Front Mission 2: Remake aims to build on the strong foundations of its predecessor. Having enjoyed the first instalment, I wanted to dive into this latest remake with my eyes wide open. However, a few issues hold this back from truly excelling. Furthermore, some annoying tactical issues undermine the action and ruin the game’s flow. Yet, there are some great additions to the gameplay, and I wasn’t willing to write it off without giving it a damn good thrashing.
This tactical turn-based RPG was developed by Storm Trident and published by Forever Entertainment. Additionally, this remake is the first time this Square Enix classic has been available outside of Japan. Accordingly, I was excited to see what all the fuss was about. I have to say, I was impressed with the flow of the action and the isometric viewpoint. Moreover, the addition of elemental weapons and a definitive long, medium, and short-range attack system was impressive. Yet, some horrible typos and confusing narratives prevent you from losing yourself in the moment. Additionally, the lack of a targeting system will make you scream with rage (more on this later).
Front Mission 2: Remake tells a damning tale.
There are never any winners in war. Yet, it is the people at the bottom that suffer the most. Front Mission 2: Remake hides this message in its deep and interesting story. As the plot unfolds, you empathise with the sorrow and loss that years of conflict creates. What’s more, you root for the underdogs as deceit and greed rear its ugly head again.
12 years have passed since the last conflict. The people of Alordesh have had enough! Their world has been turned upside down and they want revenge and freedom. No longer happy with an oppressive regime, the army stands up to the O.C.U. and attempts to take back what is rightly theirs. You control Ash, an O.C.U soldier who wishes to escape the country. However, as his journey progresses, he discovers a huge conspiracy behind the coup and sees the fighting through a fresh set of eyes.
Customisation.
The story is extremely enjoyable when you can navigate the poor translation and weird dialogue. A few mistakes are to be expected, but there were some real howlers along the way. Now, this didn’t ruin the action per se, but it made it harder to understand key elements of the plot and ruined some of the immersive layers. Yet, if you can overcome this, you’ll enjoy a hard-hitting and interesting plot of deceit and twists and turns.
Where Front Mission 2: Remake excels is its customisation. I adored the ability to create each Wazner mech. Furthermore, you can alter the set-up based on the pilot in charge. This small detail enables you to create a deadly killing team. Moreover, it allows you to adjust your fighters based on the mission you face and your strengths and weaknesses.
The aforementioned elemental and long/mid/short-ranged weapons were impressive. Moreover, unlike the original, the weaponry feels more balanced and better organised. Accordingly, mixing melee weapons with beastly missiles had its tactical advantages. What’s more, the use of an AP system to take advantage of defensive tools was just as good.
The not-so-good!
Where Front Mission 2: Remake falls short was its random target system. This turn-based affair allows you to manipulate every encounter by removing limbs and crippling your opponent. Of course, your foe has the same opportunity, so it’s best to keep yourself guarded at all times. Yet, though this was an incredible idea, you cannot pick a target. Consequently, the opposition Wazner may be holding a club in one hand and a rocket launcher in the other. Now, tactically, you’ll want to remove that gun. However, RNG forces you to hope and pray that happens. This lack of certainty was terrible and could unravel any of your plans.
I’d have much preferred a reworking of the combat system. I adored the turn-based elements and the retaliatory strikes. Yet, the lack of focus or tactical nuance will drive you crazy. I hated relying on luck when I was outnumbered. It simply felt like a gamble instead of a well-considered approach and that is at odds with the genre.
Front Mission 2: Remake looks dated.
Whenever I see the word remake, I expect some form of modern polish. However, Front Mission 2: Remake has blown that idea out of the water. This dated title does little to push a modern agenda. Accordingly, the textures are a little off and the character models are super blocky. Moreover, the level designs are simple and navigating the world can be somewhat cumbersome. Yet, I didn’t care as I loved the blend of movement and the combat encounters. Additionally, the weaponry was in your face and the combat was crass and downright poorly animated. As such, though it is old-school, it was great to look at.
The audio was just as unrefined. The synth soundtrack is matched by the shrill weaponry. The blend of crunching melee weapons, fast-paced mid-range guns, and booming rockets was great to hear. The cacophony of sounds generates a dramatic backdrop that works perfectly with the theme and the story.
Decent controls.
I was impressed with how well this works on a modern system. The excellent UI and control layout are easy to master. Moreover, a decent tutorial helps you to understand the fundamentals in no time. If you have not played the first instalment, you’ll be up and running in no time. However, if you have experienced this franchise then you’ll master the controls immediately.
Though I enjoyed my time with this, I’m not sure I’ll jump back in for another run. Yes, the custom options mix things up, but I’m not convinced that it will change the action enough to make a difference. As such, though you could play this many times, I wasn’t interested in unlocking the achievements or testing unique builds.
Front Mission 2: Remake is a worthy successor.
Though this doesn’t stand out from its predecessor, I liked the new core gameplay mechanics. Additionally, the story was interesting and the customisation was as great. I loved the elemental weaponry and the balanced use of different weapons. However, the random target system undermines the tactical nuance and that was disappointing. Subsequently, despite the shortcomings I recommend buying it here! Can you escape the revolution? Grab your Wazner, choose your loadout, and hope that luck is on your side.
