Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered Review

On June 7, 2012, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny was first made available for the PlayStation Vita only in Japan. After Gundam Battle Universe (2009), it was the fifth installment in the Gundam Battle series, created by Artdink and released by Bandai Namco Games.  

The series' first non-Universal Century installment was noteworthy because it covered events from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, and instead concentrated on the Cosmic Era timeline. A noteworthy success for a Vita game, the game sold 40,297 copies during its first sales period and peaked at number three on Japan's Media Create sales chart. 

Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered on February 13, 2025. The revised version was set to be released globally on the Nintendo Switch and PC (through Steam) on May 22, 2025, and its first-ever English localization was planned for that date. 

B.B. Studio, which replaced Artdink, created the remastered version. While Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. serves as the publisher, some sources also list Bandai Namco Forge Digitals Inc. as a developer. B.B. Studio, well-known for its work on past Gundam titles and mecha games, contributed a great deal of experience in modernizing gameplay and graphics to this project. 

Improved graphics with high-resolution textures for more than 100 Mobile Suits, a revamped user interface, new lock-on modes, and modified controller settings for more fluid gameplay are some of the remaster's main highlights. To make obtaining Mobile Suits easier, the difficulty and save system were modified.  

Content includes side storylines such as SEED Astray and SEED C.E. 73: STARGAZER, as well as missions from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny. Localized text in English, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean is included alongside the preserved Japanese audio. 

The release of the 2024 movie Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom has sparked a newfound interest in the Gundam SEED franchise, which coincides with the release of the remaster. With 74–78% of consumers giving it positive ratings, it has a "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam (based on 93–171 reviews across various sources).  

Some fans thought it needed more recent content, such as from SEED Freedom or SEED Eclipse, despite being lauded for its action-packed combat and variety of Mobile Suits. Others warned against expecting an AAA experience, criticizing it as a simple port of a Vita game. 

It is impossible to overestimate Gundam SEED's influence on culture and franchise. With SEED and SEED Destiny winning Animage's Anime Grand Prix in 2002, 2004, and 2005, the series is still very well-liked in Japan. After the success of previous localized releases, Bandai Namco's larger plan to globalize the Gundam franchise is in line with this remaster.  

In the SEED timeline, fans are already making predictions that this would open the door for more remasters or brand-new games. The only way to get Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered is digitally, and it costs $39.99.  

As of the game's release, there are no microtransactions, and no Switch physical editions have been revealed. At first, pre-orders were only available for Steam, not the Switch. Regretfully, neither Xbox Game Pass nor PlayStation Plus provides the game, nor is it accessible on Xbox or PlayStation systems. 

Set in the Gundam SEED Cosmic Era timeline, the game spans key events from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (C.E. 70-71) and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (C.E. 73-74). It closely follows the anime's narrative, delving into the ideological conflict between Naturals and Coordinators, centered around factions such as the Earth Alliance, ZAFT, and characters like Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala.  

Side stories from SEED Astray, SEED C.E. 73: STARGAZER and other SEED-related content expand the lore significantly. Piloting customized Mobile Suits during pivotal anime battles, such as the Second Battle of Jachin Due or the attack on Heliopolis, you are immersed in mission-based campaigns. 

With more than 100 missions based on original side tales and anime events, the framework is single-player-focused. You can experience the battle from a variety of angles by choosing to follow the Earth Alliance, ZAFT, or neutral factions like Orb. With the addition of action RPG components, you may personalize your pilot by improving your mech and developing new skills, which adds a lot of replay value. 

Important scenes from the series, including the Freedom Gundam's introduction, are recreated with anime-style cutscenes and dialogue. Here, nostalgia is strong. For devoted fans, iconic Mobile Suits like Strike Gundam and Aegis Gundam, as well as well-known musical selections, arouse powerful memories. Fans of exaggerated, vibrant anime action will enjoy the game's approach to mech battle and heroic pilot archetypes, which are reminiscent of Action Kamen from Crayon Shin-chan or Power Rangers. 

There are certain issues with the story, even though it stays true to the anime and offers diversity through several campaign options. Players looking for new stories may be disappointed by the lack of additional tale content from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom or SEED Eclipse. Some of the side storylines lack character development and emotional depth, and the mission-based framework might seem repetitive.  

Although authentic, cutscenes are frequently brief and fail to convey the full spectrum of anime emotions. Furthermore, there is no shared mech battle experience due to the absence of multiplayer or cooperative play, which is a lost opportunity in this contemporary remaster. 

Similar to the serious undertones of the anime, the game's theme examines war, identity, and morality. New players who are unfamiliar with Gundam SEED lore may find the story overwhelming, especially given the sparse tutorials, even though the upgraded graphics and user interface improve the action-RPG experience. 

The gameplay in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered is centered on strategic role-playing games combined with fast-paced, anime-inspired mech warfare. You start by deciding whether to be a "Coordinator"—genetically modified people—or a "Natural"—humans born without genetic alterations. Although they have lower starting numbers and limitations with some Mobile Suits, naturals grow more quickly.  

Although they begin strong, coordinators develop more slowly, with set skill gains enhancing their skills. You then choose the face type of your pilot, which, in conjunction with your choice of Coordinator or Natural, establishes your starting skills and base stats. Mission performance affects stats, and equipped abilities can be changed and unlocked.  

There are two categories of abilities: Extra and Passive. During missions, passive powers remain active at all times (up to two can be loaded), and some are so powerful that they cannot be removed. Automatic activation of additional powers occurs when your HP falls below a predetermined level. Ranged (weapon power), Melee (melee power), Defense (damage resistance), Piloting (thruster efficiency), Awareness (lock-on range), Health (HP), and SP (special ability charge rate) are among the pilot's stats. 

Then, you are presented with a choice between two factions: the C.E. 71 ZAFT, PLANT's All-Coordinator military organization, and the C.E. 71 Earth Alliance Forces, which are military powers headed by groups like the Atlantic Federation. Finally, you have a choice between two SP attacks: Slow Motion (which slows down movement around you) or Hyper Mode (which grants you temporary invincibility). 

Combat is engaging and engrossing, with gunshot exchanges, explosive beam saber duels, and fast-paced maneuvers that make the Gundam experience come to life. But even while the improved advancement and redesigned lock-on system enhance the experience, the gameplay stays true to its portable roots.  

Compared to more recent action RPGs, the control method might feel stiff, and some missions feel repetitive. Innovation is hampered by the absence of complex puzzle mechanics or cooperative elements, but series enthusiasts find depth in the strategic customization and variety of mech. 

In terms of visuals, the remake stays true to Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny's anime-inspired style. Particularly on PC, high-resolution graphics for more than 100 mobile suits make a big difference. Despite being obviously improved over the Vita edition, the 3D arenas and environments still have the drawbacks of the original technology. 

Revamped UI menus, updated lighting, and effects like beam trails enhance usability and presentation. The mobile suits—especially fan favorites like Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam—look amazing with their intricate models and vivid coloring. 

One of the best features of the remaster is the sound. The soundtrack includes classic Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny songs, opening themes like "Invoke" by T.M. Revolution, and remastered versions of Tetsuya Takahashi's compositions. These well-known songs provide a sentimental and nostalgic touch to battle and narrative scenes. 

One of the best features of the remaster is the sound. The soundtrack includes classic Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny songs, opening themes like "Invoke" by T.M. Revolution, and remastered versions of Tetsuya Takahashi's compositions. These well-known songs provide a sentimental and nostalgic touch to battle and narrative scenes. 

Despite the lack of an English dub, the anime cast's original Japanese voice acting lends realism. Multiple language translations of the dialogue increase accessibility. Voice lines that are triggered during cutscenes and fighting provide memorable comments, such as "I won't let you destroy everything!" However, some of these words are repeated a bit too frequently. 

Mech sound effects are powerful and strong, ranging from beam saber battles to explosion impacts, while movement and thruster sounds enhance the immersive experience. Even though it isn't as prominent as mech audio, the background atmosphere aids in setting the scene. 

The Cosmic Era is faithfully and nostalgically honored in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered. It finally allows fans from other countries to enjoy a game that was previously only available in Japan, thanks to improved graphics, fluid gameplay, and the first English adaptation. 

While it may not match modern action RPGs in depth or polish and lacks new story content or multiplayer functionality, it excels in what it sets out to do: deliver a fun, nostalgic, and immersive Gundam SEED experience. For long-time fans, it's a must-play. For newcomers, it's an accessible, albeit lore-heavy, entry point into one of Gundam's most beloved timelines.