Its only the 3rd Front Mission game to be released in the US, and the lure of a turn-based strategy game involving big robots that blow stuff up was too much for Gamestyle, who went ahead and imported it.The action in Front Mission revolves around Wanzers, which are gigantic multi-storey mechanised walking tanks.
Whilst the concept of battling with mechs is not new, it still grabs your attention. Maybe its because that even with all the advances in technology, its such a ridiculous notion that were never likely to see wars fought by bi-pedal robots carrying automatic weapons. Its pure sci-fi, and that's what makes it so appealing. Boys love their toys, and mechs are the ultimate gadgets.
In Front Mission, the background story plays an important role in the game. A war is being fought by two military factions: the OCU and the USN. You must pick a side when the game starts, and the game will vary depending on your choice. In one scenario, you take the role of a young OCU Wanzer Commander, recruited to a mercenary squad known as the Canyon Crows, eager to avenge the death of his girlfriend. In the other you are a member of the USN, again part of an elite squadron called the Black Hounds. Whilst the stories may differ, the basic gameplay is the same. At the start of a mission you pick the mechs you want to use, and then enter the battlefield to compete your objective. Battles are turned-based affair, and you alternate with the CPU to move your mechs, and attack the enemy if within range.
Those who have played the Advance Wars and Fire Emblem games will be familiar with the process, but the combat in Front Mission is a little more complex and random. Each mech comprises of four main parts: the body, the legs, a right arm, and a left arm. Each part has its own health points, and can be attacked individually. This leads to some interesting tactical situations that can change the course of a battle. Weapons are carried on the arms, for example, and so once these have been destroyed, a Wanzer can no longer attack. Take out the legs, and not only is their range affected, but also their ability to dodge attacks. The body is the most crucial part of a Wanzer, and once this has been destroyed, the mech leaves the field of combat. If you're being attacked, you can opt to guard yourself, using your arms to protect the body, or counter-attack, leaving yourself open to damage, but at the same type attacking an unguarded Wanzer.
Its not as simple as other turn-based strategy games, and it can get quite confusing at times. Its hard to actually attack specific body parts, and its often pot luck as to where the damage is occurred. This randomness not only means that missions can last for hours, it also means that there's less strategy to this game than its mechanics would have you believe. Its hard to formulate a battle plan if in one attack you might do three-times as much damage as the next. One of the great features of Front Mission is the ability to customise the mechs by purchasing and salvaging new parts. You are advised in the game to try and create a mech that serves a particular purpose, and equip it with parts to best help it serve it. You might want your mech to be used for close-combat, so the body needs to be strong, sacrificing long range weapons to add extra bulk.
You might want a long-range mech, with a greater degree of movement and missile racks to strike from distance. The amount of parts is very impressive, with new equipment being made available as the game progresses. As you command a squad of mechs, you can customise each one so they can each bring something different to the battlefield.
Front Mission DS is a huge, with several lengthy missions to complete. Being able to choose sides, means that theres a good deal of variety to keep you coming back to the game. You can battle friends over local Wi-Fi in Battle Arenas, putting your customised mechs to the test, and although global Wi-Fi would have been a nice addition, the single player missions will occupy you for some time. As the game was originally developed for console control, use of the touchscreen is optional, and its probably best not to use it, as the menu screens are particularly tiny, and require some precision pointing. It is important to remember that this is a remake, and although the graphics are a little dated, the games mechanics are superb and more than make up for this.
Even after 12 years, Front Mission is a good game, and if youre a fan of turn-based strategy games, it would be a great addition to your DS library. Its a tough game, with complicated battle mechanics, but with a rich story and detailed customisation, it offers hours of entertainment.
