Bipedal Ballistic Beasts- Front Mission Evolved Review

Initially, “evolved” is unlikely descriptor for a game which has transformed from a cerebral, turn-taking role-playing game into a reflex-based third-person shooter.  Yet upon closer scrutiny, the listless pace of the three stateside entries in the Front Mission series are no match for developer Double Helix’s nimble interpretation of mechanized combat. Fittest be damned- the contemporary gaming environment is governed by a ‘survival of the most profitable’ mentality, and offering a contemplative strategic title might be considered the quickest way to financial extinction. While I yearn to manage AP and ammo as much as the next stat geek, I realize my passions are niche.

Fifty years after the events of Japan-only Scars of War, Front Mission Evolved commences during a period of uneasy harmony. With two global superpowers- the O.C.U. and the U.C.S. competing to colonize the cosmos and locked into an escalated arms race, conflict erupts when a orbital elevator is destroyed. Players take the role of Dylan Ramsey, a civilian engineer who thrust into action when his father’s life is threatened. While Evolve‘s twenty-second century setting offers futuristic Wanzers (a German portmanteau  for ‘walking tank’), occasionally facets of the game world seem woefully anachronistic. At least the contemporary-looking cars blow up real good.

With a responsive control scheme which use the 360’s triggers to handheld weapons and the bumpers to initiate shoulder-mounted attacks, piloting the game’s Wanzers is gratifyingly intuitive. Beyond the ability to jump and hover for short periods of time, players are also given the ability to dash, skillfully elevating the pace of Evolved‘s combat. Skirmishes are gratifying, encouraging players to seek cover behind environmental objects, sporadically popping out to release a barrage of missiles or a formidable chain gun burst. Wisely, different components of wanzers can be targeted- players can weaken a foe  damaging a powerful appendage, or suffer a debilitating blow when the legs of their own craft are defeated.

Although the game’s customization menu seems woefully sparse, it conceals a robust amount of options. While dutifully maintaining a suitable weight to power ratio, players are given a full range of sniper rifles, shotguns, rifles, bazooka, machine guns, and rockets as well as the ability to equip ammunition-augmenting battle skills. Surprisingly, these enhancements are activated randomly- becoming stronger and more likely to trigger as players progress through the main campaign.  Although Evolved‘s gameplay seem to favor ranged combat, a number of melee options are present, allowing players to use shields and swing approach to eliminate the title’s enemy forces.

As enjoyable as the outdoor warfare is, Evolved falters as soon as players are forced out of their Wanzers. Breaking one of the cardinal rules of mecha games, the title temporarily seizes all the bombastic weaponry and robust protection a metal suit offers to send players scavenging through corridors. Some might argue these stages would have been improved by a cover system and AI which doesn’t blindly fire into the solid objects immediately in front of them. Yet, even the most polished on-foot levels would  have belied why most players will pick the title up- the primal allure of giant fighting robots.

Beyond Front Mission‘s single player component, there are four multiplayer variations for player’s to show off their piloting skills. With a persistent leveling system, which grants access to new parts, weapons, and skills, the title’s clashes don’t veer wildly from other the structure of many contemporary online competitions. While these matches were undeniably enjoyable- challenging players to lock-on to elusive jump-jetting foes or promote stand-offs around environmental structures, they often ran a bit long.

Transitioning a tactical role-playing series into an accessible action game can’t be an easy task. Although Front Mission Evolved displays a number of minor missteps, fans of mechanized combat will certainly find numerous gratifying moments between the game’s  single and multiplayer modes. With a dearth of mech-based title on contemporary consoles, helming Evolved’s wanzers will be particularly appealing once an inevitable price drop occurs.