Super Robot Wars 30

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,784 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

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,784 reviews
story195 positive mentions
grinding58 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 excitement of battles.
  • The open mission structure allows players to choose their path, adding replayability and flexibility.
  • The game can feel repetitive due to a lack of variety in mission objectives and enemy types.
  • Some animations and character interactions feel rushed or underdeveloped compared to previous entries in the series.
  • The difficulty level is generally low, making it less challenging for veteran players.
  • story1,172 mentions

    The story in "Super Robot Wars 30" is a complex and often convoluted mashup of various mecha anime narratives, which some players find engaging while others see it as a disjointed fanfiction. The non-linear mission structure allows players to choose their path, but this freedom can lead to a lack of narrative cohesion, with many characters and plotlines introduced without sufficient development. Overall, while the game offers a wealth of content and character interactions, the storytelling is criticized for being overly lengthy and sometimes lacking depth, making it feel more like a collection of missions than a cohesive narrative.

    • “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 game has an original story line that ties together crossroads from all the mechas as they solve the catastrophes in each of their own universes.”
    • “30 has you just as a runaway, and the story itself just kind of there with the stories not really making sense.”
    • “Expect to spend a lot of your time not really understanding what's going on in the story anyway, as the game takes a 'yes' approach to all its source animes' canon, and tries to smoosh characters from different franchises awkwardly into a shared universe.”
    • “Additionally, the main story is scattered and non-linear, similar to the less engaging storytelling of SD Gundam, making the game’s plot feel disjointed and confusing.”
  • gameplay317 mentions

    The gameplay of the latest entry in the series is a mix of turn-based strategy and RPG elements, featuring a straightforward mechanics system that is accessible to newcomers but may feel repetitive to veterans. While the combat animations are praised for their quality, many players find the overall gameplay to lack depth and challenge, with some mechanics removed from previous titles leading to a more monotonous experience. Despite these criticisms, fans of the genre and franchise appreciate the nostalgic elements and character interactions, making it enjoyable for those who are invested in the mecha anime universe.

    • “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.”
    • “The story and gameplay are amazing; if you are a mecha fan, this is a must play.”
    • “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.”
    • “The whole gameplay generally is quite boring and easy (expert mode), I would recommend not going for 100% upgrade for more challenging enemy.”
  • music267 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the nostalgic remixes of classic anime themes and the option to customize tracks for different units and actions. However, some players expressed disappointment over the absence of iconic unit-specific songs in the base game and the limited nature of the music DLC, which often features only instrumental versions. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received, the need for additional purchases to access the full experience has been a point of contention among fans.

    • “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 looped 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.”
  • graphics82 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally praised for their vibrant 2D art styles and character designs that stay true to their original anime sources, creating a nostalgic appeal for fans. However, some players criticize the 3D graphics as underwhelming and simplistic, with noticeable inconsistencies in quality, particularly when comparing main robots to other characters. Overall, while the aesthetics and animations are appreciated, there are mixed feelings about the graphical fidelity and interface usability.

    • “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), and some accompanying music tracks, 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.”
  • grinding60 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 character upgrades and resources through repeatable missions and an auto-battle system. Many reviews suggest that grinding is not strictly necessary to progress, as players can complete the game without it, but those who enjoy grinding for big numbers may find it rewarding. Overall, the game offers a balance between main missions and side activities, allowing players to choose their preferred pace.

    • “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 a move, which I think is an attempt to pad out the game time but makes it so grindy.”
  • replayability34 mentions

    The game boasts strong replayability due to its branching mission paths, adjustable difficulty, and a variety of hidden recruitable units, allowing players to experience different routes and outcomes. While some reviewers noted a lack of route splits that could limit exploration in a single playthrough, the overall design and non-linear storytelling contribute significantly to its replay value. Many players praised the game as one of the best in its series, highlighting the depth and quality of its content.

    • “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. 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.”
  • humor28 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with characters from various franchises interacting in amusing and unexpected ways, often referencing each other's stories. Players appreciate the comedic writing and voice acting, which adds a layer of charm, though some find the design choices and dialogue errors unintentionally funny. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging gameplay, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and long-time fans.

    • “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.”
    • “It's loaded with humor.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization18 mentions

    Overall, the optimization in 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 players to easily succeed without much need for optimization. Additionally, concerns were raised about the value of certain mechs in relation to their performance and cost.

    • “The addition of the AOS system provides a new layer of customization and performance enhancements for the game.”
    • “From an optimization perspective, the game offers various ways to enhance unit performance.”
    • “On normal difficulty, you can more or less steamroll with your unit upgrades, with little need for extensive optimization.”
    • “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, and story) are totally not worth the price.”
    • “I guess from an optimization perspective.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt character interactions and the fun, albeit silly, scenarios that unfold, making players feel a strong connection to the story. However, some players express mixed feelings about the game's visual quality, particularly the contrast between high-definition main robots and pixelated assets, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, it is praised as a compelling visual novel that effectively explores emotional themes through its robotic characters.

    • “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 development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for being lacking, as many characters feel underdeveloped and fail to create meaningful connections within the group. Despite this, players still find certain characters more enjoyable to engage with than others, indicating that fun gameplay can sometimes compensate for poor character depth. Overall, the aesthetic elements of the game are appreciated, but they do not elevate the character development, which remains a significant drawback.

    • “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.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling it resembles a cash grab due to downgraded animations and a level structure seemingly designed to promote DLC sales. However, certain elements, like the rabbits that help clear ads and assist in gameplay, have been viewed positively by some users. Overall, the monetization approach has sparked criticism for its perceived exploitation while also incorporating features that enhance the gaming experience.

    • “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.”
  • stability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability has improved significantly since launch, with many initial glitches now corrected. While some users still report minor issues, such as temporary visual glitches, the majority experience a smooth gameplay without crashes or major bugs.

    • “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 4 analyzed playthroughs

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