Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Front Mission 5: Scars of the War delivers a deeply strategic turn-based experience that stays true to the series’ roots while introducing refined mechanics. Players command a squad of customizable wanzers, carefully selecting parts, weapons, and pilot abilities to build lethal combinations. The familiar grid-based battlefield encourages thoughtful positioning and terrain utilization, rewarding those who plan every move.

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Mission structure in Scars of the War is robust and varied. Classic objectives such as base defense, hostage rescue, and full-scale assaults are complemented by branching mission paths, allowing player choices to influence subsequent engagements. This system not only enhances replayability but also gives a real sense of consequence, as altering the battlefield can unlock different story outcomes or rare recruitable pilots.

New to this installment is the implementation of friendly fire, a feature that raises the stakes on each turn. Players must now consider line-of-sight and blast radius when unleashing heavy ordnance, adding a layer of tension that keeps veteran tacticians on their toes. Additionally, the recruitment system expands your roster, letting you swap in fresh talent to capitalize on evolving combat scenarios.

Graphics

Front Mission 5’s visual presentation strikes a balance between functional clarity and gritty realism. The wanzers are intricately detailed, with each chassis and weapon attachment rendered in impressive detail. Animations for movement and combat are fluid, and special attack sequences—like overdrive cannon volleys—are punctuated by dramatic camera angles that underscore the power of these machines.

Battlefield environments range from dense urban sprawls to desert wastelands, each boasting distinct color palettes and atmospheric effects. Smoke, dust, and weapon fire leave convincing trails on the battlefield, reinforcing the sense of a sprawling 21st-century conflict. While the game doesn’t push next-gen lighting or particle effects, its art direction remains cohesive and serviceable on the PlayStation 2 hardware.

User interface elements are clean and intuitive, with detailed unit status screens and part inventories that are easy to navigate. Menus load swiftly, and in-combat HUD elements clearly communicate vital information like terrain defense bonuses, action points remaining, and hit probabilities. This clarity ensures that players remain focused on tactical decision-making rather than wrestling with awkward interfaces.

Story

Scars of the War unfolds across a sweeping timeline from 2070 to 2121, weaving through conflicts that span five global superpowers: the U.S.N., O.C.U., E.C., O.A.C., and the Republic of Zaftra. Unlike earlier entries, this game presents a grand tapestry of chain reactions and historical echoes, revisiting events from prior Front Mission titles through fresh perspectives.

At the heart of the narrative is Walter Feng, a U.S.N. soldier whose career spans decades and theaters of war. From early skirmishes on Pacific atolls to full-scale urban battles in Europe, players witness Feng’s evolution from a frontline grunt to a key player in covert anti-terror operations. As the timeline advances, hidden agendas and geopolitical machinations emerge, challenging Feng’s loyalties and forcing him to confront uncomfortable truths.

The writing balances political intrigue with personal drama, offering a cast of memorable allies and adversaries. Subplots involving rival pilots, factional power struggles, and the moral ambiguities of mech warfare enrich the main storyline. While some plot twists follow familiar genre beats, the layered chronology and character-driven moments keep players emotionally invested until the final mission.

Overall Experience

Front Mission 5: Scars of the War represents a high-water mark for tactical RPG enthusiasts seeking depth and longevity. With over 50 missions, extensive mech customization, and multiple narrative branches, the game offers dozens of hours of strategic warfare. Even after completing the main storyline, the incentive to revisit branching missions and fine-tune wanzer builds remains strong.

The audio design further elevates the experience, featuring a stirring orchestral soundtrack that underscores each campaign’s dramatic peaks. Mecha footfalls, weapon fire, and radio chatter add immersive layers to the battlefield ambiance. Voice acting is serviceable in key cutscenes, though most dialogue is conveyed through well-illustrated text boxes that capture character expressions.

While the game’s pace demands patience—lengthy deployment screens and turn-based engagements can feel methodical—the payoff is immense for players who appreciate tactical nuance. Front Mission 5 strikes an excellent balance between accessibility for newcomers and strategic complexity for series veterans. Overall, Scars of the War stands as a compelling entry in the Front Mission saga and a must-play for fans of mech-based strategy RPGs.

Retro Replay Score

null/10