Pacific Rim (video game)
A 2013 fighting game based on the film of the same name.
Pacific Rim, a 2013 fighting game based on the film of the same year, was developed and published by Yuke's. It was released for Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network, and was removed from both digital storefronts in 2016. The game's existence was first revealed by the Australian Classification Board, and later a NeoGAF user shared screenshots depicting the film's monsters and robots fighting across different settings.
In single-player mode, players fight through one-on-one melee battles to earn achievement points and character upgrades. Jaegers have two health bars, reflecting their need for two pilots, while Kaijus have only one.
The game received mixed to negative reviews, holding a Metacritic score of 39 out of 100 from 14 reviews. IGN's Jake Magee gave it a 5.3, describing it as "a flimsy movie tie-in that chooses to concentrate on repetitive and nonsensical story missions." Ben Rayner of Xboxer360 scored it 60 out of 100, calling it "a 'freemium' game disguised as an XBLA game."
A separate title, Pacific Rim: The Mobile Game, was released in 2013 for iOS and Android by Reliance Games and Behaviour Interactive. Reliance Games' chief executive Manish Agarwal stated the game is set before the film's events, and the company worked closely with director Guillermo del Toro on its design and testing. It was removed from the App Store in 2016.
In battle, players use on-screen buttons to block or dodge Kaiju attacks, then swipe to strike when an opening appears. The campaign spans 30 missions, with players earning cash to upgrade their Jaeger by swapping parts or buying single-use power-ups, and can also collect cash to purchase more powerful Jaegers.
Like the console version, the mobile game received poor reviews. The iOS version has a Metacritic score of 48 out of 100 from 12 reviews. Mike Fahey of Kotaku criticized its lack of innovation, calling it "isn't a bad Infinity Blade-style mobile game. It's just another one." Scott Nichols of Digital Spy gave it two out of five stars, noting it is "priced at a premium, making the free-to-play structure rather insulting to fans."
Quick Facts
- Title
- Pacific Rim
- Developer
- Yuke's
- Platforms
- Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade), PlayStation 3 (PlayStation Network)
- Released
- Xbox 360WW · 12 July 2013PlayStation 3NA · 15 October 2013 · EU · 6 November 2013 · 26 November 2013
- Genre
- Fighting
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In single-player mode, the player engages in several one-on-one melee battles to earn achievement points and upgrades for their characters. Jaegers have two health bars (as they require two pilots) while Kaijus have one. The game was met with mixed to negative reviews, holding a Metacritic score of 39 out of 100 based on 14 reviews. Jake Magee of IGN gave it a rating of 5.3, calling it 'a flimsy movie tie-in that chooses to concentrate on repetitive and nonsensical story missions.' Ben Rayner of Xboxer360 gave it a score of 60 out of 100, describing it as 'a freemium game disguised as an XBLA game.'
Reader's Guide
Pacific Rim (video game) represents a notable example of a movie tie-in that failed to capture critical or commercial success. Its delisting from digital stores in 2016 effectively removed it from official availability, limiting its legacy to archival discussions and retrospective critiques. The game's mixed-to-negative reception, with a Metacritic score of 39, highlights the challenges of adapting a film into a fighting game format. Critics pointed to repetitive missions and a perceived freemium structure as key weaknesses. Despite its shortcomings, the game remains a reference point for discussions about licensed video games from the early 2010s and the difficulties of translating cinematic spectacle into interactive media. Its brief existence on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, followed by removal, underscores the ephemeral nature of digital-only releases.
Did You Know?
- The game was first announced by the Australian Classification Board.
- A NeoGAF user posted several screenshots showing the monsters and robots of the movie battling in various environments.
- Jaegers have two health bars because they require two pilots, while Kaijus have one.
- The game was delisted from both digital stores and platforms in 2016.
More in Pilots & Kaiju
Elsewhere in Pacific Rim
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced