 "Super Robot Wars Alpha" introduces the "Skill Point" (localized as "Battle Mastery") system, where decisions made in and out of battle can affect the game's difficulty and the player's chances of receiving and unlocking more powerful units and items.In the year 179 of the "New Western Calendar", the One Year War breaks out between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, but is halted when an object crashes to Earth, landing on South Atalia Island.An investigative team from the "Extra-Over Technological Investigative Institute" discovers the object is an alien battleship with highly advanced technology.