From Warzone, Halo Infinite, Rocket League and Apex Legends these titles offer up AAA multiplayer thrills for a low/zero fee. These quickly become firm favourites with groups looking for some mid-week action. The latest with pretensions to joining this gang is Gundam Evolution.

Developed by Bandai Namco Online, the game sees the legendary Japanese series blended with a team-based shooter. Two squads of six battle it out as they seek to perform opposing objectives on a number of different maps.

No Mode Evolution

Gundam Evolution‘s objectives vary depending on the game mode, but can include Point Capture, Domination and Destruction. As modes go they’re fairly standard fare of capture and hold this point, or blast everything that moves using your Gundam’s full arsenal. The game, in fairness, is built around making these towering steel titans are the stars of the show.

You get twelves mechs to choose from off the bat, which if you’re a fan you’ll no doubt know who they are and the lore behind them, as the game draws on a host of Gundam series – cherry picking the best bits for what feels like the ultimate “what if” throw down.

Mechanical Balance

The roster features the likes of the Pale Rider, Methuss and DOM Trooper. Though for the non-fans, each one can be seen as a different class. This allows newcomers to simply pick from assault or sniper or melee units and worry about the details later.

So, picking a well-balanced team can often be the key to winning as there is a real ‘hero shooter’ vibe to how each of the mechs can counter one other in battle.

It’s worth noting that there are an additional six Gundams that are locked behind the paywall or an epic grind. It’s unfortunate that there is no way of test driving them unless you’re willing to shell out the cash/hours.

Gameplay is surprisingly fast paced given that you pilot a 20-tonne mech. And, if you have spent any time with Overwatch or its sequel, you’ll start to see more than a few similarities here. From how attacks work to even the layout of the HUD.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – if you’re going to copy someone, it’s best to copy the best in the class at the end of the day.

Visually, the game is an odd one with a mixture of glorious and generic on show most of the time. Each Gundam is full of detail and looks the part, but the maps you battle in are basic. Many rounds see the glorious mechs fight in empty grey corridors or wide open canyons with the odd tree here and there.

Invitation to Spend

With it being a free to play game, there are plenty of microtransactions and heaps of customisation offerings. There are two main currencies in the game – coins, which are bought with real cash, and capital, which you earn in game. And beyond the six extra Gundams, most of the items for sale are just cosmetics.

There is also a session pass which unlocks more cosmetic goodies. But, if you pony up for the premium version of the pass, you’ll get extra unlocks. These include items like XP boosts, but also grants access to ranked matches right away, instead of having to get to level 20.

However, for a free-to-play title it does the rarest of things – not force you to spend any extra cash. The balancing act performed on the monetisation structure left me mostly feeling freed to play.

Gundam Evolution is a fun, fast-paced shooter that flies a little too close to the Overwatch-shaped Sun at times. But ultimately, it has enough going for it to stand on its own huge steel boots.