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DATE:
25 YEARS AGO

GPOW 25TH
A N N I V E R S A R Y



PLAYSTATION 4	BAD	GUNDAM VERSUS


			Playing Gundam Versus, I just can't stop thinking of how much it reminds me of the masterpieces Gundam Seed Destiny Union VS Z.A.F.T II and Gundam VS Gundam. Memories of those two games flicker before me as I play Gundam Versus. It's a profound feeling. Moments from the release of those two games fill my mind with memories of times past. My mind struggles to determine whether those times were better times or worse times, unable to reach a solid conclusion. Much easier to determine was the quality of those titles, which stands even today. I'll never forget going into Japanese arcades when Gundam Federation VS Z.A.F.T. Destiny II came out. It was surreal. Groups crowded around machines in an enthusiastic manner I hadn't seen since Street Fighter II. College kids and high school kids yelled, cheered, and got rowdy with their partners as they waited for a chance to overthrow the current champion(s). Destiny Union VS. Z.A.F.T. II was still being played even amidst Gundam VS Gundam!

Teammates frantically inserted coins and slammed on buttons, yelling out orders and mounting offensives or coordinating defensives. The ruckus could be hard far and wide, even outside of the arcade. The sound of explosions, lasers, and jets was unmistakable. While Western audiences had only just been introduced to Gundam ZZ, Gundam Federation VS Z.A.F.T. Destiny II had arrived in Japan, and boy was it glorious. It really brought people together. Gundam Versus is not for everybody, but it can be. True, its system is deceptively deep and intricate, but that's exactly why anyone can also jump in and play it. Do you think every single one of those rowdy college or high school students were hardcore fighting game fans? No, a lot of them were actually what many consider to be casual players. Players who had either not been into fighting games at all, the series at all, or played just that one game and no others.

	41
	MEMORIES
	Gundam VS Gundam.

	42
	IS THAT
	A human?

	43
	NEXT TIME
	You slash me, slash me in the front.

	44
	MECHANICAL
	Gymnastics.

	45
	FREEDOM
	Kicking and screaming (across the screen).

Anyone can jump in and play; it just depends on what level of skill they want to reach, how far they want to take it, and how much dedication they want to put into it. Yeah, I'm not quite a beginner, and I know some advanced skills and tactics, but I'm also not as good as some of those really serious players. The fact is, at my mid-level of skill, I enjoy the game and see that it is nearly a masterpiece. Gundam Versus is all these series milestones packed into one experience. It acknowledges the series' rich history and delivers in one cohesive, massive package. Like the game itself, its logo stands big and tall, straight to the point and in your face with thick, no-frills golden lettering that shows you it means business, while acknowledging its rich legacy with a subtle "VS" within the texturing of that logo. In effect, you have a new game in the series that the developers call a new branch of the series, yet pays tribute to its fans with an obscene amount of fanfare. For most fans of the series, it's absolute love.

	46
	SO MANY
	Different attacks.

My take on Gundam Versus has reached its conclusion, but it is important to give credit where credit is due to other sources that have also covered the game and paid tribute to the series. Out of all the places on the web that relate in any way to video games, it definitely wasn't the typical big media "gaymur" sites, and it wasn't even the enthusiast sites that gave Gundam Versus fair representation. It was Forbes. Yes, Forbes, the money suits. Their coverage of Gundam Versus didn't just explain its gameplay system, but did a pretty comprehensive job in detailing the history and legacy or the series. I was impressed that many of the self-proclaimed "hardcore gamer" outlets got nowhere near the accuracy of the article Forbes did on Gundam Versus. Longtime readers know that we've always written content heavily in regards to the manner in which games are covered in the media. This is one of those rare instances in which we recommend coverage on the web.

	47
	A LASER WALL
	Electrifies.

	48
	KARATE
	Poses?

	49
	BAD
	Memories.

	50
	GOOD
	Times.

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