70
It's entertaining enough to plow through the two campaigns, but the fact that there are fairly clear-cut optimal solutions to all three facets of gameplay makes this nothing more than a mildly enjoyable look at part of the genre's history. [Nov 2007, p.163]
80
If you're new to the franchise and don't mind spending some quality hours shopping for mech legs, shields, and shoulder-mounted missile launchers, you'll have a game that'll keep you busy for a long time.
65
The game is like a stark, futuristic "Advance Wars" without the happy combatants and vehicle variety. [Dec 2007, p.82]
5
Very ho-hum. The story is decent, but really doesn't go anywhere for the first half of the game (7-8 hours). Too much time is spent in menus between missions buying incrementally better parts, which if you don't do, leaves you at a fairly substantial disadvantage against better equipped enemy troops. The skills system feels very slow and unbalanced between characters. In the SFC version, it seems like characters get abilities sooner and more quickly. The resupply truck mechanics are also not explained well, coupled with the default 'semi-automatic' turn menus. I think starting out as manually and graduating to the semi-auto configuration would have been better - or else having a dedicated training segment for how to resupply, repair limbs, etc. By the time I got to the final boss, it was pathetically easy. My weakest troops finished off the boss in three rounds. I know there are harder missions and the U.S.N. campaign, but the game is simply not good enough to spend additional time on.
10
Among the best Tactics JRPG's out there along with Fire Emblem Awakening, Shining Force 3 and Tactics Ogre Let us Cling Together. The story is a bit dark compared to other games in the JRPG genre, very comparable to an actual war. Without making any spoilers past the into cutscene, the purpose of the game is to find your fiance who went missing and while looking for her you build up an army and get deeper and deeper into enemy occupied territory. Gameplay, there is a lot of micromanaging. This is a game for experienced tactics gamers, but not quite as hard as FE Geneology of the Holy War or Thracia 776. Expect to spend up to an hour between levels to optimize your equipment. The actual combat is fantastic, you really need to be careful. Push too hard and your repair bill next level will be over the top. Too conservative and you become overwhelmed and lose anyway. This game is also much better than the other Front Mission games. I never understood why people liked Front Mission 3 so much when you only had 4 playable characters in that game. If you enjoy tactics JRPG's like Fire Emblem, Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy then give this game a go. Front Mission DS is easily among the best Squaresoft games of the 90's. Honestly a 10/10, but for a niche genre.
9
great pixel art + mechs + customization + tactics = a great game for its time
Front Mission
DS
Released On:
Oct 23, 2007
Metascore
Mixed or Average
72
User score
Mixed or Average
7.1
My Score
Drag or tap to give a rating
Hover and click to give a rating
All Platforms
DS
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
72
PlayStation
tbd
Metascore
Mixed or Average
32% Positive
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
68% Mixed
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
88
This game brings both style and content to the table. It doesn't pretend to be anything greater than it is: it's a very straightforward Strategy RPG.
80
If you're new to the franchise and don't mind spending some quality hours shopping for mech legs, shields, and shoulder-mounted missile launchers, you'll have a game that'll keep you busy for a long time.
User score
Mixed or Average
58% Positive
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
21% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
21% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Dec 12, 2022
10
Among the best Tactics JRPG's out there along with Fire Emblem Awakening, Shining Force 3 and Tactics Ogre Let us Cling Together. The story is a bit dark compared to other games in the JRPG genre, very comparable to an actual war. Without making any spoilers past the into cutscene, the purpose of the game is to find your fiance who went missing and while looking for her you build up an army and get deeper and deeper into enemy occupied territory. Gameplay, there is a lot of micromanaging. This is a game for experienced tactics gamers, but not quite as hard as FE Geneology of the Holy War or Thracia 776. Expect to spend up to an hour between levels to optimize your equipment. The actual combat is fantastic, you really need to be careful. Push too hard and your repair bill next level will be over the top. Too conservative and you become overwhelmed and lose anyway. This game is also much better than the other Front Mission games. I never understood why people liked Front Mission 3 so much when you only had 4 playable characters in that game. If you enjoy tactics JRPG's like Fire Emblem, Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy then give this game a go. Front Mission DS is easily among the best Squaresoft games of the 90's. Honestly a 10/10, but for a niche genre.
72
Front Mission's two main campaigns are excellent, but there's not much else here in terms of extras which is slightly disappointing.
70
Front Mission may not pack a full house of tactical depth, but that doesn't prevent it from dealing an easy and enjoyable introduction to the genre.
70
With a simple multiplayer duel mode thrown in for good measure, there is enough to keep fans of the genre happy, but a few control quirks and a lot of time in the garage could turn off the average player.
65
Front Mission makes for a somewhat mediocre SRPG when put up against other titles on the market. The battles don’t require too much thought, and as a result the game gets repetitious very quickly.
58
If you loved Front Mission in the past, or are just a big fan of the tactical RPG genre, or can’t get enough of stomping badguys with your giant titanium feet, then this is the right game for you. Otherwise, you might want to give this one a pass, and leave your Wanzer alone.
Mar 5, 2026
5
Very ho-hum. The story is decent, but really doesn't go anywhere for the first half of the game (7-8 hours). Too much time is spent in menus between missions buying incrementally better parts, which if you don't do, leaves you at a fairly substantial disadvantage against better equipped enemy troops. The skills system feels very slow and unbalanced between characters. In the SFC version, it seems like characters get abilities sooner and more quickly. The resupply truck mechanics are also not explained well, coupled with the default 'semi-automatic' turn menus. I think starting out as manually and graduating to the semi-auto configuration would have been better - or else having a dedicated training segment for how to resupply, repair limbs, etc. By the time I got to the final boss, it was pathetically easy. My weakest troops finished off the boss in three rounds. I know there are harder missions and the U.S.N. campaign, but the game is simply not good enough to spend additional time on.
SummaryDiscover the origins of the Front Mission series in this explosive handheld saga that was never before localized for North America. Reborn exclusively on the Nintendo DS. Front Mission introduces new features, such as dual screen presentation and multiplayer modes, that update the classic that gave birth to seven beloved sequels. Using T... Read More
Rated E +10for Everyone +10
Platforms:
- DS
- PlayStation
Initial Release Date:Oct 23, 2007
Developer:
Publisher:
