Front Mission Evolved isn’t the same tactical strategy game that you’ve come to know and love over the past 15 years. But that doesn’t mean it’s a button-mashing action game either. Front Mission Evolved is a surprisingly deep mech combat action game that will still have you strategizing while you blow up and smash your opponents (especially in the game’s awesome multiplayer mode).
With FME is taking the franchise in a different direction, the game not only features beautiful graphics and environments (even more amazing in 3D), but also an epic and powerful soundtrack by composer Garry Schyman. We had the opportunity to speak with top team members from developer Double Helix as well as senior producer Shinji Hashimoto from Square Enix Japan about the game’s music and got some interesting responses.
Read about what they had to say after the jump.
I had to ask about the decision to hire a Western composer for this project. Yes, the game is being developed by a Western studio, Double Helix, but just like with the Metroid Prime series, the music could provide a relevant link to the past if they had selected a previous Front Mission composer. This notion was shot down immediately, however, as they quickly noted that they had never even considered a Japanese composer, and that they wanted to keep the music in the hands of the developer, Double Helix. Garry Schyman’s demo fit the style they were looking for, and Square Enix quickly approved Double Helix’s decision.
More interesting, however, was the response we received when we asked if the game’s soundtrack would be released in Japan via Square Enix’s label. The response I got was that they were considering the best way to distribute the soundtrack in Japan, and that they were currently thinking of a special item to commemorate the game’s 15th anniversary, and the soundtrack may be included there. Does this mean a “Front Mission 15th Anniversary Soundtrack” box is on the way? It sounds like it just may be!
What do you think of Front Mission‘s move to the West? Would you pick up a Front Mission anniversary box?
Tags: Box Sets, Double Helix, E3 2010, Front Mission, Front Mission Evolved, Garry Schyman, Square Enix
Celebrating FM’s 15th birthday with the arrival of a western composer.. right..
Haha, well… in that Western composer’s defense, he’s a great composer and the music we’ve heard so far from the game is quite awesome.
Garry Schyman is an awesome composer you racist fanboy.