The March 2022 State of Play came with trailers for upcoming games, among them Gundam Evolution, which featured a number of the famous Gundam suits. Although the full roster of suits is unknown at the moment, there are some that Gundam fans can look forward to using once the game releases sometime in 2022. It's also likely that they'll announce more in the time leading up to release and come out with more afterward, so those who didn't see their favorite mechs shouldn't despair.
Gundam Evolution is an upcoming six-versus-six FPS game by Bandai Namco. In it, players will pilot the famous mecha suits in three different game modes where they'll do their best to defeat the other team in a manner similar to Overwatch and other multiplayer FPS games. Longtime Mobile Suit Gundam fans may recognize many of the suits shown in the trailer, and some are likely overjoyed at the prospect of a new game if they didn't know about it already.
Aside from the titular Gundam suits that the series is known for, there are a variety of others available for players to use once the game comes out. Details like what abilities they'll have and what roles will suit them best are still a mystery for now. It's possible that more details will come as the release date draws near, but most of the game's content will likely only be known to those participating in the playtests. Most Gundam fans will just have to watch and wait for now.
Gundam's RX-78-2 Gundam Suit Is Joining The Action
Possibly the most recognizable mech in the series is the one that bears its name. Gundam RX-78-2, most commonly known as simply "Gundam," appears in the classic Mobile Suit Gundam TV series and movies, and was among the first suits shown in the Gundam Evolution trailer. It mostly uses its classic rifle and shield, which it's shown using to protect another mech from harm. It's likely to be a popular choice once the game releases, and although its stats are hard to predict at the moment, it could be a well-balanced fighter with a focus on both offense and defense.
The ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos Appears In Gundam Evolution
Of course, RX-78-2 isn't the only Gundam in the extended universe, as fans know well. ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos joins the fight as well. This suit primarily appears in the Iron Blooded Orphans anime, where it goes through many different forms and upgrades. Judging by the trailer, it looks like the one that appears in the game is the fourth form. IBO is one of Gundam's best alternate universes, so it's no surprise that it appears in the new Gundam Evolution game. It primarily uses a polearm but is also shown using a katana, so all the weapons that this mech will have are unknown.
The MS-06-Zaku II Will Be In Gundam Evolution
The first mech to actually appear in Gundam Evolution's trailer was the MS-06-Zaku II. In most media, it's a very commonly used suit that acts primarily as a grunt unit. It's a versatile mech, so much so that it still sees combat after being outperformed by superior models. That versatility may translate into the new game in the form of a fighter that's something of an all-purpose unit.
In the trailer, the Zaku uses a machine gun to combat other mechs, almost defeating the Gundam Barbatos. How many weapons it will have when the game releases is unknown, but it's possible that it will have more. Beginners to mecha games and anime may benefit from using this mech. Whether it will use explosives, like it's sometimes known to in the various series, remains to be seen.
Gundam Evolution Will Have The MSN-04 Sazabi
The MSN-04 Sazabi appeared in the Char's Counterattack movie, and will now be in Gundam Evolution. Although it's bigger and bulkier than most suits, it's also made of a lighter material, giving it an unexpected amount of agility. Combined, these qualities make it hard to predict what role it will play. It uses a variety of powerful armaments in the trailer, some of which Gundam fans may recognize such as the beam tomahawk.
The RGM-79SP GM Sniper II Is In Gundam Evolution
The RGM-79SP GM Sniper II is yet another of the mobile suits featured in the Gundam Evolution trailer. Just as its name implies, it uses a powerful sniper rifle to pick off enemies, but its other armaments are unknown. It's among the strongest Gundam grunt suits, and will likely take on a long-distance role with weak defenses in the game. Similar to Widowmaker in Overwatch, players will probably want to stay out of the main fight when they're using it.
Fans Might Have Missed The ZGMF-XX09 DOM Trooper
Although it wasn't a focus of the trailer, those who watch carefully will spot the ZGMF-XX09 DOM Trooper. It was used by just three characters in the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny anime. It's strongest when used as a trio, in order to activate its "Screaming Nimbus" attack, but judging by the trailer, it should be just as effective as a solo fighter. It's shown wielding a powerful rocket launcher, which may mean that it's a high-damage mech that may serve as a glass cannon.
The RX-75 Guntank Rolls Into Gundam Evolution
One of the more unorthodox mechs shown in Gundam Evolution's trailer is the RX-75 Guntank. Unlike most, it has treads for legs and guns for hands. It's not Gundam's silliest mobile suit design, but it's also not the most impressive either. This mech isn't shown with any weapons, since it is a weapon in and of itself. It will likely be, as its name implies, a tank, soaking up a lot of damage and keeping the focus off of its teammates.
Tank characters move slowly, but they have high amounts of armor and health, allowing them to take a lot of punishment. Such a role seems to fit the Guntank well, even if it has more weapons than one usually does. It's not a certainty, but the prospect is interesting.
RX-80PR Pale Rider Rides Into Gundam Evolution
Although not appearing in any anime, the RX-80PR Pale Rider will be in Gundam Evolution. It's one of the more sinister mechs, controlled by the HADES system that wrenches control of it from its human pilot. It's not the most powerful or weakest Gundam suit, but it is strong in its own right. It's shown using a powerful machine gun in the trailer, which means that it could be a simple point-and-shoot mech without too many extra frills, like Soldier 76 of Overwatch.
The MSA-005 Methuss Is Coming To Gundam Evolution
The MSA-005 Methuss is a transforming mobile suit from Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. It was the prototype for the line of transforming suits and is a fast and agile mech even in its humanoid form. It's shown wielding twin guns and will likely be a fast and agile fighter designed to get in, deal damage, and get out, similar to Overwatch's Tracer. Its transformation will likely also give it a high degree of maneuverability.
The NRX-044 Asshimar Will Appear In Gundam Evolution
The NRX-044 Asshimar is another transforming mech shown in Gundam Evolution's trailer, and another from Zeta. It was extensively used and is a powerful mech. It's shown using its signature beam rifle in the trailer, as well as flying over the battlefield. Players won't need to know everything about Zeta Gundam order to use it in Evolution, but some research may help them use it effectively.
It looks like players will have a limited time that they can use the transformed mode, so the mech shape will likely be the focus. Its role is difficult to pin down, but it looks like it will be agile and maneuverable. A focus on speed is possible, but not a certainty.
The System-∀ 99 ∀ Gundam Is The Third In Gundam Evolution
The System-∀ 99 ∀ Gundam is another mech that appears in Gundam Evolution. It's from the Turn A Gundam anime and was piloted by Lauren Cehack. It's scarcely shown in combat, but it wields a large hammer-like weapon that looks like it will carry a strong attack. It's tough to say what its role will be in-game, but given its powerful "Moonlight Butterfly" special attack, it could be a devastating force.
It's Easy To Miss The RGM-79 GM In Gundam Evolution's Trailer
The RGM-79 GM is another suit that's tough to spot in Gundam Evolution's trailer. The secret of Gundam's success may lie with the titular mechs that made it famous, but basic models like this are no less powerful. It's a highly adaptable mecha that was mass-produced and wields a variety of weaponry. It's tough to say what role it will play, but it could be an all-around fighter suitable for a wide variety of playstyles.
There will likely be more mecha suits in the game when it releases, and even more than that added afterward, but players can expect a variety while enjoying the game. Due to the large library of suits throughout Gundam's history, the developers are spoiled for choice when it comes to candidates. How many and which ones are impossible to say, but Gundam Evolution hopefully doesn't disappoint longtime fans of the series with the ones it includes.