Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation delivers a deeply satisfying turn-based strategy experience that keeps you engaged from the first mission to the last. You step into the role of a commander who must coordinate a squad of “Personal Troopers,” each equipped with rockets, swords, guns or lasers. The core gameplay loop revolves around moving your mechs across grids on land, sea and air, then ordering them to attack, defend or use special abilities. Every choice feels meaningful, as positioning and weapon range directly influence the success of your strikes and survival of your units.

The game’s structure features multiple missions, each with specific objectives you must fulfill to progress. Some missions require you to eliminate all hostile forces, while others task you with protecting allies or reaching a particular point on the map. These varied win conditions prevent combat from ever feeling repetitive. Between missions, you also manage pilot assignments, upgrade parts and allocate battle funds—adding an extra layer of customization that will appeal to strategy enthusiasts who love fine-tuning their teams.

What sets Original Generation apart is its dual-story system. You alternate between two intertwined narratives—each offering unique characters, robots and perspectives on the looming alien threat. Balancing resources and managing veteran units across both storylines not only enhances replay value but also allows you to witness the full scope of the game’s plot. Whether you’re commanding a sleek transformable jet or a heavy assault robot, the tactical depth ensures each deployment feels fresh and rewarding.

Combat cutscenes are another highlight. After issuing orders on the battlefield, you are treated to dynamic animations that showcase your robots in action—lasers slicing through the sky, missiles erupting in spectacular bursts and swords clashing with mechanical precision. These sequences not only provide visual flair but also reinforce the impact of your strategic decisions, making every well-timed counterattack or coordinated team assault a satisfying spectacle.

Graphics

While Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation originally released on a handheld platform, its graphics hold up remarkably well. The game uses a blend of charming chibi-style sprites for on-map movement and highly detailed, full-body sprites during combat animations. This contrast strikes a perfect balance—small units keep the battlefield clear of clutter, while the big attack scenes deliver the scale and intensity you’d expect from a giant robot clash.

The battlefield maps are thoughtfully designed, offering varied terrain that isn’t just for show. Forests, hills, islands and sea tiles each affect movement and defense values, and the map visuals clearly communicate this information. Despite the limited screen real estate, the UI is crisp and intuitive, displaying health bars, weapon ranges and pilot stats in a way that’s easy to navigate even during hectic turns.

Character portraits and UI elements are equally polished. Close-up portraits during dialogue convey emotion through expressive poses and facial expressions, bringing the cast of pilots and scientists to life. Menus are clean and responsive, with icons that clearly represent weapon types, statistics and upgrade options. Overall, the presentation feels cohesive and thematic, reinforcing the game’s sci-fi setting without ever feeling cluttered or confusing.

Finally, the color palette and visual effects deserve praise. Explosions pop with bright oranges and reds, energy beams glow with vibrant shades, and cockpit overlays add a layer of immersion during cutscenes. Whether you’re watching a slow-motion finishing blow or scanning a sprawling battlefield, the graphics consistently deliver a sense of scale and excitement that honors the mecha genre.

Story

The narrative of Original Generation unfolds in a near-future world rocked by the discovery of alien technology embedded within meteors. As scientists deduce an imminent alien invasion, you take command of Earth’s first line of defense: the Personal Troopers. From this high-stakes premise springs a story rich in military drama, political intrigue and heartfelt personal moments between pilots and commanders.

What makes the storytelling stand out is the dual-perspective format. You experience events through two separate, yet intertwined, storylines—each featuring its own roster of characters and mechs. As the plotlines converge, unexpected alliances form and individual motivations come into focus, offering a multifaceted view of the looming crisis. This structure not only keeps you invested in each mission’s outcome but also encourages multiple playthroughs to catch every narrative beat.

Character development is thoughtfully handled. Pilots start with defined personalities and background stories, and their interactions reveal hidden depths as you progress. Banter between teammates lightens the mood in tense moments, while dramatic cutscenes underscore the gravity of mankind’s struggle against a technologically superior foe. Villains remain mysterious enough to maintain suspense, yet their methods and motivations get fleshed out organically as you fight your way through their ranks.

The dialogue is well-paced, with enough exposition to build the world without bogging down the action. Scientific briefings, battlefield debriefs and interpersonal conversations are woven seamlessly into the mission flow, ensuring that you always understand why you’re fighting and what’s at stake. By the time the final battle arrives, you feel a genuine connection to your forces and a strong desire to see Earth defended at all costs.

Overall Experience

Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation offers a robust, immersive strategy experience that will satisfy both longtime fans of the franchise and newcomers seeking a deep tactical challenge. Its blend of customizable units, varied mission objectives and branching storylines results in high replay value. You’ll find yourself coming back to refine strategies, test new team compositions and uncover every facet of the narrative.

Difficulty is well-balanced, with an adjustable challenge curve that accommodates casual players while still providing a stiff test for series veterans. The early missions serve as a solid tutorial, gradually introducing new mechanics and enemy types. As the game progresses, you’ll be forced to adapt, rethink your team’s synergy and leverage terrain advantages to overcome increasingly formidable foes.

Audio design enhances the package further. The soundtrack features rousing orchestral themes and electronic pulses that heighten the drama of combat, while sound effects—rocket launches, laser blasts, sword clashes—add impactful weight to each exchange. Voice clips during key scenes bring pilots to life, adding emotional resonance when you most need it.

Ultimately, Original Generation succeeds by delivering tight gameplay, memorable visuals and a compelling storyline in a portable package. Whether you’re drawn to the strategic depth, the giant robot spectacle or the interwoven narrative arcs, this game stands as a shining example of what the Super Robot Taisen series can achieve. It’s a must-play for strategy enthusiasts and mecha lovers alike, promising dozens of hours of rewarding, high-stakes action.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10