as well, but still those games are mostly on consoles and none of the Macross action games have made it to the PC yet. Game studio Born Ready came in to scratch that itch with a game that combines spacecraft dogfighting with giant robot combat – and that is Strike Suit Zero – the start of the franchise.
+ Plot: SSZ story is typical and traditional as all hell. There are two sides, we’re on the sides with the cool and calm, peaceful color while our enemies don the scary black and glowing magma theme. You can literally feel the two side’s general disposition based on the color of their Neon – basically Tron style.
You’re a rookie pilot (of course you are) that just join the United Nations of Earth’s flight team, but during a training session you and your C.O stumble upon an actual combat situation. Then you got officially assigned to the combat squad and carry out mission after mission, until you – a rookie pilot – got chosen to pilot the super prototype unit that is the key to win the war – the Strike Suit. It’s a very self-insert story but hey, it’s a pretty short game so they had to rush all the formalities in the story out the door asap. It’s corny but doesn’t take away your enjoyment of the game.
You’re a rookie pilot (of course you are) that just join the United Nations of Earth’s flight team, but during a training session you and your C.O stumble upon an actual combat situation. Then you got officially assigned to the combat squad and carry out mission after mission, until you – a rookie pilot – got chosen to pilot the super prototype unit that is the key to win the war – the Strike Suit. It’s a very self-insert story but hey, it’s a pretty short game so they had to rush all the formalities in the story out the door asap. It’s corny but doesn’t take away your enjoyment of the game.
+ Gameplay: The game start you off with piloting a normal space combat craft – basically a non-transforming VF. You get two types of guns, a few different types of missiles to play with too. Because Itano Circus is a must for these types of game. The control scheme is a bit of a learning curve and took some time to get used to. But once you’re used to it, you can enjoy the feeling of being master of the battlefield. The AI of the game is actually very well done and reflected their difficulty as you’ll find it very hard to do a zero-damage run on harder settings.
Furthermore, there are a lot of neat gimmick such as the cockpit view. Definitely something that will please simulator fans as it reflect very accurately how it feels to sit inside a jet. The POV view is quite immersive and will be much more atmospheric if you have a flight stick to play with. But still, a gamepad should suffice. Playing with mouse and keyboard is easy but as you know, these types of game definitely favor the handheld pads.
Once you got the Strike Suit, the combat changes a little bit. You gain some serious firepower that is practically invincible against the enemies’ space craft and small frigates. The only enemy that can give you trouble is the Capital ships, which you will encounter quite often in the latter half of the game. The dash mechanism and missiles remind you of Gerwalk and AC-style combat. It’s quite fast paced and fun to use. Unfortunately, the mecha mode has a resource limit so you can’t use it all the time – which definitely take away from the experience.
The game’s battlefield is quite fun as there are other units fighting alongside you as well as there are ample enemies on-screen to fight. The piloting scheme also give you a fun dogfight experience at first, but after a few hours of repeating the same combat scheme, it can wear you down. Fortunately the game’s relatively short so you can finish it without being completely burned out. And thanks to the various loadout and units in the game, the experience is good enough.
Furthermore, there are a lot of neat gimmick such as the cockpit view. Definitely something that will please simulator fans as it reflect very accurately how it feels to sit inside a jet. The POV view is quite immersive and will be much more atmospheric if you have a flight stick to play with. But still, a gamepad should suffice. Playing with mouse and keyboard is easy but as you know, these types of game definitely favor the handheld pads.
Once you got the Strike Suit, the combat changes a little bit. You gain some serious firepower that is practically invincible against the enemies’ space craft and small frigates. The only enemy that can give you trouble is the Capital ships, which you will encounter quite often in the latter half of the game. The dash mechanism and missiles remind you of Gerwalk and AC-style combat. It’s quite fast paced and fun to use. Unfortunately, the mecha mode has a resource limit so you can’t use it all the time – which definitely take away from the experience.
The game’s battlefield is quite fun as there are other units fighting alongside you as well as there are ample enemies on-screen to fight. The piloting scheme also give you a fun dogfight experience at first, but after a few hours of repeating the same combat scheme, it can wear you down. Fortunately the game’s relatively short so you can finish it without being completely burned out. And thanks to the various loadout and units in the game, the experience is good enough.
+ Mechanical Design: The game has a total of five units – 3 fighters and 2 Strike Suits. The Fighters have 3 style: balanced, speed and firepower. The Strike Suit has a base model and an upgraded model with higher specs. The designs a lot of common design element with sci-fi crafts. The Strike Suit is reminiscent of Project Nimbus and the Age-2 Gundam interms of transformation style. It’s very simple and is mostly just folding arms and legs to get into flight mode. Overall, it’s a decent design job but nothing too amazing.
+ Music: Definitely the weakest part of the series. The combat BGM is pretty dull even in the most intense battle. Definitely not the OST you’re looking for for your work-out session or high-octane intense combat.
+ Conclusion: Strike Suit Zero is a very entertaining experience. The game is quite cheap for what it has to offer. A semi-realistic dogfight experience with some AC-ish combat, although much less “dynamic”. The game is relatively concise and can be a challenge for hardcore player that want to try higher difficulties. Overall, it’s a decent game to get over your need for a Macross PC game.
+ Music: Definitely the weakest part of the series. The combat BGM is pretty dull even in the most intense battle. Definitely not the OST you’re looking for for your work-out session or high-octane intense combat.
+ Conclusion: Strike Suit Zero is a very entertaining experience. The game is quite cheap for what it has to offer. A semi-realistic dogfight experience with some AC-ish combat, although much less “dynamic”. The game is relatively concise and can be a challenge for hardcore player that want to try higher difficulties. Overall, it’s a decent game to get over your need for a Macross PC game.
Check out more recommendations:
A series about building regular model kit, and using them to find inspiration in life. A very uplifting and chill series for mecha fans to change their perspective on their hobby.
The sequel to SEED – a series that brought Gundam on top of the radar. Destiny is a sequel that earned both the intense love and hate within the fandoms.
An anime adaptation of a sci-fi novel with the same name, Yakitori really stir up the scene with its unusual storytelling and animation style. However, the characters really hold the series up.
A Fafner novel written by Tow Ubutaka – the person who understand Fafner the most. Explore Kazuki’s POV and his relationship in a way you’ve never seen before.
A new Gundam for a new era. Gundam Seed is one of the most popular modern Gundam series that has fans all around the world. And it also received much love from Sunrise as well.
A love letter to commemorate the pioneer of the Mecha genre, Mazinger Z Infinity remind us of the conviction and justice that the Iron Castle had, is, and will stand for.
A badass and action-packed super robot series with an age-gap marriage between the two main characters. A hearth-throbbing and passionate tale about love and perseverance.
A new story of the boy who awoken a machine. Casshern Sins follow a conflicting young man in a world where life seems meaningless, yet everyone yearn for it anyway.
Just when things have calmed down, the Gear Users once again face an apocalyptic threat from a mysterious high order. This put Hibiki and her friends at risk once more.
New threats emerged to threaten the world. But new allies also appear to bring the Gear’s songs to a new level. A new battle await the girls!
Mahou Shoujo x Tokusatsu combined with plenty of mecha references, Symphogear bring us an audio and visual experience that is just the beginning. of a great franchise.
A new nation, a new story, a new battlefield. The reborn Eighty Six must choose between a life of peace or death. Will the Reaper be able to move on?
The depressing, gripping yet hopeful world of Eighty Six brought to life with A-1’s adaptation. The vision of Asato receives a depiction so emotional like no others.
A fun dogfight experience with some mecha combat thrown into the mix, Strike Suit Zero scratches some of that Macross action game that PC gamer has been wanting.
With his life completely smashed apart and turned upside down, teenage boy Ayato had to navigate a new world while being the key to control the winged giant RahXephon.
Not just your usual 70s Super Robot, Zambot 3 is more than just a battle between good and evil, but also about endurance, perseverance and the unyielding heart to do what’s right.
Expanding upon the original work of Yokoyama-sensei, GR: The Day The Earth Stood Still introduces a world where the supernatural and super-technology co-exist. And in the midst of that is a Giant Robo.
If you fancy beautiful girls cladded in sleek power armor fighting cyborg crimes, then Bubblegum Crisis is the choice for you, with amazing 90s cyberpunk dystopia atmosphere!
The Cyber Beast Force may have disbanded, but their burning hearts are still raging. Dancouga combines once again to fight an unexpected enemy. Is it human, or something else much more sinister?
Suit up! It’s time for some Oni hunting! An anime tribute to the Tokusatsu genre, Shikizakura show us the power of hope, willpower and compassion to overcome any darkness.
The bullet-train robot is back! Two young kids take on a new threat to protect the world. Shinkalion Z takes off after its predecessor and set itself apart from other Takara series.
A song that rings during the apocalypse. Vivy is a bold idea involving a century of fighting and yearning. Vivy will bring your visual and auditory sense to the max!
What is a true Ally of Justice? What kind of “Heroism” is worth fighting for? Linebarrels of Iron is a manga that you won’t be able to put down!
Hot-blood, explosive and FIRE! S-CRY-ed tells a badass yet emotional adventure of two youths on their way to unravel the truth of a world changed forever.
Absolute music, Absolute animation, and…Absolute LIVE! Macross Delta Zettai Live brought the emotional climax of Hayate and Freyja story to a breathtaking conclusion.
A hidden gem of a steam-punk mecha anime. Gad Guard literally start from a hidden “gem”. If you fancy some noir mecha x vigilante style with awesome OST, this is the series for you.
A man who lost everything decided to throw away himself for revenge. A mysterious threat from space with an unthinkable objective. Experience the masterful visual of Argento Soma.
An alternate and expansion of the famous “Doan’s Island” of Gundam 0079, Cucuruz Doan’s Island focus on the characters that further show us the cruelty of war.
The finale of the Sidonia no Kishi animated saga. Ai no Tsumugu Hoshi gives us the climax of the Gauna War and conclude the story between Tanikaze and Tsumugi.
An alternate version of the tv series – Macross Delta Passionate Walkure condense the action, music and plot into one movie to setup for entirely new events.
Macross’ music power is taken to a new heights with Macross Delta – where an idol group fight alongside Variable Fighter pilots on the frontline.
A story about the beginning of the Macross saga. Macross Zero commemorates the franchise 20th Anniversary with a lot of love for the first Variable Fighters.
A new Iron Castle is in town! Shin Mazinger The Impact: Z-Chapter bring back the Iron Castle with the age-old question: Will you become a God, or a Devil?
The next and maybe final Fafner saga to conclude the journey for the Azure sky. Fafner: The Beyond bring us to the climax, both in terms of story as well as action.
A new saga opened after the movie, Exodus brought us the best Fafner experience yet. Amazing visuals with compelling story and character arcs, the Azure has returned for more!
It’s not just us that can appreciate the azure sky. Another decisive battle approaches Tatsumiyajima. With new animation and new design, where does Heaven and Earth bring us?
Deep in the azure sky, children are risking their lives for the survival of mankind. The start of an endless struggle for hope in the face of an unforgiving enemy.
The third and most different Aquarion series, Logos show us how powerful words can be. The concept is interesting and unique, however its execution still leave much to be desired.
A good old crossover between fan-favorite superheroes from Tatsunoko Pro. Four heroes come together to save a young girl as well as the fate of the universe(s).
The continuation of the first movie – and the end of the triangle. The wings of the Valkyrie wave its goodbye in Macross Frontier: Sayonara no Tsubasa.
A retelling of the Macross Frontier tv series – with new story, new VFs and new songs. Itsuwari no Utahime explore a different direction of the Triangle.
A short, impactful and gorgeous OVA, Gunbuster was Hideaki Anno’s first director work and definitely one of the best. A great starter for new and old fans.
Amidst world full of greed and power struggle between adults, the young children has to fight for their own survival. To protect their friends, they have to forfeit their humanity, to become a Liberator.
Every legend has a start. The most influential mecha franchise started over 40 years ago with an iconic anime that broke new grounds: Mobile Suit Gundam 0079.
Sunrise Beyond demonstrate how good they can draw mecha with Kyoukai Senki. A story where a normal boy rise up and struggle against his nation’s oppressors.
Faced with an alien invasion, a divided Germany stand on the frontline of two wars at the same time. It’s up to the 666th TSF Squadron – Schwarzesmarken – to pave the way for the future.
Faced with an alien invasion, a divided Germany stand on the frontline of two wars at the same time. It’s up to the 666th TSF Squadron – Schwarzesmarken – to pave the way for the future.
After thousands of years, the legendary Solar Wing awakened once again to protect humanity from extradimensional threat. Sousei Gattai! Go, Aquarion Evol!
An inspiring mecha journey from Peter Tieryas. Mecha Samurai Empire promises intense giant robot combat and an emotional coming-of-age story
Evangelion ANIMA – A story about self-growth, building determination and forging your own path. Along with badass mecha action.
