Parents' Guide to Gundam Evolution

Game Xbox One , Xbox Series X/S , PlayStation 5 , PlayStation 4 , Windows 2022
The cover art of Gundam Evolution, showing An array of human-piloted robots called "Gundams" standing against a backdrop of Earth.

Common Sense Media Review

Joey Thurmond By Joey Thurmond , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Fun team shooter needs more content, fixes for progression.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Gundam Evolution Trailer
  • A preview of an animation players can purchase for a particular Gundam unit.
  • A player morphs into a ship form to fly over the battlefield on the moon.
  • A player fires an energy rifle into an enemy Gundam as a teammate flanks on the left.

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's It About?

Beyond descriptions of Gundam units' technical specifications and loadouts, GUNDAM EVOLUTION doesn't have a story. The game pits two factions against each other known as Spacenoids (human pilots from space colonies across the galaxy) and Earthnoids (human pilots born on Earth). Unlike other multiplayer shooters this title is inspired by, there's no additional backstory elements regarding the game itself. Players will select their robots, pick the units with the capabilities that they like, then pit them against opponents to see which team comes out on top.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

While this title tries to capitalize on the concept of the "hero shooter," its lack of content and microtransactions keeps it from standing out. In Gundam Evolution, your controls are conveniently consistent across the entire roster of Gundam units, even while weapons and abilities vary wildly. Some have long- or close-range energy firearms, while others have hammers and staffs for melee combat. A few units have healing or explosive equipment, but their ranges and effectiveness suit differing scenarios. No matter which character you pick, it's encouraged that you're familiar with each one so you can not only provide the support your team needs, but also capitalize on enemy weaknesses. The modes are objective based (rather than solely focused on kill counts) on defending or destroying enemy caches in the Destruction mode, or capturing specific areas across maps in the Domination mode. For a free game, the three core modes are good fun, stacked on top of 12 free characters that all feel good to play as with smooth aiming and straightforward controls.

This is a live-service title that will evolve in time, but as it stands, it's struggling. The Gundam units' strengths and weaknesses don't carry enough weight to feel like changing characters will shift the tides of victory or dynamics of teamwork in notable ways. Character mobility also doesn't factor enough into strategic play with a paltry three maps that aren't memorable. The game's glaring issues arise in its digital economy and leveling systems. New characters and most desirable cosmetics are locked behind loot boxes, microtransactions, and a season pass. Many challenges are not only kept behind this pass, but are also timed and restrictive so that you can only complete so many, or kept from completing more, while other bundles have ridiculous prices attached. Gundam Evolution has a lot to work out with its game balancing, amount of content, and progression, but could morph into something truly special with its fun gameplay and assortment of characters.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about teamwork and communication. How can you keep a level head when the game isn't going well? What are some ways you can coordinate and strategize with friends (even strangers!) by using in-game voice commands or your own voice? How can you protect yourself from being bullied by strangers online?

  • When you're bombarded with temptations to buy digital items and currency, are you being careful with your money? How can you practice self-control when you buy something? If a game is asking a lot of you for something, should you take time to earn it, buy it, or skip it?

Game Details

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The cover art of Gundam Evolution, showing An array of human-piloted robots called "Gundams" standing against a backdrop of Earth.

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