<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs soon as we started playing this game, we knew right away that it was a Gundam game. The details felt very much like classic Gundam\u2014from the mech designs and spaceship designs to the Haro unit that accompanies the player throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since this is a Gundam game, we naturally hoped the mechs would come equipped with signature weapons like funnels. And sure enough, funnels are featured in this game. It\u2019s little details like these that make Gundam Rogue Orbit feel authentic from the very first minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haro\u2019s presence also feels like more than just a decorative element. This little unit accompanies the player throughout the demo, and to us, details like this show that the developers truly understand what makes a Gundam game feel like a Gundam game.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT \u2013 TGS 2026 Demo (Bandai Namco)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Choosing a Lance-type Gundam<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn the demo, there were three types of Gundam to choose from, and we chose the lance-type Gundam. The Lance Gundam feels more like a tank, with a frontal shield as one of its abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each Gundam type has its own abilities, such as deploying a shield or attacking with funnels. In addition to these abilities, each type also has a signature move that consumes energy when used. We didn\u2019t get a chance to try the other two Gundam types during this demo session, but the presence of three types with distinct fighting styles was enough to convince us. At the very least, this indicates that Gundam Rogue Orbit doesn\u2019t want to limit players to just one playstyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The gameplay itself is fairly simple and beginner-friendly. You just need to defeat enemies using a combination of attacks and movement, and the enemies you face in Gundam Rogue Orbit are alien monsters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>A dungeon run\u2026 with mechs\u2026<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBased on what we saw in the demo, Gundam Rogue Orbit isn\u2019t an open-world game. Its format is actually more like a dungeon run, reminding us of Phantasy Star Online 2. At least that\u2019s what we saw in the demo version at TGS 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dungeon we played in the demo was set in a space colony and had a fairly straightforward layout. At the end of the dungeon, we encountered a giant golem-type boss that was quite challenging to defeat. This boss battle left the biggest impression on us. Its massive size forced us to rethink our positioning and attack timing, rather than just repeatedly pressing the attack button.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT \u2013 TGS 2026 Demo (Bandai Namco)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn addition to combat, you\u2019ll also need to keep an eye on your energy bar throughout the game. Boosting consumes energy, and you\u2019ll be a sitting duck if your energy runs out. Your energy will recharge on its own, but you\u2019ll have to wait and won\u2019t be able to boost until the recharge process is complete. This mechanic reminds us of the boost mechanic in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the bright side, Gundam Rogue Orbit is actually pretty fun to play. With solid gameplay mechanics and all the signature weapons like funnels, we\u2019re eager to play this game with friends. From its Steam page, we also know that the game will feature online co-op. This feature makes us even more convinced that Gundam Rogue Orbit is truly designed to be enjoyed together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Our two concerns<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTo be honest, we were quite surprised that Gundam Rogue Orbit exceeded our expectations. After so many underwhelming releases, we feel this new game could be a breath of fresh air for the Gundam series. That said, we still have two main concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first concern is about customization. This game absolutely must have solid customization features, because as Gundam pilots, we want our Gundams to feel uniquely ours. It\u2019s not just about the visuals\u2014we also hope for in-depth customization, from choosing weapons to selecting parts for our Gundams. This customization system is what we didn\u2019t find when playing the demo version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second concern is about the grinding mechanics. Based on our experience playing the demo, we feel this game will force players to grind through repetitive dungeons to obtain resources for upgrades. To keep this repetitive grinding from feeling tedious, the game should include more features that genuinely impact the combat mechanics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, adding more custom weapons or abilities so players can explore all the available options. Another option is to add unique mechanics to each dungeon, so players will always look forward to what\u2019s in the next one.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT \u2013 TGS 2026 Demo (Bandai Namco)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n