The efforts made by Square Enix to revitalize one of their longest-running franchises, Front Mission, resulted in two unfortunate missteps: Front Mission Evolved and Left Alive. Both games aimed to breathe new life into the beloved series, but unfortunately fell short of expectations.
Front Mission Evolved, released during the initial era of high-definition consoles, deviated from the franchise’s traditional strategy RPG roots and ventured into the realm of action gameplay. However, this departure failed to resonate with fans and critics, resulting in mixed reviews. Despite the best intentions to modernize the series, Front Mission Evolved struggled to capture the essence of its predecessors, leaving fans yearning for the strategic depth they had come to love.
Years later, Square Enix attempted another reboot with Left Alive, this time exploring the survival game genre. However, this choice proved to be a poor match for the franchise, further disappointing fans. Adding to the woes, the game was released in an incomplete state, riddled with bugs and lacking polish. Left Alive received a barrage of negative reviews, making it one of the worst-reviewed games of all time.
Square Enix attempted to salvage the situation by releasing patches and updates, aiming to rectify the game’s flaws. However, their efforts were in vain, as the game was swiftly abandoned and left to fade into obscurity.
The failed reboot attempts of Front Mission demonstrate the challenges of reimagining long-standing franchises. Straying too far from the series’ core identity can alienate fans, while releasing incomplete and poorly executed games only exacerbates the disappointment.
These unfortunate entries serve as cautionary tales for game developers, emphasizing the importance of understanding the essence of a franchise and delivering on fan expectations. While Square Enix’s attempts to breathe new life into Front Mission may have faltered, it is through these failures that valuable lessons can be learned, hopefully paving the way for future successes in the revitalization of cherished gaming franchises.
Number 4. Final Fantasy Explorers
