Front Mission Evolved

 PC
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 4 out of 13
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  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 13, 2011
    80
    Totally conventional, corridor straight mech-shooter surprises with many twists and monumental boss fights. Mech modularity adds a strategic touch to otherwise plain playability. [Issue#197]
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  2. PC Gamer
    78
    Good-looking but repetitive action makes Front Mission Evolved a tasty mech-flavored appetizer. [Nov 2010, p.84]
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  3. Game Revolution
    75
    Helix accomplishes a lot in appealing to Western gamers while still sticking to the themes Front Mission has established through its 15-year history.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Most Discussed PC Game of 2010
74
#74 Most Shared PC Game of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 60
  3. Negative: 24 out of 60
  1. Dashery
    Feb 21, 2011
    5
    Going into this game I didn't know much about the Front Mission series, only playing Front Mission 4 several years ago, and I haven't played aGoing into this game I didn't know much about the Front Mission series, only playing Front Mission 4 several years ago, and I haven't played a Square game since Final Fantasy IX, so I had a mixture of expectations. The expectations I had were quickly dashed. I was hoping for a giant robot war game that put me on the front lines of a battlefield with a complex story that early Square games had (I say early because I don't know how they hold up today). The game doesn't deliver any of this. Level design is linear, with many moments of, "Follow the designated path," and, "Kill these several baddies," to move on. This would be moderately okay if your allies and enemies would stop telling you to do it. Before you even have a chance to realize the level started, someone will shout, "What are you doing!? Kill those [whatever] now!" and then proceed to repeat themselves every several seconds. And this happens every single mission.
    As for the story, it has a very strong anime vibe. And along with that, the voice acting isn't the greatest, and with not viable means to switch to the native Japanese, you'll sigh every time you hear the General talk. All-in-all, it's a forgettable story with forgettable characters.
    Gameplay, gameplay, gameplay... This was the biggest draws and drawbacks of the game. The controls are nice and tight, however, that's the extent. They make a big deal over targeting different body parts, yet it's ultimately ineffectual. As well, your own armor goes down obscenely fast, even during boss fights, they know this, laying respawning health packs around the battlefield. There just weren't any tactics to this. It's a simple hold down the button until the other guy dies. In multiplayer, there is some tactical value to be had, but I have found a lack of opponents dampening my want to play it. Though, a friend and I both bought the "Last Stand" DLC which in it's own right is good fun.
    Graphically, the robots look good, characters look good and environments look okay. But the game doesn't have the feel of "Giant robot!" In other giant robot games, destructible enviorments are there, no questions asked. This game everything is a solid block, you bullets don't even leave dents. When everything is said and done it comes down to this:
    Front Mission Evolved is a decent substitute to games like Armored Core, yet still has a long way to go before being a must have. I'd say only die hard AC fans should look into this game seriously until the price drops.    … Full Review »
  2. thethain
    Oct 12, 2010
    4
    The narrative and dialog is very familiar Front Mission. However the strategy and fun is gone. The customization leaves much to be desired forThe narrative and dialog is very familiar Front Mission. However the strategy and fun is gone. The customization leaves much to be desired for most of the game, almost every level after 4 or 5 have some sort of requirement, even if just "biped legs", the "secrets" such as emblems sensors or other goodies seem to encourage you to just walk around in levels after all danger (and fun?) is dealt with and just look for the bonus item that is behind you. Which can be time consuming with a mech that is very cumbersome once its "slide" is exhausted.

    Since you can only control yourself, customize, and rely on your self as the only unit on your side, fun combinations and strategy seem to be removed. Many missions have friendly mechs, but the likelihood of them doing anything other than sliding around and missing with pot shots is very low. And if they DO manage to defeat an enemy, you will just be disappointed that they got the kill credit so you didn't get money for it.

    The entire game is an obtusely obvious quick xbox port(even menus lack mouse support), which is forgivable until you get to multiplayer. In which you get to wait in long lines to be auto matched without any text communication with teammates, pre or mid game. The painful multiplayer also feeds the problem of lack of players in general.

    If you HAVE to play a new mech (wanzer) game, then pick this up, otherwise just pretend it doesn't exist.    … Full Review »
  3. LuckyBugger
    Oct 1, 2010
    0
    I was really hoping that FME would be the next awesome game in the FM storyline but boy o boy was I disappointed. The Storyline did not liveI was really hoping that FME would be the next awesome game in the FM storyline but boy o boy was I disappointed. The Storyline did not live up to a square enix title. The game has graphics I would expect from 2-3 years ago. The gameplay is clunky...broken into each little engagement then a loading screen. Music is terrible, voice-overs medicore at best.

    List of annoyances:
    1) No way to quit the game from the hanger menu
    2) Some enemies are just retarded to fight. (look forward to 20-30 minute fights of constant movement to dodge incoming fire. The dodging is fine, I get that but the fact that i have to sit and beat on an enemy for 20 minutes to kill them when I die in about 20 seconds if i stand still is just retarded). Sure 1v1 boss fight I expect to have some difficulty, however I do not expect to be 1-shotted by a boss after 10 minutes of fighting.
    3) Controls are clunky. It is very hard to get a grasp of what your mech will do with the controls on your keyboard. All in All: I can't really find a positive note about this game which is why I am going to give it a 0.
    The game feels unpolished, and as if it was developed without a clue about the previous FME games.
    This is even a worse failure than Star Trek Online (although the 3rd person action was somewhat better). I would not pay $50/$60 for this game. Please do yourself a favour and wait until this one enters the under $20 category. No amount of patches or DLC will be able to fix this game. Double Helix has had a knack for ruining decent games and well this is just another failure on their record.
    My worst regret is that I bought it off of steam and wont get a refund....zzzz    … Full Review »
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