The Energon Pub

After the release of Transformers: Battlegrounds on consoles, I was left wondering how many people here know/play the Super Robot Wars games.

For those of you who don't know the franchise, it's a series that's been going on for 30 years now and has seen over 50 games released. It's basically a turn-based strategy game with RPG elements that is kind of like Fire Emblem (s o r t o f), but it's a giant crossover between dozens and dozens of different Super Robot/Mecha franchises, including Gundam (obviously), Neon Genesis Evangelion, Mazinger, Invincible Robo Trider G7, and the Transformers-related Braves series, among many, many others. Each installment in the series includes a different set of franchises that feature in the game, with each game generally containing around two dozen franchises per installment.

More recent additions to the roster have also included other prominent science fiction anime franchises like Cowboy Bebop, GUNxSWORD, and Magic Knight: Rayearth. The Transformers have yet to make an appearance, but with the relative prominence of the Braves series in the game in recent years, who knows what might happen? Takara seems to be on good terms with Bandai Namco, who publish the SRW series.

For a very long time the series was exclusive to Japan, and the games were entirely in Japanese. However, in recent years the South-East Asian releases have become import-friendly, and are playable in English, with all menus being in English and all dialogue being subtitled in English. Several of the games are currently available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

The games are not overly difficult, but they're more complex than Transformers Battlegrounds (particularly when it comes to character optimization). It's a fun series, and for anyone looking to get a super robot turn-based strategy itch scratched, I'd definitely recommend it.

The maps don't tend to look very impressive, but the games offer a TON of gameplay. The story mode takes a long time to get through, and many games have branching paths which give additional playability. Plus the rosters are HUGE. And where the map screens may not look that impressive, the battle animations and special move sequences look superb, and are just really satisfying to watch. I particularly love watching the transformation sequences of the Braves characters.

I am a huge fan of the SRW franchise mostly because in addiiton to Transformers, I ejoy the old school SR anime (Mazinger Z, Getter Robo etc..) as well as RR such as Gundams/Macross etc...

I first played ROMS of SRW 3 & 4 in the late 90's. Then I learned about the "disc swap" trick on PS1 to play games from Japan, and purchased Shin SRW, Alpha, and Alpha Gaiden.

Then I modded my PS2 to play all region Games (Played Impact, Alpha 2 & 3, and MX)... then I pretty much was out of the loop for over a decade....

Fast forward to 2017, when I saw that V for PS4 had Space Battleship Yamato, and a full english Translation, THAT was the factor that finally made me decide to get a PS4. I have nearly 30 games, most of which I have paid less than $20 for. BUT those 3 SRW Games (V,X, and T) I paid a premium to import, and the good news is, that no modification is needed to play them on a North American Ps4. The only downside is, I cant get any of the DLC, but that is ok, the games are still extremely fun.

I know there is going to be an announcement in July. Japan is usually really good about supporting consoles even well after a new one is introduced. I'm hoping for one last amazing SRW on PS4 (since I have no intention of purchasing a 5 any time soon). The last few years nly mobile games which I really have no interest in have come out. Im hoping for one last really good console game.

As for TF Battlegrounds. I got it just recently (was about $15 at walmart). I watched my son play a few scenarios, but because it is based on Cyberverse rather than the original series, it really doesn't interest me. I still think it looks like a free mobile app game. I was really disappointed a sequel to Devastation never came out, that is the best Transformers game ever made. the WFC/FoC games are a close second, but unfortunately i never got to play them because I never had a PS3, and by the time I got a PS4, they had been removed from the virtual store.

Looks like my PS4 will get a little more life, with one last game: