Border Break

Border Break
Developer(s) Sega
Publisher(s) Sega
Producer(s) Noriyuki Shimoda
Composer(s) Fumio Ito
Platform(s) Arcade, PlayStation 4
Release
  • JP: September 9, 2009
  • HK: January 25, 2010
  • TWN: April 1, 2010
Genre(s) Action, Mecha, Third-person shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, Multiplayer
Cabinet Upright
Arcade system Sega RingEdge
CPU Pentium Dual-Core E2160 (1.8 GHz)
GPU: GeForce 8800 GS, 384 MB GDDR3 SDRAM (Shader Model 4.0)
Sound 5.1-channel HD Audio

Border Break: Sega Network Robot Wars (ボーダーブレイク, Bōdā Bureiku), is a third-person mecha action arcade game developed by Sega. It is the first title to run on Sega's RingEdge arcade system board, and was released on September 9, 2009 in Japan, in Hong Kong on January 25, 2010, and in Taiwan on April 1, 2010. A PlayStation 4 version was released in Japan on August 2, 2018.

Within one month by the end of September 2009, at least 2,436 Border Break machines were sold to arcade operators, which increased to nearly 3,000 machines by the end of 2009.[1] As of March 2012, the game has grossed ¥8.1 billion from arcade machine sales, equivalent to more than $100 million.[2]

Gameplay

The game focuses on robot battles through network connectivity between arcade cabinets. Two teams of ten robots battle across different landscapes, which include cities, towns, and facilities. In each map, each team's goal is to destroy the opposing team's energy reactor core, marked in red and blue respectively. At the end of each match, Class Points will be given to the player to level up their current rank.

The class point also affects the rank of the player. Generally, players who have just started the game will start playing in a series of cooperative battles against a computer-controlled "bots" team. The player will start facing actual opponents once when they have attained the rank of D4.

Robot types

Parts

In Border Break, you play as robots known as Blast Runners. Blast Runners are divided into four parts:

  • All: armor of Blast Runners,[3] chip slot capacity.
  • Head: shooting accuracy, search range, lock range and N-Def recover rate.
  • Body: booster capacity, SP supply rate, time for teleport preparation and N-Def hitpoint.
  • Arms: speed of reload and change weapon, recoil absorption and extra ammo capacity.
  • Legs: amount of load,[4] walk and dash speed and acceleration rate

If all four parts of a Blast Runner belongs to the same series, (Different types are OK) the Blast Runner will receive a "series bonus".

Classes

There are four different classes of Blast Runner to choose:

  • Assault: This is the basic frontline soldier class, and each Assault Blast Runner can use automatic weapons like assault rifles and sub-machine guns. They can throw grenades, launch missiles, and also use melee weapons such as sword, spear, katana, and spark rods to attack their opponents. A Blast Runner in this class equips an assault charger for high speed charges in a short time. This class is best used at close to medium range.
  • Heavy: As the name implies, this type of Blast Runner uses heavy ordnance such as machine guns, gatling guns, auto cannons, artillery howitzers, rocket launchers, plasma cannons, MLRS and pile bunkers which can deal out devastating damage. For support, a Heavy Blast Runner carries ECM grenades that jam affected Blast Runners' displays, impact bombs to knock down enemies, or carry barrier units for defense. This class is best suited for players who prefer medium to long range attacks, but skilled players can survive in close-quarters combat.
  • Sniper: Sniper class Blast Runners have the longest attack range of all. They can use high-caliber sniper weapons, deploy automated sentry guns and barrier screens for protection and defense, optical camouflage generator to hide itself, slow down opponents using a magnetizer, and a tracking device to keep track with targets. As far as self-defense weapons, this class can carry a pistol, jump mines, sticky bombs or high vibration knives.
    • Scout: Reformed from Sniper class in Border Break X, acted as disruptor in battlefield. They mainly use dual wield pistols in medium range attack, and equip sniper rifles for long range attack, or special explosives to ambush enemies. In addition, automated sentry guns, drones , instant reconnaissance device, and equipments for Sniper class before can be chosen for different situations.
  • Support: Support class Blast Runners provide healing capability to other friendly Blast Runners. They can deploy repair pods or use repair shotguns that repair a damaged Blast Runner and base defenses such as automatic cannons and the radar. A Support Blast Runner may carry sensors for surveillance to mark enemy troops and appear as red dots in his team's radar displays. Instead of sensors, a Support Blast Runner can carry ammo packs that can be dropped off for his teammates, or a stunner for close combat. Mines and remote bombs can be set to blow up when approached by enemies. Support Blast Runners can use shotguns or nail guns to defend themselves.

After ver.3.5 update, player with B5 or above class, can summon powerful bolt-on arms once fully charged, to take advantage for a short time.

Touch Panel

Communication between players of the same team uses the touch-screen capability in Border Break. Players can press the onscreen commands and responses to inform the team of their next move. They can send the entire team to attack an enemy together, defend themselves from a designated spot, call for reinforcements, scout the area ahead. Responses come with affirmation and NG (not able to follow the command).

Another ability to interact with a friendly Blast Runner once it is on screen. Players can say a word of thanks for help that the other Blast Runner may have done, apology for some mistake or error, or call for that Blast Runner to join them in action together. When players touch an enemy Blast Runner or landmark on screen, they can inform their own team of their discovery, or point it out for the team to attack. Players will be able to call out to any friendly Support Blast Runner nearby by touching their own Blast Runners and choosing the option to be repaired.

In addition, Heavy players can spot a place after howitzer deployed, by press a point in enlarged map within a specific range to commence artillery strike to there.

Data features

Border Break employs a data card available for players to purchase in some arcades, similar to the one used in Ghost Squad. This card is optional and is only meant for extended play and features. At the end of each match, regardless of winning or losing, players will be rewarded with mystery boxes with randomized items. Depending on how many boxes they can open, they can choose any of them on screen to be opened and the item inside will be added to their inventory. The items or ingredients as they are called, can be used to purchase better and stronger weapons or newer body parts for their Blast Runners. Blast Runners can be customized with better body parts and colored in different schemes, providing a unique feel for the player.

Arcade credits can be used to purchase Game Points (GP) in a data card. One credit allows the purchase of 260-300 GP, while two and five credits can purchase more GP with an added incentive: a small amount of free bonus GP. However, it is at the arcade's discretion to give the bonus GP credits. The more GP a player buys, the more time to play in a match. For example, 1200 GP can buy a player 1200 seconds (20 minutes) of game time. GP also can be used to purchase weapons and body parts, or customize the features of their pilot character, and the emblem and color of their Blast Runners.

If player reach certain achievements, respective medals are awarded. Some weapon or body parts may be required certain amount of medals specified to purchase. Some Blast Runners paints can be unlocked by collect specific sets of medals. In rank promotion mission, players are required to collect specified medals within period of time to complete it (for B5 or up).

Versions

New versions added new modes, content UI changes and balance adjustments

  • Border Break (2009)
  • Border Break Ver.1.01 (2009)
  • Border Break Ver.1.05 (2009)
  • Border Break Ver.1.14 (2010)
  • Border Break Ver.1.15 (2010)
  • Border Break Ver.2.00 (2010)
  • Border Break Ver.2.5: Air Buster (2011)
  • Border Break Ver.2.7: Air Buster (2012)
  • Border Break Ver.3.0: Union (2012)
  • Border Break Ver.3.5: Union (2013)
  • Border Break Mobile: Gun Front Hurricane (iOS, Android game) (2014)
  • Border Break Ver.4.0: Scramble (2014)
  • Border Break Ver.4.5: Scramble (2015)
  • Border Break Scramble 武 (2015)
  • Border Break X (2016)
  • Border Break X Zero (2017)
  • Border Break PlayStation4 version (2018)

PlayStation 4 port

In January 2018, SEGA announced that it would port Border Break to PlayStation 4. A beta test was conducted a few times in February, and the final release was done in Japan in August. The port is free-to-play.

Operating support of RingEdge arcade system EOL at the end of 2018. The arcade version of the border break may end the service, but no official announcement has been made.

Merchandise

Kotobukiya released a series of model kits featuring the mecha from the game itself. The nine were the Cougar I, released in January 2010, the Heavy Guard II, released in March 2010, the Shrike I, released in May 2010, the Cougar I(A class color) with heavy armament, released in June 2010, the Shrike I with assault armament, released in July 2010, the Zebra 41, released in September 2010, the Cougar S (S class color), released in November 2010, the Saber II, released in January 2011, and the Shrike V, released in March 2011.[5]

A model kit of the mecha, Yaksha Rei released by Wave in July 2016.[6]

A CD soundtrack was released on 11/26/09 in Japan. The majority of music from Border Break is a fusion between electronica and rock. A CD single by the Japanese pop artist, Mechanical Panda, was released separately and contains the opening theme song, Last Brave~Go To Zero, used for the game.

A second CD soundtrack titled, "Border Break Airburst", was released on 12/22/10. The music contained on this release is from the 2.0 upgraded version of the game.

A third soundtrack titled "Border Break Airburst 2", was released on 10/03/12. This expanded soundtrack was a digital only release.

A fourth and fifth soundtrack, titled "Border Break Union GRF" and "Border Break Union EUST" were released on 11/21/12. These expanded soundtracks were digital only.

A fifth soundtrack, titled "Border Break Scramble" was released on 5/14/14 in Japan. The release was again digital only and contained music from the latest version of the game.

4 guides/manuals and 3 artbooks (2 fan-made) have been released. The BORDER BREAK ARTWORK BOOK was officially translated in English by Udon Entertainment,[7] and released in 2015.

2 novels have been released, Border Break Nemesis Day (2012) and Border Break Historica (2014). A manga began in 2012.

References

  1. ↑ "Appendix of Consolidated Financial Statements 9 Months Ended December 31, 2009" (PDF). Sega Sammy Holdings. February 5, 2010. p. 3. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  2. ↑
    • Fiscal year ended March 31, 2010: ¥3.3 billion ("Appendix of Consolidated Financial Statements Year Ended March 31, 2010" (PDF). Sega Sammy Holdings. May 14, 2010. p. 3. Retrieved April 13, 2012. )
    • Fiscal year ended March 31, 2011: ¥2.5 billion ("Appendix of Consolidated Financial Statements Year Ended March 31, 2011" (PDF). Sega Sammy Holdings. May 13, 2011. p. 3. Retrieved April 13, 2012. )
    • Six months ended March 31, 2012: ¥2.3 billion ("Appendix of Consolidated Financial Statements: Year Ended March 31, 2012" (PDF). Sega Sammy Holdings. May 11, 2012. p. 3. Retrieved May 17, 2012. )
    • "Currency Conversion". XE.com. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
      • ¥3.3 billion = $40.7317 million
      • ¥2.5 billion = $30.8542 million
      • ¥2.3 billion = $28.6371 million
  3. ↑ for attacks hit the head(critical hit), the damage will be 2.5 times of normal hit
  4. ↑ overload of Blast Runners is allowed, but overload penalty will occur, depends on overload rate
  5. ↑ http://www.kotobukiya.co.jp/kotobukiya/special/bb/
  6. ↑ http://www.hobby-wave.com/LINE_UP/kit/borderbreak/01_yaksharei/
  7. ↑ "Border Break".
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