Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire, released in Japan and Europe as Mobile Suit Gundam: Target in Sight is a PlayStation 3 launch title, published and developed by Namco Bandai, based on Sunrise's Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. It was released in Japan on November 11, 2006, in North America on November 13, 2006 and March 23, 2007 in Europe.
Story[]
Set during the last three months of the One Year War, players take the role of a soldier in the Earth Federation or Principality of Zeon forces, controlling a mobile suit (MS) and fighting through the war.
Gameplay[]
While there are transmission dialogues and such, the game does not feature character models. Only the MS and locations are clearly shown.
The difficulty level is selectable at the beginning, ranging from Very Easy to Very Hard. Every time the game is successfully cleared, the difficulty level goes up, but will stop at Very Hard if not already selected.
As the leader, players will manage certain aspects of his/her squad, such as mission-taking, mobile suit deployment, pilot assignments, etc. If not in a mission, the player has the option to make the day pass using "Next Turn".
Missions are given on set dates and have will have specific deadlines. When the deadline passes, the mission is marked "DELETE" and can no longer be taken. While there is no real penalty for passing up a mission, the player's stat boosts, points, and rank promotion rate will be slackened.
The player's in-game character is required to be present in every taken mission. Up to two squad members can join, though in some cases only the squad leader will sortie. Squad members are computer-controlled, and can be issued simple commands using directional button inputs. Naturally, the player can only give orders to members whose rank is below his/her own.
Points earned from missions are used to obtain new MS, recruit pilots and apply modifications. Three main aspects of the MS can be tuned for up to 8 levels:
- Attack - Increases damage output of weapons.
- Weapon - Increases ammunition. Some units can get new sub weapons.
- Defense - Increases armor durability. Some units can get a shield if not already equipped with one.
The unit type can also be modified to suit a certain environment. An MS undergoing modification cannot sortie for one day.
The mission action sequences are rendered in third person view, but can switch to first-person when using snipe mode (R2 button). Objectives usually range from enemy interception, base defense, enemy base infiltration, etc. Rank grades are given depending on the leader's unit condition, number of enemies defeated and overall accomplishment of the objective.
Some mission maps will have one or more designated resupply points, where the squad leader can replenish ammunition. Though usually accompanied by defense units, a resupply point will be lost if continually hit by enemy (or friendly) fire.
Damage sustained/inflicted on MS parts will have different effects:
- Head - Damage to the head part will affect radar acuity. Losing the head will render the radar unusable for the remainder of the mission.
- Arms - Damage/loss of arms will affect weapon usage and defense.
- Torso - Where the engine and pilot are situated. If the core takes too many hits, the unit will be totally destroyed. The mission automatically fails if the squad leader's unit goes down.
- Legs - Damage/loss of the unit's legs will affect walking speed.
Depending on the degree of damage that the units sustained from the last mission, a set number of days are required for repairs. A partially repaired unit can still sortie. Modifications cannot be made to units undergoing repair.
The pilot roster's physical condition will also vary. Status deteriorates from mission participation or an extended period of inactivity.
- Very Good - Is in peak form. Combat performance will be significantly above average.
- Good - Is well-rested. Combat performance will be above average.
- Normal - Neutral status. Combat performance will be average.
- Poor - Is plagued with sickness/fatigue. Combat performance will be below average.
- Critical - Is severely injured/totally exhausted. Combat performance will be significantly below average.
Certain notable characters from the Gundam series will become available as recruitable pilots when the right conditions are met, and will not be limited to one faction (Zeon personalities can be recruited to the Federation wing and vice-versa).
Mechanics[]
Earth Federation Forces[]
Mobile Suits[]
- RGC-80 GM Cannon
- RGM-79 GM
- RGM-79D GM Cold Districts Type
- RGM-79FP GM Striker
- RGM-79G GM Command
- RGM-79[G] GM Sniper Type
- RGM-79SP GM Sniper II
- RMV-1 Guntank II
- RX-75 Guntank Mass Production Type
- RX-75 Guntank
- RX-77D Guncannon Mass Production Type
- RX-77-2 Guncannon
- RX-78-2 Gundam
- RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type
- RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8
Vehicles and Support Units[]
Principality of Zeon[]
Mobile Suits[]
- MS-05B Zaku I
- MS-06F Zaku II
- MS-06S Zaku II Commander Type
- MS-06K Zaku Cannon
- MS-07B Gouf
- MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom
- MS-09 Dom
- MS-09K-2 Dom Cannon
- MS-14A Gelgoog
- MS-18E Kämpfer
- MSM-03 Gogg
- MSM-03C Hygogg
- MSM-04 Acguy
- MSM-07 Z'Gok
- MSM-07E Z'Gok-E
- YMS-16M Xamel
- Apsaras II
- YMT-05 Hildolfr
Vehicles and Support Units[]
Reception[]
Japanese video game magazine Famitsu was the first to review this game, giving it a 32 out of 40 with each panelist rating it an 8 out of 10.
On the day of the PlayStation 3 launch in Japan, Target in Sight sold 33,000 units. The American release was not nearly as well received as the Japanese release. IGN gave the game a 3.2 out of 10, GameSpot rated it 3.9 out of 10, 1UP gave it a score of 2 out of 10, and Game Informer gave the game a 3.75 out of 10. OPM gave Crossfire a 3 out of 10. PSM gave the game a 5 out of 10. Gamepro gave it a 1.0 out of 5.0. X-Play gave it a 1 out of 5 for "being shovelware of the highest order".
Notes & Trivia[]
- The Apsaras II only appears in one mission in the Federation side and is not a usable unit.
- The RX-78-2 Gundam will never be encountered in any Zeon mission. It can only be fought in a special combat simulation version of the final Mining Base battle.
- Unlike past Gundam games, there is no faction-based recolor nor insignia change when using an opposing side's mobile suit (For example: A Kampfer used by the Federation will still bear the Zeon emblem), and the AI units will recognize it as an enemy since there is no allowance for false flag tactics.
- All the recruitable characters in the game are considered as pilots, even those who were never pilots in the main story. (i.e. Fraw Bow, Bright Noa, etc.)
- In the final Mining Base mission on the Zeon side, there is a bug involving the two resupply points. If one is destroyed, the other will also become unusable despite still being active.
Gallery[]
References[]
External links[]