In a near-future world, global tensions simmer between super-states like the Oceania Cooperative Union (OCU) and the People’s Republic of Da Han Zhong (DHZ). This landscape of cold conflict is dominated by Wanzers—towering, customizable mechs that are the primary instruments of military might.
Players see this world through the eyes of Kazuki Takemura, a young and impulsive Wanzer test pilot. His life takes a dramatic turn when he and his friend Ryogo become entangled in a covert military plot.
A routine delivery mission goes disastrously wrong, implicating them in the theft of a terrifying super-weapon known as MIDAS. This local incident quickly spirals into a shadow war fought across continents, pulling Kazuki into the heart of a global conspiracy.
A Tale of Two Conflicts
The game’s narrative ambition is apparent from the start. A single, seemingly minor decision determines Kazuki’s path, splitting the story into two completely separate, lengthy campaigns. This choice dictates whether you align with the USN or the DHZ, offering remarkable replay value and a different perspective on the central conflict.
The plot itself is a mature political thriller, exploring military conspiracies, national loyalty, and the ethics of biological weapons. It’s a character-focused drama set against a dense geopolitical stage that feels surprisingly relevant.
This world is given exceptional depth through the in-game Network, a simulation of a ’90s-era internet. Between missions, you can browse websites, read news reports, and download hacking tools to uncover secrets. This system is a masterclass in environmental storytelling, making the world feel authentic.
The Art of Wanzer Warfare
The core experience is turn-based, grid-based combat, a familiar foundation for fans of titles like Final Fantasy Tactics. Your small squad of Wanzers engages enemies in methodical encounters where positioning is key.
The real depth comes from targeting individual Wanzer parts. You can choose to destroy an enemy’s arms to disable its weapons, target its legs to cripple its movement, or focus fire on the body for a complete takedown. This system turns every attack into a meaningful tactical choice. Adding another strategic layer, pilots are distinct units.
A powerful hit can eject a pilot from their Wanzer, leaving them vulnerable on foot but also granting them the chance to hijack an empty mech. This mechanic can turn the tide of a desperate battle.
The combat is governed by a skill system where new abilities are learned somewhat randomly from equipped parts, akin to the ‘glimmer’ system in the SaGa franchise. These skills can chain together, creating devastating attack sequences and injecting thrilling unpredictability into every fight.
Forging Your War Machine
Between battles, you will spend considerable time in the hangar, which functions as a mech enthusiast’s dream. The customization options are extensive, allowing you to swap out every component of your Wanzer, from the body and limbs to the internal computer that houses your learned skills.
The process feels like building with Mecha Legos, offering immense freedom to craft a squad to your exact specifications. This system is the foundation of your strategy, similar to the assembly mechanics in the Armored Core series.
You can build a long-range sniper with high-accuracy arms, or a melee brawler designed to shatter enemy parts. Progression feels rewarding as pilots gain proficiency with weapons and you acquire parts from fallen foes or shops. A training simulator also provides a useful space to test builds.
A Contentious Restoration
As a modern release, the presentation is a definite mix of old and new. The graphics are updated with 3D models and environments, but the art direction feels lacking. Wanzer models appear blocky and miss fine texture detail, while environments can look bland.
The stiff animations for human characters during cutscenes are particularly awkward. The audio landscape follows a similar pattern. The musical score is a high point, offering a choice between the original PlayStation soundtrack and a newly arranged version.
This is contrasted by sound effects that lack weight; weapon fire and impacts feel sparse and fail to provide satisfying feedback. On a more positive note, the remake introduces excellent quality-of-life features.
The ability to speed up combat animations and movement is a huge boon, making the pacing much brisker. A fully rotatable 3D camera also aids battlefield visibility, a clear improvement over the original.
The Review
Front Mission 3: Remake
Front Mission 3: Remake successfully preserves a tactical RPG classic. Its deep Wanzer customization, compelling branching narrative, and strategic combat remain as engaging as ever. However, this faithful restoration is held back by a lackluster audiovisual presentation, with bland graphics and weak sound design that fail to elevate the source material. It's a fantastic game in a barebones package, ideal for those who want to experience the original with minor modern comforts but a missed opportunity to truly revitalize a gem for a new generation.
PROS
- Engaging, turn-based tactical combat with strategic depth.
- Extensive Wanzer customization allows for creative freedom.
- A mature, branching storyline with significant replay value.
- Helpful quality-of-life additions like combat speed-up.
CONS
- Underwhelming graphical update with bland visuals and stiff animations.
- Weak sound design with unsatisfying impact effects.
- A very conservative remake that adds little new content.
