FRONT MISSION 3: Remake

概要

For many Western gamers, the original release of Front Mission 3 on the PlayStation was a revelation—a grim, politically charged introduction to the world of 'Wanzers' (Wanderung Panzer) that combined the strategic depth of Final Fantasy Tactics with the gritty, industrial aesthetic of Armored Core. FRONT MISSION 3: Remake, developed by MegaPixel Studio, isn't just a fresh coat of paint; it is a meticulous restoration of a genre-defining classic. From the moment you boot it up, the game strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and modernization. The once-jagged 32-bit polygons have been replaced with crisp, detailed 3D models and environments that maintain the 'diorama' feel of the original while adding necessary fluidity and visual flair. It captures the heavy, mechanical weight of piloting a multi-ton war machine, grounding the player in a future that feels frighteningly plausible. The core loop remains one of the most satisfying in the tactical RPG pantheon. You aren't just leveling up characters; you are engineering war machines. Between missions, players spend hours in the garage, obsessively tweaking their Wanzers. You swap out legs for mobility versus stability, equip disparate arms to balance melee power with ranged precision, and install battle computers to optimize skill triggers. This preparation phase is as engaging as the combat itself. Once deployed, the game transforms into a high-stakes chess match where positioning, terrain elevation, and action point management are king. The remake enhances this experience with a new 'Quick Combat' mode and improved UI, stripping away the sluggishness of late-90s hardware without sacrificing the complexity veterans crave. Visually and aurally, the game embraces a distinct 'near-future industrial' philosophy. The remade visuals lean heavily into military realism rather than fantastical sci-fi; mechs look like heavy construction equipment repurpose for slaughter, covered in reactive armor and utilitarian camouflage. The audio design has been similarly revitalized. The screech of metal on metal, the thud of pile bunkers, and the roar of missile salvos are visceral. The reorchestrated soundtrack keeps the pulse-pounding techno-thriller vibes of the original but adds a depth and clarity that modern sound systems demand, heightening the tension during the game's many dramatic plot twists. What truly sets FRONT MISSION 3: Remake apart from contemporaries like XCOM or Fire Emblem is its granular approach to damage and unit interactions. In most strategy games, a unit is defeated when their HP hits zero. Here, survival is about anatomy. You can target specific parts of an enemy Wanzer: destroy the legs to cripple movement, blow off an arm to disable a specific weapon, or aim for the body for a kill. This system creates dynamic narratives within every skirmish. Furthermore, the inclusion of the 'Double Feature Scenario'—two entirely distinct 40+ hour campaigns determined by a dialogue choice in the game's opening hour—offers a level of replayability that is virtually unheard of in modern linear RPGs. This game is an essential purchase for anyone who appreciates the intersection of deep mechanical customization and mature political storytelling. It is for the player who wants more than just 'good vs. evil' tropes, offering instead a world of gray morality, corporate espionage, and geopolitical maneuvering. Whether you are a veteran returning to the cockpit or a newcomer looking for a strategy game with teeth, FRONT MISSION 3: Remake respects your time and intelligence, delivering a robust, tactical feast that stands tall alongside the best the genre has to offer.

ストーリー

The narrative of FRONT MISSION 3: Remake is a sprawling geopolitical thriller set in the year 2112, centered on Southeast Asia. The world is dominated by supranational power blocs, primarily the Oceania Cooperative Union (OCU) and the People's Republic of Da Han Zhong (DHZ). The story begins in Yokosuka, Japan, introducing us to Kazuki Takemura, a hot-headed Wanzer test pilot, and his laid-back best friend, Ryogo Kusama. What starts as a mundane delivery mission quickly spirals into a global conspiracy involving a stolen weapon of mass destruction known as M.I.D.A.S. (Matter High-frequency Interlocking Deflection Array System). Unlike many RPGs that rely on mystical elements, Front Mission is grounded in 'hard' sci-fi: corporate greed, nationalistic fervor, and the terrifying ethics of advanced warfare technology drive the plot. The genius of the game's storytelling lies in its famous 'Double Feature Scenario.' Early in the game, Kazuki is presented with a seemingly innocuous choice: accompany his sister, Alisa, or go with the mysterious operative, Emma Klamsky. This single decision splits the narrative into two completely different timelines. In the 'Emma Scenario,' players find themselves aligned with the USN and exploring the intricate workings of intelligence agencies and the hunt for M.I.D.A.S. In the 'Alisa Scenario,' Kazuki ultimately defects to the DHZ, offering a completely different perspective on the same conflict. Characters who are allies in one route become bitter enemies in the other, providing a Rashomon-style look at war where there are no true heroes, only soldiers following orders. Thematically, the game delves deep into the concept of loyalty—to one's family, to one's country, and to one's self. As Kazuki travels across Japan, the Philippines, and mainland China, the narrative explores the devastating impact of proxy wars on civilian populations. The cast is surprisingly well-rounded, moving beyond anime stereotypes to grapple with PTSD, the loss of humanity through transhumanist experimentation, and the burden of command. The Remake preserves the dense lore and world-building of the original, immersing players in a setting where the internet (the in-game 'Network') is a treasure trove of password-protected files and emails that flesh out the dark history of this dystopian future.

Gameplay

At its heart, FRONT MISSION 3: Remake is a turn-based tactical RPG where the player commands a squad of four Wanzers on a grid-based battlefield. The defining mechanic is the 'Part Damage System.' Each Wanzer consists of four distinct parts: Body, Left Arm, Right Arm, and Legs, each with its own HP bar. Destroying the Body destroys the unit, but strategic dismemberment is the key to victory. Destroying the legs cuts movement range in half and prevents evasion; destroying an arm renders the weapon equipped to it useless. This allows players to 'pacify' dangerous enemies by surgically removing their ability to fight back, rather than just trading damage numbers until someone explodes. The thrill of blowing off an enemy's missile launcher arm just before they can fire is unmatched. Mechanically, the game introduces a unique progression system based on equipment rather than traditional experience points (XP). While pilots do gain proficiency with weapon types (Melee, Short, Long), new skills like 'Zoom I' or 'ROFUP I' (Rate of Fire Up) are learned by equipping specific computer parts and triggering them in battle. Once a skill is learned, it can be programmed into the pilot's Battle Computer to trigger reliably. This encourages constant experimentation with new loot and salvage. Additionally, the Action Point (AP) system dictates the flow of battle; every attack and counter-attack costs AP, and managing this resource is critical to ensuring your units aren't left defenseless during the enemy phase. Perhaps the most innovative and chaotic feature is the Pilot Ejection system. Under heavy duress or through specific skills, pilots can be forcibly ejected from their Wanzers. A pilot on foot is incredibly vulnerable but can still act—they can fire a handgun, heal allies, or most importantly, hijack an empty Wanzer. This mechanic allows savvy players to steal high-level enemy mechs mid-battle, turning the tide of war instantly. Combined with the 'Link' system, which allows units to chain attacks together for devastating combos, the gameplay offers a deep, rewarding tactical sandbox. Outside of combat, the 'Network' feature returns—a simulated in-game internet. Players can browse fictional websites, hack into government servers, and exchange emails to unlock secret parts, hidden currency, and even special simulations. The Battle Simulator provides a space to grind for proficiency and test new loadouts without advancing the story. Progression is tied to the Shop and Setup menus, where 'Remodeling' allows players to upgrade part durability, accuracy, and even add roller dashes to legs for high-speed maneuvers. The Remake adds 'Save Anytime' functionality and a 'Quick Combat' toggle, removing the friction of the PS1 era while keeping the strategic density intact.

Key Features

• 1Double Feature Scenario: Two completely independent narrative campaigns (Emma and Alisa routes) determined by an early choice, effectively offering two full games in one package.
• 2Wanzer Assembly System: Deep customization allowing players to mix and match Body, Arm, and Leg parts from different manufacturers to build specialized mechs for any role.
• 3Part-Based Damage Mechanics: tactical combat system where targeting specific limbs impacts unit performance (e.g., destroying legs reduces mobility), adding strategic layers beyond simple HP.
• 4Pilot Ejection & Hijacking: A unique mechanic where pilots can be forced out of their mechs, allowing players to steal enemy Wanzers on the battlefield.
• 5The Network: An immersive in-game internet simulation where players browse websites, hack files, and read emails to uncover lore and unlock secret equipment.
• 6Link System: Allows multiple allied units to coordinate offensive support attacks during a single turn, rewarding careful squad positioning.
• 7Battle Simulator: A virtual reality training mode that allows for grinding weapon proficiency and testing new Wanzer configurations risk-free.
• 8Modernized Quality of Life: Includes new 'Quick Combat' modes, adjustable text speeds, and 'Save Anytime' features to respect the modern player's time.

Highlights

Pros & Cons

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Scores

“Whatever happens, don't die on me, Kazuki.”— Ryogo Kusama

“A tactical RPG masterpiece that proves war is about more than just big guns—it's about the parts that make them work.”— IGN (Legacy Review)

“The wanzer is just a tool. It is the pilot's will that determines the outcome.”— Game Tagline

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