Bandai Namco is preparing to launch Gundam Rogue Orbit, a new title designed to offer a modern take on the colossal robot fighting genre, aiming to appeal to both new players and seasoned Gundam enthusiasts. Producers Yuya Tomiyama and Serizawa Yoshiyuku discussed the challenges of developing a game that respects the franchise's legacy while forging a new path.
"Creating an action game and making it a Gundam game was the hardest part to be honest," stated Tomiyama. The team focused on realism and player experience, striving to make combat feel authentic without alienating the core identity of Gundam. This involved finding a delicate balance to ensure the game functions as an engaging action title while remaining true to its Gundam roots.
The gameplay loop in Gundam Rogue Orbit involves selecting and customizing mobile suits before deploying them into missions. Players engage in combat, dismantle enemy weak points, and utilize a variety of normal and special moves. Tactical abilities allow for evasive maneuvers or high-speed melee attacks. Between missions, players can learn from their experiences to refine their strategies and loadouts.
Combat is characterized as brutal and dynamic, shifting between ranged and melee engagements on both land and in the air. The sense of scale is a key design element, with developers aiming to make players feel the weight and gravity of piloting an 18-meter mobile suit. "We wanted the players to feel the scale of the 18-meter Gundam unit," Tomiyama explained, a goal he believes the team achieved.
Beyond gameplay mechanics, Gundam Rogue Orbit introduces original mobile suit designs exclusive to the game. Yoshiyuki noted that these suits are more organic and streamlined than their anime counterparts, allowing for greater detail and more complex functionalities that would be difficult to realize in animation. "We actually managed to create a mobile suit that can be used only within the game," he said.
The game's narrative aims to draw in newcomers by focusing on the human aspect of the Gundam universe. This story is part of a larger multimedia project that includes an upcoming animation and model kit. "A good narrative can support all that combat," Yoshiyuki commented, emphasizing the original story's potential to explore character relationships and personal struggles, allowing players to connect with the narrative on a personal level.
Bandai Namco hopes Gundam Rogue Orbit will attract a new audience unfamiliar with the franchise. "We hope they will try the game so that they can immerse themselves in the story line, and, like us, they can love Gundam a bit more," said Yoshiyuki.
Gundam Rogue Orbit is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on March 5, 2027.