Front Mission 4

Front Mission 4 borrows several of the gameplay mechanics found in Front Mission 2. The video game progresses in a linear manner: watch cut-scene events, complete missions, set up their wanzers during intermissions, and sortie for the next mission. The player travels to locations on a world map. As the player progresses through the plot, new locations are revealed on the world map.

Towns and cities act as intermission points where the player can organize and set up their units for the upcoming mission. Battle zones are where the missions take place, though they become inaccessible upon the completion of a mission. Like in Front Mission 2, Front Mission 4 alternates control between the game's two main characters.

Front Mission 4 is set in 2096, taking place in between the events of Front Mission 1st and Front Mission 2. The story takes place in Venezuela and Europe. Since the revelations of the true causes behind the 2nd Huffman Conflict in 2092, the world grew wary of the Republic of Zaftra. Zaftra began losing foreign investments and many businesses withdrew from the union, resulting in major economic losses.

Superpowers such as the United States of the New Continent (USN) refused offers from the union to import their natural resources, the major economic driver of their economy. With a failing economy and growing distrust from the world community, the Republic of Zaftra disbanded the Peace Mediation Organization (PMO) in 2094. Meanwhile, the discovery of natural resources in Poland led the European Community (EC) to stop importing raw materials from Zaftra. Consequently, Zaftran citizens began migrating to other countries in search for work.

On August 6, 2003, Square Enix revealed plans to develop a new entry in the Front Mission series. In December 2003, Square Enix showed a video of the game alongside Front Mission Online at Jump Fest. In February 2004, Square Enix announced a June release for North America. In March 2004, registered users of PlayOnline were given a free demo of the game.

The game was shown at E3 in May 2004, with the game's director Toshiro Tsuchida explaining the plot and new features. The game is fully voiced in English, even in the Japanese version. The North American release of the game featured some cosmetic changes, such as changing the USN name to the UCS and the German Maltese cross roundel on the Bundeswehr units were changed to a simple black "X" emblem.

Front Mission 4 sold 169,606 copies in Japan by the end of 2003. Additionally, it was the top-selling game during the week of Christmas in Japan. It was re-released alongside other titles in the series in Square Enix's Ultimate Hits line on May 11, 2006. Around the time of the Ultimate Hits re-release, Front Mission 4 sold over 260,000 copies in Japan.

Front Mission 4 holds a 75% on both GameRankings and Metacritic. North American reaction to the game was consistent across the board, receiving mixed to generally good reviews. It was praised for its deep gameplay, customizable wanzers, and high production values. On the disapproving side, many felt the plot advanced at a sluggish pace, the AI was subpar, and the menu system was cumbersome at times.