Super Robot Wars Alpha 3

Infobox VG
title=


developer=vgrelease|JP=Banpresto
publisher=vgrelease|JP=Banpresto
release= vgrelease|JP=July 28, 2005
genre= Tactical role-playing
modes=Single-player
platforms = Playstation 2
media = DVD-ROM

nihongo|"Super Robot Wars Alpha 3: To the End of the Galaxy"|第3次スーパーロボット大戦α 終焉の銀河へ|Dai-San-Ji Sūpā Robotto Taisen Arufa: Shūen no Ginga he for the Sony PlayStation 2 is the last game in the Alpha series. The "3rd Super Robot Wars Alpha", or simply, "Alpha 3", contains one of the largest casts to ever be placed together within a Super Robot Wars game. Series debuting in this game are Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final, Cyber Troopers Virtual On Marz and Cyber Troopers Virtual On Oratorio Tangram.

Overview

Alpha 3 reintroduces the "Squad System", first conceptualized in the "2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha", where a maximum of four units can be assigned to a squad that counts as a single unit. Since all the mecha are of different sizes, a size limit is placed, thus the player must consider building an effective squad. The system has received several improvements, including:
*The ability to auto-generate squads based on "balance" (generally grouping units together by series), "power" (a strong leader combined with strong supporting attacks), or "speed" (i.e. based on movement rate; units with the same rate are grouped together). This can be useful for the novice player, or one who does not want to go to the effort of building squads by oneself.
*Access to the item, upgrade and pilot menus from the squad-building menu.
*The option to change supporters' reactions when targeted by an enemy "ALL" attack (choose between "dodge" or "defend")
*Squad attack animation has been slightly improved; the entire squad is now shown onscreen, instead of just the ones attacking.

Alpha 3 also contains the following:

*Over 60 stages, as well as bonus "EX" scenarios, side stories to the main game.
*Kazuma Kaneko, known primarily as the artist of the Shin Megami Tensei series, participated as a mecha designer for the game. Among his designs is the Werkbau, one of the protagonist machines.
*The attack animations are some of the longest and most detailed of any game in the franchise to date.
*Three possible endings: the "normal" and "good" endings, with the addition of a few bonuses in the "good" ending, and the "Ideon" ending, based on the apocalyptic conclusion to the Ideon anime.
*Ichirou Mizuki, who is involved in many openings and endings in a number of titles (including the Mazinger and Getter series), makes his first seiyu debut in the role of the game's main antagonist.

Interesting to note is that Gundam SEED was not originally going to be added, but due to its popularity at the time in Japan, the intense demands of many Japanese fans, and Bandai pressuring Banpresto, it was included.

eries Included

*"Aim for the Top! Gunbuster"
*"Cyber Troopers Virtual On" (Debut)
*"" (Debut)
*"" (Debut)
*"Demon Dragon of the Heavens Gaiking"
*"Demon-God of War Goshogun"
*"Getter Robo"
*"Getter Robo G"
*"Shin Getter Robo" (Manga version)
*"Invincible Steel Man Daitarn 3"
*"King of Braves GaoGaiGar"
*"King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final" (Debut)
*"Mazinger Z"
*"Great Mazinger"
*"Mazinkaiser"
*""
*"Mobile Suit Z Gundam"
*"Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam"
*""
*""
*"Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" (Debut)
*"Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V"
*"Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V"
*"Brave Leader Daimos"
*"Neon Genesis Evangelion"
*""
*"Brave Raideen"
*"Space Runaway Ideon"
*"Steel Jeeg"
*"Super Beast Machine God Dancouga"
*""
*"Macross Plus"
*"Macross 7"
*"Banpresto Originals"

Banpresto Originals

When starting a new game, players are offered a choice between one of four original characters, each having their own distinct personality and robot (although information, such as birthdate, are customizable). Each character's story is also different; as a result, the player's choice will determine which characters from licenced series will appear first.

:The Super Robot Types::* Touma Kanou (VA: Yasuyuki Kase): Hot-blooded, dramatic and loud, Touma is a delivery boy who finds himself as the pilot of a prototype super robot named the RaiOh. Starting the game with Touma will have characters from GaoGaiGar appearing to aid him in the first stages.

::* Kusuha Mizuha (VA: Mikako Takahashi): This is Kusuha's third appearance in the Alpha series, and is the only returning selectable character from "Super Robot Wars Alpha" and the "2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha", thus is often considered the protagonist of the series. Kusuha begins with the GouRyu-Kai, where the Mazinkaiser and Shin Getter Robo teams make an early appearance in the first stages.:::* Brooklyn Luckfield (VA: Tomokazu Sugita): Also known as "Bullet", this is his third appearance in the Alpha series, and is only playable if Kusuha is selected as the protagonist. He begins using the RaiKou-Kai.

:The Real Robot Types::* Cobray Gordon (VA: Yuuki Tai): A mysterious young man who first appears in a machine that turns out to be Balmarian in origin. He loses his memory when something absorbs his unit and mutates it into the powerful, enigmatic Werkbau. Cobray's route is often considered the more interesting of the new characters, as his true identity offers a real surprise and treat to longtime Super Robot Wars players. Cobray's route offers characters from the Universal Century Gundam series at the very start. :::* Arado Balanga (VA: Kaichi Kazuya) & Seolla Schweizer (VA: Yumi Kakuzu): This is Arado and Seolla's second appearance in the Alpha series, having first appeared in the "2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha". They are only playable if Cobray is selected as the protagonist, and both pilot the Wild Wurger and Wild Falken units, respectively.

::* Selena Recital (VA: Yuko Sato): Speaking in a combination of Japanese and Spanish, this mysterious and deadly secret agent's true intentions are always in question. Players are expected to switch sides more often than any other character when using Selena. Her mecha, the AS Soleares, has the best speed of the four main characters, in terms of performance and motif, as well as having the greatest variety of attacks, which bestow negative status on enemy units. Selena's route offers characters from Gundam SEED and Gundam Wing Endless Waltz in the earliest stages.:::* Ibis Douglas (VA: Akeno Watanabe), Tsugumi Takakura (VA: Tomoko Hasekawa) & Sleigh Presty (VA: Miki Nagasawa): This is Ibis, Tsugumi and Sleigh's second appearance in the Alpha series, having first appeared in the "2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha". They are only playable if Selena is selected as the protagonist. Ibis and Tsugumi return in the Altairion and Sleigh in the Vegalion.

Appearing in all four of the originals' stories is the SRX Team, comprised of Ryusei Date, Raidiese F. Branstein, Aya Kobayashi, Mai Kobayashi, and Viletta Vadim. With the exception of Viletta, all were absent in the "2nd Super Robot Wars Alpha". Initially, Ryusei sorties in the R-Blade Custom, while Viletta returns to the R-Gun Powered, after piloting the Huckebein MK III L.

Sanger Zonvolt, having first appeared in "Super Robot Wars Alpha Gaiden", makes his third appearance in the Alpha series, piloting the Dygenguard, while Rätsel Feinschmecker, making his second appearance, pilots the Huckebein MK III R Trombe. Both characters appear in all four of the originals' stories, as well.

Noteworthy

*The inclusion of Virtual On marks the first time a video game franchise not owned by Banpresto, Bandai, or Sunrise has been included in a Super Robot Wars game (Virtual On is produced by Sega).

*This is one of the few Super Robot Wars games where a character makes a reference to another Super Robot Wars title in another universe or continuity.

External links

* [http://www.suparobo.jp/srw_lineup/srw_alpha3/index.html Banpresto's Super Robot Wars Alpha 3 site]