Super Robot Wars 30

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,389 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Super Robot Wars 30 Game Cover
Even after 30 years, this venerable series still brings the magic.
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"Super Robot Wars 30" is a single-player Science Fiction Turn-Based Strategy game with delightful mechanics, pretty visuals, and ingenious music. The game features an intriguing story, with the Deluxe Edition including a Season Pass for two DLC packs, early access, and special missions. The Ultimate Edition expands on this with additional content. However, be prepared for some grinding in this wholesome experience.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,389 reviews
story97 positive mentions
grinding29 negative mentions
  • The game features a vast roster of mecha from various anime series, providing a nostalgic experience for fans.
  • The combat animations are beautifully done, enhancing the overall enjoyment of battles.
  • The new mission selection system allows for a more open-ended gameplay experience, giving players the freedom to choose their path.
  • The game can be too easy, even on higher difficulty settings, which may disappoint veteran players looking for a challenge.
  • Some animations feel rushed or lack depth compared to previous entries in the series.
  • The localization includes some awkward dialogue changes that may detract from the original intent of the characters.
  • story585 mentions

    The story in "Super Robot Wars 30" is a complex and often convoluted blend of various mecha anime narratives, resulting in a fanfiction-like experience that can be both entertaining and confusing. While the non-linear mission structure allows players to choose their path and explore character interactions, many reviewers noted that the plot lacks depth and coherence, often feeling like a collection of disjointed segments rather than a cohesive narrative. Despite its shortcomings, the game offers a wealth of content and character interactions that may appeal to dedicated fans of the genre.

    • “The story is enjoyable and doesn’t feel like filler.”
    • “The story does a superb job of weaving together different universes into a cohesive plot.”
    • “The writing tries to cram in as many plot beats from its source material as possible, so expect extremely long intros for most missions, sometimes up to 20 minutes of cutscenes.”
    • “The story overall is just an excuse to get certain characters to interact with one another, and players are only going to get value out of these character interactions if they’ve watched the anime they are from.”
    • “The plot is something of a whirlwind of different mecha anime plots all spun together into something messy but fun.”
  • gameplay158 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its addictive turn-based mechanics and engaging character progression, while others criticize it for being overly simplistic and repetitive. Many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and the variety of mechs, but note that the removal of certain mechanics from previous titles has led to a less strategic experience. Overall, it offers a solid foundation for newcomers, though veterans may find it lacking in depth compared to earlier entries in the series.

    • “The gameplay loop is surprisingly addictive, and I have to tear myself away from playing more of the game when I need to end a session.”
    • “The gameplay is superb and well balanced as you build up your experience.”
    • “Solid gameplay, excellent world building, and many memorable moments.”
    • “Gameplay mechanics are removed (combinations/transformations).”
    • “The gameplay is a nonsense with some pilots at level 200, raising levels by 5+ at once.”
    • “The game suffers from insanely cringe dialogue from uninteresting characters, with really boring gameplay that gets old very fast, along with repetitive animations.”
  • music133 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising the nostalgic remixes of classic anime themes and the option to customize tracks for different units and actions. However, some users expressed disappointment over the absence of iconic songs in the base game and the limited nature of the music DLC, which often features only instrumental versions of tracks. Overall, while the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience, players recommend investing in the premium music pack for a more fulfilling auditory experience.

    • “All your favorite mecha from all your favorite anime, piloted by all your favorite characters, wrapped up in a strategy game package with awesome music and sick animated fight scenes that pay homage to the source material.”
    • “The music is superb, featuring a variety of great original tracks and slightly reprised themes of classic mechas that are loyal while still fitting the game.”
    • “The remixed theme music from each anime series brings my nostalgic joy like no other.”
    • “Don't even bother without the music DLC; it makes all the difference in the world.”
    • “You might think they would include complete songs in the pack, but no, they just put the first part of the respective songs and loop it indefinitely.”
    • “The music track for each mech series is pretty awful, even though I am aware you can find and put in your own music, but still, I shouldn't have to do that.”
  • graphics40 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally praised for their vibrant 2D art styles and impressive animations that stay true to the source material, creating a nostalgic experience for fans. However, some players criticize the 3D elements as underwhelming and the overall visual presentation as inconsistent, with noticeable differences in quality between main characters and background elements. While the aesthetics are celebrated, there are calls for improvements in the user interface and graphical polish to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The contrasts are obvious, with characters drawn exactly in their art styles from their respective source material, but those clashes and contrasts are truly what make this game special to me.”
    • “A mix of old and new faces, and some of the most amazing 2D graphics there are, with a sprinkling of 3D here and there. This is a monumental inclusion into the franchise.”
    • “Attacks are beautifully animated with art styles and even frame-rate adjustments to stay loyal to the source material.”
    • “To be honest, graphics and gameplay system are outdated.”
    • “Graphics are not impressive whatsoever, even for SRW, but I am more than happy to finally get a US release so I'll support it anyway.”
    • “This is mostly an issue of the visual novel sections being minimalistic in its visuals with zero voice acting whatsoever, as well as the combat map overworld being very simplistic, low resolution in its textures, and completely barren in animations for enemies and allies.”
  • grinding30 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it tedious and time-consuming, others appreciate the option to grind for resources and character upgrades through repeatable missions and an auto-battle system. Many reviewers note that grinding is not strictly necessary to progress, as the game is designed to be beginner-friendly, allowing players to enjoy the story without excessive grinding. However, for those who enjoy it, there are ample opportunities to farm for experience and resources, making it a flexible experience depending on player preference.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
    • “It just feels tedious, and it has been that problem which has made me take nearly 3 years to beat the game.”
    • “There’s fun to be had here but I’d almost advise people to play the game with long breaks because it can become tedious quickly.”
    • “A lot of the mechs don't have their full attack set or they are using an older mech, so they make you fulfill conditions like killing a certain amount of enemies to unlock a special stage or their newer mech. This I think is an attempt to pad out the game time but makes it so grindy.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    The game boasts strong replayability due to its branching mission paths, adjustable difficulty levels, and a variety of hidden units and endings. While some players note that the lack of route splits can limit exploration in a single playthrough, the overall design encourages multiple runs with different choices and strategies. The combination of engaging storylines and well-crafted gameplay elements ensures that players will find plenty of reasons to revisit the game.

    • “Strong replay value with the branching/locking mission paths and a wealth of hidden recruitable units, along with a good old-fashioned secret real ending.”
    • “It can be as easy or as difficult as you'd like with the adjustable difficulty level, and different routes and teams give it strong replay value.”
    • “Game has a lot of replay value with alternate routes and story that can change based on who you choose as your protagonist.”
    • “My biggest gripe with the game, but even then it isn't all that major, is that the lack of route splits hurts the replayability since you can more or less play through all of the stages of the game in a single run, which means there are whole parts of the game that are otherwise missed.”
    • “Previous entries have left me wanting in this department, usually depending on route splits or route-specific units to create replayability.”
    • “The fact that there are multiple branching paths also adds to the replayability tenfold; and the DLC just stacks upon that even more.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is a blend of clever character interactions across different franchises and amusing design choices, such as unconventional button assignments that lead to comical mishaps. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and character moments, which resonate well with both newcomers and long-time fans, while the voice acting adds an extra layer of humor. Overall, the game is filled with entertaining moments, though some bugs and dialogue errors contribute to its quirky charm.

    • “The writing hits a sweet spot where somebody new to them can appreciate these characters interacting, but long-time fans are rewarded by their characters being well represented and interacting with characters from entirely different series in logical and hilarious ways.”
    • “I'm not even to the nu gundam yet but so far I haven't gotten tired of the animations, character interactions, or the hilariously scatterbrained story.”
    • “It's loaded with humor.”
  • optimization9 mentions

    Overall, the optimization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback. While some players appreciate the addition of a new customization system that enhances performance, others feel that the gameplay lacks depth, allowing for easy progression without much need for optimization. Additionally, concerns were raised about the value of certain mechs in relation to their performance and cost.

    • “When the performance point or stamina pilot drops to a certain point, it will decrease their effectiveness on the battlefield.”
    • “They need to rest or not be played on certain missions to recover their performance points or stamina.”
    • “The addition of the AOS system provides a new layer of customization and performance enhancements for the game.”
    • “On normal difficulty, you can more or less steamroll with your unit upgrades; there's no need to perform much optimization.”
    • “Sakura Wars took 5 mechs' place, but their performance (mech power, cutscenes, art & story) is totally not worth the price.”
    • “I guess from an optimization perspective.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt character interactions and the nostalgic charm of its storytelling, despite some graphical inconsistencies. Players appreciate the blend of fun and emotional depth, particularly in how the characters engage with one another, making the experience both enjoyable and thought-provoking. However, the presence of outdated graphics for some elements detracts from the overall emotional immersion.

    • “Yes, it's silly, but it's also fun, heartfelt, and feels in character watching all these characters bounce off each other in different ways under the circumstances.”
    • “This game made me feel both right and wrong to support it.”
    • “The best visual novel about robots having emotional issues I have ever played.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for being lacking, as players feel that many characters do not feel integrated into the group, leading to a preference for certain characters over others despite their underdevelopment. The overall aesthetic, including character designs and animations, is noted to be better than the character development itself, with some characters being described as unoriginal or annoying.

    • “From the character designs, the animations, and the music, the overall aesthetic of SRW 30 is nothing to scoff at.”
    • “This means that despite the fact they are inherently crippled in their ability to 'feel part of the group', since the game doesn't develop them as characters, I still preferred to bring Kallen, Leecee, Chirico, Kyosuke, Ryusei, Mikazuki, Irm, and Kusuha to tag along with mains like Van, because they were just far more fun to play with and imagine interactions with Van than... Ernie from Knights & Magic, a character designed to be an annoying Mary Sue.”
    • “It's a horrible mediocre anime with dumb mecha designs, awful character designs, and absolutely atrocious dialogue.”
    • “The character design of AOS survivors is not worthy of feature titles such as Gundam and Mazinger-Z that are classics in the robot sub-genre of anime.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization in the game has been criticized for feeling like a cash grab, with downgraded animations and a level structure seemingly designed to promote DLC sales. However, some elements, like the rabbits that help clear ads and assist in battles, are seen as a positive addition.

    • “I didn't like this game at first; it felt like a cheap cash grab with downgraded animations and a bizarre level structure that existed only to sling DLC.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, users report a mix of experiences regarding stability; while some have encountered minor glitches, most agree that significant issues have been addressed and the game runs smoothly without crashes. However, there are lingering concerns about potential bugs at launch and varying expectations.

    • “It's just not a good idea - maybe it'll turn out to be completely different from what you expected, or buggy as all get-out on launch, or just plain bad.”
    • “Outside of some minor glitches (like red 5 disappearing for half of my game), the game ran issue free.”
    • “People complain about glitches but those have already been corrected.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

Buy Super Robot Wars 30

Play time

113hMedian play time
77hAverage play time
3-150hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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