8Bit/Digi

The Next Chapter in the Front Mission Series

Front Mission is a series that has had a solid fanbase among the mecha community despite having a limited release outside of Japan. That has all changed in recent years as they have received a remake for modern consoles and the PC. The remakes have introduced these classics to a new audience while also including quality of life features and improved gameplay elements. Following the success of the first two remakes, gamers will get to experience Front Mission 3 either once again or for the first time.

Unlike the previous entries, Front Mission 3 was one of the few mainline titles that was actually launched in North America for the PlayStation. Meaning, unlike the previous two entries, many of us have played this entry, so we have a good idea of what to expect going into the remake. After replaying it for the first time in so long, Front Mission 3: Remake preserves all the defining elements of the original while also enhancing the overall experience.

The MIDAS Incident

The Front Mission series is set in a world where nations have come together under different multinational unions to protect their economic and political interests. The defining weapon of this world is the wanzer, mechs that are used by national armed forces and PMCs. Front Mission 3 is set during the MIDAS Incident that was set inmotion following the events of the previous game. Inspired by the success of the Second Alordesh Coup, a number of states now seek to break away from the Oceania Cooperative Union (OCU). Sensing an opportunity to grow its influence in the region, the People’s Republic of Da Han Zhong (DHZ) has begun supporting these secession movements. This has resulted in a cold war climate between the two powers.

The story follows Kazuki and Ryogo, two test pilots tasked with delivering the Kirishima prototypes to Yokosuka Base. They are framed for an attack and pursued by the JDF and other OCU forces. It is soon revealed that they are caught in a conspiracy involving stolen United States of the New Continent (USN) weapons. Complicating matters is an ultranationalist plot to seize control of Japan’s government and break away from the OCU.

Unlike other events in the Front Mission universe, this is one many of us already know, having experienced it firsthand in the original game. Going back to the MIDAS Incident is interesting, and I’m glad that the original story has been preserved while the narrative flow has been improved with better localization.

Piloting the Wanzer

As with the previous games, Front Mission 3: Remake uses the elements of a visual novel with a mecha combat game to tell its story. The result is an experience that offers the best of both types of games. The story primarily unfolds through the format of a visual novel and is supplemented by cutscenes along with choices that can affect the story. It’s a creative endeavor that has been executed masterfully here. This is because neither aspect of the game had quality sacrificed in favor of the other. Everything is in balance, allowing the game to properly tell its story while also being an unforgettable experience.

The gameplay adheres to the classic turn-based JRPG format, which has been synonymous with the series. Players will command a squad of wanzers strategically across a grid based battlefield. Engagements unfold through the utilization of a diverse array of weaponry, from short to long-range options. Each executed attack targets critical components of the enemy wanzers. While retaining its familiar essence, the gameplay has undergone refinements. This includes earning experience points based on the weapons you use, allowing you to become more proficient with them as the game progresses.

After each battle, players earn money that could be used to upgrade their wanzer. Upgrades include better or improved parts and weapons. Additionally, you could customize your wanzer based on what is needed for the mission. A major change introduced is that players will earn XP for the weapons they use, allowing them to become more proficient while encouraging diversity in a player’s tactics.

All Skilled Up

The original Front Mission 3 built upon its predecessor’s foundation while introducing meaningful innovations. At the same time, it preserved the series’ defining gameplay and narrative elements. Compared to previous entries, players could see the lessons learned and refinements made. This was especially evident in the combat systems and the careful attention to battlefield design. Improved camera angles offered a clearer view of the map, enhancing tactical decision-making. The remake pushes this even further by applying over three decades of game development advancements.

Continuing the momentum of earlier releases, Front Mission 3: Remake helps introduce the series to a new generation of players. While the franchise has long been a staple of the mecha genre, its Western availability was historically limited. Only Front Mission 3 on PlayStation and Front Mission 4 on PlayStation 2 were the only mainline titles to have a launch outside of Japan. As a result, bringing the original trilogy to modern consoles and PC has been a welcome move. Even for longtime fans who played the original third entry, its updated presentation and broader accessibility make revisiting it especially rewarding.

Mission FAILED

It’s time to address the elephant in the room: how the character portraits and 2D artwork were “updated” for the remake. While never officially confirmed, it is widely apparent that AI upscaling was used on the original 2D artwork, and the results are an eyesore. Many of the desktop and background images look either bland and devoid of character or visually off-putting. It’s even worse with the character portraits, where faces frequently appear distorted or disfigured, marked by unnatural and awkward facial features. As a result, immersion feels broken because you can’t ignore how the characters practically have a shovel face.

But how does the upscaling in the remake compare to the artwork of the original game? They looked better in the original Front Mission 3! Despite this one shortcoming, I overall enjoyed playing the remake.  

Completing the Trilogy

The remake trilogy concludes with Front Mission 3, bringing players back to the events of the MIDAS Incident. A new generation of gamers are going to be introduced to the third Front Mission game with a more polished gameplay. The remake still preserves all the defining gameplay experience and story elements while improving it with more attention to the visual details.

Hopefully, we can see a remake of Front Mission 4 and Front Mission 5: Scars of the War sometime in the future or a new entry into the series.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

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

Front Mission 3: Remake (PC)

8

Excellent

8.0/10

Pros

• A new generation of gamers are introduced to the third Front Mission game.
• Gameplay is more polished and easier to learn.
• Preserves all the defining gameplay and story elements while improving it.
• Greater attention to visual details in the world and on the battlefield.

Cons

• Updates to the 2D background and character design look visually off-putting.