Front Mission 2089 II

Gameplay

Front Mission 2089-II borrows many of the gameplay mechanics found in Front Mission 5: Scars of the War. The video game progresses in a linear manner: watch cut-scene events, complete missions, set up wanzers during intermissions, and sortie for the next mission. Missions in Front Mission 2089-II are traditional tactical RPG fare, ranging from destroying all enemy targets to protecting a particular allied target. Due to its mobile phone format, the story of Front Mission 2089-II is told through episodic content; new episodes can be downloaded on the video game's official website on a bi-weekly basis. A returning feature in the game is the Survival Simulator. Like in Scars of the War, players go through a set number of floors to collect parts and weapons that can be used in the game. Other returning features include armor coating, briefings, and flanking. Unlike Front Mission 2089, there is only one story scenario that can be played in the game.

As the game is modeled after Scars of the War, Front Mission 2089-II plays radically different from its direct predecessor. Each pilot has a clearly defined role in which they excel at, and are not particularly skilled at other roles. A pilot gains proficiency in their natural role faster than in non-specialist ones, and can learn the full skill set from the aforementioned role. For example, Albert Masel can only gain up to 50 levels towards the striker-type role, but can reach the level 99 maximum in his natural role as an assault-type pilot. Likewise, all weapon types have changed functionality and properties. Melee weapons cannot hit aerial targets, flamethrowers can discharge multiple rounds, rifles are now purely long-range weapons, bazookas can cause additional damage from their blast, etc. Ranged weapons are now subject to accuracy losses based on the distance between the target and the attacking unit. These changes help increase the strategic options available to the player during mission play.

Story

Set in 2089, the story of Front Mission 2089-II takes place on Huffman Island one year before the 2nd Huffman Conflict. A series of skirmishes across Huffman Island in 2086 causes chaos on the island. The Oceania Cooperative Union (O.C.U.) and the United States of the New Continent (USN) send in peacekeeping forces on their respective sides of the island to quell the violence. This conflict, known as the "Huffman Crisis", increased tensions between the two supranational unions. By 2089, both super-states increase their military presence on the island and begin hiring mercenaries from all over the world. These mercenaries were then sent on espionage and reconnaissance operations around Mail River - the border that divides the O.C.U. and USN territories on Huffman Island.

Plot

The plot of Front Mission 2089-II is a direct continuation of Front Mission 2089, revolving around a mercenary named Albert Masel. As a new recruit for the O.C.U. mercenary outfit Chariots, Albert is given the codename "Tornado" and assigned a role of an assault-type wanzer pilot. In the midst of a large investigation behind the mysterious disappearances of mercenaries on both sides, the Chariots are assigned by the Central Intelligence Unit (C.I.U.) to investigate the mercenary outfit known as the Vampires. During their investigations, Albert and the Chariots eventually discover a link between the Vampires and a medical entity known as the B Organization.

Characters

These are the recurring characters whose first appearance was in Front Mission 2089-II. The video game takes place from 2089 to 2090.

Albert Masel - Albert Masel is a mercenary serving the O.C.U. military and a member of the Chariots mercenary outfit. He was originally from the USN, but immigrated to the O.C.U. half of Huffman Island as a child. Masel's mercenary codename is "Tornado". Albert also makes an appearance in Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness.

Dan Nguyen - Dan Nguyen is a former O.C.U. specialist and a member of the Chariots. In his time with the O.C.U., he specialized in launcher-type weaponry as well as gunner-type weaponry. Nguyen's mercenary codename is "Napalm". Dan also makes an appearance in Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness.

Griffon- Griffon is a mercenary employed by the Vampires. Griffon is a member of the Vampires platoon known as "Cerberus" and serves Raven. While his real name is unknown, his codename in the outfit is "X-16 Griffon". Griffon also makes an appearance in Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness.

Raven - Raven is a mercenary in the employ of the Vampires mercenary outfit. Raven commands a platoon within the Vampires called "Cerberus". While his real name is unknown, his codename in the outfit is "X-06 Raven". Raven also makes an appearance in Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness.

Serena Sana - Serena Sana is a former O.C.U. captain and the leader of the Chariots. She befriended and worked alongside Karen Meure during her time in the O.C.U. GDF. While Sana has no mercenary codename, she prefers to be called "Sana" by her colleagues. Serena also makes an appearance in Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness.

Development

Front Mission 2089-II was showcased in playable form at Jump Festa 2007 as part of Square Enix's gaming line-up.

The game did not include any new music, instead reusing music from prior games in the series, and there have not been any album releases of the games music. A compilation release of Front Mission music is tentatively planned to include all of the music from the series in one box set. The format of the release has not been decided, nor has the set itself been officially announced.