Welcome to the AEUG campaign! This time we’ll be assuming the role of Blex Forer, leader of the AEUG (Anti Earth Union Group) and playing through the events of Zeta Gundam and Gundam ZZ. It’s probably obvious, but major spoilers for the anime (mostly Zeta) will be present throughout this playthrough, although as always, we’ll be changing history with our choices too.

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Part 1: AEUG vs. Titans

We begin with a cutscene, setting a stage for the conflict.

The gameplay begins with a conversation between Quattro Bajeena and Blex.

Quattro: We have finally gathered enough forces. With this, we can fight on equal footing with the Titans.

Blex: With the cooperation of Anaheim Electronics, the new technology you brought to us called “Gundarium Gamma”, and the support of the people, we can fight.

Both agree that the best first course of action is to free the space colonies of Titans’ control and develop a foothold in space. From a gameplay perspective, this means we will need to take control of Side 2, 1, 5 and 6.

But first, let’s have a look at the map and our starting pilots/commanders.

Other than the moon and surrounding area, the Titans control the entire map. It’s definitely going to be an uphill battle.

The pilot roster for the AEUG is pretty small to start out with as well, however we’ll gain many more through events and reaching certain chaos/law alignment milestones.

With the Gundarium Gamma alloy, the AEUG will be able to begin the New Gundam Development project, which allows for the development of the Rick Dias and Argama.

Expanding the AEUG’s territory by conquering the space colonies is pretty straightforward. By the time we take Side 2 and begin the attack on Side 5, Quattro contacts us. The Titans have been developing a new type of Gundam, and he proposes a plan to steal them.

Quattro: Now, we may be able to capture the nearly completed Gundam. I propose a “New Model Gundam Capture Strategy.”

By activating this plan, Quattro, Roberto, and Apolly leave on the mission, and you won’t be able to use them for a short time. Coincidentally around this time is when we also received the option to begin the Zeta project. This will allow us to develop the Hyaku Shiki, Delta Gundam, and eventually, of course, the Zeta.

A few turns later, Quattro calls again to inform us the mission was a success.

In total, they stole two Gundam Mk-II prototypes. But that’s not all, they’re also now joined by Kamille Bidan who assisted in helping steal the new units.

However, Quattro says the Titans are still in hot pursuit, and the situation is unpredictable. Blex agrees and says to be careful of Bask Om, a Titans commanding officer, who will no doubt do whatever he can to get the Gundams back at any cost.

A turn later, Quattro gives us the unfortunate news that Kamille’s parents have been taken hostage, and Titans are demanding the stolen Mk-II units in exchange.

Quattro: Bask from the Titans has requested the handover of the Gundam Mk-II units, in return for Kamille Bidan’s parents.

This is the first story choice of this route, where you can either keep the Gundams, or agree to a trade. Choosing to keep the Gundams skips the rest of the event and your alignment becomes more chaotic, while agreeing to the trade makes your alignment more lawful and continues with the story.

Now is probably a good time to mention my goal for this run. There are two victory endings in the AEUG campaign, a standard ending and a perfect ending. The standard ending has you playing through the Gryps conflict and fighting Char’s Neo Zeon, just like in the Federation and Zeon campaigns. The perfect ending, however, stops before Neo Zeon forms. You do this by convincing Quattro (Char) to stay on your side and maximizing your law alignment before certain story events occur. I’ll make note of this when it happens, but every choice in this playthrough is going to be in favor of that purpose.

Agreeing to the trade triggers the same events that occur in the anime. Kamille’s parents are killed, and Titans pilot Emma Sheen defects to the AEUG.

Blex: I see… We obtained the Gundam Mk-II, but we caused a boy’s parents to be killed…

Because we selected the option that gives more law alignment, we get our first bonus pilots, Jack Baird and Adam Stingray. I assume the game gives you extras like this to make up for the fact that if you follow the Argama’s story events, you’ll be down a ton of pilots for a good chunk of the Gryps conflict.

Speaking of the Argama, it escapes the Titans’ pursuit and reaches Granada. Here we are given the option to allow the Argama to continue acting on their own, or disband them. Letting the Argama stay independent allows them to act a bit like White Base did in our playthrough of the Federation campaign, where they trigger certain events and handle story-relevant battles for us. For this run, we’re letting them act on their own.

Blex: The Argama is a symbol of the AEUG. I’ll have them act independently from now on.

Our next choice is whether or not to send the Argama a Hyaku Shiki for Quattro to pilot. This is important, as agreeing leads the next story event.

Henken Bekkener: When we rescued the shuttle “Temptation” from being attacked by a new type of mobile armor, Captain Bright Noah offered to help us.

This new mobile armor is the Messala, piloted by Paptimus Scirocco. Bright assumes the role of the Argama’s captain, so as long as they are acting independently, he won’t show up in our roster.

Next we get a call from Wong Lee, an executive of Anaheim Electronics, the financier of the AEUG.

Wong: Blex-kun, I think it’s time to conquer Jaburo now that our military strength is ready. What do you think?

At first Blex expresses some reservation about the idea, as that would mean extending the fight against the Titans to the Earth. Wong doesn’t care though, and basically says as long as he’s funding the AEUG, they will do as he asks. We’ll be working with Karaba, the AEUG’s equivalent resistance movement on Earth.

A few turns later, we’re contacted by Hayato Kobayashi, former White Base pilot and Karaba’s leader.

Hayato: This is Hayato Kobayashi from Karaba. Preparations for the Jaburo strategy are complete, please contact us anytime.

A few more notes before we move on to the Jaburo operation. The first is some more bonus pilots, Yuu Kajima, Philip Hughes, and Summona Fulis from the Blue Destiny series of games.

The other is the ability to research and develop the Zeta, along with Dijeh and Hyaku Shiki + Mega Bazooka. The important one for the story events is Zeta, I’m just mentioning the others out of personal love.

The first step in the Jaburo operation is moving our forces to the atmosphere space over Jaburo (bottom right quadrant on the map), then activating the plan to invade, which triggers a cutscene.

We’re also given the option to allow the Argama to participate or not. As with all events like this, allowing them to participate triggers certain events to occur.

As the battle begins, we get an urgent communication.

AEUG Officer: This is an emergency message from the Argama’s mobile suit squad. A nuclear bomb has been planted at Jaburo! It’s dangerous here! We’re evacuating the troops!

There’s no way to stop the bomb from going off, however thanks to the Argama’s involvement, only 30% of our forces are destroyed as opposed to 50% (it destroys the equivalent of the Titan’s forces there too).

Despite taking control of the base at Jaburo, we receive word that the Titans are moving their base of operations to Kilimanjaro in an attempt to increase their military strength. To get there, we will quite literally need to conquer most of the world. Thus begins the first in a series of new operations to unlock, starting with the bases in New York and California.

Meanwhile, we get a report that the Argama crew attempted to return to space. Roberto has unfortunately died, and Quattro and Kamille remain on Earth with Karaba in the Audhumla.

From here, we just need to focus on taking bases and territory as they become available, while the story events do their thing. I’ll mention each here in succession, since there really isn’t anything to see in game other than a brief intelligence report.

The Audhumla encounters a Cyber Newtype from the Augusta Institute (Rosamia Badam), and we’re given a warning that we may encounter more in the future. Quattro and Katz Kobayashi return to space, while Kamille remains on Earth.

From there, the Audhumla arrives in Hong Kong and faces off against the Titans forces there, including Four Murasame (another Cyber Newtype) and the Psycho Gundam. This results in the Psycho Gundam taking heavy damage and Kamille escaping back to space.

By this point, we had captured New York and California, and unlocked the next two operations to take Hawaii and Australia.

Finally, we get another story choice. Since we developed the Zeta Gundam earlier, we have the choice to send one to Kamille.

AEUG Officer: I think Kamille Bidan can effectively use the Zeta Gundam. Shouldn’t the Zeta Gundam be deployed to the Argama?

Just like when we chose to send the Hyaku Shiki to Quattro, agreeing to this choice is necessary to continue the Argama’s story. Fa Yuiry, Kamille’s childhood friend, also joins them.

Following this, the Argama docks at Granada, and we are once again given the choice to let them continue acting on their own, which we agree to as before.

Also, new bonus pilot:

This is John Cowen, a character from Stardust Memory. He was in charge of the Gundam Development Project, which led to the creation of the GP0 units.

Speaking of new pilots…apparently we’ve recruited Mezun Mex, the captain of the karate team at Kamille Bidan’s school. An odd inclusion, but if the game wants to throw more pilots at us, I’ll take it.

One last thing before the story moves on, we’re given the choice to activate the ZZ Project.

AEUG Officer: Using the technology we have accumulated from the Zeta Project, we aim to develop the ultimate mobile suit that excels in all fields. We propose the “ZZ Development Plan”.

The next big story event involves the Dakar Assembly.

AEUG Officer: Jamitov Hymen is proposing to the Assembly that the Earth Federation Forces be placed under the control of the Titans!

We, as Blex, are given the choice to attend the meeting and attempt to sway the opinion of the Earth Federation against the Titans, or not attend at all.

Choosing yes will lead to the events in Zeta – Blex is assassinated, and you get a historical bad end.

Choosing no will allow you to continue, and Blex comments he doesn’t want to go because he doesn’t trust whatever Jamitov might be planning.

Since Blex chose not to attend, Jamitov is able to freely make a declaration that they are expanding their forces, and a bill is passed that gives the Titans control over the Federation’s military. There are also hints about the Titans planning a large operation in space.

Blex: All of the Federation Forces have become our enemies… This battle is about to get tough…

Meanwhile, from a gameplay standpoint, we’ve unlocked operations for China and India, continuing the journey to Kilimanjaro across the Earth.

The space operation is the Titans staging an invasion of the AEUG’s base on the moon. Once again, we have the option of allowing the Argama to intervene. Having the Argama participate means they will handle part of the invading force, essentially the anime-relevant characters: Jerid Messa, Mouar Pharaoh, Sarah Zabiarov, Yazan Gable and Scirocco.

On the first turn of the battle, the Titans attempt to drop a colony on Granada. However, thanks to Emma (and the fact that the Argama is involved), the drop is prevented, and Titans officer Jamaican Daninghan, who authorized the operation, is killed. Even Wong sends his thanks.

Wong: Blex-kun, on behalf of the citizens of Granada, I would like to thank you for your efforts in stopping the colony.

Following the battle, a few more bonus pilots arrive, these being Shin Matsunaga and Cucuruz Doan.

Next is a message that Argama pilot Reccoa Londe has gone missing and is presumed dead. In reality, she has defected to the Titans.

I forgot to mention it earlier, but we can build the ZZ now! From here, we’ll be able to research the FAZZ and Enhanced ZZ.

At long last, it’s time to attack Kilimanjaro.

Before the battle, you’re asked if you would like the Argama to engage in diversionary tactics from space. Using the Argama as a diversion will set the rest of the anime-related events in motion. The first of which being Kamille and Quattro are forced down to Earth from space, an event that occurs on turn 1 of the battle.

AEUG Officer: Kamille Bidan and Quattro Bajeena, who were conducting a diversionary maneuver over Kilimanjaro, will descend into the atmosphere.

Then, on turn 5 you get a report about the destruction of the Psycho Gundam and the death of Four.

AEUG Officer: It was defeated by Kamille Bidan, and the Cyber Newtype aboard the Psycho Gundam were said to have died in the battle.

From here the battle progresses as normal. Here’s a few extra lines from the fight.

Blex: Even after seeing the reality that half of the African continent has become a desert, you still don’t get it?

Mezun: This happened because you skipped practice!

After taking Kilimanjaro, Quattro contacts us.

Quattro: Karaba is planning a propaganda campaign in the Assembly, and has requested my assistance in the operation. Is it okay if I comply with Karaba’s request?

Choosing yes will allow Quattro to give his Dakar speech denouncing the Titans. This also provides a big morale boost to your forces and increases your law alignment.

When Quattro returns, he and Blex share a few words.

Quattro: I’ve just returned.

Blex: Thank you for your hard work. It was a great speech.

Quattro: I sounded like a fool.

Blex: What are you saying? Thanks to you, our morale has greatly increased.

Quattro: You flatter me.

Blex: But what should I call you from now on, Quattro… no, Char Aznable?

Quattro: I’m still going to act as Quattro Bajeena.

Blex: If possible, I would like you to be active somewhere other than the battlefield…

Quattro: There will come a time when that happens, but for now, shouldn’t we prioritize defeating the Titans?

Blex: Maybe now we should attack the Titans full force. I’ll have you continue to stand on the front lines.

Quattro: Thank you.

From a gameplay perspective, we now have the ability to attack Odessa, the second to last Titans base on Earth. Conquering that will allow us to attack the final one at Belfast. But before all that – Axis Zeon has arrived!

Haman contacts us and suggests the AEUG and Axis form an alliance against the Titans.

Haman: Our demand is for the restoration of the Zabi family. If you accept this condition, how about we help you defeat the Titans?

If you choose to accept, Quattro pops in and asks you to reconsider.

Quattro: Please wait. Haman is a dangerous presence. Even if we form an alliance, she is sure to bring disaster later. Do you still plan to form an alliance?

Accepting the alliance even after Quattro’s objections will increase your chaos alignment, and Quattro will leave the AEUG.

Rejecting the alliance (which was our choice) will increase your lawful alignment, and Haman will make a rather ominous statement.

Haman: Really…so I suppose I’ll take my proposal over to them…

Axis itself and the immediate surrounding spaces are added to the map as well.

Along with all of this, we receive notice that members of Karaba have decided to join us directly.

Back on the gameplay side of things, we can finally take Belfast and drive the Titans from Earth for good.

Amuro: Nice to meet you, I’m Amuro Ray.
Beltorchika: Helen Helen, right?
Amuro: Eh?!
Beltorchika: It’s my favorite soap!

Amuro also has an interesting line if he happens to be piloting a ZZ…

Amuro: ZZ is not just for show!

After taking Belfast, we are contacted by Melanie Hue Carbine, the chairman of Anaheim Electronics.

Melanie: I hear that Axis is trying to join forces with the Titans. If the two join forces now, it might bring the Titans back to life. Shouldn’t we form an alliance with Axis?

Blex disagrees, saying that Axis is trying to bring about the restoration of the Zabi family, and he worries this could lead to a repeat of the One Year War. However, Melanie reiterates that destroying the Titans is the priority, and he’s not worried about Axis taking over old Zeon territory right now. Since his company is providing support to the AEUG that they can’t afford to lose, Blex has to reluctantly go along with his proposal.

Naturally, Quattro asks Blex what is going on.

Quattro: So you’ll form an alliance with Axis after all?

Blex: It’s an offer from Chairman Melanie… we have no choice. You seem to have a connection with Axis, so could you help negotiate with Haman?

Quattro: It’s a difficult mission, but we’ll do it somehow. Together with Captain Henken, we’ll form a unit and head towards Axis.

Shortly after, Quattro contacts us again with his report.

Quattro: As a result of negotiations with Haman, we were able to get her to cooperate with us on the condition that we cede the former Zeon territory.

Per the terms of the alliance, Axis will begin advancing into Side 3 and A Baoa Qu, while the AEUG will launch an offensive against Luna II. Quattro once again warns us that Haman isn’t to be trusted, and to be careful.

With that, on to Luna II.

Gates Capa: Our numbers are too different… Retreat!

Sarah: I wasn’t good enough… and yet…

Around this time, we get three new pilots as well, Emary Ounce, Milly Childer, and Madchar Mucha, the first of the ZZ characters.

Suddenly, there’s an emergency intelligence bulletin – Axis (the asteroid) is on the move, and has collided with A Baoa Qu!

This is the beginning of Axis’ attack on the Titans. They are able to seize the former territory of Zeon, greatly reducing the Titan’s presence in space. Here’s the updated map.

Quattro then calls us to give the unfortunate news that Apolly was killed in combat during the destruction of A Baoa Qu, but we are ready to move on to Gryps 2

And so, the final battle against the Titans awaits.

As usual, you’re asked if the Argama should participate. Events in this battle are determined by whether or not the Argama is there, and your current alignment. In our case, we chose yes and were at max law alignment by this point, so that sequence is what I’ll be covering here.

On the first turn of the battle, Jamitov is assassinated by Scirocco, who blames his death on Haman and takes command of the Titans.

To this end, Scirocco also has Bask killed as well. Blex expresses his surprise at this sudden turn of events.

Blex: So now the Titans belong to Scirocco? That Scirocco, what is his objective?

Next, Quattro reports that the Argama is attempting to take control of the Gryps 2 Colony Laser.

Quattro: Along with the Argama, we will proceed with capturing the Colony Laser. Please wait for good news.

Over the next few battle turns, the Argama takes control and prepares to fire the laser at the Titans.

AEUG Officer: Report from the Argama! The main enemy force has been trapped within range of the colony laser!

Blex: Alright! Colony laser, fire!

In this scenario, the colony laser destroys a portion of the Titan’s remaining forces at Gryps 2, and the battle continues.

Scirocco: Hehehehehe, it’s just as I predicted…fortune is leaning in our favor…

Rosamia: S-space is falling!? Help me, big brother!!

With Gryps 2 conquered, the Titans are finally defeated. However, this victory came at a heavy cost – Henken, Emma, and Katz were all killed in battle.

Blex: Henken, Emma, and Katz Kobayashi too… Their sacrifice was too great…

On a positive note, Kamille has survived his fight with Scirocco and has come out unscathed.

AEUG Officer: We have received a report from the Argama that Zeta Gundam pilot Kamille Bidan has defeated the Titans’ Paptimus Scirocco and survived.

Of course, our troubles aren’t over yet…

As Quattro warned us many times, Haman has suddenly betrayed the AEUG, taking the opportunity to attack in the wake of the battle. Axis captures both Luna II and Gryps 2, and they are now our new enemy.

Blex: It seems she was waiting for us to exhaust ourselves… Haman Karn…Are you trying to profit off our conflict…?

Up next, the battle against Axis Zeon…