Gundam Musou 3 (ガンダム無双3 Gandamu Musō Surī, Known in its US release as Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 ) is the third title within the Dynasty Warriors Gundam series. Unlike the first two titles, this game strives for a cel-animation motif and is created to look more like the anime series. Visuals are completely revamped with brighter and flashier effects. The producer remarks these measures were taken due to fan response, hoping to create a title appealing to more Gundam fans. It was developed by Koei & Omega Force and published by Namco Bandai, and the sequel to 2008's Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2.[1]
Early buyers of the game can earn a download password to make Musha Gundam and Musha Gundam Mk-II playable in the game during its earlier stages.
Differences from prior games[]
From previous Dynasty Warriors titles, Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3 follows in the style of previous Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors games as an action-oriented hack and slash with some tactical elements. However, both Dynasty Warriors: Gundam games have unique gameplay mechanics and twists that set them apart from the core Dynasty Warriors series. The greatest of these is the core content: rather than using characters and story from the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the games draw their material from across the various Mobile Suit Gundam anime series. Another change is the player's choice of pilots and mecha independent of each other, allowing the ability to use any combination of man and machine.
There are also changes in gameplay: players are given more ranged combat options than in other Dynasty Warriors games, although melee combat is still the focus of the game. Units in Dynasty Warriors: Gundam are much more mobile, using their thrusters to dash, jump in mid-air, and (for some) even fly.
From previous Dynasty Warriors: Gundam titles[]
Screenshots and promotional renders for the game showed a new, cel-shaded graphical style that brings the series visually closer to its animated roots, along with a new streamlined HUD that minimizes screen clutter. A brief article from Siliconera also revealed that the enemy AI (a commonly criticized weak point in the Dynasty Warriors franchise) has been revamped, with enemy units now gaining the ability to reinforce and support each other in combat. It has also been revealed that Original mode has been put back in the game along with several teams already revealed (Amuro, Setsuna, Kou, and Kira).[2] Furthermore, the story of this game for all the characters is now set upon an unknown planet, where many people will cross their paths with each other with some interesting plot twists. The Original Japanese Audio Soundtracks returns, after being absent from Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 English version.
Several gameplay elements introduced in Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2 have been removed. The space-based levels, battlegrounds fought in space rather than on a surface, have been removed and replaced with terrestrial out-of-atmosphere battlegrounds, which allow the Zeong to remain a playable/fightable unit. Ship and Mobile Armor encampments have been removed, with the players' Headquarters now being a fixed point on the map. The amount of Mobile armors in the game has been greatly reduced to an occasional instance rather than a recurring boss battle. Finally, the Smash Attack (With the Square Button being pressed and held down) has been eliminated from the game. Instead, all Mobile Suits can now fight Mobile Armors with regular attacks, requiring to fill up the Chance Gauge until it turns red, and use all the special attacks to cripple and finish them off.
New Features & Gameplay[]
- Basic controls remain the same as previous titles. Duels -when two mechas simultaneously clash their weapons in a deadlock- are still done like Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2.
- Missions tend to be timed to be much shorter than the older titles, ranging from a maximum of five or fifteen minutes. Time can be increased by completing objectives or capturing fields. The longer times continue to exist most of the time for story missions.
- Many non-license mobile suits from the previous game have been upgraded into fully-capable license mobile suits. Although licenses must be purchased for any pilot to use these, their battle capabilities are more on-par with the main mobile suits of the game.
- Enemy AI for crowds is much more aggressive than before as far as difficulty. Even the weakest of Mobile Suits will use Charge Attacks against the player. This makes capturing and defending Fields on the map a crucial factor for the player's survival and victory. The mecha has been tweaked and fine-tuned to be practical to the standards set within the anime series.
- When players fight through enemies, often they will encounter a situation where they either block or get hit by an attack. This title seeks to add diversity by implementing an "Emergency Dash" system. If the player times their dash moments before they are hit, their character will perform a special evasive maneuver to get them out of danger. Emergency dashes drain a portion of a MS's Boost gauge, however, so players need to use these escapes with caution only.
- When the player finishes off an enemy character with a SP or charge attack, the defeated MS may explode and damage nearby enemy units. The effect can be identified by a unique pink explosion.
- The forces gauge in the upper right-hand corner has the ability to affect the player. Theoretically, as long as it has troops, defeated ace pilots may continue to revive themselves in battle. When a unit takes damage with the forces gauge still filled, there is a chance they may regenerate health from hits. They can gradually regenerate purple marked health unless they are shot down. When the forces gauge drops to zero, the player may experience a sudden change in the battle's behavior. Depending on how the player chooses to play the stage, it may make it deliberately harder or change their current mission entirely.
- This time, when the enemy pilot who is the "final boss" of the stage appears, the action on the map will momentarily pause to emphasize their arrival on the field. If the player doesn't want to keep defeating the same opponents over and over again, it might be in their best interest to take the ace down.
- Stage BGMs feature a reactive soundtrack, with the tone of the song changing to suit the state of gameplay at any given time.
- Mobile Armors now have a tougher defense and come with a new feature for defeating them called the "Chance Gauge". The idea is to pummel the mecha repeatedly in order to fill up the meter located beside the mecha's name. When the gauge is filled, the player will then have a chance to cripple the giant and hit designated spots for critical damage. Mobile Armors will still lose armor as the player hits it, but getting the Chance Gauge filled is ideal for quickly taking them down and locating its weak spots.
- Fields have been updated with several new features. These instances are marked with special icons while entering a field.
- Missile Base - launches a destructive missile to blow up another field, marked on the game's mini map. If it's an enemy base, conquering the field can disrupt the order.
- Communications Facility - if the building is present, the field will continue to summon reinforcements on the map for whichever side has it under their control.
- Vanguard/Advanced Base - if the field is subdued with this active, their Partner Gauge will gradually increase.
- Catapult - any field with a catapult allows the player to instantly travel to another field on the map. The player may occasionally have the option to choose which particular field they want to hop into.
- Fortress - makes forces harder to decrease when present on field.
- Mobile Suits Factory - claiming a field with this facility will slowly restore the army forces gauge.
- Repair Hangar - restores the armor gauge for all ally pilots.
- Newtype Laboratory - strengthens ally army.
- Home Base - a star icon is for the player's forces while the winged icon represents the station for enemy troops. When the pivotal position is taken down, the morale for the affected side will drop instantly to zero.
- A new attack feature for this title is the "Partner Strike", where players can order a secondary pilot to accompany them into battle. To order a partner to attack, the player needs to sacrifice a portion of the Partner's respective CP gauge. Partners can be chosen by players before they enter the battlefield. The Partner's Gauge can be refilled by destroying other MS or by conquering fields. Partner Strikes fall into one of seven categories:
Partner type | Function | Example pilots |
---|---|---|
Funnel | Newtype pilots support the player with their funnels. | Amuro (Nu Gundam), Haman (Qubeley) |
Rush | Partner attacks a group of enemies in front of player with physical attacks. | Master Asia (Master Gundam), Kamille (Zeta Gundam) |
Screw | The partner's attacks draws enemies closer to player. | Duo (Gundam Deathscythe Hell), Full Frontal (Sinanju) |
Lock on | Partner will target the precise enemy the player is confronting. | Heero (Gundam Wing Zero), Setsuna (00 Raiser) |
Special | Partner restores morale gauge or heals the player's lost Armor. | Cecily (Gundam F91), Sochie (Kapool) |
Assist | Moving around the player in a unique manner, the partner then targets nearby foes. | Trowa (Gundam Heavyarms Kai), Emma (Gundam Mk-II) |
Wide Range | All out, powerful attack that hits enemies in a wide radius. | Four (Psycho Gundam), Dozle (Big Zam) |
- Although a minor feature, the player can also see their mission navigator, or Operator, before a battle begins. As they progress through missions, players may earn characters to act as the partner and can change them at will.
- The customization feature of the game is replaced with the "Design Plans," which is a return to the first game's method of strengthening MS. As opposed to just increasing the parameters of parts, the player may obtain designs from enemies that can lead to changing and improving the structure of the MS itself. Players may then boost select parameters of their MS. Within each parameter lies the "Upgrade Slot," which is where the designs the player obtains are uploaded. Plans can be obtained in the same manner as Parts in the previous title. The best structure node for each MS continues to be rank 4, which still needs special missions to unlock.
- Upgrading remains relatively the same except players can only adjust a single stat. Three to four attachments, or special abilities, can also be grafted onto each Mobile Suit.
- Players can also earn multiple versions of the same Mobile Suit, meaning they can experiment with different Attachments and Plans to their liking more than once.
- Unlike previous titles, every action needed for customizing their Mobile Suits requires a monetary fee. Players can gain money by completing missions or by selling unneeded designs in the Shop.
- Gold can also be used to help the player's character. If desired, the player may participate in special Training missions with a monetary fee. These sessions may instantly level up their characters without having to participate in a Mission. Skills are bought within a shop this time as well, letting the player choose specific skills they wish to purchase and learn. Licenses are available for purchase in the Shop, as long as the player can afford them and has played over five missions in that Mobile Suit.
- Downloadable content is planned and still in the works at this stage. Permission to download certain pilots may be determined by the endings the player receives in Story Mode.
Modes[]
The Story Mode—An anagram of the previous two games, the Story Mode acts as both the Original Mission Mode and the Official Mode in the game by offering various types of missions. Its original story is similar to the first title with characters participating in one of four basic arcs on a mysterious world. They are:
- Those who Understand (わかり合う者たち, Wakariau Monotachi) - Amuro Ray, Kou Uraki, Setsuna F. Seiei and others are separated from their comrades. They join forces to find their respective friends. Whilst finding other stranded pilots, they encounter a planetary mystery and work together to solve it.
- Those who Doubt (疑う者たち, Utagau Monotachi) - Banagher Links, Char Aznable, Ribbons Almark and others deal with challenging their perceptions of their own abilities. Seeking to test their power against unknown opponents, they encounter several dangers whilst trying to solve their inner dilemmas.
- Those who Pass By (すれ違う者たち, Surechigau Monotachi) - Audrey Burne, Haman Karn, Paptimus Scirocco and others have Audrey being saved by Garrod Ran. She soon discovers his comrade in arms is Scirocco, who is well aware of Audrey's real identity. Using her name as a means to perpetuate war, Audrey seeks Haman's help. With pilots choosing to join the princess or the manipulator, the story is a battle between Haman and Scirocco.
- Those who Fight (戦う者たち, Tatakau Monotachi) - Full Frontal, Treize Khushrenada, Anavel Gato and others have their own individual objectives and don't question the morality of war. They attack the other forces while staying true to their own beliefs.
Finishing other story modes or other missions are needed to unlock chapters in either arc. As the player finishes each story, the final acts to wrap up the conflicts between the forces emerge. The three conclusions are named For Peace (平和のために, Heiwa no Tameni), For Victory (勝利のために, Shouri no Tameni), and For Reform (革新のために, Kakushin no Tameni).
Other mission categories include:
- History Missions - reenacts events of the original Gundam series for the cast. Unlike previous titles, these type of missions are available for the Universal Century based story arcs, and alternate universes (Wing, X, G, Turn A, Seed Destiny and Double O).
- Collection Missions - lets players seek designs for a category of MS, such as Zeon types, red colored MS, etc.
- Memorial Missions - when the player has shot down 10,000 or so MS, these type of missions appear. They allow the player to obtain rare Plans for their MS or rare Pilot Skills.
- Challenge Missions - difficult tasks for the player to put their skills to the test.
- Friendship Missions - opens the door for meeting other pilots by categorizing various characters into select missions. The players can choose to only fight alongside women, Mobile Fighters, or other such types of groups.
- Relation Missions - missions that boost the player's relationship rating with other pilots.
- Special Missions - if the player is low on Gold, they might want to partake in these missions to get more.
- Download Missions - the location for downloadable missions in the game.
Relationships are built in tiers (level 1~5) and building friendships with other characters has the ability to affect the player's character. When a character reaches a specific level of friendship, it can unlock new Partners, power up the character's MS, or allow more Operators for the player's character to select. The specific characters who affect these changes are shown as icons on the Relationship Level chart for the player's character. Additionally, creating various friendships is needed to unlock new missions.
There are over 300 different missions in this mode.
Online[]
This mode has four player online co-op for fifteen unique missions. These missions are designed to be impossible to complete alone and encourage teamwork with other players. During this mode, players can take the place of Partner Strikes for one another and initiate them to their desires called Partner Support. There can also be no doubles of the same character within player teams (i.e.: there won't be two Hamans on the field at once). Gold and experience earned in Online Mode is higher than playing a solo game.
During this mode, players can also find restorative items by collecting Lamps. A rank 1 Lamp restores a fixed amount of armor for the team; rank 2 restores the armor to optimum settings. A rank 3 Lamp has the same effects as the second rank except it also completely replenishes lost troops for allies. Knowing when to use a Lamp is highly dependent on the team member who finds them. Players can communicate with one another using a voice communicator or with text.
Players can either join sessions already taking place or create their own for others to join. If there are no available spots, players can also place in tickets for a particular mission and character they wish to play.
Allegedly, more scenarios are planned for this mode.
System[]
Includes the Library section found in the previous title.
Featured Mobile Suits and Series[]
Most of the mobile suits from the previous two games will return in this installment. Gundam Musou 3 also marks the debut of units from Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, After War Gundam X, and Mobile Suit Gundam 00. The following suits have been removed: MP Bawoo (Neo Zeon, Glemy Toto rebellion colors), Jagd Doga (Gyunei Guss), Jagd Doga (Quess Paraya), Geara Doga (Rezin Schnyder), Gelgoog (Johnny Ridden), Re-GZ, and Bolinoak Sammahn.
New Mobile Suits
Mobile Suit Gundam[]
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory[]
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn[]
Mobile Fighter G Gundam[]
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing[]
Turn A Gundam[]
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED[]
Mobile Suit Gundam 00[]
- GN-0000+GNR-010 00 Raiser
- CB-0000G/C Reborns Gundam/Reborns Cannon
- GNX-Y901TW Susanowo (DLC)
- GN-006 Cherudim Gundam (DLC)
- GN-007 Arios Gundam (DLC)
- GN-008 Seravee Gundam (DLC)
After War Gundam X[]
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam[]
SD Gundam Gaiden Sieg Zion Hen[]
Characters[]
Playable[]
Name | Gundam appearances | Starting Mobile Suit license(s)/Mobile Armors |
Amuro Ray | Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Z Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack | RX-78-2 Gundam, RX-93 ν Gundam |
Char Aznable (aka. Quattro Bajeena) | Mobile Suit Gundam, Mobile Suit Z Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack | MS-06 Zaku II (Char Custom), MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki, MSN-04 Sazabi |
Kai Shiden | Mobile Suit Gundam | RX-77-2 Guncannon |
Hayato Kobayashi | Mobile Suit Gundam | RX-77-2 Guncannon |
Ramba Ral | Mobile Suit Gundam | MS-06 Zaku II |
M'Quve | Mobile Suit Gundam | MS-06 Zaku II |
Dozle Zabi | Mobile Suit Gundam | MS-06 Zaku II, MA-08 Big Zam |
Kou Uraki | Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 STARDUST MEMORY | RX-78GP01-Fb Gundam "Zephyranthes" Full Burnern |
Anavel Gato | Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 STARDUST MEMORY | RX-78GP02A Gundam "Physalis" |
Kamille Bidan | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam |
Paptimus Scirocco | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | PMX-003 The O |
Emma Sheen | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | RX-178 Gundam Mk-II |
Jerid Messa | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans) |
Yazan Gable | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | RX-139 Hambrabi |
Reccoa Londe | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | PMX-003 The O |
Sarah Zabiarov | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | PMX-003 The O |
Four Murasame | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, MRX-009 Psycho Gundam |
Rosamia Badam | Mobile Suit Gundam Z | RX-178 Gundam Mk-II, MRX-010 Psycho Gundam Mk-II |
Haman Karn | Mobile Suit Gundam Z, Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam | AMX-004 Qubeley |
Judau Ashta | Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam | MSZ-010 ΖΖ Gundam |
Roux Louka | Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam | MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam |
Beecha Oleg | Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam | MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki |
Elle Vianno | Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam | RX-178 Gundam Mk-II |
Elpeo Ple | Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam | AMX-004 Qubeley Mk-II |
Ple Two | Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam | AMX-004 Qubeley Mk-II, MRX-010 Psycho Gundam Mk-II, NZ-000 Queen Mansa |
Glemy Toto | Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam | AMX-004 Qubeley Mk-II (Red and Black) |
Banagher Links | Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn | RX-0 Unicorn Gundam |
Full Frontal | Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn | MSN-06S Sinanju |
Marida Cruz | Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn | NZ-666 Kshatriya * |
Seabook Arno | Mobile Suit Gundam F91 | F91 Gundam F91 |
Cecily Fairchild | Mobile Suit Gundam F91 | F91 Gundam F91 |
Uso Ewin | Mobile Suit Victory Gundam | LM314V21 Victory 2 Gundam |
Katejina Loos | Mobile Suit Victory Gundam | LM314V21 Victory 2 Gundam |
Shin Musha Gundam* | SD Sengokuden | Non-sapient; MS available for other pilots |
Musha Gundam Mk. II* | SD Sengokuden | Non-sapient; MS available for other pilots |
Knight Gundam | SD Gundam Gaiden | Sapient; MS available for other pilots |
Domon Kasshu | Mobile Fighter G Gundam | GF13-017NJII God Gundam |
Master Asia | Mobile Fighter G Gundam | GF13-001NHII Master Gundam |
Schwarz Bruder | Mobile Fighter G Gundam | GF13-017NJII God Gundam, GF13-001NHII Master Gundam |
Heero Yuy | Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero |
Duo Maxwell | Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | XXXG-01D2 Gundam Deathscythe Hell |
Trowa Barton | Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | XXXG-01H2 Gundam Heavyarms Kai |
Milliardo Peacecraft (Zechs Merquise) | Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | OZ-13MS Gundam Epyon |
Treize Khushrenada | Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | OZ-00MS2 Tallgeese II |
Garrod Ran | After War Gundam X | GX-9901-DX Gundam Double X |
Loran Cehack | Turn A Gundam | WD-M01 Turn A Gundam |
Gym Ghingham | Turn A Gundam | Concept-X 6-1-2 Turn X |
Sochie Heim | Turn A Gundam | AMX-109 Kapool |
Kira Yamato | Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny | ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam |
Athrun Zala | Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny | ZGMF-X19A Infinite Justice Gundam |
Shinn Asuka | Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny | ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam |
Lunamaria Hawke | Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny | ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam |
Lacus Clyne | Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny | ZGMF-X19A Infinite Justice Gundam |
Setsuna F. Seiei | Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | GN-0000+GNR-010 00 Raiser |
Lockon Stratos (Lyle Dylandy) * | Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | GN-006 Cherudim Gundam * |
Allelujah Haptism * | Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | GN-007 Arios Gundam * |
Tieria Erde * | Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | GN-008 Seravee Gundam * |
Ribbons Almark | Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | CB-0000G/C Reborns Gundam |
Graham Aker/Mister Bushido | Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | GNX-Y901TW Susanowo * |
- Mister Bushido, Marida Cruz, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism, Tieria Erde as well as their respective Mobile Suits are available for downloadable content only. Musha Gundam and Musha Gundam Mk II are available as a bonus to early buyers of the title via a downloadable code.
Sub Characters Characters who may talk to the player's character or play a part in the story but are not enabled for the player's usage.
- Black Tri-Stars
- Kycilia Zabi
- Fa Yuiry
- Apolly Bay
- Roberto
- Henken Bekkener
- Bask Om
- Dunkel Cooper
- Ramsus Hasa
- Kyoji Kasshu
- Rain Mikamura
- Relena Peacecraft
- Dianna Soreil
Operators[]
Every playable character can be made into an operator with a high enough friendship rating. This section lists the characters who are just regulated to this role for the player in battle.
- Haro
- Astonaige Medoz
- Leina Ashta
- Chan Agi
- Nanai Miguel
- Audrey Burne (Mineva Zabi)
- Tiffa Adill
New Playable Pilots[]
- Banagher Links - Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
- Full Frontal - Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
- Marida Cruz - Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
- Duo Maxwell - Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
- Trowa Barton - Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
- Treize Khushrenada - Mobile Suit Gundam Wing
- Setsuna F. Seiei - Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- Ribbons Almark - Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- Graham Aker - Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- Lockon Stratos (Lyle Dylandy) - Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- Allelujah Haptism - Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- Tieria Erde - Mobile Suit Gundam 00
- Garrod Ran - After War Gundam X
- Kou Uraki - Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
- Anavel Gato - Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
- Sochie Heim - Turn A Gundam
- Schwarz Bruder - Mobile Fighter G Gundam
- Beecha Oleg - Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
- Elle Vianno - Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ
Picture Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3 saw the departure of a number of alumni voice actors for the English dub, such as David Kaye (Treize Kushrenada), Dave Pettitt (Master Asia), Louis Chirillo (Heero Yuy, replacing Mark Hildreth) and Caitlynn Medrek (Elpeo Ple).
- Additionally, Kamille Bidan is now voiced by James Beach, replacing Travis Milne from the first two games, who replaced Jonathan Lachlan Stewart.
- Heero Yuy is voiced by Brian Drummond, ironically the longtime voice actor of Heero's rival, Zechs Merquise/Milliardo Peacecraft.
- Although Scott McNeil returns to voice Duo Maxwell and Gym Ghingham, he uses a higher pitch for Duo's voice than used in his previous performances.