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Front Mission 3
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Front Mission 3

199984/100
Role-playing (RPG)StrategyTurn-based strategy (TBS)

Branching Story · Military · Sci-Fi · Turn-Based

Front Mission 3's intricate blend of tactical combat and visual novel storytelling remains a high point for the genre. Its appeal lies in the detailed customization of Wanzer mechs, the satisfaction of dismantling your enemies part by part, and a branching narrative that offers genuine replay value. The game's complex web of characters, political intrigue, and multiple endings established a high bar for narrative depth in turn-based strategy.

About Front Mission 3

Details
Yokosuka, Japan, 2112 AD. The young student Kazuki Takemura works as a test pilot with Kirishima Industries, a production company of military battle wanzers (walking panzers), mechanized walking robots with movement similar to that of a human being. Kazuki has just finished testing the combat capabilities of the new Zeinslev prototype in the lab. Finishing his day's tasks he is asked by his best friend Ryogo to help with a company delivery to the Japanese Defense Force (JDF) military based. This simple choice determines where Kazuki is when strange things begin happening in Japan. A large explosion, a wanzer theft, his sister Alysia being hunted, rumors of a powerful weapon, and accusations of involvement by agents of both the OCU and the USN all make the situation more complicated. Kazuki is swept up in a plot of conflicting loyalties and attacked by various factions. He will need to recruit additional characters and wanzers in order to be victorious in battle and investigate leads to uncover what is going on. There are two plots of Front Mission 3, and both revolve around Japanese wanzer test pilots Kazuki Takemura and Ryogo Kusama. Through a decision made early in the game, the player can play either the DHZ scenario or the USN scenario. The DHZ scenario stars Japanese scientist Aliciana "Alisa" Takemura, while the USN scenario revolves around scientist Emir "Emma" Klamsky. Although both scenarios have different characters and story scenarios, they both share a number of events and locations in the game. Due to its storytelling approach, it is not known which of the two scenarios is canonically related to Front Mission 5: Scars of the War. On October 31, Kazuki begins testing a new prototype wanzer at a Kirishima Heavy Industries test site near Okinawa. Upon completing the test, he is informed that some construction wanzers need to be taken to the JDF base in Yokosuka. Ryogo asks Kazuki if he can join him in delivering the wanzers. If the player chooses to go with him, they will play the USN scenario. If the player does not go with him, they will play the DHZ scenario. In either case, Kazuki and Ryogo are eventually tasked to deliver the Kirishima prototypes to the Yokosuka base. As they ready the wanzers for delivery, an explosion leads Kazuki to attempt going inside the base itself. The two test pilots are eventually forced to leave the base. Realizing that his sister Alisa was recently transferred to the base, Kazuki and Ryogo eventually find themselves back inside the complex.

Top 3 Alternatives to Front Mission 3

1
Rating
Critic & community
88
Match
Recommendation strength
91%

XCOM 2

2016 · Strategy

Like Front Mission 3, XCOM 2 thrusts you into tactical turn-based combat with customizable units, but here you're leading a guerrilla resistance against an alien occupation, making every strategic decision feel critical.

Why recommended

  • Features deep tactical turn-based combat on a grid, where unit positioning, cover, and specialized abilities are paramount to success, echoing Front Mission 3's core gameplay loop.
  • Criteria — Offers a highly Challenging Difficulty, particularly on higher settings, with permanent unit death and unforgiving mission parameters that demand careful strategic planning.
  • Extensive unit customization, allowing players to equip and upgrade soldiers with different weapons, armor, and abilities, similar to customizing Wanzers in Front Mission 3.
2
Rating
Critic & community
80
Match
Recommendation strength
85%

Trade futuristic mechs for medieval mercenaries, but retain the brutal turn-based tactical combat, challenging resource management, and the constant threat of permadeath that defined your Front Mission 3 experience.

Why recommended

  • Engages players with complex turn-based tactical combat on a hex-based grid, emphasizing positioning, equipment, and unit synergy, reminiscent of Front Mission 3's strategic depth.
  • Criteria — Known for its Challenging Difficulty, where every battle can result in permanent losses, forcing players to adapt and make tough strategic choices to survive.
  • Criteria — Designed as a Singleplayer experience, focusing on managing a mercenary company, making difficult strategic choices on the world map, and engaging in demanding tactical battles.
3
Rating
Critic & community
93
Match
Recommendation strength
78%

While set in a fantasy world rather than sci-fi, Divinity: Original Sin II delivers a rich, challenging turn-based tactical RPG experience with deep character customization and environmental interactions that reward strategic thinking, much like Front Mission 3.

Why recommended

  • Features highly strategic turn-based combat where environmental factors, elemental interactions, and careful positioning are crucial for victory, providing a similar depth to Front Mission 3's tactical engagements.
  • Criteria — Offers a genuinely Challenging Difficulty, especially on higher settings, requiring players to master complex combat mechanics and party synergy to overcome formidable foes.
  • Criteria — Primarily a Singleplayer experience, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in its rich narrative and make impactful choices that shape the story and character development.

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