FRONT MISSION 1st: Remake
- June 30, 2023
- Forever Entertainment S. A.
- 35h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Front Mission 1st: Remake" is a tactical turn-based RPG that puts you in command of powerful Wanzers in a war-torn world. As Captain Royd Clive, lead your O.C.U. reconnaissance platoon through a gripping narrative, battling enemies on Huffman Island amidst conflicts between the O.C.U. and U.C.S. Experience enhanced graphics, a reorchestrated soundtrack, and refined combat gameplay in this immersive remake of the classic Front Mission series.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox
Reviews
- Faithful remake of the original SNES game, preserving the core gameplay and story while enhancing graphics and sound.
- Engaging turn-based tactical gameplay with a variety of mech customization options and two distinct campaigns.
- Nostalgic experience for fans of the series, with modern quality-of-life improvements that enhance the overall playability.
- Control scheme is inconsistent, leading to difficulties in gameplay, particularly with camera controls and input methods.
- Frequent bugs and performance issues, including game freezes and crashes, especially on certain platforms like Steam Deck.
- Simplistic mechanics and dated design may not appeal to newcomers or those expecting modern tactical RPG standards.
- story210 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Front Mission 1st: Remake" is generally regarded as engaging and nostalgic, capturing the essence of classic tactical RPG narratives with a military backdrop. While some players appreciate its simplicity and the mature themes it explores, others find it lacking in depth and character development compared to later entries in the series. Overall, the remake is seen as a faithful adaptation that retains the charm of the original while introducing quality-of-life improvements, though it may feel dated to newcomers.
“The story is unexpectedly great!”
“The story brings a feeling of nostalgia, of something from a time long-past, when video games were trying to be fun (while violently wiping you out), even though I never played the original ones.”
“The front mission series is known for surprisingly mature and in-depth storytelling and this one is no exception when the story does appear, it isn't as prevalent or as good as later titles in that regard but I'm pleasantly surprised that the SNES era had a war story covering such heavy themes.”
“In general, it's a slog I fought through to be able to get the Front Mission story from the start, and it wasn't worth it.”
“But the crew is likeable enough and leaves me wanting more story, more content, etc. There's just a severe lack of story and development and dialogue... makes it hard to care for what's going on.”
“The story while dated still holds up and is easily worth the time invested.”
- gameplay72 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the remake retains the classic turn-based tactical mechanics of the original, allowing for deep customization of mechs (wanzers) and strategic combat, though many players find it dated and simplistic compared to modern standards. While the game introduces some quality-of-life improvements, it largely preserves the original's structure and mechanics, which can lead to repetitive gameplay and frustration for those unfamiliar with older tactical RPGs. Overall, it appeals to fans of the genre and those nostalgic for the original, but may not satisfy players seeking more contemporary gameplay depth.
“The gameplay is a fairly simple turn-based mech game where each character pilots a wanzer which has a body, left and right arm, and leg part with the arms able to equip both a handheld or built-in weapon and a shoulder-mounted missile launcher or shield that you can use to add to your defense when you are unable to attack or if you decide to defend instead of counterattacking.”
“Regardless, it was a decent 40 hours of solid gameplay that managed to provide a solid 60+ missions of content while avoiding being repetitive throughout New Game Plus.”
“I can only say I'm thrilled, the original tactics mecha game has made its comeback and I have to say everything about this hits all the right notes for myself, the graphics are nice and clean at ultra/max, the gameplay is satisfying and thought-provoking, and it's always exciting to get to the next mission.”
“The gameplay is frustrating, infuriating at times.”
“The gameplay is dated and missing the strategic depth I have come to expect from modern games.”
“So now you will have all party members with the exact same equipment and just differently colored wanzers; if you care enough... there is no point in equipping any other weapon... so gameplay becomes boring quickly.”
- graphics55 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the remake have received mixed reviews, with many praising the effort put into modernizing the visuals and enhancing the artwork, while others feel it falls short of expectations, particularly when compared to the original's charm. Although the 3D graphics and HD portraits are generally well-received, some users noted issues with texture quality and a lack of advanced graphical technologies, leading to a perception of the visuals as inconsistent or underwhelming. Overall, while the graphical upgrade is appreciated, it is seen as a step down from the original's iconic 16-bit aesthetics.
“The visuals are revamped and are amazing!”
“The graphic upgrade is excellent, and you kept the same gameplay and even improved it!”
“I can only say I'm thrilled, the original tactics mecha game has made its comeback and I have to say everything about this hits all the right notes for myself, the graphics are nice and clean at ultra/max, the gameplay is satisfying and thought-provoking, and it's always exciting to get to the next mission.”
“The remake had put in effort to translate the graphics into 3D, portraits were redrawn in HD, and music was re-recorded, but the end product is in many ways inferior to the original.”
“But... it lacks a lot of graphical technologies that could have pushed this game, likely held back by the fact these graphics were overhauled for the Switch, which has about as much graphical capability as a graphing calculator at this point.”
“Aside from the graphics feeling very underwhelming, the soundtrack mix is great.”
- music26 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the remake has received mixed reviews, with many praising the remastered soundtrack for maintaining the original's mood while also standing on its own. Some players appreciate the option to switch between the new arrangements and the nostalgic original tracks, which are still considered iconic. However, others find the new music repetitive and less impactful compared to the original, leading to a divided opinion on the overall quality of the soundtrack.
“Added to those top-notch 16-bit visuals: a great soundtrack in its own right, and a gritty and war-weary plot just like you used to watch in the 'real robot' type of animes.”
“Front Mission boasts one of the all-time great gaming soundtracks, and although the new arrangements are more than serviceable, major props to these developers for including the legendary original versions as well.”
“The soundtrack is very good, tailor-made for the drama of the game.”
“The remake had put in effort to translate the graphic into 3D, portraits were redrawn in HD, and music was re-recorded, but the end product is in many ways inferior to the original.”
“Music is very bad.”
“Played in the headphones - the music is so in my head that it just goes on my nerves.”
- stability11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 73 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report frequent freezes and glitches, others experience minimal issues, with no significant bugs or performance drops. Many users suggest that while the game is enjoyable, it may be best to wait for updates to address the existing stability concerns.
“The game runs great on Linux via Wine's fork Proton.”
“While playing the game, I almost never encountered any bugs; there were no stutters, no FPS drops, no freezes, or any other problems that are so typical for many modern products.”
“While playing the game, I almost never encountered any bugs, and there were no stutters, no FPS drops, no freezes, or any other issues.”
“I enjoy the game, but while playing on my Steam Deck, the game freezes often.”
“Sadly, a couple of freezes and bugs occurred after clearing a level.”
“In almost 130 hours, I had a total of 4 game freezes, each in different parts and for different reasons.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is commendable, with smooth performance across various graphic settings on PC and impressive functionality on the Steam Deck, even at both high and low settings. While there are minor performance hiccups and a notable crash, these issues do not significantly detract from the overall experience, especially compared to the previous Switch version. The remaster effectively enhances visual quality and gameplay mechanics, allowing for diverse customization of mechs without compromising performance.
“This aspect is captured by Front Mission in gameplay terms, because the 'wanzers' of your many pilots can be fitted with different body parts and electronics, leading to dramatic shifts in terms of battlefield performance or specialization of their modes of attack.”
“In fact, I think it's quite a good remastering for the most part - the game runs smoothly and looks nice, the decision to add some touches that make the mechs and environments look almost miniature-like is a clever one.”
“The game runs admirably on both the highest and lowest settings without noticeably reduced performance.”
“Scroll down to the bottom for PC and Steam Deck performance issues.”
“I did 2-3 missions and some area and leveled my guys up a bit, but I saw no improvement to their performance.”
“I bought this on the Switch, but the performance was subpar.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews on the grinding aspect of the game are mixed; while some players find it tedious and demotivating, particularly in the arena, others appreciate that it can lead to significant improvements in skills and resources. The grinding is described as easy and not overly frustrating for some, but the repetitive nature of combat and resource farming can detract from the overall experience. Overall, players suggest that while grinding is a necessary part of the game, it can feel excessive and may require patience.
“Long range, short range, melee; even when pitted against their exact class-type, my wanzers somehow whiff 9 times out of 10, making me feel like I'm just wasting my time grinding.”
“The sheer amount of gear replacement, arena farming, save scumming, and general nonsense that you must endure simply to play this game is utterly unacceptable.”
“What I mean by warts-and-all is that this is mechanically a fairly old game; menus are a bit finicky and the game's structure is essentially combat > story > grind and repeat, and there's a whole heap of grinding for XP and money if you want to be as outfitted as possible.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted as minimal and somewhat dated, with users highlighting the impressive character and mecha designs by Yoshitaka Amano that evoke classic anime influences. While the lack of depth in character arcs is a drawback, the overall aesthetic and design elements are considered essential for fans of the series.
“The character development is incredibly rich, with each character having a unique backstory that adds depth to the overall narrative.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, facing challenges that truly shape their personalities and relationships.”
“The interactions between characters are well-written and meaningful, making their growth feel authentic and engaging.”
“Dated, with next to no character development, but an essential part of the series you should play through at least once.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The transition from 2D sprites to 3D has diminished some of the original charm, yet the game still successfully maintains its overall feel and atmosphere. While the storytelling introduces elements that resonate with later events, the primary campaign lacks depth, resulting in impactful moments that are often rushed.
“The stories set up elements of later events and some of the themes and atmosphere of later games.”
“Something is lost with charm moving from the 2D sprites to the 3D, though it still looks good and they tried hard to preserve the feel and atmosphere of the original game.”
“The stories set up elements of later events and some of the themes and atmosphere of later games, but there is not a huge amount of plot yet, especially not in the primary campaign where moments that should have a bigger impact are often quickly gotten through.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions in the remake, others criticize the main menu's transformation into an advertising platform for upcoming products from Forever Entertainment.
“It is a remake that isn't designed to monetize with microtransactions, so I think it's great.”
“Forever Entertainment has turned the main menu into an advertising platform for whatever 'next great product' they choose to spam players with, which is oddly always the next Forever Entertainment product to come out.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it prioritizes profit over player experience, making it hard to enjoy the game without constant interruptions.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it feel like the game is designed more for profit than for fun.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the game's mechanics, particularly noting the amusing disparity in power between long-range and short-range or melee attacks, which adds a lighthearted element to gameplay.
“Let me tell you, yes long range is powerful and good, but it's hilariously weak compared to what short and even melee can do once you get them going.”
“The game's humor is so well-crafted that even the most serious moments are lightened by clever jokes and witty dialogue.”
“I can't stop laughing at the absurd situations my character gets into; the humor is perfectly timed and adds so much to the experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game has moments of beauty, the overall emotional impact is undermined by its chaotic presentation and lackluster character design, leaving players feeling disappointed rather than engaged.
