Robot Tactics X hands-on: Deep customisation down to the last mecha detail

Should you upgrade your set of Unicorn legs to boost your mech's Evasion, or do you prioritise your Gale Darius upgrade for higher HP? Does increasing your Crit stat mean you can get it over with quickly on the battlefield, or do you need to be less squishy to boost survivability? These are just some of the things you need to obsess over in Robot Tactics X, Game Hollywood's new mech-themed RPG. With tons of customisation options available to you, you're bound to find the right gear to suit your playstyle best.

If it all seems a tad overwhelming, don't fret - the game does ease you into all these with appropriate tutorials. It won't be long until you're out on your own though, battling mechs that tower above trees and dealing laser damage like it's nobody's business. There's a handy Auto function you can unlock after clearing Chapter 1-10, but what's the fun in that?

The thing is, Robot Tactics X shines brightest when it's actually you steering the wheel. The manual management of each mech ties into the build you've created for your mechs, as you can freely swap pilots holding the reins in your Hangar. Pilots will have their own stats and Talents you can unleash in battle, from healing allies who need a bit of a boost to absorbing damage for weaker teammates in your party. This alone requires a great deal of strategic thinking as to which skill will help you out in a pinch.

Pilot variety aside, the robots themselves also have a pretty diverse lineup of characteristics you can tinker around with for hours. You can painstakingly assemble each part in the Hangar, check out how each item synergises with your lineup, and cap off your customisation with a fancy paint job. It's not just about the armor or the weapons here - each part contributes to your mech's battle prowess as a whole, and it's a refreshing mechanic you don't often see in mobile gacha games these days.

Once you're done toying around with your roster, you can test your combat prowess out on the field in raid dungeons and in the actual campaign mode. Here, deploying your mechs is also part of your strategy across a battle grid. Some mechs can cross terrain, some can fire from a distance, while some can dish out counterattacks to bring foes to their knees. Each fight not only feeds your inner tactician, but it's also all very pleasing to the eye - not to mention the soundtrack is simply top-notch.

One thing that might be a little off-putting to some players is the fact that the game does require a lot of dedicated time and effort - you can't simply breeze through while auto-fighting here. You'll have to pay attention to what each action in battle does for you (you can even see a preview of the effects of a certain action before you execute it). The gacha also doesn't just let you pull pilots - there's also the weapons, parts, and items pool, which may not be too appealing to some gacha gamers.

Overall, it all boils down to your personal preference - Robot Tactics X isn't the most casual mobile game out there, but it doesn't really want to be. It's a game that highlights deep customisation in all aspects giving it plenty of appeal for midcore and hardcore gamers who'll also no doubt appreciate the pilot and mech designs which all look very, very cool.

If you're keen on giving the game a go, you can download Robot Tactics X on the iOS App Store or on the Google Play Store for Android devices. It's a free-to-play game with in-app purchases.