In the world of video games, action is king for many avid gamers who enjoy the thrill of dropping into a warzone or chaotic realm and testing their mettle against the opposition. Few game genres deliver quite as much action as Mecha, which delivers explosive robot-on-robot action where gamers get behind the wheel of their iron god killers and turn enemies into scrap metal. With missiles, energy swords, and endless rounds of ballistic arsenals, Mecha offers a high-octane experience that elevates warfare to a new level.
However, it’s not only important to be awesome on a robotic battlefield; players should also be able to look cool while they pilot a walking tank and level entire battlefields with nuclear arms. When stepping into a personalized mech, players should be able to fully connect to their machine and clearly express themselves through unique parts, paint jobs, and design. Here are some of the best mech games with the best customization.
7Custom Mech Wars
Easy To Learn And Fun To Master
Fans of theEarth Defense Forceseries and games similar to the franchise may already be aware of this entry; if not, they will surely enjoyCustom Mech Wars. Dropping into a chaotic world where military might reigns supreme, players step into the cockpit of massive machines outfitted with the most advanced weaponry of the age to take on droves of mechanical enemies however they see fit.
Custom Mech Warsis a bunch of fun that allows players to outfit and customize their mechs with a fair amount of freedom, hitting all the right marks and checking all the right boxes. The game focuses less on difficulty and more on enjoyment, providing a loose power fantasy for newcomers to the franchise.
6M.A.V.
Realism Paired With High Destructive Potential
M.A.V.(Modular Assault Vehicle) is a game that focuses more on realistic machinery rather than hyper-advanced technology when it comes to the mechs in the game. Instead of humanoid cosmic entities, the mechs inM.A.V.are more down to Earth, leaning more toward walking tanks and weapons of mass destruction.
WhatM.A.Vlacks in over-the-top design, they make up for in sheer attention to detail.M.A.V.may be one of the most realistic mech games on the market, with numerous factors that affect how a player’s machine operates down to the most minute detail.M.A.V.arguably has some of the most freedom when it comes to customizations, as players can design their machine from the ground up in any style they see fit, from eight-wheeled mobile armor to a two-legged assault tank.
Battletechis a realistic toned turn-basedtactical experience that fans ofXComor Marvel’s Midnight Sunswill enjoy. Rather than just a hail of bullets and explosives,Battletechimmerses players in a fight to control the battlefield and set up units for specific roles when combating enemy units.
When it comes to customization,Battletechmay leave a bit to be desired when considering cosmetic or visual upgrades. However, when it comes to mechanical customization,Battletechdoes an excellent job of providing a way of crafting a mech for any number of particular situations that are as unique as possible.
Daemon X Machinaramps up the futuristic fantasy aspect of the mecha genre and turns heavily constructed machinery into marvels of science able to travel at blinding speeds while dishing out waves of calamity-level destruction. Players drop into a ravaged world where humanity has learned to travel the stars and are currently embroiled in a conflict against artificial intelligence and the horrors it creates.
Players can completely design their mechs with their most desired look, feel, and arsenal and even attach special abilities unique to that machine.Daemon X Machinais a fast-paced Action RPG and absolutely nails the feeling of the pilot and the mech being of one mind. Combat might feel a bit sluggish compared to other faster entries on this list, but this pacing just gives you a bit more time to appreciate your customization options in the field, right?
Stepping into the more anime-centered games,M.A.S.S. Builderdives face-first into the fantasy aspect of Mecha and takes much of its inspiration from theGundamfranchise and anime likeBreak Blade. The game is set in a semi-utopian future where humanity has realized its full potential but has been attacked by beasts from the void.
To survive, human beings put their minds to work in order to create weapons capable of pushing the beast’s invasion back and reclaiming the world.M.A.S.S. Builder’s customization is the cream of the crop, allowing near-endless possibilities for players to focus on their creativity.
2Gundam Breaker 3
Endless Fun And Creativity
TheGundamfranchise is king when it comes to Mecha, having multiple levels to its universe and numerous timelines across anime, films, and even real-life model kits that allow fans to utilize the unique designs that show up in the world ofGundam. One of the franchise’s most successful installments is theGundam Breakerseries, which allows players to hop into a JRPG-styled world where they can build their custom machine fitted with parts from any of theMobile Suit Gundamanime and combine them into one unstoppable creation.
The combat inGundam Breaker3provides a hands-on experience and gives a sense of accomplishment as players progress to unlock new and more powerful parts for their Gunpla. Fans and newcomers to the franchise should keep their eyes open for the latest installment ofGundam Breaker, releasing later this year.
FormSoftware is a juggernaut in the gaming community, known for its unrelentingDark Soulsfranchise that features grueling challenges for hardcore players to take on. However, FormSoftware is also known fortheArmored Corefranchise, which has brought unrelenting mecha combat to console over six games.
The most recent installment in the series,Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon,completely revolutionizes aspects of the game’s core model and upgrades the details for a completely new experience. Players can custom-build their AC to their desired playstyle and create anything from a high-speed close-range unit to a down-range sniper build. The customization options — both mechanical and aesthetic — feel nearly limitless, offering countless hours of fun outside the grueling combat the game delivers.
