Super Robot Wars - SRW Z2 (PSP) - Break the World!

Pureauthor

STAND, WARRIORS OF FATE! CRUSH THE ENEMY WITH A SWORD OF LIGHTNIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNGGG!



Welcome, sons of the earth, to the SUPER ROBOT WARS thread, wherein we shall discuss giant robots, hot blood and explosions. Always explosions.



Always.

*~*

So what’s this Super Robot Wars thing, then?

We all loved giant robot shows, right? Watching stuff like Gundam, Evangelion, Macross, Transformers, Mazinger et al as kids, did you ever think to yourself ‘Self, do you know what would be really, really awesome? If all these robots joined up together and ran around beating up anything that got in the way. That would be really, really awesome.’

Well. It happened. It’s happened since 1991, in fact, in this very series.



Well, except for transformers. Nobody likes transformers.

Super Robot Wars is a series of strategy-RPGs, where giant robots from anime series throughout the history of Japanese animation come together and defeat anything that looks at them funny. Everything from the grandfathers of the Super Robot genre like Mazinger Z to the newest iterations of Gundam and niche shows like Dancougar and Dai-Guard have found their way into this series.

Then I'll convey my voice to you... Raideen's voice! Don't abandon hope!!

One of the things Super Robot Wars has going for it is the presentation values. In bringing the sprites down to their super-deformed, gameplay state, they retain impressive animations, special effects, and in the higher-end SRWs, the voices of the characters from the anime themselves.



Below is a sample of a unit’s attacks from SRW @3. If you’re interested, there are dozens of these kinds of videos all over Youtube for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2paRDBFiXI

Hey, why didn’t you show us an English video instead?

Uh.

Well.

I have no interest in games whose souls are bound by region-locks!

Here’s the thing. The various anime that comprise the shows have been farmed out across different studios in the West for localization – trying to release any of the games here would be an absolute licensing nightmare. And that’s not getting into the shows that are very… um, let us say, Japanese in their own special way.



The above robot is powered by orgasms. I wish I was kidding.

So far, only two proper SRW games have ever been released stateside, and they were conveniently made entirely out of original characters, thus sidestepping the licensing issues. Both of these games were for the GBA, so they’re kinda hard to get ahold of now.



So, they’re all in Japanese? How do I play them, then?

Well, there are several translation patches for various games out right now, most notably Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden (PS1) and Super Robot Wars Judgment (GBA). But to be honest, learning how to play a SRW game doesn’t take very much work at all.

http://akurasu.net/wiki/index.php?title=Super_Robot_Wars

That link above is the akurasu wiki, complete with menu translations for most of the games. A few minutes with that, and mucking about with trial and error, and you should be set. The interface for SRW never changes drastically anyway, so if you’ve played one you should feel comfortable with the others.

Yeah, but why should I spend time to learn how to play it? What’s so good about these games?

Well, first off they’re a set of decent sRPGs (some games are, of course, better than others) usually with varied goals, route splits, dozens of unlockable secrets, and all that sort of stuff.

Then, of course, there’s the music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT9Btlw4PFA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir-ywymYh7E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDwpfXODVB4

And the pretty animations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXOoSImn_qE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-okDKNh3v8&translated=1

And lastly, if you happen to speak Japanese and are a fan of giant robot shows, SRW has a tendency to take shows that had noticeable flaws, and fix the story with them. One of the more recent examples was Super Robot Wars Z, where they took the gigantic mess that was Gundam Seed Destiny’s plot and reworked it into something enjoyable.

Well, where do I start?



Well, that’s a little too far back, actually. Super Robot Wars Original Generation 1 and 2 provide a good starting point in English, but they’re unfortunately extremely hard to find by now. There’s a fan translation patch for Super Robot Wars J from the Romhacking Aerie, but trying to find a legit copy of J is similarly harrowing. And then there’s the fan translation for Alpha Gaiden, which unfortunately, not only begins where Alpha 1 left off (leaving newcomers confused) but is in fact one of the harder SRWs and not really fit for a beginner.

Alternatively, you could forgo the idea of English SRW and try Super Robot Wars MX for the PSP, or Super Robot Wars W, K and/or L for the DS. The systems in question are region free, so you should be able to avoid the hassle of modding your console. (Don’t try SRW A Portable. Seriously, don’t.)

If, however, you don’t mind tinkering with your console, then Super Robot Wars Z for the PS2 is a very good bet, not only is it agreed to be in the top tier of the SRW games, it’s also the beginning of a new series.

A new series about to be continued, in fact.

SUPER ROBOT WARS Z2 HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED



That’s right, kiddies. Release date April 14th 2011 for the Playstation Portable, it’s promising to have titanic cast list, with the new inclusions (never been in SRW before) below bolded.

Zambot 3
Daitarn 3
Trider G7
God Sigma
Baldios
Godmars
Xabungle
Votoms
Votoms: The Last Red Shoulder
Votoms: Pailsen Files
Orguss
Zeta Gundam
Char's Counterattack
Gundam Wing
Gundam X
Turn A Gundam
Gundam SEED Destiny
Gundam 00 S1
Dancouga
Dancouga Nova
Shin Change Getter Robo
Shin Mazinger Impact
Dai Guard
The Big O
Overman King Gainer
Gravion Zwei
Aquarion
Code Geass S1
Gurren Lagann Gurren-hen
Macross Frontier + False Songstress
Eureka 7 Pocket Full of Rainbows

Yes, you read that right. Gurren Lagann will be in a SRW game. Now will you people stop bellyaching about it?

You’ll note that the series list consists of several ‘Season 1’s. That’s because SRWZ2 is in fact going to be split into 2 chapters, with the second half to be released later. SRWZ2-1, otherwise known as the ‘world-breaking chapter’, has still been reassured to have more missions that any other handheld SRW in recent history, and is a full game in its own right.

The first PV has been released. No gameplay footage, unfortunately.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc3731k60Zg

*~*

Useful Links

www.tvtropes.org – Because it is always useful. Always.
http://akurasu.net/wiki/index.php?title=Super_Robot_Wars – Helpful for newcomers to learnt the menus and for people to check up on the secrets
http://www.suparobo.jp/srw_lineup/srw_z2/index.html - Main Page for SRWZ2.

And with that, I leave you with a final parter:



Let’s rock, boyo.

MonkeyDLuffy

Don't forget Votoms Red Shoulder Document: Roots of Ambition.

(Awesome OP, by the way.)

Ianator

So I hear someone on the fourtubes is making a SRW Game Maker. Anyone else hear anything about it so far?

cj iwakura

I did like Endless Frontier, even though it's less SRW and more Namco X Capcom.

Maddoc

Good op

I really need to sit down and finish Z at least once before Z2 comes out

CyborgZeta

Nice op.

Man I loved Z a lot. Played it through many times, only matched by W. The Z2 announcement just came out of nowhere for me and I didn't really comprehend what I was seeing until the day after.

The first Z2 PV is supposed to be release sometime soon in Japan. It was mentioned on the SRW blog that it is just the opening however.

Maddoc

Also the first image in the OP just reminds me how much I miss Gunbuster

It's been almost six years since it showed up in SRW now I think

Akilae

Will this finally be the SRW to replace Alpha 3 as my go-to game for ridiculously hot blooded damage dealing?

*Watches TTGL again*

It just might!

Pureauthor

PV's up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc3731k60Zg

randombattle

Gurren Lagann!! Finally!!!

AND mother f'in Votoms? AND DAI GUARD!?


Holy shit it is my birthday 6 days later.

darksteel

They cannot possibly contain the amount of ridiculousness that Code Geass and Gurren Lagann brings simultaneously on one disc. It's just physically impossible!

OtakuD00D

I have a perfectly good thread up. ; ; y u do dis

Kidding. SWRZ2! YAY!

randombattle

darksteel wrote: »

They cannot possibly contain the amount of ridiculousness that Code Geass and Gurren Lagann brings simultaneously on one disc. It's just physically impossible!

Good news! This will most certainly be a downloadable title as well!

OtakuD00D

In general related weeaboo mecha gaming ness news, 2011 is a great year.

Later this month:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSmx56Ma63I

February 3rd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn0F_ArSWvw

Forever Zefiro

Pureauthor wrote: »

Well, except for transformers. Nobody likes transformers.

You shut your whore mouth

Also hell yes Dai-Guard

Andy Joe

Z2 has basically everything I could reasonably want from SRW, except Diebuster.

Daebunz

I didn't even know this series existed till I opened this thread today.

now I have a dying urge to play them since Big O is in it

Maddoc

Sadly, Big O has only been in SRW D for GBA and Z for PS2 up until now.

Unfortunately, D is a bit archaic and armor doesn't do much so Super Robots like Big O get the shaft.

Fortunately, Z is one of the best SRW games to date and Big O is awesome in it, which makes up entirely for D.

TrippyJing

Powered by orgasms, you say?

Daebunz

turns out the only friend of mine with a psp is already stoked for Z2 despite never telling me about this stuff.

I'll have to bum it off of him and give it a spin when it's out

Conan-san

I wonder how on earth they're going to quantify Lulouche/Zero's abilities.

Also, the final map better be your whole team against just Lordgenome (as him out on his own, no mech as Razengan didn't show up in the first GL movie) with a frankly silly amount of HP and Infinite EN just beating the shit out of everyone.

CygnusZ

Maddoc wrote: »

Sadly, Big O has only been in SRW D for GBA and Z for PS2 up until now.

Unfortunately, D is a bit archaic and armor doesn't do much so Super Robots like Big O get the shaft.

Fortunately, Z is one of the best SRW games to date and Big O is awesome in it, which makes up entirely for D.

I think D has some of the best gameplay in the entire SRW series. Each move you make has to be well thought and take into consideration your robot/pilot strengths. The PS2 games had great music and art, but the games were basically designed so that unless you were grossly incompetent you couldn't lose. Even getting the skill point was almost never challenging, except for a few points in Z.

Pureauthor

Also, if you want to boost defense in D, pump it into your pilot's stats, not the machine.

D is also pretty unique in terms of plot and setting, even amongst other SRWs. I hear the same guys that did the SRWJ translation are working on a D patch, and I hope it doesn't take too long.

Joe Camacho MKII

TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN in a SRW game in MY lifetime.

Now I feel bad for not trying to learn japanese.

Oh well, attack animation clips from youtube will do until 2026 when the translation patch is released, hahahaha.

Andy Joe

Conan-san wrote: »

I wonder how on earth they're going to quantify Lulouche/Zero's abilities.

When I first started thinking about the possibilities of Code Geass in SRW I thought it might be neat for Lelouch to have a special ability that had, say, a 20% chance of activating during a melee attack, where he'd rip open the enemy unit's cockpit and order the pilot to self-destruct, resulting in an instant-kill.

More likely, though, Lelouch's Geass powers won't be incorporated into the gameplay at all.

Riokenn

darksteel wrote: »

They cannot possibly contain the amount of ridiculousness that Code Geass and Gurren Lagann brings simultaneously on one disc. It's just physically impossible!

I demand the Gurren Mk II to be in this with face melting action.

Maddoc

CygnusZ wrote: »

Maddoc wrote: »

Sadly, Big O has only been in SRW D for GBA and Z for PS2 up until now.

Unfortunately, D is a bit archaic and armor doesn't do much so Super Robots like Big O get the shaft.

Fortunately, Z is one of the best SRW games to date and Big O is awesome in it, which makes up entirely for D.

I think D has some of the best gameplay in the entire SRW series. Each move you make has to be well thought and take into consideration your robot/pilot strengths. The PS2 games had great music and art, but the games were basically designed so that unless you were grossly incompetent you couldn't lose. Even getting the skill point was almost never challenging, except for a few points in Z.

D was still fun, and had a lot of cool series, but armor rating was pretty much fucked and made Super Robots far worse than they ought to be.

And really, even D wasn't that bad for difficulty compared to F, F Final, and some bits of Impact.

Forever Zefiro

You know, it's really really sad

I've never beaten SRW OG1, and therefore haven't even played SRW OG2

I just got so overwhelmed with mechs and money and skill points, I just didn't know what all to spend on and upgrade and what stats what pilots should have and oh my god I'm having a nervous breakdown
So I kept playing with barely upgrading anything, but I still was doing decent so it put me on Hard Mode

OtakuD00D

If you did that, then you had plenty of money to fuck around with once stuff DID get real. Depending on the route you too, upgrade Kyosuke and Excellen's stuff a lot (THEY'RE THE HEROES) or the SRX team's gear. Upgrade the Grungust(s). Try to unlock the secret weaopns and units and upgrade those. Upgrade the best attacks any mech may come natively with. Max out a couple of the cheaper weapons to get an easy way to clear up grunts with. I don't personally upgrade stats much- I just go for abilities like Sp increases, Hit and Away, Energy Save, Ammo save, etc etc.

cj iwakura

I finished OG1, but OG2 broke me like a twig. Serves me right for trying the Expert requirements.

Lezard Valeth

Andy Joe wrote: »

Conan-san wrote: »

I wonder how on earth they're going to quantify Lulouche/Zero's abilities.

When I first started thinking about the possibilities of Code Geass in SRW I thought it might be neat for Lelouch to have a special ability that had, say, a 20% chance of activating during a melee attack, where he'd rip open the enemy unit's cockpit and order the pilot to self-destruct, resulting in an instant-kill.

More likely, though, Lelouch's Geass powers won't be incorporated into the gameplay at all.

Maybe Lelouch have a spirit command called "Geass", only usable once for enemy unit, allowing the player to fully control said unit one turn. Or something like that.

Maddoc

They seem to be in love with special systems lately, (Overskills, Impulse's strategy conversion, bringing back Gundam X and its satellite cannon, etc) so I'm expecting his Geass will function in a manner unique and separate from existing systems. I'd be surprised if it was something as simple as an attack or seishin command.

OtakuD00D

cj iwakura wrote: »

I finished OG1, but OG2 broke me like a twig. Serves me right for trying the Expert requirements.

I made it through the skin of my teeth. Fuck yeah.

Did as many as I could in Hard, sunk back to normal. Did an entirely hard playthrough afterward though.

Maou

And I just beaten SRW L for NDS.
Great awesome news.

I feel an impulse to replay SRWZ on PS2.

Maddoc

Maou wrote: »

And I just beaten SRW L for NDS.
Great awesome news.

I feel an impulse to replay SRWZ on PS2.

I'm so far behind, I haven't even finished K, and I have L sitting on my desk right now.

Not to mention I still need to finish Z before I'll want to start on Z2.

Pureauthor

K's Partner System is a mess. L's Partner System is awesome.

Maddoc

Yeah, the only people I'm bothering to partner up right now are the originals, Godannar, and Jeeg with Big Shooter.

For everyone else it doesn't feel remotely worth it, though I have been considering the merits of partnering Mazinger with either Sayaka or Boss for relationship bonus and HP or EN regen.

EDIT: Also when I get Strike Noir and Stargazer, they're a pretty obvious partner up set.

Ianator

Basically, all the reasons you wouldn't partner in K are now worthless. No penalties for partners' attacks, plus partner bonuses, plus A-Combo not being such a big deal anymore are reason enough to pair up just about everybody (though particularly hard-hitting Combo-ers can probably justify a solo unit or two).

Forever Zefiro

OtakuD00D wrote: »

If you did that, then you had plenty of money to fuck around with once stuff DID get real. Depending on the route you too, upgrade Kyosuke and Excellen's stuff a lot (THEY'RE THE HEROES) or the SRX team's gear. Upgrade the Grungust(s). Try to unlock the secret weaopns and units and upgrade those. Upgrade the best attacks any mech may come natively with. Max out a couple of the cheaper weapons to get an easy way to clear up grunts with. I don't personally upgrade stats much- I just go for abilities like Sp increases, Hit and Away, Energy Save, Ammo save, etc etc.

I went SRX. It was awesome when it finally combined

I know I had tons of money, it's just I get to where I don't want to waste anything, so I never spend anything, and then I beat the game anyway, and then it's basically wasted anyway

Also I think I missed the secret weapons, found out about them too late into the game

I'll pick it back up eventually and just say screw it probably and spend everything

Maddoc

Now you guys have me itching to start up L, but I told myself I wouldn't open it until I finished K

Reynolds

I own ACE:R for PS3. I've only played it once, though! I really need to sit down and devote some time to it, it seemed interesting.

I have almost beaten the NDS Endless Frontier game. I need to fix that. Anyone have any idea when the second one is coming out over here?