Joystiq

Square Enix and Hideo Kojima collaborating on ... something

JC Fletcher — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Extremely Twitter-happy Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto tweeted a picture of himself with Konami superstar Hideo Kojima and Metal Gear Solid art director Yoji Shinkawa today, cryptically noting (according to Andriasang's translation) that "A new promotion with Hideo Kojima is set. Details will be shared at a later date."

Kojima and Square Enix have collaborated on a set of Peace Walker figurines under the company's Play Arts Kai line; in addition, Front Mission content is one of the many tie-ins included in Peace Walker. It's likely the next collaboration will be something similar. The picture was taken somewhere that Front Mission Evolved was being shown -- a game that Andriasang notes is being produced by Hashimoto -- so that could be a hint that a Metal Gear series cameo might occur in the upcoming mech game. Or it could be more photographs of the developers, as a little gift for the fans.

Square Enix and Hideo Kojima collaborating on ... something originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Front Mission Evolved shoots for September 14 release

David Hinkle — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:45:00 EST

Spring has turned to fall for Front MIssion Evolved, as Square Enix has announced the game will launch on September 14. The latest entry takes the SRPG franchise into a new direction: third-person shooter. Double Helix, of Silent Hill: Homecoming fame, is developing. Square Enix also announced that the PC version will be playable in stereoscopic 3D, which effectively swaps out the gameplay depth from the strategy games for visual depth.

It's great we finally have a solid release date, Square Enix, but you probably should've checked the calendar before deciding on September 14. Just saying!

Front Mission Evolved shoots for September 14 release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 May 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Front Mission Evolved gears up for US release this spring

Randy Nelson — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:34:00 EST

click to mech larger

Square Enix's third-person action treatment of the Front Mission games -- classically a strategy RPG series -- failed to really wow us when we played it during last fall's Tokyo Game Show, but developer Double Helix (Silent Hill: Homecoming) has a few more weeks to tighten its bolts and lube its actuators. That's because Front Mission Evolved has been given orders to deploy here in the US this spring, which, according to our calendars, begins at the end of March.

Here to tide us over is a batch of new screens from (presumably) the latest build of the game, which features on-foot combat in addition to its mechanized modes of transport.

Gallery: Front Mission Evolved (01/22/10)

Front Mission Evolved gears up for US release this spring originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on: Front Mission Evolved

Xav de Matos — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EST

Many franchises attempt to break apart from familiar genres in an effort to expand their fan bases. Metroid went first-person, Halo went RTS and Square Enix's long-standing, tactical RPG franchise, Front Mission, has turned into a standard third-person action game.

For players still clamoring to return to the world of MechAssault, Front Mission Evolved may help cater to their needs. While the game's current state looks pretty rough, the Robot vs. Other Giant Robot action is fun, fast and fulfilling. Front Mission Evolved features a limited array of weaponry, but its quick pace actually had me hooked while it lasted. If the action becomes a little too harsh -- and the game did pose a challenge during my brief demo with the Xbox 360 version -- tapping the 'Y' button slows down time and turns every weapon in your arsenal to an automatic victory cannon.

There isn't much to the action: Run through a linear level and defeat the enemies that get in your way. It isn't the Citizen Kane of gaming, but the demo was entertaining. At least half of it was.

Gallery: Front Mission Evolved

Continue reading Hands-on: Front Mission Evolved

Hands-on: Front Mission Evolved originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST

E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted.

We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.

Continue reading E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup

E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Front Mission evolves in E3 debut trailer

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:45:00 EST

Welcome to the new Square Enix, folks. We can see how the debut trailer for Front Mission Evolved is meant to appeal to the Western audience. Look at how cool, dark and brown the game is! Americans love that stuff! It certainly looks like Double Helix Games (Silent Hill Homecoming) is preparing the series for a Star Trek-esque reboot -- how will fans react? We'll have impressions from the E3 show floor and an interview with the game's producers later this week. Stay tuned.

Front Mission evolves in E3 debut trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix announces Front Mission Evolved, NIER

JC Fletcher — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:30:00 EST

Square Enix's E3 lineup features two surprises, in addition to the expected Final Fantasy stuff: Front Mission Evolved and NIER. While we may have suspected that some kind of Front Mission game was coming, we wouldn't have guessed that it would be a third-person shooter instead of a strategy game, nor that it would be developed by a Western company (Silent Hill: Homecoming's Double Helix Games, specifically). The E3 lineup press release highlights SE's efforts to become a more "global" company, and it hardly gets more "global" than handing one of its existing IPs over to a Western developer to be made into a PS3/Xbox/PC shooter.

NIER is a new PS3/360 action game developed by Bullet Witch/Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles maker cavia. Players control NIER, who fights in a "crumbling world" to find a cure for his daughter, who is infected with the "Black Scrawl virus."

The announcement also provided a firm release date for DISSIDIA Final Fantasy and its PSP bundle: August 25. The first episode of the WiiWare Final Fantasy IV: The After Years was also dated -- for this Monday! See the whole announced lineup in our gallery.

Gallery: Square Enix E3 2009 lineup

Square Enix announces Front Mission Evolved, NIER originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 May 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix's new mystery game could be Front Mission 360

JC Fletcher — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:00:00 EST

Square Enix has launched a Japanese Flash site for a new game, but we don't know what that new game is. The URL is "http://www.square-enix.co.jp/mystery/" and the page is merely titled "NEW GAME," so it seems that we're looking at your basic countdown teaser site ... with no countdown. That means we'll have no idea how early Famitsu's early reveal will be.

The site features a rendered cityscape with a giant industrial-looking structure and little animated explosions all over the place. A John F. Kennedy quote appears above the city: "The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life."

The same image was used in a teaser at the end of the June issue of OXM, according to 1UP. That teaser's text made it as clear as possible (while still being a teaser) that the game referenced was a new Front Mission for Xbox 360, to be revealed at E3.

[Via CVG]

Square Enix's new mystery game could be Front Mission 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VC Tuesday: Ji-noog

JC Fletcher — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Virtual Console, Imports

That's how you pronounce "Gynoug!" Until we saw it written in Japanese katakana (a system that has the benefit of being predictably phonetic), we totally pronounced the title of NCS's shooter "Guy-noog." How embarrassing! We hope we didn't sound stupid the last time we were talking about it in public, which was approximately never. Although we're not the only ones -- even Wikipedia's got an inaccurate IPA transcription!

Of course, here in the States we call it Wings of Wor, and we never really had occasion to talk about it either. It's not that our friends aren't as into retrogaming as we are, it's more that they don't exist.

Front Mission Series: Gun Hazard (Super Famicom, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Gynoug (Mega Drive, 1 player, 600 Wii Points)
Break In (PC Engine, 1-4 players, 600 Wii Points)
Fatal Fury 2 (Neo Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points)

VC Tuesday: Ji-noog originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's your mission to watch this Front Mission 2089 trailer

David Hinkle — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Video

Fans of Square Enix's SRPG series, take note. A rather lengthy trailer for Front Mission 2089 is available for your viewing pleasure. Within the trailer, we're provided a look at some of the game's characters, as well as a glimpse at some game footage and what most of you undoubtedly care about the most: mech customization. SRPG-aholics are likely to get another pleasant dose of tactical gameplay in Square Enix's upcoming title.

Who's looking forward to the latest entry in the Front Mission line of games?

[Via Go Nintendo]

It's your mission to watch this Front Mission 2089 trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 May 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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May's VC games for Japan: May include MSX games

JC Fletcher — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Virtual Console, Imports

Nintendo has released the planned May lineup of Virtual Console games for Japan, and while it doesn't include any megatons (like last month most certainly did), there are at least a lot of games on the list. The first two MSX games, Eggy and Aleste, are supposed to make their fashionably late appearance, but we find it a lot easier to believe that they'll be bumped for some Wonder Boy ports.

Other interesting games, which may actually be released, include: Front Mission Series: Gun Hazard, a shooter similar to Cybernator (in fact director Toshiro Tsuchida worked on both games) and based on the Front Mission series of strategy games; Star Parodier, the "silly" Star Soldier game; and Martial Champion, a CD-based Street Fighter clone from Konami. Hit the break for the full list!

Continue reading May's VC games for Japan: May include MSX games

May's VC games for Japan: May include MSX games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Front Mission 2089 screens: no robots allowed

JC Fletcher — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens, Imports

Much like the first trailer for Square Enix's Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness (and to a certain extent the boxart), the company has decided to emphasize the storyline in the latest screen update about the SRPG. And "storyline" is a euphemism for "the part that doesn't involve awesome big fighting robots."

What we get is an introduction to the Vampires, the mercenary unit who are the major opponents in the game. They have mythologically-influenced names like "Golem" and "Chimera," and they wear very complex, futuristic pants. With metal plates and stuff attached. They pilot black Wanzers with mysterious specs and capabilities. The robots' legs are entirely metal, thus eliminating the need for separate metal pants.

Front Mission 2089 screens: no robots allowed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Boxart battle: Emblem of Gundam vs Front Mission 2089

Eric Caoili — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

Above, we have the covers for two upcoming strategy titles, Emblem of Gundam and Front Mission 2089. Both series have similar themes -- giant mechas battling it out against an intricate backdrop of political drama -- so it's startling to see the different approaches in their packaging designs.

Front Mission 2089 puts more emphasis on its character lineup, masking a lone Wanzer in the mist, and the result is a lusterless jacket that looks as unexciting as the starring crew's listless expressions. Emblem of Gundam's cover has more action to it, giving its mobile suits and story characters even billing. One guy is flying through space with a rapier! Another has a gun! And a massive Gundam oversees the entire scene, jets blasting and fingers positioned like a master pianist preparing his next attack. This is how you design a box!

Today's lesson: If you have huge robots, use them. Pilot your mecha past the post break for a better look at the two covers.

Continue reading Boxart battle: Emblem of Gundam vs Front Mission 2089

Boxart battle: Emblem of Gundam vs Front Mission 2089 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Front Mission 2089 gets dated in Japan

Candace Savino — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

Are you full of mech love? If so, you might be glad to know that Front Mission: 2089 has been dated ... for Japan. Oh well, at least it's a start. The game is set to arrive in the country of our envy on May 29th, which we'll also jealously refer to as "the not-so-distant future."

Square Enix's upcoming title may be a cell phone port, but the DS version promises to have more flair and extra maps. We even enjoyed the mech-less teaser for the game, although we'd prefer to see some actual gameplay.

Will this title be released outside of Japan? Let's hope so -- but as we know, waiting for a localization announcement from Square Enix is like waiting for a watched pot to boil.

[Via Go Nintendo]

Front Mission 2089 gets dated in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Daily: Such a Square (Enix)

Candace Savino — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: DS Daily

There's a lot of potential Square Enix on the horizon. Between The World Ends with You, Final Fantasy remakes, Dragon Quest remakes, new Dragon Quests, Border of Madness, Final Fantasy Tactis A2, and Crystal Chronicles, that's quite a lot of DS love. Oh, and let's not forget Kingdom Hearts. So, are you a Square Enix fan? If so, what game are you most hoping for or looking forward to?

See also: 2008's Biggest Blips -- Final Fantasy IV -- The World Ends with You -- Final Fantasy Tactics A2

DS Daily: Such a Square (Enix) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Screenshots from the Border of Madness

Alisha Karabinus — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

Some people may be a little iffy on the updated character designs and art in the upcoming Front Mission 2089, but after playing Front Mission DS, we're pretty excited about anything Square Enix (re)makes along these battle lines for our dual screens -- and that includes games that originated in the mobile sphere. We expect another solid SRPG experience with Border of Madness.

Above, you can see the mobile version on the left, with the DS game, which has no firm release date as yet, on the right. Clearly, not much is required for an update to the gameplay ... the colors are a little more lush, and everything is a little brighter, but otherwise, it looks like Front Mission. And while we're still waiting for a few other titles in the franchise (like Front Mission 5!), that really can't be a bad thing.

Screenshots from the Border of Madness originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon gives us a reason to be jolly

Eric Caoili — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sales

Amazon has put over two dozen Nintendo DS games on sale, some of them marked down as low as 50% of their original price! Some of the titles are trash, but there are more than a few that you should consider picking up. We've listed below the ones that stood out to us, but make sure to check out Amazon's page for the full selection of DS deals.

Front Mission - $24.99
Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck - $19.99
Master of Illusion - $19.99
Nintendo DS Headset - $9.99
Prism - $19.99
Spanish for Everyone - $14.99

Don't forget that orders totalling over $25 are eligible for the online shop's Free Super Saver Shipping. Joys be thine, frugal readers!

[Via CAG]

Amazon gives us a reason to be jolly originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Fanswag: The Square Enix doubleshot goes to ...

Alisha Karabinus — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Meta

From the avalanche of entries, we'll guess that you guys are somewhat fond of Square Enix. Unfortunately, however, there can be only one winner who gets to take home Front Mission and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker, and this time, it's Steve! When asked which game he might prefer, Steve said:

174. Giant stompy robots!

Indeed, Steve. And now you'll have them. Congratulations on your new games -- and to everyone else, keep trying. We'll have more games for you before you know it!

DS Fanswag: The Square Enix doubleshot goes to ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Fanswag: Better get those entries in!

Alisha Karabinus — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Meta

If you're interested in a free copy of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker and Front Mission (and really, who isn't?), then you better get those entries in! The contest closes Monday evening, and since you can only enter once per day, that's only two more chances. Two, however, is better than zero, so head on over to the original post and throw your name into the hat.

DS Fanswag: Better get those entries in! originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Fanswag: Snag a Square Enix doubleshot

Alisha Karabinus — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:50:00 EST

Filed under: Meta

We love giving you free stuff here at DS Fanboy, and it's even better when we can do it in sets. We'd like to offer one lucky reader a truly golden pair: Front Mission and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (valued at $34.99 and $39.99, respectively). Between these two titles, you can stay busy for a long, long time ... and all you have to do is leave a comment on this post between now and Monday, November 19th, 11:59 EST time. On Tuesday the 20th, we'll announce the winner. It's just that easy!

Of course, we always make you give us something in return, and this time we want to know: which of these two games interests you more? The winner gets both no matter what, but call us curious. As usual, you can only enter once per day, and sadly, the contest is limited to readers who are both over the age of 18 and who live in the United States. Don't forget to check out the official rules if you have questions!

DS Fanswag: Snag a Square Enix doubleshot originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Fanboy Review: Front Mission

Alisha Karabinus — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 23:50:00 EST

Filed under: Reviews

Good things often come in small packages (see also: the DS), and sometimes, they even come in small doses. That's the best way to describe Front Mission, the tactical strategy title that originally debuted on the Super Nintendo, and has now come to the DS. The re-packaged port looks good in its transition to the DS, even without having too much done to it -- not that the series, which hasn't ever achieved major popularity despite being fully awesome -- really needed much more than a spit-shine.

But just what is Front Mission? It's an epic tale of giant stompy robots, known here as "wanzers." The story begins in 2090, and two major powers, the O.C.U. and U.C.S., are about to undertake a war of epic proportions. In this version, you can choose either side in battle, though the game recommends that newcomers not only go through the tutorial, but begin with O.C.U. as well.

Continue reading DS Fanboy Review: Front Mission

DS Fanboy Review: Front Mission originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 23:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mech porn: Hella Front Mission screenshots

Eric Caoili — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: News, Screens

Though you wouldn't know it by the amount of advertising Square Enix has done so far for Front Mission, a total equal to nothing, the mech-filled SRPG stomps into stores next week. Those familiar with the series will agree -- as far as SRPGs for the DS go, this is the best one coming out in North America this year.

Just to make sure we've swayed as many of you over as we can, we have updated our gallery with over 65 new screenshots and artwork images from this remake of the original, never-been-localized SNES/PS1 game. If you prefer your pictures moving, Square Enix has also swapped out its completely uninformative, six-minute clip of a building exploding in slow-motion with a new English trailer at the official Front Mission site.

Mech porn: Hella Front Mission screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Oct 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Front Mission DS site slowly explodes into the internet

Eric Caoili — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Video

Two weeks away from Front Mission DS's release, Square Enix has introduced the SRPG's official North American site with a bang -- a drawn-out, "exploded bits hanging in the air for what seems like an eternity" bang. A bang that consists of a five-plus-minute movie in which nothing about the game is revealed.

If you poke around the site, though, there's a lot of material there to help you get hyped up about this remake of the Front Mission series' first title. In addition to information about its setting, story, and characters, you'll find four short clips demonstrating Wanzer (mecha) customization and combat, all of them significantly more substantial than the explosion video arbitrarily embedded on the main page.

Front Mission DS site slowly explodes into the internet originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix teases Front Mission 2089

JC Fletcher — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Video, Imports

Square Enix has released a short teaser video for Front Mission 2089. Before you watch, a warning: this video contains no mecha. No giant robots, no "gears", no mechs, no wanzers, or any of that. We assume they're in the game (it's a Front Mission game! Besides, the mobile version had them.) but that Square Enix decided it wouldn't be enough of a tease if we actually got to see any big robots.

Instead, we get an introduction to the story, with English voice acting. For such a short video full of static character portraits and no mechs, which advertises a DS remake of a cellphone game, we think it works pretty well! We want to know what happens along the ... BORDER OF MADNESS.

[Via NeoGAF]

Square Enix teases Front Mission 2089 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TGS07: Front Mission 2089 announced for DS

Eric Caoili — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

Square Enix quietly revealed its next Front Mission project at the ongoing Tokyo Game Show, and it's for the DS! Aside from its name, Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness, not much else has been announced -- we can safely assume, however, that it'll be an SRPG packed with highly customizable wanzers (mechs) and political drama.

Previous Front Mission 2089 titles have been released for mobile platforms, but we're not sure yet if Border of Madness will be a port of one of those cell phone games or a completely new entry to the spin-off series. Of course, we hope for the latter. Regardless of its origin, we likely won't see it localized for the US unless we support Front Mission DS's release in the states next month!

TGS07: Front Mission 2089 announced for DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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