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Review of Front Mission for the Nintendo DS

Front Mission DS is my first foray into the Front Mission games, and this game is another solid title from Square Enix. Front Mission DS is a remake of the first game in the series that debuted on the SNES. While the graphics were not given a significant boost since the SNES, the turn-based strategy game play still holds up.

In Front Mission, you choose from two lengthy single player campaigns, control a group of pilots and their mechs (called Wanzers), and battle through a series of missions and side missions. After each mission, you have a chance to build up your team by fighting in an arena and betting to get extra cash. Then use your money in the shop to customize each of your team’s Wanzers. You’ll have the options to choose from many different types of arms, legs, bodies, arm weapons, shoulder weapons, CPUs, backpacks, plus paint color. This part of the game was the most enjoyable for me as I was able to pick a fighting style for each of my team members (melee, short, or long range) and build them up with each customization.

Front Mission DS initially had the price of $35 or $40, but has since been reduced to around $20. At the $20 price point, this is a great game to pick up for anyone who enjoys turn-based games. There are two long single player campaigns, and each campaign can be played again at a harder difficulty level after each time you complete it. The only caveat I have Front Mission DS is that it doesn’t play like a portable game. When you start playing a mission, it could easily take you 30 minutes or more, plus the customization part could take another 30 minutes. It is hard to just pick up and play, but if you take your time with each mission and customization, you should really enjoy the experience.