Front Mission Evolved

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Front Mission Evolved is a third-person shooter set in 2171, where the world is divided into two superpowers, U.C.S. and O.C.U. After an U.C.S. orbital elevator is destroyed, young engineer Dylan Ramsey is caught in a new war between the two factions. The game features fast-paced action in various locations, customizable weapons and parts, and online multiplayer.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

60%

Audience ScoreBased on 424 reviews

story77 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

The game offers enjoyable mech customization and combat mechanics, reminiscent of classic mech games.
The graphics and sound design create an engaging atmosphere for players who enjoy giant robot action.
Despite its flaws, the game can provide nostalgic enjoyment for fans of the Front Mission series.

The story is clichéd and poorly executed, with unlikable characters and predictable plot twists.
The game suffers from technical issues, including frequent crashes and unresponsive controls, especially during on-foot segments.
Multiplayer is essentially dead, limiting the game's replayability and overall experience.

story
458 mentions
17 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The story of "Front Mission Evolved" has received largely negative feedback, with many reviewers describing it as clichéd, predictable, and poorly executed. Critics highlight the lack of depth in character development and narrative, often comparing it unfavorably to previous entries in the franchise, which were known for their intricate plots and strategic gameplay. While some players found enjoyment in the mech combat and customization, the overarching storyline is seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The game features a fully voice-acted story campaign with lots of cinematics and very cool moment-to-moment gameplay.”
- “The narrative is well-crafted, drawing me into its world with compelling characters and plot twists.”
- “The story is not that original, but it suits the classic 'Front Mission' feeling; if you liked the old 'Front Mission' games, there is a good chance you will like this one also.”
- “The story is terrible but the gameplay and customization is actually great.”
- “The story is a travesty.”
- “The story is god awful.”
gameplay
109 mentions
28 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the mech customization and core mechanics, which offer enjoyable combat and a fun experience overall. However, criticisms arise regarding clunky controls, repetitive combat, and the inclusion of less favored on-foot and turret sections, which detract from the overall enjoyment. While some find the gameplay reminiscent of classic mech titles, others feel it lacks polish and depth compared to competitors like Armored Core.
- “Good gameplay and fun to play.. best Front Mission ever.”
- “The gameplay is very smooth and good.”
- “The gameplay itself is great, fun and reminiscent of the Armored Core games.”
- “The game mechanics are clunky, the combat is underwhelming and rapidly repetitive, and I can't advance the story any further because it just decides to crash after 5 minutes into the 'hero' mission.”
- “The gameplay is bearable but a bit too simple.”
- “Clunky controls, limited customization options, few RPG options, no choices, and a lack of variety in gameplay all combine to make this game an insipid waste of your time.”
graphics
39 mentions
36 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, with many reviewers noting that they do not hold up well by modern standards. While some appreciate the visual style and find it decent for its age, others criticize the bland colors, stiff animations, and lack of optimization, leading to performance issues. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics may not be the game's strong point, they are playable and can still provide an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
- “Good game overall, graphics are good, story is simple but good, you can feel the Front Mission vibe and if you love the franchise, go ahead, you won't be disappointed.”
- “Graphically, the game looks pretty good, though it might be a bit dated by now.”
- “The graphics are good especially the cut scenes, but the biggest drawback to this game is that it lacks direction.”
- “While the graphics are a little outdated by today's standards, the sound design fully makes up for this.”
- “On top of that, the game is not optimized at all; the graphics are bad (even for the year of release). Some missions can often crash (had to replay a mission 5 times to complete it), which made me rush the mission, resulting in missing some collectibles. In crowded areas, the game lags a lot even if you have a good PC, and mouse movement doesn't feel smooth.”
- “The graphics didn't age very well, but the combat is solid.”
stability
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
The game's stability is notably compromised during the on-foot missions, particularly the "war hero" mission, where players experience significant bugs and crashes. While the mech sections run smoothly, the human mode suffers from unresponsive controls and glitches, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the game's light-hearted nature.
- “Honestly, the mech part of the game isn't bad and I was having fun until I got to the foot sections, and that's where the game gets really buggy and crash-heavy.”
- “The on-foot sections are so generic, underdeveloped, and buggy.”
- “Everything about this game is a letdown, from the incoherent story, poorly implemented customization, forced and buggy on-foot sections, generic audio offerings, and unlikeable characters.”
grinding
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly when it comes to resource gathering and upgrading gear for challenging boss fights. While some enjoy the game overall, the emphasis on grinding can detract from the experience, leading to repetitive gameplay and a sense of frustration when unable to progress without extensive grinding.
- “Just way too tedious.”
- “Nice game, but in some levels it puts a lot of emphasis on grinding.”
- “It got a little frustrating during some of the boss battles since I rushed through and didn't gather all the money pickups, and since I couldn't find any cheats to compensate, I ended up grinding one particular level over and over in order to earn enough cash to upgrade my mech adequately for the last boss fight.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely seen as unintentional, with many players finding the cringe-worthy dialogue and absurd story more amusing than genuinely funny. While some appreciate the humor derived from the over-the-top mecha anime clichés, others criticize the execution as poorly done, leading to a mix of laughter and frustration. Overall, the humor is hit-or-miss, with some moments eliciting genuine laughs while others fall flat.
- “Hokey gameplay and story that had me laughing at its absurdity more than anything.”
- “It blows right past the point where the mecha anime genre clichés are annoying to the point where they're so damned hilarious you can't help but chuckle to yourself.”
- “Sometimes the terrible dubs made me laugh quite hard.”
optimization
6 mentions
17 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with users reporting frequent crashes, lag in crowded areas, and poor graphics quality, even for its release year. While some note it runs well on low-end PCs, the overall experience is marred by performance issues and a lack of polish, particularly in mission stability and mouse responsiveness. Players are advised to research these problems before purchasing.
- “It's also perfect for low-end PCs since it's such a good port, very well optimized.”
- “On top of that, the game is not optimized at all. The graphics are bad (even for the year of release), some missions can often crash (I had to replay a mission 5 times to complete it), which made me rush the mission, resulting in missing some collectibles. In crowded areas, the game lags a lot even if you have a good PC. Mouse movement doesn't feel smooth, and the list goes on...”
- “From all the Front Mission games I've played, this one is by far the most limited. There's a lack of cool moments, the story feels forced into the game, and customization is far from good. The game is not optimized and can crash on some missions.”
- “Really wished this game was optimized for the PC rather than being a shoddily done Xbox 360 port.”
music
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely criticized for being generic and forgettable, lacking any memorable qualities. While some players feel it fits the game's style adequately, the overall consensus leans towards it being uninspired and a weak aspect of the experience.
- “The controls are decent and responsive; the music goes well with the game style.”
- “The soundtrack is generic and forgettable.”
- “If I had to criticize one aspect of the game, it would be its rather uninspired music soundtrack, and a sort of console polish that is shared by games like Prototype and Darksiders.”
- “If I had to criticize one aspect of the game, it would be its rather uninspired music soundtrack, and a sort of console polish that is shared by games like Prototype and Darksiders.”
replayability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with players noting that the main campaign is short, lasting around 8 hours, and that there is little incentive to explore customizations or revisit the game after completion. Many users express disappointment, stating that even after significant playtime, they feel no desire to replay it.
- “There is literally no replay value, and if I could, I would return it, even after playing for almost 19 hours.”
- “However, you probably won't use or try a lot of those customizations out as the main campaign is very short (I beat the whole thing in about 8 hours) and there really isn't a whole lot of replayability.”
- “All this combines to make little to no replayability.”
monetization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of aggressive monetization tactics, standing in stark contrast to many modern titles that are perceived as cash grabs. Players appreciate the absence of exploitative practices, highlighting the game's integrity in its approach to monetization.
- “There is no aggressive monetization by greedy individuals trying to squeeze out every last penny.”
- “There is no aggressive monetization made by greedy morons to reap a last penny.”
- “Modern rushed, cash-grabbing games are not a match for this game.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players feel nostalgia and excitement from controlling mechs, others criticize it for lacking depth in both emotional and narrative elements, leading to a repetitive experience.
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game evokes nostalgia for Front Mission fans, featuring familiar elements like the winee rifle and egret missile launcher, all while maintaining a distinct mecha ambiance that enhances the overall experience.
- “This is a nostalgic title for Front Mission fans; it's charming to see old friends like the Winee rifle and the Egret missile launcher in a very different, but still quite mecha-atmospheric play style.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while there are subtle hints of potential for deeper plot and character development, the game ultimately falls short, suggesting a missed opportunity for more substantial storytelling.
- “The character development is incredibly rich, with each character evolving in meaningful ways throughout the story.”
- “I love how the game allows for personal growth and transformation of the characters, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
- “The depth of the characters and their backstories adds so much to the overall experience, making every decision feel impactful.”
- “There are hints here and there that suggest there was going to be more in-depth plot and character development, but it seems that the developers decided against it.”
- “The character development feels rushed and superficial, leaving me disconnected from the story and its characters.”
- “I expected a rich narrative with deep character arcs, but instead, I was met with flat personalities and predictable outcomes.”