One console generation later, Front Mission 4 suddenly changed course in both setting and systems. Less industrial-futuristic and more modern, it's also the most 'RPG'-esque of the series, complete with a virtual job class system dependent on equipping specific gear. Its massive open battle maps unfortunately feel dull and empty in some places, but the city levels stand out - their maze-like structure and thin paths produce some super tense situations bordering on the claustrophobic. Other features fall a little flat, both in the super punishing main missions (that force grinding to recoup losses in battle casualties) and the weaker cast, despite standing apart with its multiple perspective storyline and a unique european female protagonist.

Focus on a new link system where multiple characters chain attacks together or help to defend. Larger battles with allies. Story is decent, the usual political/revolutions/military affairs of FM setting, not as much time with characters as the story is split between two groups. Always a fan of overthrowing US backed dictatorships, or a game's equivalent. Nice to see unit XP shared based on everyone who had done damaged or healed damaged taken from destroyed enemy units. Sounds good and portraits look nice but the environment are often dull and it would be nice to have more active battles like FM2 (but with acceptable loading times), look of fights are improved with multiple units attacking through the link system though. Weather and day/night cycles as stages go on with different effects.

The random ability activation has always been an odd series feature that makes it unlikely that you would want to use certain abilities. No eject/capture in this game, didn't get huge use but it would have been nice to see it kept and used in a more interesting way. Dull combat simulations that take up a lot of your playtime but likely to want to do them for the experience.

Front Mission 4 represents a return to traditional FM combat, without the cheesing of the eject/capture mechanic that was a hallmark of FM3. I recommend the game as a solid tactics experience, but if you've played FM3, I also recommend resetting expectations regarding combat. Combat focuses on the link system which makes tactical choices more meaningful, and improves the flow of combat to make it feel like a true squad-based game rather than isolated engagements or tediously dog piling an enemy one at a time. While the combat is enjoyable, writing and characterization is lacking compared to FM3 despite a more unique cast. Story progression isn't terrible, but feels disjointed and perhaps should have had split campaigns instead of the Game of Thrones approach. Overall an enjoyable experience and would consider NG+ which lets you to play the game with fully skilled up characters to allow for fun squad setups, e.g. all snipers.

I don't have much coherent to say about Front Mission 4, so I'll break my thoughts down into pros and cons.

+ Overall solid turn-based strategy game but with noticeable flaws
+ Eases you in before challenging you on your knowledge of game mechanics and builds
+ Good amount of unit customization
+ Surprisingly long game, with over 20 optional side missions
+ New Game Plus
- Rather dry writing and story. The two halves of the story don't really intersect in an interesting way, and the cast of one half has more chemistry with each other than the other half.
- You'll likely hit the same bottleneck over and over while building wanzers.
- You can't look at pilot stats while building wanzers, and you can't look at the pilot's wanzer while going over their personal skills. If you want to go between them, you'll have to sit through two loading screens, or take notes instead.
- The game tells you how far a unit can move but doesn't specify anything about their ability to move to different elevations. One of my units got stuck on a roof because their leg parts wouldn't let them climb down.
- Some side missions need to be unlocked in order and have prerequisites, but they aren't explained anywhere in the game.
- Bonus unlockables also have specific requirements, but you don't know what they are and then they just become missable for the rest of your playthrough.
- New Game Plus is just the same game again but with your stats carried over. I think it could really have benefited from a stage select and the ability to swap between protagonists whenever you like.

This is just a really excellent TRPG

Gameplay is really funny, lets you play in a variety of playstyles: from hyper-aggression to slow turtling, and the "link" mechanic just makes you feel like such a genius (or absolute moron) at times, it's really great.

The story as well is really fun, it feels very grounded initially but gets kinda anime by the end with how the characters are portrayed, still. I like the character diversity!

Visuals are incredibly gray and muted, which I personally really enjoy considering the game's setting, it has a really industrial and brutalist feel to it.

Sound effects are honestly one of the game's real highlights, the sound of a rifleman's shot landing into the body of a wanzer makes my brain create the happy chemicals.

Really liked this one! Looking forward to playing its sequel!