Front Mission 4

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
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  1. Game Informer
    73
    Combine the mediocre gameplay with the sub-par graphics and campy story, and you can begin to see why Front Mission 4 is a bit of a disappointment. [June 2004, p.127]
  2. GameSpot
    73
    Unfortunately, the game loses some of its shine to some tedious pacing, some visual issues, and, in some cases, the weight of its own complexity.
  3. Game Chronicles
    71
    A virtual mech wonderland, full of potential for experimentation, both in configuration and strategy. It will have a certain appeal for its target audience, but everyone else might want to take their Wanzer for a test drive before dropping $50 to put one in their PS2 garage permanently.
  5. Gamenikki
    70
    The learning curve is practically a cliff, but enthusiasts will have plenty to get out of this one.
  6. games(TM)
    70
    The percentage of actual game in Front Mission 4 is the best piece of mech strategy that you will play on the PS2. If only it was built just as a game and not to tell a story mimed by blathering idiots, we’d be looking at something very special indeed. [Sept 2004, p.108]
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  7. TotalPlayStation
    70
    If you’ve played "Front Mission 3," play Front Mission 4. There’s more game, more strategy, and a slightly better presentation, but done expect anything new.
  8. Gamestyle
    70
    There is much to saviour and overcome for the discerning player, but for others be wary, as this release does not take prisoners.
  9. Game Over Online
    70
    While the Front Mission series has been acclaimed in the past, this is a horrible misstep that hopefully won’t be repeated in the future. Substandard combat design and AI, a cluttered player interface and technically outdated graphics butcher most, if not almost all, of the fun you’d have with this title.
  10. NTSC-uk
    70
    With all the changes and additions made, this is the most balanced game in the series, and undoubtedly the best. With around 70-80 hours worth of gameplay on offer, it won't suck you in the same way as Disgaea's all out design, however it does still prove to be the most engrossingly tactical strategy game for the PS2.
  11. IGN
    68
    What is not so obvious is that beneath this thick veil of unsatisfactory presentation there lies a seriously troubled and poorly thought-out product. There are some devastating AI issues and aggravating interface choices present.
  12. Inside Gamer Online
    66
    The gameplay is classic Front Mission, but is badly marred by poor artificial intelligence and somewhat cumbersome pre-battle menus.
  13. GamerFeed
    60
    Unless you're a diehard strategy role-playing gamer, Front Mission 4 is so text-heavy and trail and error oriented that you'll spend up to an hour preparing for a battle and reading text and spend over an hour during the battle itself, just to die because you knew nothing about the battle in advance.
  14. DarkStation
    60
    The gameplay is average, and the graphics aren't anything to write home about.
  15. Yahoo!
    60
    The game's mediocre in too many areas, and is generally inferior to its predecessor. Yes, mechs are cool. Yes, it adds maturity to the genre. However, "Disgaea," "Final Fantasy Tactics Advance," and "Advance Wars" all blow Front Mission 4 out of the water.
  16. Edge Magazine
    60
    Real strategic thinking is less useful than exploiting the single-mindedness of the enemy AI. That rings true of many SRPGs, but can leave a cheap aftertaste to an otherwise decisive victory. [Sept 2004, p.102]
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Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best PS2 Game of 2004
93
#93 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. iKen
    Apr 12, 2020
    8
    Played on PlayStation 2.
    Gameplay: GREAT.
    Story: GOOD.
    Graphic: GOOD.
    Music/Sound: GOOD.
  2. Arthur123
    Sep 3, 2018
    10
    O melhor Front Mission já lançado até hoje bons gráficos, opção de customização do seu wanzer, modo história, diversos personagens paraO melhor Front Mission já lançado até hoje bons gráficos, opção de customização do seu wanzer, modo história, diversos personagens para controlar na partida mais que merecido uma nota 10.… Full Review »
  3. ArkonBlade
    Dec 30, 2010
    10
    now if i was gona do my top 3 favorite PS2 games this game would be in it. this was a huge suprise mainly because ive never even heard of thenow if i was gona do my top 3 favorite PS2 games this game would be in it. this was a huge suprise mainly because ive never even heard of the front mission series till i played this game . when i saw it i thought it was just some 3rd person shooting mech game where you just run around and shoot things up and thought ok this might be fun. boy was i wrong and for the better its actaully a Stratagy RPG which by the way i freeking love thoose kinda games and was immidiatly hooked on it . the combat system and level up system are great and i love the whole link system where you can chain your attacks . the story is well told and is decently voiced acted with intresting charicters . its a pretty long game to i think i clocked in almost 50 hours first time through . my only small gripe is i wish you could controll more then just 6 mechs in combat . 10 would have been really nice. you also play 2 differnt sceneroes that will intertwine with each other as the game progresses . so you have 2 main charicters . which felt abit strange at first but i begane to like after some time . all and all a great SRPG .… Full Review »
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