After several extensive betas, the latest of which attracted more than 300,000 concurrent players on Steam, Amazing Seasun Games’ free-to-play shooter Mecha BREAK finally has a release date. It’s out on July 1st for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Here’s what you can expect and what’s changing at launch.
What is Mecha BREAK?
There’s a story of sorts in Mecha BREAK – a big catastrophe, a material called Corite that ended up causing more trouble than it was worth, a mysterious organization called S.H.A.D.O.W. that the player ends up joining, and so on. However, at its core, this is a competitive shooter with objective-based modes, Deathmatch, and some PvEvP. A story-focused tutorial is in place to introduce the player to S.H.A.D.O.W., but from there, it’s all about hopping into matches and completing objectives for rewards. Thankfully, those who played through the tutorial in the betas can skip it at launch.
Strikers
There are 13 mecha in this game, known as Strikers, each with extensive kits and roles. Similar to the heroes from Marvel Rivals or Overwatch, they slot into five different categories: Attackers, Defenders, Supporters, Brawlers and Snipers. For example, Falcon is an Attacker that can fire quick shots and lock-on missiles with a Heavy Missile Launcher capable of even bigger damage, but it can also transform using flight mode to move faster and improve its lock-on and detection abilities. Contrast this to Skyraider, which can also transform into Aerial Assault Mode for bombing. It also specializes in plasma shots, energy missiles and unleashing a barrage of micro-missiles.
Combat
While it’s not quite Zone of the Enders-level of fluid, Mecha BREAK’s combat is fast-paced and pretty exciting. Battles can unfold on the ground as often as in the air as you weave in and out of enemy fire. You’ll have to manage armor and energy, the latter especially important when boosting or jumping, and different stats influence your defense against various damage types like ballistics, missile blasts, plasma shots, and even melee damage.
Mods
Of course, it wouldn’t be a mech game without customization, which means mods (obtained as rewards from Supply Crates). Mods will alter all kinds of stats, from boost and evade speed on the ground to your max HP and recovery. They come in different rarities but you can combine multiple of the same rarity into a higher tier via Mod Assembly.
While mods were previously active in all mods, Amazing Seasun Games has since confirmed that they work only in Mashmak mode at launch, thus ensuring an even playing field. Outside of mods, there are options for paint jobs, decals, and more for the Strikers.
Operation Verge
The usual competitive multiplayer consists of two modes – 6v6 and 3v3. The former is called Operation Verge and comprises objective-based modes, like escorting the payload, except both teams have separate payloads and must race to finish first. Naturally, you can disrupt the opposing team to try and slow down their progress. Then there’s Kraub Sinkhole, which involves capturing three Data Nodes and holding them to accrue points. Five maps have been showcased thus far in Operation Verge, each with unique objectives that mirror your average team-based shooter.
Ace Arena
Ace Arena is the 3v3 mode and focuses more on pure combat. Unfolding across four unique maps, the goal is simple: Annihilate the other team and hit the score cap (in this case, eight kills) to win. Unlike the beta, it will be immediately available – along with other modes and options – at the start.
Mashmak
Would it have been a 2025 competitive shooter without an extraction mode? Probably not, but regardless, Mashmak offers a PvEvP experience for players with three-person co-op and solo options. You drop into a map and battle PvE enemies, including bosses; find loot, including Mods; and ultimately extract.
Other players roam the zone, however, and if you die, that loot is lost. One of the notable aspects of Mashmak is the ability to use gliders and modular weapons. At launch, you can purchase these and bring them in from the start, though there is a power level limit (and when they’re gone, they’re gone).
New Maps and Strikers
In a recent developer AMA, executive producer Kris Kwok revealed some new maps, including one taking place on a Lunar base, and two new Strikers. Stellaris is a Brawler mech with blazing fast strikes while Serenith appears to be more of an Attacker.
12 Strikers Available at Launch
Mecha BREAK’s last beta generated significant backlash from players due to the grinding required to unlock its Strikers for playing. That won’t be an issue at launch, though, as 12 Strikers will be available to choose from. Unfortunately, the developer has not clarified how the post-launch Strikers must be unlocked.
Character Creation
Before really diving into combat, however, you can create your own pilot from a range of templates, each representing different units and factions. You can then freely modify the face, makeup, hair style, body, voice, and outfit with even more options in each category like skin, face shape, nose, eyes…and even more within including upper face shape, lower face shape, forehead, etc. It’s pretty extensive and that’s without getting into all the different outfits. Best of all, you can modify your appearance at no additional cost at launch.
The Hangar
As the recent beta showcased, you can wander around the Hangar as the pilot to talk to other characters. It’s not quite a social hub where you can interact with other players, but there are seemingly plans for the same down the line. A gym and gun range were spotted in the beta but unavailable for players, so we’ll have to wait and see how they pan out.
PC Requirements
Mecha BREAK will require 60 GB of installation space on PC with minimum requirements including an Intel Core i5-6500, an AMD Ryzen 3 1300X or higher, 8 GB RAM, and either an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, an AMD Radeon RX 570 or something higher.
The recommended specs include a Core i7-10700K, a Ryzen 7 5700X3D or higher, 16 GB of RAM and an RTX 3060, a Radeon RX 5700XT, and an Intel Arc B580 or higher. And as usual, installing on a solid-state drive will ensure the “best” performance.
Accessibility Features
With so much going on, it can be difficult to keep track of teammates or get a clear view of the action. Fortunately, Mecha BREAK features options to enable Squadmate Indicator, adjust your UI layout and even toggle Auto Lock-On for Snipers.
Cross-Play
Mecha BREAK features cross-play between consoles and PC, or rather, between PC and Xbox Series X/S. Cross-progression isn’t present and it’s unknown whether there are plans to implement it in the future. Cross-play that encompasses all platforms is somewhat worrying since it opens up the potential for encountering PC cheaters on consoles or having an inherent disadvantage.
What About the PS5 Version?
However, there isn’t much choice, at least in terms of ensuring consistent player numbers over a longer period, since the PS5 version still doesn’t have a release date. It’s unknown if this is due to a timed exclusivity agreement with Microsoft, but that somewhat explains the appearance at the Xbox Games Showcase. Either way, PlayStation players will need to wait to get their hands on it.
