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Front Mission 4 for PlayStation 2FRONT MISSION 4 marks the debut of the popular mech-based strategy game series on the PlayStation 2. Utilizing the technological...
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FRONT MISSION 4 marks the debut of the popular mech-based strategy game series on the PlayStation 2. Utilizing the technological capabilities of the system, FRONT MISSION 4 brings you the newest chapter in the best-selling series. While boasting an enhanced battle system, outstanding new graphics and dramatic voiceovers, FRONT MISSION 4 maintains the outstanding strategic gameplay that has won acclaim from both gamers and press worldwide.
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5 Reviews from Epinions.com
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Front Mission 4 Computer Game
For those who are unfamiliar with tactical RPGs in general, and the Front Mission series in particular, here's an overview: The story plays out like in most other RPGs. The battle system is markedly different, however. You must move your characters around a gridded map and decide if and how to attack your opponents. Do you snipe at him with a rifle? blast him with shotgun rounds? or pound him with a melee weapon? Each weapon has different damage levels and types, accuracy, range, and a set amount of ammunition. Front Mission adds new tactical nuance - each wanzer (giant robot) part has a different HP counter and can be destroyed independently of the others. Destroying an arm denies the opponent the use of whatever weapon was being carried by that arm. Destroying the legs cuts movement down to one. Destroying the body removes that wanzer from the map.
Front Mission 4's tactical engine improves dramatically on FM3's. The new repair and radio backpacks make it much harder to destroy one of your wanzers (repair backpacks can, obviously, repair parts, and bring back destroyed ones; radio backpacks can bring back destroyed wanzers to full HP). It's been a while since I played FM3, but I'm pretty sure that the sensor backpack is also new. It extends the range of all friendly missileers on the map to an area around the equipped wanzer. For example, if an enemy wanzer is fifteen squares away from your missileer, he normally couldn't hit it. But if a friendly wanzer equipped with a sensor backpack is near the target, your missiles can reach it. EMP backpacks are also new. These allow you to temporarily disable certain wanzer systems; for example, you could disable an enemy's attack systems, kill his missile launchers, or shut down the wanzer altogether. The EMP backpack can also be used defensively, to protect friendly wanzers from missiles. This is arguably very cool, but you only get a limited number of missile jams per mission. Also of interest is the jetpack, though it's only useful if you're using 4-legged or hover wanzers. Of course, quad and hover legs are also effectively useless in all but a few missions.
The most significant addition is the Link System. By linking wanzers together, you can make several attacks in one turn, or have a few other wanzers aid in counterattacks. Linked battles make Action Points extremely importiant; without sufficient AP, your links will be useless as the other wanzers won't be able to attack.
Unfortunately, the beauty of the game's battle system is marred by its shortness. One of the best things about FM3 was its story. The length of the game was sufficient to allow the plot to develop to its peak. FM4's plot had a lot of potential, but 30 missions was hardly enough to develop that potential. I would have given it fifty missions, at the least. And the ending was a bit too Disney-cliche for my tastes.
30 Missions of Excellence
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Pros: Combat engine is an incredible improvement over FM3
Cons: Too short for proper plot development
The Bottom Line:
Excellent combat engine, but I would have liked to have been able to use that combat engine a little more.
For those who are unfamiliar with tactical RPGs in general, and the Front Mission series in particular, here's an overview: The story plays out like in most other RPGs. The battle system is markedly different, however. You must move your characters around a gridded map and decide if and how to attack your opponents. Do you snipe at him with a rifle? blast him with shotgun rounds? or pound him with a melee weapon? Each weapon has different damage levels and types, accuracy, range, and a set amount of ammunition. Front Mission adds new tactical nuance - each wanzer (giant robot) part has a different HP counter and can be destroyed independently of the others. Destroying an arm denies the opponent the use of whatever weapon was being carried by that arm. Destroying the legs cuts movement down to one. Destroying the body removes that wanzer from the map.
Front Mission 4's tactical engine improves dramatically on FM3's. The new repair and radio backpacks make it much harder to destroy one of your wanzers (repair backpacks can, obviously, repair parts, and bring back destroyed ones; radio backpacks can bring back destroyed wanzers to full HP). It's been a while since I played FM3, but I'm pretty sure that the sensor backpack is also new. It extends the range of all friendly missileers on the map to an area around the equipped wanzer. For example, if an enemy wanzer is fifteen squares away from your missileer, he normally couldn't hit it. But if a friendly wanzer equipped with a sensor backpack is near the target, your missiles can reach it. EMP backpacks are also new. These allow you to temporarily disable certain wanzer systems; for example, you could disable an enemy's attack systems, kill his missile launchers, or shut down the wanzer altogether. The EMP backpack can also be used defensively, to protect friendly wanzers from missiles. This is arguably very cool, but you only get a limited number of missile jams per mission. Also of interest is the jetpack, though it's only useful if you're using 4-legged or hover wanzers. Of course, quad and hover legs are also effectively useless in all but a few missions.
The most significant addition is the Link System. By linking wanzers together, you can make several attacks in one turn, or have a few other wanzers aid in counterattacks. Linked battles make Action Points extremely importiant; without sufficient AP, your links will be useless as the other wanzers won't be able to attack.
Unfortunately, the beauty of the game's battle system is marred by its shortness. One of the best things about FM3 was its story. The length of the game was sufficient to allow the plot to develop to its peak. FM4's plot had a lot of potential, but 30 missions was hardly enough to develop that potential. I would have given it fifty missions, at the least. And the ending was a bit too Disney-cliche for my tastes.
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