Front Mission 3

"The tragic world of Front Mission 3"

Concerning the battle skills, I find that many are awesome since when activating, they demonstrate the power of the wanzers. On the other hand, I am not excited about 3-4 of them, since they could activate either when the wanzers are stunned or when your wanzer would be destroyed and so on.

As for the virtual internet and email system, I found the idea clever. Although, I disliked the fact that you could not write emails by your own accord (instead of sending responses only). Of course, there are a few exceptions, but not enough. In any case, I found the system very innovative and ingenious.

Lastly, I loved how you could change wanzer parts and install mod-upgrade chips. As for the backpacks, that idea was ingenious. And the fact that you could eject from your wanzer, as well as force enemy pilots to eject (to potentially capture and sell their wanzers) is totally brilliant! In any case, I did dislike one thing however: the fact that you couldn't either paint your own wanzers with patterns, logos and what-not irritated me. Furthermore, I was disappointed by the fact that I could not buy weapons for the wanzer pilots themselves, while some enemy infantry had superior weaponry. And also, I found it sad that I couldn't create, modify or even simply buy new/used vehicules (like tanks, helicopters etc.). Although, I must admit I was pleased that you could still board some enemy vehicules (including the wanzers themselves).

Now, on a very different note: Considering that FM3 was the first game which was enigmatically created using a "mech-warrior" type game in 3D, Squaresoft perfected a game type by introducing two great storylines. Furthermore, the characters each have a certain level of "corruption", in the sense that every single one of them (the main ones) can behave a certain way in the first scenario, while acting in a completely different way in the second scenario. This by itself helps in enhancing the normal behaviour of the characters, making them more human. Truthfully enough, Lukav (and Rosavia and Jared) which are Imaginary Numbers are the only characters that lack that humanity which the Real Numbers (Liu for example) and humans possess.

Now, as for the distress Emma (or Emir) feels towards the situation concerning Midas is just about right. In other words, the purity of the humanity she faces is marvelous. In this case, Emma struggles to find out what is right and wrong. But, is there a right and wrong? Whatever the case, I was happy to see that Emma was time and again always resorting to her humanity. Since she was questioning her role, as well as the role of midas itself only made Emma more real. As for Alisa, the fact that she was truthful and real about herself does show a genuine need to maintain her own personality. Because of that, the story itself contains real issues at hand. For example, should midas be made known to the world? Should midas be used? Be destroyed? Whatever the answers to these, I was glad to see that the real world had an impact on the storyline. In the end, had Squaresoft not used reality as a vehicule to convey the hatred and domination within the game, then perhaps FM3 would not have been as good. But thankfully, Squaresoft decided to convey our real world in a fictitious world.

Basically, the world we live in is corrupt and its people just as much. And so, the script from FM3 denotes that with Chief-of-Staff Sasaki and with Major Kuroi, as well as with countless others. Perhaps this by itself also denotes a tragedy in our world, but at least makes us realise the dangers of such corruption when out of hand to a great deal. Thus, I was awed to see the nature of man as frightening yet as frail. Since there will always be those trying to oppress, and others trying to free the oppressed. So in the end, as FM3 demonstrates this, I was frightens to see such a thing being a possible reality. But at the same time, I was glad to know that the characters of FM3 each had their own convictions, and that their humanity could allow them to change ideals. For example, the very beginning of the game shows us that Kazuki has a choice to make. His will ultimately change the course of his life. Thus, I was entertained by that notion.

Finally, even though there were flaws in the game, I rate it a 10/10 since at that point in time, I doubt that the Squaresoft team could have made it better due to their tight deadline, as well as to the vast world which was created in FM3. Moreover, I appreciate the two distinct storylines which are interwoven together.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/09/08

Game Release: Front Mission 3 (US, 02/29/00)