![]() ![]() ![]() This plot is very carefully supported by a very finely crafted world, in particular a whole virtual internet has been included to give us background information and a greater scope for the world. You play through an early tutorial that gives you the basics as Kazuki, testing out a new model Wanzer before being asked to deliver it to the Japanese Defence Force base where they witness an explosion where a new weapon is tested and things quickly escalate from there as the JDF and DHZ scenarios divide to show different sides of the conflict. You are put into the shoes of ‘Wanzer’ pilot Kazuki and his friend/annoyance Ryogo (based on how you choose to interact with him early on). Events you hear about in passin in one could be your focal mission in another play through, whilst some characters become allies or enemies. This decision spins the tale down two wildly different and complimentary timelines and adds a great amount of replay-ability. The clever part of Front Mission 3 is that early in the game you’re asked to make what appears to be an innocent choice between relaxing with a work colleague or visiting your step-sister. Military themes and pushing pieces that add to the thrill of battle and yet make you worried about the outcome deliver exactly what the game needs to sound great. Musically the game has a serious and dark tone that is just a shade above being dour. ![]() I’d say that the sound design eclipses anything seen in the Final Fantasy series, although by modern standards some of it seems to have a tinny quality when played through high quality speakers. Sound is also of a very high quality, with mechs stomping across the field with weight and every punch of rocket launch accompanied by a feeling of weight. 2D illustrations have a more adult-manga hybrid with western illustration that helps sell the seriousness of the drama later in the game.īlocky 3D bypassed with some excellent Mech designs. That Mechs can be customized on all levels including colour, weapons and armor and that this is visually shown in the field is a masterstroke and a rare event for the time. The fully 3D sequences are supplemented wisely by 2D illustrations for speakers and backgrounds for story sequences, allowing for more complicated scenes to remain visually appealing. Giant robots are all sharp angles and work well, though Human characters are just passable. Games from this period look a little rough by today’s standard and some don’t hold up at all, but the nature of a Mech-based combat game allows for Square of the time to play to the strengths of the medium. Graphically the Playstation was still undergoing that formative period where blocky 3D polygons were replacing 2D artwork and sprites. The game has a solid sci-fi setting, deep tactical system and customization that would make Final Fantasy Tactics blush. Slipped in there between titles such as Final Fantasy VII and VIII, accompanied by Legend of Mana and Chrono Cross, it holds its own among such fine company and even manages to do a few things none of these others can. It’s the kind of hard that saw a generation of players throwing controllers into walls and screaming aloud in rage to God above and cursing Squaresoft, but at the same time it’s one of the most rewarding games of the original Playstation generation.įront Mission 3 comes from that golden period where SquareEnix (then Squaresoft) were releasing hit after hit for Sony’s then-new Playstation console. When you hear people say ‘games aren’t as hard as they used to be’ they’re probably referring to Front Mission 3. ![]()
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