Front Mission Alternative
Main Game
RELEASED
Dec 18, 1997
PlayStation 3PlayStation Portable+1bySquaresoft
Overview:|
Front Mission Alternative is a Real Time Strategy game set in 2034 Africa, where you command platoons of Wanzers (WAWs) fighting in a continent-wide conflict. The core gameplay involves issuing strategic orders on a tactical map, as your units execute actions autonomously. You can extensively customize your Wanzers with various weapons and gear across over 30 missions, leading to multiple endings. This entry focuses on command-and-control strategy rather than direct piloting.
This is a Real Time Strategy (RTS) title originally released in 1997, bringing the tactical mech combat series to the African continent for the first time. Set in the year 2034, the game immerses players in the volatile political landscape of Africa, years after regional unions were formed to combat global recession. When diplomatic efforts fail between the continent's five major blocs—UNAS, SAUS, CA, EA, and WA—a devastating African Conflict erupts. Players take command of the Independent Mobile Assault Company (IMAC), a specialized joint unit deployed to quell civil unrest using advanced bipedal weapons platforms known as Wanzers (WAWs).
Setting the Stage: Conflict in Africa
The narrative centers on the breakdown of the Organization of African Consolidation (OAC) and the subsequent war between its constituent regions. In this setting, you are charged with leading the IMAC, composed of soldiers from the OCU and the SAUS, to stabilize the region. Your mission begins with quelling civil unrest within the SAUS territory. However, as the conflict deepens and the IMAC pushes north, they encounter increasingly sophisticated resistance, including unknown WAWs and dangerous mobile weapon hybrids known as "mobile weapons" used by terrorist factions. The plot thickens as external powers, such as the European Community (EC), intervene, leading the IMAC to uncover deeper conspiracies linking the terrorist uprisings to the true origins of the war.
What is the Core Gameplay Mechanic?
This entry offers a distinct strategic experience within the series, diverging from direct control simulations. In this game, you do not directly pilot the Wanzers in real-time combat; instead, the gameplay operates on a command-and-control structure. You issue orders on a tactical map, and your platoons of Wanzers then carry out those directives autonomously based on your strategic direction. This focus shifts the challenge from moment-to-moment execution to long-term tactical planning and resource management.
Customization and Mission Structure
A hallmark of the series is retained: deep customization of your mechanized units. Players have extensive control over outfitting their Wanzers with a wide assortment of weapons, armor, and specialized equipment to suit various battlefield conditions. The campaign is substantial, featuring over 30 distinct missions, offering significant replayability through multiple potential story endings determined by player choices and mission outcomes.
Platform Availability
This title is available across several platforms, including the original PlayStation, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 3.
Regarding additional content, this main game release does not include any officially released DLCs or expansions.
Game Details
Primary Name: Front Mission Alternative
Alternative Names:
Front Mission: Alternative (Alternative spelling)
Furonto Misshon Orutanatibu (Japanese title - romanization)
Type: Main Game
Series: Front Mission
Developer: Squaresoft
Publisher: Squaresoft, Square Enix
Release Information
Release Date: Dec 18, 1997
Genres & Themes
Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS)
Themes: Warfare, Science fiction
Platforms
PlayStation 3PlayStation PortablePlayStation
Game Modes
Perspective: First person
Player Modes: Single-player
Game Modes: Single player
Age Ratings
CERO:B (12+)
GRAC:12+
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