Summary
- Release Year: 1997
- Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS)
- Platforms: PlayStation, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita
- Developers: Square
- Publishers: Square
Front Mission Alternative (1997)
Front Mission Alternative is a tactical role-playing game developed by Square and published by Squaresoft for the PlayStation. It was released in Japan on June 26, 1997, and in North America on October 31, 1997. It is the first game in the Front Mission series to be set outside of Japan, and the first to feature 3D graphics.
The game is set in the year 2034, in the African country of Alordesh. The country has been ravaged by war, and is now controlled by a ruthless dictator. A group of rebels, known as the Alordesh Liberation Front (ALF), is fighting to overthrow the dictator and establish a democracy.
The player takes control of a squad of Wanzers, or Walking Armored Wanzers, and must fight their way through the ALF’s forces. The game features a variety of missions, including escort missions, search and destroy missions, and base defense missions.
Front Mission Alternative is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a lot of replayability. The game’s story is engaging, and the characters are well-developed. The gameplay is strategic and requires the player to think carefully about their every move.
Gameplay
Front Mission Alternative is a turn-based strategy game. The player controls a squad of Wanzers, and must use them to defeat the enemy’s forces. The game is played on a grid-based map, and the player can move their Wanzers around the map to attack the enemy.
Each Wanzer has its own unique stats, weapons, and abilities. The player can customize their Wanzers with a variety of weapons and equipment, and can also upgrade their Wanzers’ stats.
The game features a variety of different missions, including escort missions, search and destroy missions, and base defense missions. The player must use their Wanzers to complete the objectives of each mission, and must also defeat the enemy’s forces.
Story
The story of Front Mission Alternative is set in the year 2034, in the African country of Alordesh. The country has been ravaged by war, and is now controlled by a ruthless dictator. A group of rebels, known as the Alordesh Liberation Front (ALF), is fighting to overthrow the dictator and establish a democracy.
The player takes control of a squad of Wanzers, and must fight their way through the ALF’s forces. The game’s story is told through a series of cutscenes, and the player will learn more about the characters and the conflict as they progress through the game.
Characters
The player controls a squad of four Wanzers, each with their own unique backstory and motivations. The four characters are:
- Dylan Ramsey: A young man who joined the ALF to fight for freedom and justice.
- Emma Barnes: A skilled pilot who is determined to avenge her father’s death.
- Hassan Aziz: A veteran soldier who is fighting to protect his homeland.
- Maria Garcia: A doctor who joined the ALF to help the wounded.
Reception
Front Mission Alternative was a critical and commercial success. The game received praise for its story, gameplay, and graphics. The game sold over one million copies worldwide, and was one of the best-selling PlayStation games of 1997.
Front Mission Alternative is considered to be one of the best strategy games of all time. The game’s innovative gameplay and engaging story have made it a favorite among fans of the genre.
Legacy
Front Mission Alternative is the first game in the Front Mission series to be set outside of Japan, and the first to feature 3D graphics. The game’s success helped to establish the Front Mission series as one of the most popular strategy game franchises in the world.
The game has been ported to several different platforms, including the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Windows. The game has also been released on the PlayStation Network and the Wii Virtual Console.
Front Mission Alternative remains a popular game today, and is still enjoyed by fans of the strategy genre. The game’s innovative gameplay and engaging story have made it a classic, and it is still considered to be one of the best strategy games of all time.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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