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Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
1997
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PLAYSTATION
9.9
1997 · Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Front Mission 3
Reviewed by Marcus Webb & Elena Castillo ·
Square's 1999 tactical RPG set in a near-future world of giant mech combat (Wanzers) — Front Mission 3 features two complete 40+ hour storylines depending on an early choice, deep Wanzer customization, and a hacking minigame that provides narrative supplements. The most accessible and largest Front Mission game localized for the West.
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💡 Front Mission 3 — Key Facts
- → Front Mission 3 was developed by Square and published by Square Electronic Arts
- → Released in 2000 on PLAYSTATION
- → Genre: Strategy, Jrpg
- → We rate it 9/10 — an absolute classic
- → Part of the Front Mission franchise
- → Square's 1999 tactical RPG set in a near-future world of giant mech combat (Wanzers) — Front Mission 3 features two complete 40+ hour storylines depending on an early choice, deep Wanzer customization, and a hacking minigame that provides narrative supplements. The most accessible and largest Front Mission game localized for the West.
Overview
Front Mission 3 gives players a choice early in the game that determines which 40-hour war story they’re experiencing. The same conflict, different sides, different characters, different revelations. Both campaigns are complete. Understanding the full picture requires both.
This is the most ambitious structural commitment in tactical RPG history — not an alternate ending, but an alternate war.
The Wanzers
Two arms, a body, legs, and backpack slots. Each slot accepts compatible parts. The right arm determines primary weapon; the left arm determines secondary weapon or defensive option. Body determines HP pool and accuracy. Legs determine movement range and defensive bonus. Backpack provides supplementary capabilities.
A squad of four Wanzers can be equipped identically for maximum simplicity or optimized with specialized roles — high-movement scouts, artillery units with long-range arms, support Wanzers with repair backpacks. The game never requires min-maxing, but the depth is there for players who want it. Rebuilding Wanzer configurations between missions when a new weapon category appears becomes one of the game’s pleasures.
The Limb System
Front Mission 3’s grid-based combat adds a targeting layer: instead of targeting the enemy Wanzer as a unit, players can target specific limbs. Destroy the right arm and the weapon equipped there becomes unavailable. Destroy the legs and movement drops. Target the body for maximum HP damage.
This creates tactical decisions that unit-targeting tactics games don’t have. An enemy with a powerful right arm weapon is threatening; destroying that arm removes the threat. The enemy continues operating but at reduced capability — the choice between finishing the Wanzer quickly or systematically disarming it is ongoing.
The Near-Future
The Front Mission setting — near-future geopolitics, corporate warfare, military mechs as standard equipment — was more grounded than most tactical RPGs. No magic, no fantasy kingdoms. Geopolitical tensions between a unified OCU (Oceania Cooperative Union) and USN (United States of the New Continent) in a recognizable near-future Earth.
The grounding made the two-campaign structure’s political ambiguity work. Neither side in Front Mission 3 is simply right. Both campaigns contain characters with legitimate perspectives and moral complications. The war story the hacking minigame supplements — leaked documents, intercepted communications — treats players like adults who can handle political complexity.
Our Review
9
Outstanding / 10
🎮
Gameplay
★★★★★
🎨
Graphics
★★★★★
🎵
Audio
★★★★★
🔄
Replay
★★★★★
Gameplay
Front Mission 3 is a grid-based tactical RPG where the player commands squads of Wanzers — bipedal combat mechs with modular part slots. Each Wanzer can have different arms, legs, body, and backpack equipped — affecting combat stats, weapon types, and movement capabilities. Grid-based combat uses action points, positioning, and Wanzer-to-Wanzer targeting of specific limbs (destroying an arm removes the weapon equipped there). Two complete campaigns — Kazuki's and Emma's — each 40+ hours — tell the same war story from different perspectives with different characters, missions, and revelations. The hacking minigame unlocks additional background story content.
Graphics
Front Mission 3's battle scenes feature detailed Wanzer animations and combat effects. The strategic map's grid-based presentation is clear and functional. Character portrait art is expressive.
Audio
Hayato Matsuo's soundtrack provides appropriate military tactical atmosphere — contemplative briefing music, intense battle themes, and the specific emotional weight of the two-campaign war narrative.
Replayability
Two complete 40+ hour campaigns with different characters, missions, and story perspective create 80+ hours of content. Wanzer customization depth rewards optimization play. Optional hacking content supplements both campaigns.
Historical Significance
Front Mission 3 (1999 Japan, 2000 West) was the first Front Mission game localized for Western audiences. The Front Mission series had been Japan-exclusive through the first two entries; Square decided Front Mission 3's accessibility and scope made it viable for Western markets. The decision proved correct — the game received strong critical reception in the West and built a Western Front Mission fanbase. Front Mission 4 and 5 received subsequent Western localization. The series was revived with Front Mission 1st: Remake (2022) and Front Mission 2: Remake (2023).
✅ Pros
- + Two complete 40+ hour campaigns with different perspectives
- + Deep Wanzer customization system rewards optimization
- + Limb-targeting combat creates tactical positioning decisions
- + Hacking minigame provides worthwhile background story content
- + Near-future military sci-fi setting is distinctive and consistent
❌ Cons
- - Requires two complete playthroughs for full story — substantial time commitment
- - Slow-paced tactical combat can fatigue across 40+ hour campaigns
- - Some hacking content obscure without guide
- - Battle animations can be slow without speed option
Also Known As
Front Mission Thirdフロントミッション サード
Front Mission 3 FAQ
What is a Wanzer in Front Mission 3?
A Wanzer (corrupted from 'Wanderpanzer,' German for 'wandering armor') is the Front Mission universe's bipedal combat mech — a human-piloted battle machine used by military forces worldwide in the near-future setting. Wanzers have four modular slots: body (HP and accuracy), right arm (primary weapon), left arm (secondary weapon or shield), and legs (movement and defense). Each slot accepts compatible parts with different stats. Backpack slots hold sub-weapons, items, or support systems. Building effective Wanzers requires balancing part compatibility, weight limits, and mission-specific needs. The modular system means no two squads need to be equipped identically, and optimal configurations depend on mission context.
What is the two-campaign system in Front Mission 3?
Front Mission 3 features an early-game choice that determines which of two complete campaigns the player experiences. One campaign follows Kazuki, the main character, allied with a Japanese military faction; the other follows Emma, supporting a different political position. Both campaigns are approximately 40 hours long, follow the same geopolitical conflict from different sides, and include different missions, different ally characters, and different revelations about the game's central mystery. Completing both campaigns provides the full picture of the conflict — similar to Dragon Force or Shining Force III's multi-perspective approach. Players who only complete one campaign have experienced approximately half the story.
What is the hacking system in Front Mission 3?
Front Mission 3 features an internet hacking minigame accessed through in-game computers. The minigame involves navigating a node-based network, defeating guardian programs, and accessing locked data. Successful hacking reveals additional story content — leaked documents, character communications, and background information that supplements the main campaign narrative without being required to complete it. Some hacking content is campaign-specific. The hacking system was considered innovative in 1999 — providing optional narrative depth for players who wanted to explore the world beyond the main missions.
Is Front Mission 3 available on modern platforms?
Front Mission 3 was available on PlayStation Network for PS3 and PS Vita. The original PS1 physical version is available through retro game stores. Square Enix revived the series with Front Mission 1st: Remake (2022) and Front Mission 2: Remake (2023) for Nintendo Switch and PC — these are full remakes of earlier series entries. A new Front Mission title is in development. For the Front Mission 3 experience specifically, the PS1 version or its PS1 digital release remains the only option.
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