Square Enix's classic mecha tactical strategy game, "Front Mission" has a full on remake releasing this month on June 30th.
Originally released for Nintendo Switch not long ago, the game is launching on PS5, PS4, Xbox, and PC as well, which is what developer Forever Entertainment says to expect alongside Nintendo's popular handheld/console hybrid system. Copies of "Front Mission 1st Remake" on non-Nintendo platforms are said to be offered via a 10% discount between June 30, 2023 to July 12, 2023.
Keep in mind that "Front Mission 1st Remake" doesn't signify that this is the game's first ever remake, instead it means that this is the first Front Mission game and its receiving a remake. Front mission originally released (with gorgeous Yoshitaka Amano artwork) in 1995 on the Super Famicom. Since then the game has had a number of re-releases in various forms, you can read all about them here if interested.
The Front Mission franchise has had its ups and downs in recent years, with the previous 2019 release, "Left Alive" receiving negative criticism, its time for this strategy classic to come back with what made it great originally- even if its the same game again, its updated and accessible to current generations and even better, there are plans for Front Mission 2 and Front Mission 3 remakes as well. So far there are no details released on other entries, but its exciting for longtime and new fans of the genre or franchise.
Important notice regarding the premiere of FRONT MISSION 2: Remake pic.twitter.com/Hw1rAmoTrN
— Forever Entertainment S.A. (@ForeverEntert) May 26, 2023
I'm hoping the Front Mission remakes do well, if so, anything's possible. I first discovered the series with Front Mission 4 on the PS2, though it also didn't do so hot in the west, despite not being the first Front Mission to release overseas. Front Mission 5 was only released in Japan for PS2 and seemed to come and go, along with 2006's Front Mission 2089-II DS game, and 2007's Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness, also Japanese exclusives. Its probably a safe bet that most folks reading this article are unaware that anything Front Mission related released between 2003 and 2010, and its even possible that this is your first time hearing about the franchise. And that's okay!
It wasn't until 2010's global release of Front Mission Evolved, which, you guessed it- had mixed reviews but wasn't so bad, that Front Mission got a brief return to the global market, and its actually amazing to me that after Left Alive's turnout, that the series is releasing anything at all. As much as I've wanted Front Mission to thrive as much as any other Square Enix series that isn't Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, or Kingdom Hearts, Front Mission may not be able to afford too many more blunders. Maybe its possible Front Mission has just had its day? Or maybe these remakes are the right way to go, sticking with the familiar and updating visuals and more to current day standards. The next move would be to make a brand-new title a hit one, and revive the franchise.
There's never enough strategy tactics games these days, so I'm looking forward to the continued efforts of the Front Mission franchise. And who knows, Square Enix is favoring the popular 2D-3D style a lot for new titles and remakes, so I'd like to see them keep it up, there is a treasure trove of older games that desperately need updated releases, and this format usually looks pretty good. Such titles that come to mind are Chrono Trigger, Vagrant Story, and many, many more.
