'Gundam Assemble' Aims to Penetrate the Realm of Tabletop Role-Playing Games
'Gundam Assemble' Aims to Penetrate the Realm of Tabletop Role-Playing Games
In an innovative shift, Bandai Spirits has introduced a fresh tabletop game titled Gundam Construct.
This new game involves 5-cm tall miniatures that enthusiasts construct and paint by hand, later utilizing them for gameplay on a tabletop setting.
The game encompasses a wide array of mecha from the vast Gundam universe, not limiting itself to a single series or timeline.
The build and setup of the miniatures bear a resemblance, although on a smaller scale, to the process of constructing gunpla. I must admit, I'm somewhat hesitant about how this will unfold altogether.
The majority of renowned tabletop franchises base their lore around a unified framework. The Gundam narrative, however, is divided into several distinct and autonomous timelines.
When the anime series, Gundam Build Fighters attempted to merge various timelines, it utilized re-imagined classic mecha designs and established a coherent setting.
It appears these miniatures showcase the original designs from their respective Gundam series, with no unifying lore to seamlessly tie them together.
This technique recalls how Gundam Evolution applied a highly corporate, market-oriented perspective to its mecha mechanics and effectively disregarded individual settings. Unfortunately, this approach didn't yield positive results for the game in the long run.
Bandai Namco is undoubtedly attempting to broaden the Gundam brand. However, I can't help but feel this strategy is overly generic and lacks the necessary knowledge of the franchise.
In the event that this venture turns out successful, the buildable miniatures may potentially serve as a stepping stone for fans to construct more intricate and complex gunpla. As a tabletop gaming initiative, I remain cautiously optimistic.
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The game encourages players to assemble their own 5-cm tall miniature mobile suits, reminiscent of the process of building gunpla. This tabletop game features miniatures from various Gundam series, drawing parallels to the wide array of mecha available in video games. The build and appearance of these miniatures call to mind the intricate details found in anime like Gundam and Mecha. For those who enjoy mecha-themed tabletop games, Gundam Construct offers an innovative twist to the Warhammer-style gameplay. Despite the game's potential, some critics argue that Bandai Namco's approach to merging different Gundam timelines lacks the necessary depth and knowledge of the franchise.