Editing Front Mission (section)

==Common elements==

===Gameplay===
Although ''Front Mission'' video games venture into multiple genres, each of them contain core elements that are universal to the entire series. In the ''Front Mission'' series, players use playable units called wanzers, a term for mecha derived from the German word "''Wanderpanzer''", or "walking tank". Wanzers differ from the typical combat unit in that it has four [[modular design|modular]] parts: body, left arm, right arm, and legs. Each part has a specific function and its own [[health (gaming)|health]] bar.<ref name="gamespy"/> The legs parts enable movement and evasion, the arm parts are necessary to use hand and shoulder weapons, and the body part maintains the wanzer's operability. In the event the body is destroyed, the wanzer is removed from play completely. Destruction of arm and leg parts does not remove the wanzer from play, but it severely cripples its performance.<ref name="gamespy"/> While the player fights mostly wanzers, vehicles, aircraft, and mobile weapons platforms are also featured. These enemy units generally have only one part, the body, and are much stronger than wanzers themselves.

Wanzers can be customized with a variety of parts, computers, auxiliary backpacks, and weapons.<ref name="worldhistorica"/> The player has full control over customizing their wanzers and can do so as long as its total weight value does not exceed its given power output. To field a wanzer in battle, it must have a complete frame of parts: body, left arm, right arm, and legs. Parts with built-in weapons in the body or arm sections can also be equipped on a wanzer. In most ''Front Mission'' titles, computers must also be installed; these improve the accuracy of the weapons equipped on the wanzer and allow for specialized attacks. Auxiliary backpacks and weapons are not mandatory equipment to use wanzers, but are crucial in order to progress through the games. Auxiliary backpacks serve to give a wanzer special features during combat. For example, storage backpacks allow the player to carry extra ammunition or armor repair items.

In terms of weapons, there are four classes of weapons: melee weapons, short-range weapons, long-range weapons, and support fire weapons.<ref name="worldhistorica"/> Melee weapons are hand-to-hand weapons with a tendency to strike the body part of its target. Knuckles, pile bunkers (a fist weapon consisting of a hydraulic spike), and rods are examples of melee weapons. Short-range weapons, such as machine guns, shotguns, and flamethrowers are used at close range and deal damage to all parts of a target. Long-range weapons have a long reach and are ideal for avoiding counterattacks. Sniper rifles, bazookas, and Gatling guns are examples of long-range weapons. Support-fire weapons, such as missiles, grenades, and rockets are indirect fire weapons; they can never be counterattacked and almost always hit their target, but have limited ammunition supply. Lastly, shields can be equipped on wanzers to absorb some of the damage taken from incoming attacks.

These are other gameplay features that are commonly seen in multiple ''Front Mission'' titles.

* Arena, introduced in ''Front Mission'', allows the player to participate in special fights to earn monetary rewards or new parts. These fights take place in either individual matches, or team battles. This feature is also present in ''Front Mission 2'', ''[[Front Mission 5: Scars of the War]]'', ''Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness'', and ''Front Mission: Online''.
* Action Points (AP), introduced in ''Front Mission 2'', determines the number of actions that can be taken during a Player and Enemy Phase.<ref name="gamespy"/> Every action, such as movement or counterattacks, has a certain AP cost.<ref name="gamespy"/> After one full turn (which is made up of one Player Phase and Enemy Phase) has passed, a set amount of AP is recharged. This feature is also present in ''Front Mission 3'', ''Front Mission 4'', and ''Front Mission 5: Scars of the War''.
* Links, introduced in ''Front Mission 2'', allows multiple units to assist each other in battles. A linked unit can provide support to other units offensively and defensively. This feature is also present in ''Front Mission 4'', ''Front Mission 5: Scars of the War'', and ''Front Mission 2089: Border of Madness''.
* Network, introduced in ''Front Mission 2'', is a pseudo-Internet that allows players to gain a better understanding of the ''Front Mission'' world, its characters, and the storyline through a series of websites. The player can also access online shopping (to purchase new equipment), battle simulations, and check e-mail messages through the Network. This feature is also present in ''Front Mission 3''.
* Battle Simulator, introduced in ''Front Mission 3'', allows the player to participate in [[Virtual reality|VR]] training exercises. These training exercises can be used to increase the fighting proficiencies of the player's pilots and can be taken as many times as needed. This feature is also present in ''Front Mission 4'', and ''Front Mission 5: Scars of the War''.
* Survival Simulator, introduced in ''Front Mission 5: Scars of the War'', is a survival simulation in which the player goes through a set number of floors with one pilot. Along the way, parts and weapons can be collected and brought back for usage in the main game upon the completion of a simulation. This feature is also present in ''Front Mission 2089-II''.

===Setting===
These are the fictional nations that play a major role in the ''Front Mission'' series.

'''Oceania Cooperative Union'''

The Oceania Cooperative Union (OCU) is a supranational union of countries in Southeast Asia, [[Oceania]], and Australia. The OCU capital, where the OCU Central Parliament located, is [[Canberra]], Australia.<ref>{{cite book|title=Front Mission 2 Guidebook – Wanzers of the Elite|editor=Famitsu Books Editorial|publisher=ASCII|date=January 1998|isbn=978-4-89366-883-7|language=ja}}</ref> The union's roots date back to 2006, when the [[ASEAN|Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] reorganized itself into the Bangkok Economic Alliance. The alliance is later renamed into the Oceania Cooperative Union in 2019 after Australia and Oceania decided to join the bloc. It is finally consolidated as a political union in 2026.

In the localized version of ''[[Front Mission 3]]'', the OCU's full name is presented as "Oceana Community Union". The localized versions of subsequent games use the current naming convention instead.

'''United States of the New Continent'''

The United States of the New Continent (USN) is a supranational union of the [[North America|North]] and [[South American]] countries. The USN capital, where the USN Central Government operates, is [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]]. The union's roots date back to 2011, when its relations with Australia began to sour following a diplomatic incident over the detention of an Australian ship named ''The Trinidad''.<ref name="Square Enix"/> The United States and Canada begin negotiations on merging with South American countries after the Republic of Zaftra is formed in 2015. These talks culminate in the creation of the USN five years later.

In the localized versions of ''[[Front Mission (video game)|Front Mission First]]'', ''[[Front Mission 4]]'', and ''[[Front Mission Evolved]]'', the USN is presented as the Unified Continental States (UCS). The localized version of ''Front Mission 3'' retains the original naming convention.

'''European Community'''

The European Community (EC) is a supranational union of the nations in Europe. The capital, where the EC Central Assembly operates, is [[Paris]], France. The union's roots date back to the [[European Union]]'s (EU) genesis in 1993. In the late 1990s, the EU's founding member-states began to convince other European countries to join their banner. The EU is renamed as the European Community in 2005 as the last of the non-EU countries agree to join the bloc.<!-- which was the last country to join? --><ref>{{cite book|title=Front Mission – Front Line Report|last1=Iino|first1=Fumihiko|last2=Iwasaki|first2=Hideo|publisher=LOGOUT Paperback Adventures, Aspect Novels|date=July 1995|isbn=978-4-89366-375-7|language=ja}}</ref>

'''Organization of African Consolidation'''

The Organization of African Consolidation (OAC) is an alliance of African countries. The union's roots date back to 2026, when the EC and the OCU assisted the African nations to merge as a super-state. Unlike the other unions, the OAC is divided into five semi-autonomous regional blocs: the South African United States (SAUS), Union of North African States (UNAS), West African States Community Union (WA), the Community of Central African States (CA), and the East African Community (EA).<ref>{{cite book|title=Front Mission Alternative Official Guidebook|editor=Famitsu Books Editorial|publisher=ASCII|date=December 1997|isbn=978-4-89366-960-5|language=ja}}</ref>

'''Republic of Zaftra'''

The Republic of Zaftra is a supranational union consisting of [[Russia]] and the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]]. The Zaftran capital, where the Zaftra Central Administration operates, is [[Moscow]], Russia. The union's roots date back to the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991. The former Soviet republics struggled to survive on their own after it collapsed, facing economic hardships and civil conflicts.<ref>{{cite book|title=Front Mission 4 Official Perfect Guide|editor=Famitsu Books Editorial|publisher=Enterbrain|date=February 2004|isbn=978-4-7577-1782-4|language=ja}}</ref> In an attempt to remedy their issues and make capitalism work, the post-Soviet nations reformed as the Republic of Zaftra in 2015.

'''Republic of Ravnui'''

The Republic of Ravnui is [[Belarus]] renamed after it seceded from the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] rather than join the Republic of Zaftra in 2015.<ref>{{cite book|title=Front Mission 3 Perfect Works|publisher=DigiCube|date=November 1999|isbn=978-4-925075-66-4|language=ja}}</ref> The nation's capital is [[Minsk]].

'''People's Republic of Da Han Zhong'''

The People's Republic of Da Han Zhong (DHZ) is formed from the presumably peaceful [[Chinese unification|reunification]] of China and [[Taiwan]]. The nation's capital is [[Beijing]].