1. Bulldozer

   9

   Even if I'm a fan of the classics FM (turn based) I'm gonna giving this game a 9/10 'cuz it's fun and enough well made. Graphics are good, sound is not bad, controls are smooth and gameplay is fun, the story and characters are not the best out there, at least not fun and charmful as in FM3 but neither too bad.… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
2. Dashery

   5

   Going into this game I didn't know much about the Front Mission series, only playing Front Mission 4 several years ago, and I haven't played a Square game since Final Fantasy IX, so I had a mixture of expectations. The expectations I had were quickly dashed. I was hoping for a giant robot war game that put me on the front lines of a battlefield with a complex story that early Square games had (I say early because I don't know how they hold up today). The game doesn't deliver any of this. Level design is linear, with many moments of, "Follow the designated path," and, "Kill these several baddies," to move on. This would be moderately okay if your allies and enemies would stop telling you to do it. Before you even have a chance to realize the level started, someone will shout, "What are you doing!? Kill those [whatever] now!" and then proceed to repeat themselves every several seconds. And this happens every single mission.
   As for the story, it has a very strong anime vibe. And along with that, the voice acting isn't the greatest, and with not viable means to switch to the native Japanese, you'll sigh every time you hear the General talk. All-in-all, it's a forgettable story with forgettable characters.
   Gameplay, gameplay, gameplay... This was the biggest draws and drawbacks of the game. The controls are nice and tight, however, that's the extent. They make a big deal over targeting different body parts, yet it's ultimately ineffectual. As well, your own armor goes down obscenely fast, even during boss fights, they know this, laying respawning health packs around the battlefield. There just weren't any tactics to this. It's a simple hold down the button until the other guy dies. In multiplayer, there is some tactical value to be had, but I have found a lack of opponents dampening my want to play it. Though, a friend and I both bought the "Last Stand" DLC which in it's own right is good fun.
   Graphically, the robots look good, characters look good and environments look okay. But the game doesn't have the feel of "Giant robot!" In other giant robot games, destructible enviorments are there, no questions asked. This game everything is a solid block, you bullets don't even leave dents. When everything is said and done it comes down to this:
   Front Mission Evolved is a decent substitute to games like Armored Core, yet still has a long way to go before being a must have. I'd say only die hard AC fans should look into this game seriously until the price drops.… Expand

   • Helpful? 2 of 2 users said Yes.
3. Fiddy

   4

   Oh Front Mission, why have you forsaken me? All the hours wasted playing FM3 and 4 with its tactics and unlockable skills and awesome weapons. Instead its Virtua On or Armored Core with a more in depth story. Graphics are impressive, but that doesnt save terrible stories or that every mission im required to use parts i dont want to use. The Wanzer creation screen is confusing and somehow i wasted all my money by accidently clicking on something.
   
   Unfortunately Square Enix is getting the shotgun off the wall..."No ma, Front Mission is my dog."
   BLAM!… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 2 users said Yes.
4. thethain

   4

   The narrative and dialog is very familiar Front Mission. However the strategy and fun is gone. The customization leaves much to be desired for most of the game, almost every level after 4 or 5 have some sort of requirement, even if just "biped legs", the "secrets" such as emblems sensors or other goodies seem to encourage you to just walk around in levels after all danger (and fun?) is dealt with and just look for the bonus item that is behind you. Which can be time consuming with a mech that is very cumbersome once its "slide" is exhausted.
   
   Since you can only control yourself, customize, and rely on your self as the only unit on your side, fun combinations and strategy seem to be removed. Many missions have friendly mechs, but the likelihood of them doing anything other than sliding around and missing with pot shots is very low. And if they DO manage to defeat an enemy, you will just be disappointed that they got the kill credit so you didn't get money for it.
   
   The entire game is an obtusely obvious quick xbox port(even menus lack mouse support), which is forgivable until you get to multiplayer. In which you get to wait in long lines to be auto matched without any text communication with teammates, pre or mid game. The painful multiplayer also feeds the problem of lack of players in general.
   
   If you HAVE to play a new mech (wanzer) game, then pick this up, otherwise just pretend it doesn't exist.… Expand

   • Helpful? 3 of 4 users said Yes.

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