Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Front Mission 1st delivers a deeply strategic experience that will appeal to veterans of the genre as well as newcomers looking for a methodical, mech-based RPG. Battles unfold on grid-based maps where positioning, weapon range, and terrain cover are as crucial as raw firepower. Each mission scales the difficulty, requiring you to adapt your tactics on the fly—whether you’re laying down suppressing fire from elevated positions or mounting precision strikes on vital components of enemy wanzers.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The customization system is one of the game’s strongest pillars. You’re free to configure your wanzers’ parts—arms, legs, cores, backpacks—and equip them with a diverse arsenal ranging from rifles and missile launchers to melee weapons. Coupled with a skill-learning mechanic that rewards repeated use of specific abilities, you’ll find yourself fine-tuning each pilot’s loadout to suit their strengths, whether that’s close-quarters blade combat or long-range artillery bombardments.

Experience gains are handled with a twist: not only do you earn EXP from defeating foes, but you also build proficiency in weapons and skills through repeated use. This system encourages experimentation, so early on you might swap between assault rifles and bazookas to see which suits your playstyle—and then specialize in boosting that weapon’s power. The balance between risk and reward makes every encounter count, especially during the tougher late-game scenarios where a single misstep can lead to mission failure.

Beyond the strategic battles, Front Mission 1st offers small hub areas where you can visit workshops, chat with NPCs, and pick up side missions. These interludes break up the combat grind and inject some character-driven flavor into the proceedings, letting you learn more about RF corps mechanics, political factions, and the lives of mech pilots in the war-torn world of Huffman Island.

Graphics

As a remake of the original Front Mission, this version offers significantly upgraded visuals that still hold up today. The 2D backgrounds are richly detailed, depicting rubble-strewn cityscapes, industrial complexes, and lush island terrain with clarity. Although not pushing the limits of modern hardware, the art direction captures the dieselpunk aesthetic perfectly—every factory interior and mountain pass feels lived-in and logically designed for large-scale mech warfare.

Character portraits and cutscene stills have been overhauled, lending the story sequences more emotional weight. The expressive artwork shines during key narrative moments, whether it’s Roid’s steely determination or Commander Driscoll’s cold calculation. The interface also benefits from the facelift: menus are sleek and intuitive, making it easy to navigate your wanzer’s customization screens without feeling overwhelmed by icons or stats.

Combat animations have seen a boost as well. Wanzers spin servos, lock onto targets, and stagger realistically when under heavy fire. Weapon effects—muzzle flashes, explosion splashes, missile trails—bring the battlefield to life, adding weight to each shot. Though the game primarily uses static camera angles during fights, smooth transitions and dynamic zooms emphasize critical hits and add cinematic flair to otherwise grid-bound skirmishes.

Finally, the soundtrack and sound design deserve mention. Updated audio tracks blend orchestral and electronic elements, setting a tense atmosphere for the OCU-USN conflict. Mechanical whirs, footsteps, and weapon fire are well-balanced, ensuring that every laser blast and steel-on-steel clash resonates just as you’d expect on the battlefield.

Story

Front Mission 1st weaves a layered political drama around the Larcus Incident, a catastrophic explosion orchestrated by USN commander Driscoll and pinned on OCU soldier Roid. This setup gives the narrative a strong foundation: personal revenge meets geopolitical intrigue, pitting two powerful factions—the United States of the New Continent and the Oceana Community Union—against each other. As Roid, you begin with nothing but your wanzer and a grim sense of purpose.

The pacing of the storyline balances large-scale conflicts with smaller, character-focused side plots. Between major missions, you’ll encounter civilians struggling to survive, fellow mercenaries questioning their loyalties, and even defectors with their own hidden agendas. These interludes add depth, reminding you that war affects more than just the fighting forces—it touches every tier of society on Huffman Island.

Adding to the narrative weight is a brand-new campaign playable from the USN perspective. This alternate viewpoint enriches the lore, showing how each side justifies its actions and highlighting the moral gray areas of wartime decisions. Little touches—like intercepted radio chatter or conflicting eyewitness testimonies—encourage you to question what “truth” means in a world where propaganda can be as powerful a weapon as any missile launcher.

While Front Mission 1st doesn’t shy away from classic JRPG tropes, it grounds its themes in realistic political maneuvering and personal sacrifice. The result is a mature story that asks who the real villains are, and whether the cycle of escalation can ever truly end once vengeance is unleashed.

Overall Experience

Front Mission 1st strikes a fine balance between strategic complexity and narrative depth. Its methodical pace won’t be for everyone—casual gamers might find the menu-heavy customization and grid tactics a steep learning curve at first. However, those who invest the time will discover a rewarding system that lets you shape each battlefield encounter and watch your pilots grow into combat-hardened veterans.

The enhanced graphics, sound, and additional storyline breathe new life into a classic franchise, making this remake not just a nostalgic trip but a solid entry point for newcomers. Replayability is high: tweaking mech builds, testing alternate strategies, and switching between the OCU and USN campaigns provide plenty of reasons to revisit the war-torn island time and again.

Front Mission 1st stands out in the crowded SRPG landscape through its thematic richness and granular customization. Every decision—from equipping armor plating to choosing which pilot gets the next skill point—matters, creating an immersive experience where you feel responsible for both your machines and the people inside them.

Whether you’re drawn by the political intrigue, the satisfying mech battles, or the chance to command massive walking tanks in futuristic warfare, Front Mission 1st offers an engrossing journey that remains one of the genre’s hidden gems. Fans of deep strategy and mecha lore alike will find much to admire in this polished remake.

Retro Replay Score

null/10