Front Mission 3 is a tactical role-playing game developed by Square for the PlayStation, first released in Japan in 1999 and localized for North America in 2000. It is the third main entry in the Front Mission series, which began on the Super Famicom and established a tradition of intricate mech customization and political storytelling.
Set in a near-future world dominated by giant nations and corporate militaries, the game casts players as a young test pilot who stumbles into a vast conspiracy after a seemingly routine delivery goes awry. Early on, a single decision, whether to accompany a friend or pursue a different lead, branches the story into two distinct campaigns, each with its own protagonist, supporting cast, and mission structure. This branching choice also determines the difficulty curve, with the “Emma” path being notably more grueling.
Combat revolves around Wanzers, humanoid combat vehicles that can be assembled from interchangeable body parts and armed with a wide array of weapons. Every Wanzer consists of a torso (which houses the head and supplies the energy output), two arms, and a pair of legs, all of which can be mixed and matched within weight and power limits. The customization extends to paint schemes, backpacks, shields, energy packs, and onboard computers that store battle-earned skills.
The skill system is the heart of the game. As characters use specific weapon types and equip certain body parts, they unlock skills that trigger under particular conditions, such as landing a critical hit or taking damage. Some skills produce dramatic results, like punching an enemy pilot clean out of their Wanzer, allowing you to either destroy the pilot or capture the mech for your own use.
Missions unfold on isometric battlefields in a split turn-based system: your squad moves first, then the enemy. Hit percentages are displayed before you commit to an attack, but predicting enemy movement remains a constant source of tension. Between missions, an in-game internet browser lets you train on simulators, buy parts, and dig up classified intel, though the interface can feel slow and perfunctory.
Front Mission 3 is a dense, detail-obsessed strategy RPG that rewards patience with deep Wanzer customization and a skill system that can flip a losing battle on its head. It remains a cult favorite among mech enthusiasts for its sheer mechanical depth and the satisfaction of fielding a perfectly tuned squad.
