Gaming Front Mission Series

[MoonlitStairway]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=2][FONT=Times New Roman]Having started with Front Mission 3, I instantly became a fan of the game. The usage of Wanzers, along with the customization options keeping me occupied for hours on end, made the non battle parts intensely captivating. The storyline of Front Mission 3 was bountiful with interesting twists and little facts to gently intwine both storylines carefully. However, the storyline differences of the Alisa and Emma missions ( They being the two different choices for missions ) for not too drastically split.

In Front Mission 3, the Final Fantasy Tactics like manuevering system and otherwise interesting battle system was highly enjoyable, the battle scenes depicted having been well designed.

When it comes to Front Mission 3, I gave it a 9.0 out of 10

Front Mission 4, which I just got recently, was definantly worth the money. The motion picture scenes far outdid those of Front Mission 3, showing excellent graphics to reinforce breathtaking scenes. The battle system was practically the same as in Front Mission 3, or so I thought until I discovered Link features. Because of these, the battles I fought in became more realistically died to the motion picture scenes, depicting a fight scene that was slightly more sensible. Afterall, I love watching my main character's partner fire a sniper shot into a Wanzer's leg before the protagonist leaps up, taking advantage of the distraction to impale the torso.. Anyway!

Having only gotten into the storyline slightly, for I've only had the game for several days, so far so good. The storyline seems rich with twists like in Front Mission 3. Instead of Japan, the Phillipines and the United States, Front Mission 4 seems to take place in Europe ( primarily so far in Germany, France, Denmark and Belgium ) and also in South America ( primarily Venezeula. ) I can hardly wait to see more.

The customization options given are even more excessive than in Front Mission 3, having kept me occupied for a good solid half an hour merely choosing the color and design of the Wanzers' appearances. That, and of course, the fun of changing parts and readying weaponry was pleasing.

Front Mission 4, I'd give a 9.5 out of 10.

So now I ask for your opinions.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Zidargh]

Finally! Someone actually recognises Front Mission 3 for it's quality. It seems to be a fairly unknown game around here, and your review is everything I agree to. However, I do disagree with how you disqualified a point for how Emma's and Alisa's story are not as split. The fact that they refer to eachother so much is brilliant. And that single, choice you make which is so subtle, was a brilliant touch to deciding with storyline to follow.

I've yet to play Front Mission 4 for it's not been released in the UK, and I highly doubt it will be. Sales were probably poor in the UK, for Mech-funky-games are of an unknown taste here.

I love the music in Front Mission 3 though. Especially the Jazz in the bars, etc.

[Sol-Blade]

[SIZE=-3]Front Mission 4. Ah yes [i]gaming bliss[/i]...

To say I loved Front Mission 4 is an understatement, and a severe one at that. I've had the game for a month now, and it's consuming more of my time than GTA: SA did!

First off, Front Mission 4 is HARD. Way, way, way harder than FM3 ever was. The difficulty level really tops off at around...[I]Level 6[/I]. After that, the game never lets up. The AI is incredibly smart and will be ready to counteract almost everything you do. The story is really intriguing, and the voice actors did a good job. The story of Darril and his former U.C.S. pals may seem completely parallel to what Elsa and the Durandal are doing, but not too far into the game you realize what exactly both storylines have in common. Needless to say, the game is chock full of surprises and twists.

Gameplay. Excellent. 'nuff said. Okay, seriously though it really is pretty good. The only problem I have is the problem between all the FM games. Okay, actually maybe just 3 and 4 since they are the only ones I've played. Anyways, the problem is that, some of the battle sequences can get really tedious. I didn't really mind, but I know that most people might get impatient and annoyed. You CAN skip the battle sequence, but you miss out on how much damage was done, what attack was done, and so on and so forth. Another issue with gameplay was what I already mentioned. The game is HARD. Probably, TOO HARD. I spent at least an entire week trying to beat Durandal Simulation 13. If you've been there, you know what I'm talking about. Ahem, the customization is pretty good. Almost Armored Core deep, ALMOST. You can completely customize your Wanzers (Pronounced Vanzers for complete German effect) from their Legs, L Arm, R Arm, Backback and their Body. Then you outfit them with weapons of your choice. The weapons range from melee weapons like clubs and pistons to SMG's and Sniper Rifles. There are also shoulder mounted weapons like grenade and missile launchers. You can then name the wanzer and color it. Pilots are also pretty customiziable. You can't name them, and you certainly can't color them but you can choose what skills they learn via expericence points. Some pilots are better at sniping than others, some are better at repairs than others...you can tell by the skills they can learn. You can also "purchase" new CPU's for pilots that allow them to learn skills that were not available to them before.

All this customization is not just there for show, you have to at least do some customization to win missions and in some missions (cough*cough*...Simulation 13...cough*)...abosolute, perfect preparation and excution are REQUIRED to beat the mission. It's not possible. It just isn't without some serious customizing. So be prepared to spend as much time building wanzers as you do destroying them. :D

About the music, I would say that it is pretty good. The soundtrack seems more techno oriented at times, in the menus. Can't really comment on the battle music, since it was so repeatitive after hearing it play for over an hour and a half. =/

But that's probably it's only weak point. Besides that, the game is great and is for the truly hardcore. And I mean, hardcore. You better prepare to lose track of time when playing this game, because if you ever want to finish it you will have to devote some days, if not weeks to it.[/SIZE]

[Meggido]

Australia never got the first two games in the front mission series and only just got Front Mission 3. I had to download the first and loved it so much that I downloaded the second even though it was in Japanese. The second was unusual as it was more of a platformer rather than a strategy.

The third almost didn't get a release in Australia and because of that I've had to borrow it from a friend. I don't really like the storyline because it takes to long to unfurl. I do on the other hand love the gameplay and the FMVs.

I'm just hoping that the fourth does get released in Aus.

[Semjaza]

I own 3, which I loved. It's a really great strategy RPG that I wish more people cared about. It seems as though Square didn't really push it much.

FM4 is only $15 at Best Buy, for those who care.

[MoonlitStairway]

Zidargh, you said "However, I do disagree with how you disqualified a point for how Emma's and Alisa's story are not as split. The fact that they refer to eachother so much is brilliant."

My apologies, I must've written my opinion incorrectly, for my intention was to state that the fact that they weren't too drastically split was indeed brilliant. I agree that because they are tied together on the aspects that they are is incredibly enjoyable.

^-^ my bad

[Billy Shears]

I bought FM4 from Best Buy for 20$, and it was well deserved. The level of story and CUSTOMIZATION is SO deep. Souping up my wanzers is the only reason I bought the game, but now battles, story, then customization are the reasons I PLAY. This is a very good game.

But I have 2 minor complaints. 1.) Sqaure/Enix has to make the zoom go further in. I know they have to show a massive battlefield, but I really would like a closer zoom. 2.) Record Vo's for the whole script. Those features would have been nice.

Very close to the end, I would give the game a 9/10, for great graphics, battles, story, and deep customization.