Gundam Rogue Orbit Hands-On: High-Speed Melee Combat vs the Apocalypse
Bandai Namco Entertainment hosted a media hands-on session for Gundam Rogue Orbit (ガンダム ローグオービット), a brand-new action game based on the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, ahead of its playable showing at Tokyo Game Show 2026. The game is scheduled for release on March 5, 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. In a departure from the series’ traditional human-vs-human conflicts, this original Gundam work pits humanity against the Apocalypse, an unknown silicon-based life form that separated and multiplied from interstellar-navigable objects arriving from beyond the solar system. The preview build was still in development, so details may differ from the final product.
The game shares its world setting with the previously announced anime Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO, with events unfolding roughly 100 years after the anime. The world was constructed by anime director Kenji Kamiyama and novelist Toh EnJoe. Players take the role of protagonist Rex, a Gundam Helix pilot who sorties from the independent special-mission ship Stella Vane to battle the Apocalypse. The preview also introduced a Haro-type partner named Vee, who speaks fluent language and is voiced by Tomoaki Maeno. The presentation leans toward photorealistic visuals close to CG animation, with heavily detailed mobile suit designs.
The hands-on build offered two early stages: one centered on standard enemies with a boss encounter at the end, and another dedicated to a large boss battle. Combat is built primarily around melee attacks, with ranged weapons filling a supporting role. Players chain quick weak attacks and heavier strong attacks while using boost dashes for ground and aerial steps. Supporting systems include cooldown-based Tactical Skills, the invincible Tactical Move that triggers a Shift to the enemy’s flank on a perfectly timed execution, and Apocalypse Units such as the tracking bit weapon Sylphide and the deployable Guardian shield. Enemy stun gauges and detailed part destruction reward relentless offense. The TGS 2026 trial will feature only the former stage, with the large boss battle unavailable.
Three melee weapons were available in the trial: a great sword-type whose Anchor skill closes distance quickly, a sword that transforms into a whip via Mode Change for wide multi-hit coverage, and a spear-type Sword Lance featuring the ranged Beam Phalanx skill. Sustained attacks fill a gauge that unlocks OVER-RISE, a powered state offering unlimited boost and automatic Shifts on hit, alongside the AP Unit Burst finisher. Repair kits allow recovery mid-fight. Full mech customization was only glimpsed through three presets, though bonus content referencing past Gundam designs was hinted at. As an action game, it already feels simple and fun, and this deliberate new direction is one to watch.
