(360)
Release Date: 3rd October 2009
Developed By Double Helix
Publisher: Square Enix
Preview: Front Mission Evolved (360)
The series has jugged along with subsequent releases on the PlayStation 2, such as Front Mission 4, which we imported or Nintendo DS remake of the original title. Overall there has been a failure to develop the series from its successful Psone roots and this looks set to change with Evolved. The first notable feature is that development has been done outside of Square Enix, in fact by American studio Double Helix, who have had some success with Japanese material having previously been responsible for Silent Hill: Homecoming.
The developer has taken a new approach to the Front Mission combat and instead has adopted a more hands on and action orientated experience. The strategy element has been pushed aside, with players now actually taking the role of the Wanzers (mecha) in combat. Gone is the safe overhead viewpoint, where you would direct operations from in relative comfort. This movement towards a more Armoured Core experience is a debatable move, although the game will retain subplots and characters it risks losing the core features that made Front Mission so unique.
The story is set in 2171AD and the superpowers are fighting over new territory beyond Earth, as their greed has taken their rivalry into space. While the conflict continues back home it merely rises above Wanzer skirmishes. Familiar characters and themes will return, as the political intrigue will continue, but not as prominently as seen in previous releases. You are able to customise your own mecha to suit your own combat style, but actual on foot shooting sections are promised when you actually leave your vehicle. What is dubbed an ‘Edge’ mode will allow you to cause more damage during combat by adopting a bullet time perspective.
Even though we are on the eve of its release, details concerning Front Mission Evolved are few and far between. We do know that it will be a change to previous releases and will attempt to bring a new arcade and action orientated approach to offline and online mecha combat. Whether it will alienate fans of the series in favour of new players remains to be seen.
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