Gundam 0079: The War for Earth

About

Gundam 0079: The War for Earth is a point-and-click adventure game that adapts the 1979 anime’s storyline into an interactive movie format. Developed by Presto Studios in 1996, it casts you as an unnamed Gundam pilot defending Earth from Zeon forces. Gameplay unfolds through pre-rendered cutscenes and live-action footage, with player choices influencing dialogue and mission outcomes. You’ll command the Gundam in key battles like the White Base’s defense against Char Aznable, manage crew interactions, and navigate a script closely mirroring the original series. Combat is limited to scripted sequences, with most action handled by set-piece animations. The game runs on PC, Mac, PlayStation, and Apple Pippin, reflecting its 1990s tech roots. This title stands out as the only officially licensed Gundam game made by a US developer, blending real actors with computer graphics in an era transitioning from interactive movies to 3D games. The Japanese version features original voice actors from the anime, though lip-syncing is rough. Community discussions often note its historical curiosity over gameplay polish, with retro fans praising its ambitious use of live-action integration. While not a commercial hit, it remains a niche artifact of 1990s multimedia experimentation.

Storyline

The player assumes the first-person view of the Gundam Pilot, the game's protagonist for most of the dialogue while the other viewpoints are that of a cinematic camera. The protagonist is unnamed, but fulfills the same major role as Amuro Ray and like Amuro, is postulated to be a Newtype. The player finds the Gundam during a Zeon attack on Side 7, its original pilot having been killed by falling debris prior to boarding it. He enters the Gundam and destroys a Zaku before being forced out the colony and into space. After being recruited by Commander Bright, the Gundam Pilot is given a rank insignia and asked to continue in the role. He is then introduced to Ryu Jose (renamed Duke Jose) and Kai Shiden. The player must then defend the White Base against Char Aznable in its descent. Char fails to destroy the Gundam, but uses a ground-based cannon weapon known as the "Thor Cannon" to damage the White Base, causing it to crash in North America. Char then contacts Garma Zabi and informs him of the situation. The White Base lands in a gutted pyramid structure inside a desert city (presumably the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas) near the Thor Cannon. The player sorties in the Gundam's upper torso fitted onto the Guntank's lower body, as the Gundam's legs were too damaged. After patrolling the city, the Gundam receives a new pair of legs, delivered to the White Base by a Gunperry. The player then breaches the Zeon compound's defenses, destroys a MS-07B Gouf, and along with it, the Thor Cannon. Garma's forces attack and the Gundam rides a Gaw back to the White Base. The White Base's missiles damage Garma's Gaw when they attack his rear. Char declares his betrayal to Garma who attempts to ram his Gaw into the White Base, but is thwarted by the Gundam. The Gundam Pilot returns to the White Base and is congratulated by Hayato and Bright when Char suddenly attacks the White Base, damaging the Guntank and destroying the Guncannon. The Gundam rams Char out of the ship using the launch catapult. Char grabs the Gundam's beam saber, but realizes that it only runs on the Gundam's power supply before the protagonist damages his Zaku II and forces him to retreat. Gihren Zabi gives a speech at Garma's funeral. The White Base proceeds towards Jaburo, but Char laughs as he is in pursuit and believes victory is soon at hand.