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We Once Were as One, but Now Nothing Remains

The last few years have seen the launch of numerous Gundam games across a variety of genres. The series has offered its own take on the hero shooter and turn-based tactical strategy genres. It has also returned to the fighting genre while bringing back several familiar and beloved titles. During this renaissance of Gundam games, few titles let fans experience the series’ iconic storyline firsthand.

That’s what makes Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered a standout entry. On one hand, it’s the first game since Code Fairy to offer players a true Gundam story experience from the series. On the other hand, it’s a nostalgic callback to the golden age of Gundam games on the PlayStation 2.

Even in Twilight, the Colors Have all Changed

Battle Destiny Remastered follows the story of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny, the ninth Gundam series and the first set in the Cosmic Era (C.E.) timeline. In this world, humanity is split between Naturals, humans born without genetic modification, and Coordinators, who are genetically enhanced and live primarily in space. This tension erupts into war between the Earth Alliance, a coalition of Earth-based nations, and the PLANTs, space colonies represented politically and militarily by the ZAFT organization.

Your feelings about the story and overall experience will largely depend on whether you enjoyed Gundam SEED. Personally, I appreciated the series for capturing the spirit of classic Gundam while expanding its world-building. It offered a more nuanced take on political factions, without losing the franchise’s defining themes. At the same time, it reimagined some of the original series’ most iconic moments with fresh impact. Battle Destiny Remastered lets players engage in this conflict as either a Natural or Coordinator, choosing to fight for the Alliance, ZAFT, or the Three Ships Alliance.

Tell me the Reason, I Gave You my Hand

Battle Destiny Remastered‘s gameplay mechanics are on par with those of other modern Gundam titles. Players pilot a mobile suit into battle, supported by a companion unit. Combat is split between ground-based and space battles, each offering distinct challenges and gameplay experiences. After each mission, players will earn XP and additional credit to boost their mobile suits. However, not all mobile suits are suited for every terrain, so it helps to be familiar with the different units available and to equally upgrade them. At the same time, each mobile suit performs differently depending on whether the player is a Natural or a Coordinator.

Each mission is based on a key moment from the series but is adapted to reflect the player’s faction. For example, during the first mission at the Battle of Heliopolis, you’ll either help ZAFT forces escape with their mobile suits or try to stop them. Later, at the Battle of JOSH-A, players must choose whether to remain with their current faction or join the Three Ships Alliance. This decision changes the mission setup and the available playable units. Regardless of the path chosen, players are rewarded with new characters and mobile suits for completing each mission.

Combat combines hack-and-slash / melee with ranged weaponry, requiring players to skillfully balance both styles. This isn’t one of those Gundam games where you can fall back on a single style. Players will need to develop multiple strategies depending on the setting and situation. There is also a variety of ranged weapons, including machine guns, rocket launchers, sniper rifles, and plasma weapons. This requires upgrading the key aspects of your preferred mobile suit. Besides weapon enhancements, you’ll also need to balance armor, speed, and the duration of your boosts.

Soon Your Heart will be Cold

Right away, you’ll notice how impressive the game looks for a remaster of a PlayStation Portable title. Neither the gameplay mechanics nor the visual details suggest it originally launched on a handheld system. Every aspect of the original game appears to have been recreated from scratch, while the audio and gameplay have been refined to meet modern standards. You’d be forgiven for thinking this was a remaster of an early PS3 or even a late PS2 game.

SEED Battle Destiny Remastered is a game you’ll likely enjoy if you’re a fan of the Cosmic Era timeline. The story closely follows the anime while adapting key events based on the faction you choose to support. It doesn’t just respect the source material, it also delivers plenty of fan service. Players can fight alongside their favorite characters and pilot over 100 mobile suits featured in Gundam SEED. So don’t go in expecting to pilot a Zaku.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered reminds me just how much I miss the golden age of Gundam games. This era—spanning from 1999 to 2008—delivered a wide variety of memorable titles. From PS2 classics like Journey to Jaburo and Zeonic Front to Dreamcast gems like Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes. Each game let us step into the role of either a beloved character or a new recruit supporting our heroes. The original SEED Battle Destiny arrived at the tail end of this era, yet it still incorporated many of the defining elements that made those games special. That’s why the remaster does such a great job of evoking that period for me.

You’ll be Drifting Astray

As I mentioned earlier, you wouldn’t immediately guess that Battle Destiny is a remaster of a PSP game. However, the level design becomes a clear giveaway after a few hours of playing. While most of the levels look good on the surface, they lack anything truly interesting or unique in the details. Most stages reuse a handful of templates, resulting in worlds that feel repetitive and uninspired. This is especially noticeable in urban levels, where buildings can’t be destroyed and pose no real threat or interaction for the player. The only exception are the space levels, which actually do look stunning.

But don’t let this one shortcoming stop you from giving Battle Destiny Remastered a chance. If Gundam SEED is your favorite series, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy what this game has to offer.

A White Lie of Promise

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered isn’t just a treat for fans of the Cosmic Era, it’s also a nostalgic callback to the Gundam games of the 2000s. Players can relive the stories of Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny from multiple perspectives, all while commanding a rich roster of mobile suits and characters from the C.E. timeline.

If you haven’t watched Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, the series is available on Crunchyroll and free to watch on GundamInfo, the official YouTube channel of the Gundam franchise.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Battle Destiny Remastered (PC)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• Relive the story of Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny from different perspectives.
• An impressive looking game for a remaster of a PSP game.
• It recaptures the feeling of the Gundam games from the 2000s.
• A rich rooster of mobile suits and characters from the Cosmic Era timeline.

Cons

• Most of the levels use the same template with little uniqueness.