Front Mission 5: Scars of the War

Last updated
Front Mission 5: Scars of the War
Front Mission 5.jpg
Developer(s) Square Enix
Publisher(s) Square Enix
Director(s) Shintaro Tamai
Producer(s) Toshiro Tsuchida
Artist(s) Yusuke Naora
Composer(s) Hidenori Iwasaki
Series Front Mission
Platform(s) PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: December 29, 2005
Genre(s) Tactical role-playing game
Mode(s) Single-player

Front Mission 5: Scars of the War, also known in Japan as Front Mission Fifth: Scars of the War, [lower-alpha 1] is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix, released in Japan on December 29, 2005. Front Mission 5: Scars of the War is the fifth main entry and ninth entry overall in the Front Mission series. Like other Front Mission titles, Front Mission 5: Scars of the War is part of a serialized storyline that follows the stories of various characters and their struggles involving mecha known as wanzers. [1]

Contents

A complete English translation of the game was released as fan-made patch on December 29, 2009, by the group Front Mission Translation Project. [2]

Gameplay

Front Mission 5: Scars of the War borrows much of the core gameplay mechanics found in Front Mission 2 , as well as a plethora of features from other Front Mission entries. [1] The game progresses in a linear manner: watch cut-scene events, complete missions, set up their wanzers during intermissions, and sortie for the next mission. Military bases and supply camps act as intermission points where the player can organize and set up their units for the upcoming mission.

Missions in Scars of the War are traditional tactical RPG fare, ranging from destroying all enemy targets to protecting a certain allied target. There are a number of returning features from Front Mission 2 that are used for mission play, namely Action Points (AP) and Links. Action Points (AP) is a feature that dictates how much actions can be done with each unit. Actions such as moving and attacking require a certain amount of AP to use. At the end of a full turn, which is one Player Phase and Enemy Phase, a set amount of AP is replenished. A unit's AP amount and recharge value depends on its pilot's proficiency levels; the higher it is, the greater the amount of AP that can be used and replenished.

Links is a feature that allows multiple units to provide offensive and defensive support to each other during battles. Scars of the War streamlines this feature by allowing up to six units to form one "link" for Player Phase and Enemy Phase battles. As long as a unit's pilot has a Link-class skill and the appropriate weapons equipped, they can participate in linked battles. Incorporated into the Links feature is pilot types; this dictates the linked actions that a unit can do during combat. For example, an aggressive pilot will attack with complete disregard for friendly fire situations and AP. Likewise, a defensive pilot will avoid causing friendly fire, but will disregard this concern if they have used repairs on an allied unit in the line of fire.

Returning features aside, Scars of the War has a number of new gameplay mechanics, the most notable being friendly fire. Unlike other Front Mission titles, any units in a weapon's line of fire will be subject to being hit by its rounds. Each weapon class has a distinct firing path; for example, shotgun rounds spread in mid-flight and can hit units away from its firing path. Another new addition is part skills; parts can be equipped with special features that grant them unique properties. For example, rifles can shoot through multiple targets in its line of fire with the part skill "Piercing". Auxiliary backpacks from Front Mission 4 that make a return include: item, turbo, repair, jetpack, sensor, and EMP backpacks. Several of the auxiliary backpacks have new functions: item backpacks come with a small increase in power output, sensor backpacks can use EMP, and EMP backpacks can add armor coats or repair damaged parts.

Outside of battles, Scars of the War also boasts a New Game + option as well as a Hard Mode difficulty setting. Other returning features from other Front Mission entries include: Arena, Battle Simulator, briefings, mission branching, and remodeling. Other new features to Scars of the War include: part sorting, scouting, Survival Simulator, and Theater Mode.

Story

Unlike all other Front Mission titles, the story of Scars of the War uses a very different approach. Set over the course of five decades starting from 2070, the game encapsulates and concludes the entire serialized storyline. All unresolved plot elements from past Front Mission entries are finally brought to their conclusion as the story unfolds. However, because of this storytelling approach, only players who have played all of the previous entries can fully understand the game's story. These entries are: Front Mission 2089 , Front Mission 2089-II , Front Mission: Online , Front Mission , Front Mission 2 , Front Mission 3 , and Front Mission 4 . Additionally, there are several story elements from Front Mission Alternative that are also resolved in the game.

Globalization sweeps the world in the early 21st century. Facing a recession and other worldwide crises, many nations set aside their differences and form supranational unions. The European Union, formed in 1993, was renamed the European Community (EC) in 2005 when all nations of Europe joined the bloc. In 2015, the Commonwealth of Independent States unites to form the Republic of Zaftra. In 2020, the countries of North America and South America band together to create the United States of the New Continent (USN). The nations of Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania form the Oceania Cooperative Union in 2026. The countries of Africa unite under the Organization of African Consolidation in 2030. Nation-states became a relic of the past as less countries are willing to face the world's crises alone. As a result, conflicts are less frequent, economies prosper, the quality of life improves, and peace in long-troubled regions are finally achieved. However, this dream does not last long as new conflicts show the world that mankind never learns from its mistakes.

Plot

The plot of Scars of the War revolves around USN soldier Walter Feng. When Huffman Island is deemed ready for colonization by the United Nations in 2065, Feng becomes one of the island's first immigrants. Living in Freedom City, Walter befriends two other children - Randy O'Neill and Glen Duval. The three boys experience first-hand the realities of war during the outbreak of the 1st Huffman Conflict in 2070; Walter and Glen are physically scarred by shell casings during a battle in Freedom City. The three boys were separated at the end of the war when the USN forcefully repatriates Walter and Randy, and Glen is forcefully repatriated by the OCU. The three reunites during a peacekeeping operation as soldiers for their respective armies during the Huffman Crisis in 2086. Upon seeing Glen pilot a wanzer, Walter and Randy sign up for the USN Army's wanzer training program. As tensions between the OCU and USN elevate to a new high from the Larcus Incident, the two men qualify as wanzer pilots.

However, on the same day they qualify, Walter and Randy are sent off to fight in the 2nd Huffman Conflict. During the invasion of Freedom City, they encounter Glen in the suburbs of city and defeat him. Feng and O'Neill visit Duval before he is shipped off to a POW camp. A year later, the three face off again on the battlefield - this time, Glen easily defeats his friends. However, instead of showing mercy, Glen kills Randy inside his cockpit block. A ceasefire between the OCU and the USN is declared shortly after he escapes. Traumatized by the experience, Walter cleans up Randy's quarters in an attempt to move on with life. Seeing an application form for the Strike Wyverns assault unit, Feng signs the form and undergoes intensive training. He passes the test and joins the unit, where he meets his old friend Edward Collins and new commanding officer Lynn Wenright (who happens to be his childhood sweetheart).

Over the next few years, Walter participates in numerous military operations and begins to take an interest in the conflicts he gets involved with. From Zaftra's struggles involving natural resources to pro-independence movements in the OCU, Feng gets drawn into a global war between nationalism and globalization that has been on-going for decades. At the heart of this conflict is the Grimnir - a terrorist organization aimed at destabilizing the supranational unions and return to a world governed by Westphalian nation-states.

Artwork of two of the game's protagonists Front Mission 5 characters.jpg
Artwork of two of the game's protagonists

Development

Front Mission 5 was first announced in a press conference at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2004. [3] The game was developed by Square Enix's sixth production team, under the direction of the series' creator Toshiro Tsuchida. The team is the same that worked on Front Mission 4 , albeit with new members. The developers intended for Front Mission 5 to have a more cinematic focus than previous installments — the game was the series' first foray into cut scene-based storytelling. [4] [5]

The game was showcased in non-playable form at the Tokyo Game Show of September 2005. [6] A postcard exchangeable for a limited-edition Trading Arts figure - Glen's Kyojun wanzer - was included as a bonus for pre-ordering the game. [7] It was showcased in playable form at the Jump Festa in 2006. [8] A strategy guide for the game was published by Enterbrain on March 18, 2006. [9]

Music

The soundtrack for Front Mission 5: Scars of the War, which is the longest in the series, was primarily composed by Hidenori Iwasaki, with contributions from Kenichiro Fukui and one track written by Iwasaki's synth operator Yasuhiro Yamanaka. [5] The commercial song "Blue Stream" was composed by Masayoshi Soken. [10]

Reception and legacy

In its first week of sales in Japan, Front Mission 5: Scars of War sold 146,209 units. [15] By the middle of January 2006, Scars of the War had sold over 200,000 units and moved enough sales for the Front Mission series to surpass 3 million cumulative sales worldwide. [16] The game was later released under Ultimate Hits line, suggesting the game did well as products in the line have sold 250,000 units or more. [17]

In RPG Fan's Games of 2006 feature, the reasons for it being the Import RPG of the Year make note of the game's improvements and excellent execution in design and functionality. The game was also voted the runner-up Strategy RPG of the Year by RPG Fan in their "Games of 2006" awards. [14]

While the developers acknowledge the good reception of the cinematic focus of the game, they noted that later entries in the series would not necessarily follow the same direction. [18] Elements from Scars of the War, such as the character Glen Duval, were featured in the 2007 port of Front Mission First for the Nintendo DS. [19]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: フロントミッション フィフス 〜スカーズ・オブ・ザ・ウォー〜, Hepburn: Furonto Misshon Fifusu 〜Sukāzu obu za Uō〜

Related Research Articles

<i>Xenogears</i> 1998 video game

Xenogears is a 1998 role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation video game console. It is the debut entry in the larger Xeno franchise. The gameplay of Xenogears revolves around navigating 3D environments both on-foot and using humanoid mecha dubbed "Gears". Combat is governed by a version of the turn-based "Active Time Battle" system. The story follows protagonist Fei Fong Wong and several others as they journey across the world to overthrow the all-powerful rule of Solaris and uncover mysteries concerning their world. The story incorporates Jungian psychology, Freudian thought, and religious symbolism.

<i>SaGa</i> Video game series

SaGa (サガ) is a series of science fantasy role-playing video games by Square Enix. The series originated on the Game Boy in 1989 as the creation of Akitoshi Kawazu at Square. It has since continued across multiple platforms, from the Super NES to the PlayStation 2. The series is notable for its emphasis on open world exploration, non-linear branching plots, and occasionally unconventional gameplay. This distinguishes the games from most of Square's other franchises.

Front Mission is a collection of video games and related media produced by Square, now Square Enix. The series was created by Toshiro Tsuchida and developed by G-Craft, a studio that was later absorbed by Square and existed within Square Enix as Product Development Division-6. Since the release of the original Front Mission in 1995, the series has gone on to encompass several media, including film, manga, novels, radio dramas, mobile phone applications, and toys. While the series is primarily rooted in the turn-based tactical role-playing genre, it has also ventured into other genres such as side-scrolling shooter, real-time strategy (RTS), massive multiplayer online (MMO), and third-person shooter through its spin-offs. The Front Mission video games achieved moderate success, selling over 3 million units worldwide up until January 2006.

Toshiro Tsuchida is a Japanese game director and game producer who currently works for Japanese Social Game company GREE. He formerly worked for Square Enix Co., Ltd.. He is most notably credited for creating the Front Mission and Arc the Lad media franchises.

<i>Front Mission 3</i> 1999 video game

Front Mission 3, also known in Japan as Front Mission Third, is a tactical role-playing game for the PlayStation developed by and published by Square Co., Ltd., released in Japan in 1999, and North America and Europe in 2000. Front Mission 3 is the third main entry and the fifth entry overall in the Front Mission series. Like other Front Mission titles, Front Mission 3 is part of a serialized storyline that follows the stories of various characters and their struggles involving mecha known as wanzers.

<i>Unlimited Saga</i> 2002 role-playing video game

Unlimited Saga is a 2002 role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation 2 as the ninth game in the SaGa series. It was released in 2002 in Japan and 2003 in North America and Europe; its European version was published by Atari Europe. The story follows seven characters as they explore mysteries connected to the Seven Wonders, artifacts left by an ancient civilization said to be capable of triggering a golden age. Battles carry over the skill-based levelling systems and nonlinear structure of earlier SaGa titles, with an exploration structure similar to a board game.

<i>Front Mission: Gun Hazard</i> 1996 video game

Front Mission Series: Gun Hazard is a 1996 side-scrolling shooter game developed by Omiya Soft and published by Squaresoft for the Super Famicom. It was released only in Japan on February 23. Gun Hazard is the second entry in the Front Mission series and is a side-scrolling shooter with role-playing game elements. The game received an English language fan translation in 2004.

<i>Front Mission 2</i> 1997 video game

Front Mission 2, also known in Japan as Front Mission Second, is a tactical role-playing game for the Sony PlayStation developed by G-Craft and published by Square, and was released in Japan on September 25, 1997. Front Mission 2 is the second main entry and the third entry overall in the Front Mission series. Like other Front Mission titles, Front Mission 2 is part of a serialized storyline that follows the stories of various characters and their struggles involving mecha known as wanzers. The game was well received by critics and fans, and was part of Square Enix's "Ultimate Hits" collection in 2005.

<i>Front Mission 4</i> 2003 video game

Front Mission 4, also known in Japan as Front Mission Fourth, is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix Co., Ltd. as the fourth main entry and sixth entry overall in the Front Mission series. Like other Front Mission titles, Front Mission 4 is part of a serialized storyline that follows the stories of various characters and their struggles involving mecha known as wanzers.

<i>Front Mission Alternative</i> 1997 video game

Front Mission Alternative is a real-time tactics video game developed and published by Square, and was released in Japan on December 18, 1997. Front Mission Alternative is the second spin-off entry and the fourth entry overall in the Front Mission series. Unlike other Front Mission titles, Front Mission Alternative is the precursor to the serialized storyline and features a completely standalone story and cast of characters.

<i>Front Mission</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Front Mission is a tactical role-playing game developed by G-Craft and published by Square, and was released in Japan on February 24, 1995 for the Super Famicom. Front Mission is the first main entry and the first entry overall in the Front Mission series. Front Mission is part of a serialized storyline that follows the stories of various characters and their struggles involving mecha known as wanzers. A direct port of the game was released for the WonderSwan Color in Japan on July 12, 2002.

<i>Blue Wing Blitz</i> 2001 video game

Blue Wing Blitz (ブルーウィングブリッツ) is a Japanese-exclusive tactical role-playing game developed and published by Square on July 5, 2001 for the WonderSwan Color and compatible with the WonderSwan.

<i>Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume</i> 2008 video game

Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume is a tactical role-playing game developed by tri-Ace and published by Square Enix for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. Released in 2008 in Japan and 2009 worldwide, the game is the third entry in the Valkyrie Profile series, acting as a prequel to the original game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shinji Hashimoto</span> Japanese game producer (born 1958)

Shinji Hashimoto is a Japanese former game producer at Square Enix and currently senior advisor at Sony Music Entertainment Japan and a board member at Forwardworks. He served as the Final Fantasy series brand manager for over a decade, was an executive officer at Square Enix board of directors and he was the Head of Square Enix's Business Division 3 for 6 years. He is also the co-creator of the Kingdom Hearts series. He served as corporate executive of the company's 1st Production Department during its entire existence.

<i>Front Mission Evolved</i> 2010 video game

Front Mission Evolved is a third-person shooter video game developed by Double Helix Games and published by Square Enix. Unlike previous Front Mission titles which have a tactical role-playing game structure, players engage in combat in real time on 3D maps using giant robotic weapons of war known as "Wanzers." The game also features a single player story mode and several multiplayer combat modes with up to eight players.

Front Mission is a series of tactical role-playing games produced by Square Enix. The music of the series includes the soundtracks to the main series, composed of Front Mission through Front Mission 5: Scars of the War, as well as the spin-off games, which include Front Mission Series: Gun Hazard, Front Mission Alternative, Front Mission: Online, Front Mission 2089 and its remake Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness, Front Mission 2089-II, and Front Mission Evolved. The soundtracks of the series' installments have been released in album form in Japan, with the exceptions of 2089, 2089-II, and Border of Madness, which reuse music from the other installments, and Evolved, which was published in 2010. The soundtrack to Front Mission was released in 1995 by NTT Publishing, which also published the soundtrack to Front Mission: Gun Hazard in 1996. DigiCube published soundtrack albums for Front Mission 2 and Alternative in 1997 and 3 in 1999. Square Enix published the albums for Front Mission 4 in 2004, and 5 and Online in 2006.

<i>Front Mission 2089</i> 2005 video game

Front Mission 2089 is a tactical role-playing game developed by Square Enix Co., Ltd., MSF, and Winds, and was published and released in Japan by Square Enix Co., Ltd. in 2005 and 2008 for mobile phones. The game was released on March 7, 2005, October 27, 2005, and June 18, 2008. Front Mission 2089 is part of Front Mission Mobile, a project dedicated to Front Mission video games for the mobile phones. Front Mission 2089 is the fifth main entry and the seventh entry overall in the Front Mission series. Like other Front Mission titles, Front Mission 2089 is part of a serialized storyline that follows the stories of various characters and their struggles involving mecha known as wanzers. An enhanced remake of the game developed by h.a.n.d. was released for the Nintendo DS on May 29, 2008, titled Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness. A sequel, Front Mission 2089-II, was released for mobile phones in Japan in 2006 and 2008 for i-mode and EZweb services, respectively, continuing the story following a new main character.

<i>Front Mission: Online</i> 2005 video game

Front Mission: Online was a massively multiplayer online (MMO), third-person shooter video game developed by and published by Square Enix, and was released in Japan on May 12, 2005 for the PlayStation 2, and on December 8, 2005 for Windows. Like other Front Mission titles, Front Mission: Online is part of a serialized storyline that follows the stories of various characters and their struggles involving mecha known as wanzers. The game's servers were closed on May 31, 2008.

<i>Left Alive</i> 2019 video game

Left Alive is a 2019 action-adventure stealth game developed by Ilinx and published by Square Enix. It was released in February and March 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and Windows platforms. It was announced at a press conference by Sony Interactive Entertainment before the 2017 Tokyo Game Show. Set in the universe of the Front Mission series of videogames, the story follows several individuals trying to survive amidst a surprise invasion of their country, while both helping civilians to safety and attempting to stop destruction and damage wrought by Wanzers, a form of combat mecha.

References

  1. 1 2 Dengeki PlayStation Editorial, LogicGate, ed. (March 2007). Front Mission World Historica - Report of Conflicts 1970-2121 (in Japanese). MediaWorks. ISBN   978-4-8402-3663-8.
  2. ↑ "Translations - Front Mission 5: Scars of the War". Romhacking.net. Archived from the original on 2010-05-01. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  3. ↑ Winkler, Chris. "TGS: Square Enix Press Conference Report". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  4. ↑ Winkler, Chris. "Square Enix Talks Front Mission Series". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  5. 1 2 Schweitzer, Ben (2006-02-14). "Front Mission 5 ~Scars of the War~ OST". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2009-12-30. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  6. ↑ Winkler, Chris. "TGS: Front Mission 5 Teaser Site Goes Live". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  7. ↑ Karlin, David. "Front Mission 5 Update". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  8. ↑ Winkler, Chris. "Square Enix Announces JUMP Festa Line-Up". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  9. ↑ Famitsu Books Editorial, ed. (March 2006). Front Mission 5: Scars of the War Official Perfect Guide (in Japanese). Enterbrain. ISBN   978-4-7577-2721-2.
  10. ↑ Harry. "Front Mission 5 ~Scars of the War~ Original Soundtrack :: Review by Harry". Square Enix Music Online. Archived from the original on 2010-01-02. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  11. ↑ Freund, Josh (December 20, 2005). "News - Latest Famitsu review scores - Kingdom Hearts II, Mario & Luigi 2, & more". GamesAreFun.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  12. ↑ "Front Mission 5: Scars of the War Review". GameBrink. Archived from the original on 2007-01-27. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  13. ↑ "OteraGame Front Mission 5 Review" (in French). OteraGame. Archived from the original on 2009-02-08. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  14. 1 2 "RPGFan Feature - Games of 2006". RPG Fan. Archived from the original on 2010-11-30. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  15. ↑ Jenkins, David. "Japanese Sales Charts, Week Ending January 1". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  16. ↑ Winkler, Chris. "Front Mission Series Reaches 3 Million Plateau". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  17. ↑ Winkler, Chris. "Front Mission Series Goes Ultimate Hits In Japan". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  18. ↑ McCarroll, John. "E3 2007: Square Enix Impressions and Interviews - Front Mission Interview". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  19. ↑ Winkler, Chris. "New Front Mission 1st DS Details Announced". RPGFan. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.