Games - Front Mission

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	Games - Front Mission

Front Mission (Japanese: フロントミッション) is a series of turn-based tactical strategy video games produced by Squaresoft, now Square Enix. The series was created by Toshiro Tsuchida. It began in 1995 with the release of the first game, Front Mission.

The main draw of Front Mission is the use of giant mecha called "Wanzers" (from the German "Wanderung Panzer", or walking tanks) in battle. The storyline in the series revolves around military conflicts and political tension between powerful consolidated nations that form during the 21st and 22nd centuries. The average Wanderung Panzer is bipedal and stands at 20 feet and 25 tons. Throughout the game there are many types of Wanzers, each with different attributes.

Releases

Japan

Five main games in the series have been produced:

Front Mission (SNES, 1995, PlayStation
, 2003)
Front Mission 2 (PlayStation
, 1997)
Front Mission 3 (PlayStation
, 1999)
Front Mission 4 (PlayStation 2
, 2003)
Front Mission 5: Scars of War (PlayStation 2
, 2005)

In addition, there are two "side-story" games in the series. They depart from the turn-based tactical strategy gameplay of the rest of the series:

Front Mission: Gun Hazard (SNES, 1996) - a side-scrolling action shooter
Front Mission: Alternative (PlayStation
, 1997) - a real-time action/strategy game.

Square Enix is also making an online title, Front Mission Online, for PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows.

U.S.

Front Mission 3 (PlayStation, February 29, 2000)
Front Mission 4 (PlayStation2, June 15, 2004)
Front Mission 5: Scars of the War
(PlayStation2, March 2006, tentative)

Front Mission was remade for the PlayStation in 2003 as Front Mission 1st, but was not localized for North America, due to the declining market for PlayStation games in that region. As for Front Mission 2, no real reason exists for the lack of U.S. localization, but it could possibly be due to Sony Computer Entertainment America (then-publisher for Squaresoft titles in the U.S.) simply passing on releasing the game.

Europe

Front Mission 3 (PlayStation, August 11, 2000)

Unofficial Translation

Front Mission, through emulation
Front Mission: Gun Hazard, also through emulation

Front Mission Major Political Powers

Oceania Community Union (OCU)

Consists of the modern day nations of Japan and Australia and encompasses Southeast Asia including the Philippines and a number of Pacific islands. One of the ongoing conflicts centers on the extent of their Pacific island holdings, which are continually contested by the USN.

Bangladesh (after a name change to the People's Republic of Alordesh) was a member, but broke away in the events leading up to Front Mission 2. Even after formally joining the OCU in A.D. 2094, the already stagnant Economic Status of Alordesh did not improve. Curtailed with a severe depression, The Revolutionary Army declared Independence from the OCU. Stating that the OCU was exploiting its resources.

Some of the Membership Nations of the OCU have been struggling to maintain the organization since the events of the Alordesh Coup which has led to more outbreaks of civil wars. The OCU nearly broke up during a Coup in Japan. Luckily, the Coup was aborted when the DHZ invaded Okinawa Ocean City.

United States of the New Continent (USN)

North America and South America consolidated into a single supernation. Often at an uneasy standstill against the OCU, with regards to the Pacific Island region. There is a large disparity in quality of life throughout the USN, which has lead to disaffectation and open rebellion in several member states.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Front Mission ]