Bandai Namco Announces Overwatch-like F2P Hero Shooter Gundam Evolution

Overwatch probably isn't going free-to-play any time soon, despite the fevered predictions of many an internet pundit. However, Bandai Namco just announced a new Gundam game that appears to share a good bit of DNA with Blizzard's popular PvP shooter.

Gundam Evolution is an upcoming free-to-play FPS title that looks to have all the hallmarks of a hero shooter: 6v6 battles featuring varied characters with different abilities, a kill feed, objectives to fight over, and "ultimate" abilities you can trigger by pressing Q. It's not exactly Overwatch, but it's clearly inspired by it.

Unlike Overwatch, however, it's only going to be available in Japan, at least for the time being. Bandai Namco intends to launch the game there in 2022, but has plans to bring the game to other regions after that.

The game will be revealed in greater detail via a pre-recorded video on the Bandai Namco YouTube page at 8:00 p.m. Japan time on July 17. There's also a beta test planned for early August, though you'll need to live in Japan to access it. If you do, you have until August 2 to sign up for the beta, which is limited to 5,000 participants, on the Gundam Evolution website.