8Bit/Digi

Following its success on the Nintendo Switch, Front Mission 1st: Remake is coming to the PlayStation, Xbox, and the PC. To have an idea of what to expect, a demo of the game is now available for those who have never played this beloved classic. 

This is a look at my experience of playing Front Mission 1st: Remake Demo for the PC. Please note that this is not a review as there are elements that will only be available in the full game. This preview is based on me playing the demo for an hour.

The World of Front Mission

The Front Mission series has been one that is rich in lore and world-building. Its overall world is one where nations have come together under different multinational unions to protect their economic and political interests. The defining weapon of this world are the wanzers, mechs that are employed by national armed forces and PMCs. 

The story is set on Huffman Island which has been at the center of a dispute between the Oceania Cooperative Union (OSU) and the United States of the New Continent (USN). When a USN munitions plant is destroyed (the Larcus Incident), both sides declare war and thus begin the Second Huffman Conflict. Players take on the role of OCU Captain Royd Clive and USN Officer Kevin Greenfield. They will each experience different aspects of the conflict while also stumbling upon a sinister conspiracy that has been playing out in the background. 

Playing the Front Mission Demo

The demo begins with a training session that introduces players to the gameplay mechanics. Here you learn how to operate the wanzer and how to use it in battle. You will get to command a single unit while also participating in a few combat exercises. After that, you begin the main campaign playing as OCU Captain Royd Clive. 

While the main game will have a campaign for two different factions, only the OSU campaign is available in the demo. The first mission has players participate in the Larcus Incident which triggers all of the events that are to follow. Next, players will participate in an arena match in which wanzers are pitted against each other for sport. The final mission of the demo has players fighting in the Second Huffman Conflict as part of the Canyon Crows (a mercenary group hired by the OCU).  

Final Thoughts on Front Mission

Before this demo, the only main Front Mission games I’ve played are Front Mission 3 for the PlayStation and Front Mission 4 for the PlayStation 2. This allows me to have a good idea of what the original gameplay was like when comparing it to 1st: Remake. Overall, it has really taken the lessons learned in the last 30 years to make a more user-friendly experience. The gameplay mechanics are more refined and easier to get into when compared to the early games. 

Front Mission 1st: Remake will launch on the PlayStation and Xbox consoles along with the PC on June 30th. The game is currently available on the Nintendo Switch. 

Disclaimer: I downloaded the demo via Steam. 

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the video game community and industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.