Front Mission (video game)
| Front Mission | |
|---|---|
| Nintendo DS cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Square, G-Craft |
| Publisher(s) | Square |
| Series | Front Mission series |
| Platform(s) | Super NES, PlayStation, WonderSwan Color, Nintendo DS |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Tactical role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Front Mission (フロントミッション, Furonto Misshon) is a strategy video game developed and published by Square in 1995 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super Famicom in Japan). Front Mission is an ongoing saga intertwining the storylines of various heroes and their epic battles involving mechs. The games feature a very broad range of mech customization, where each individual part of the mech can be tweaked for the greatest possible performance.
An enhanced remake of the game was released for the Wonderswan Color in 2002, PlayStation in 2003, and Nintendo DS in 2007.
Front Mission 1st
In 2003, the game was remade as Front Mission 1st for the PlayStation. This remake included new material and the ability to play from the USN's point of view. An additional remake of the PlayStation game was in development for the Nintendo DS and released in Japan on March 22, 2007. Front Mission 1st for the DS was confirmed for a North American release on an April 20, 2007 posting[1] at Front Mission Project Blog, run by developers of Front Mission games. In addition, Gamestop[2]has recently begun to take pre-orders of the game, just titled "Front Mission", for release on October 2, 2007. While this is the first time that Front Mission will see a Western release, an emulated English-language translation of the original SNES version is available online.
Front Mission 1st for the DS includes several characters from Front Mission 5: Scars of the War. Battle sequences are being tuned to use the DS's dual screen setup for an easy view of the action. The DS version has many more changes and additions that make it the definitive version of Front Mission. These include:
- The ability to access and utilize large mobile weapons previously seen as boss-type units in the Front Mission SNES and PSOne versions. Upon meeting specific requirements, the player can control mobile weapons such as the Seaking, Clinton Type, or a prototype version of the Bogomol I seen at the end of Front Mission 4.
- The ability to control Front Mission characters from other installments such as Darril Traubel and Glen Duval. This feature is only limited to a select number of missions however.
- New additions to parts and weapons, some from other Front Mission installments like the Numsekar from Front Mission 5. The infamous Dragon Hand part, which could only be obtained by cheat devices, can now be obtained normally in the game.
- New secret missions and areas that expand both sides further. Numerous bonuses await upon the completion of these secret missions, such as new mobile weapons or wanzers for usage.
- Additional modes such as a high-speed battle mode where battles are done quickly via skipping and other time-cutting means. Difficulty settings are available upon completion of either side a number of times. Even more secrets and bonuses can be accessed through repeated playthroughs of either side.
Story
Set in 2090, the story of Front Mission revolves an Oceania Community Union (OCU) officer by the name of Roid Clive. An OCU squadron lead by Roid and Ryuji Sakata entered a special United States of the New Continent (USN) ammunition dump at the Larcus District on Huffman Island (a fictional Pacific island roughly the size of Oahu, "formed in 1995 from volcanic activity, east of the Pacific Ocean, south of Mexico's west coast.[3] The landmass was large enough to classify as an island in 2002 and all authority and proprietary rights was granted to the United Nations."[4]). Roid's fiancee, Karen Meure, is already inside. However, the uneasy quiet is broken when a USN Wanzer squad led by an officer named Driscoll ambushes Meure on the premises. Driscoll himself kills her, setting the stage for the game's first mission, called "The Larcus Incident."
After the player defeats the rest of the USN force, Driscoll escapes, but not before he detonates bombs inside the complex.
The entire incident is pinned on Roid and Sakata, who are summarily dismissed from the OCU Ground Defense Force. The fiasco also broke a peace treaty between the OCU and USN, setting off the Second Huffman War. One year later, OCU Colonel Guri Olson seeks out Roid (who is a Wanzer fighter in the western town of Barinden) to work with the Canyon Crows mercenary unit. Roid joins after Olson dangles the prospect of killing the USN officer responsible for Karen's death.
In the PS1 remake of Front Mission, titled Front Mission 1st, the game has a second side that can be played. Starting USN Black Hounds officer Kevin Greenfield, the player fights for the USN side in a completely different story. A number of mysteries and plot elements shown in the OCU side are looked upon more in-depth at the USN side, as well as featuring tie-ins from Front Mission 4. Even with the USN side, numerous plot elements remain unresolved and lacking a clear answer. These elements are looked at in-depth and play a significant role in Front Mission 5, moreso than any other backstory elements from other Front Missions found in that game.
In the DS remake of 1st, the connections with Front Mission 5 are fleshed out further through expanded and new scenes and the inclusion of characters. These include Glen Duval, Walter Feng, Randy O'Neill, Hector Reynolds, etc. The tie-ins with Front Mission 4 are also expanded, with additional material and the inclusion of Darril Traubel and Billy Renges.
Gameplay
Flow
The gameplay of Front Mission is similar to strategy RPG games such as Final Fantasy Tactics or Fire Emblem. Although it has similarities to the aforementioned games, Front Mission is often classified more of a strategy game rather than strategy RPG due to its game mechanics. In terms of progression, players can progress through the game in the following manner: watch plot-related scenes, clear missions, upgrade and configure wanzers for the next mission. The player travels to locations on a point-and-click 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 setup their units for the upcoming mission. Battle zones are where the missions take place, though they become inaccessible upon the completion of a mission.
Wanzers and Weapons
In terms of the gameplay mechanics, Front Mission units use wanzers, which is Front Mission-speak for mecha. Wanzers differ from the typical combat unit in that it has 4 separate parts: Body, Right Arm, Left Arm, and Legs. Each part has a specific function and its own Health Points(HP) bar. The Legs enable movement and evasion, the Arms are necessary to equip and use hand and shoulder weapons, and the Body maintains the wanzer's operability. Should the Body be destroyed, the wanzer is destroyed completely. There are a lot of benefits to disabling a wanzer's Arms or Legs beforehand, as it will prevent a wanzer from using weapons or evading attacks respectively. The only forms of damage reduction are a wanzer's Defense stat and Shields, which boosts the overall defense of the wanzer. While the player fights mostly wanzers in the entire game, the player also fights vehicles and mobile weapon platforms. These enemy units only have one part, the Body, but they have greater Defense and HP values to compensate for having just one part.
Weapons in Front Mission are classified under three categories: Melee(Fight in the Japanese version), Short, and Long. Melee weapons consist of Rods and a wanzer's free Arm (no weapon equipped) that strike only once but deal high damage. The advantages are that Melee weapons have a tendency to strike a wanzer's Body part and ignore the Defense stat of a wanzer. Short weapons are used in close-range and consist of Machine Guns, Shotguns, Flamethrowers, and Rifles. Machine Guns are multi-fire weapons and its rounds target a wanzer's parts at random. Shotguns, Flamethrowers, and Rifles are single-fire weapons similar to Melee weapons but they do not focus on a specific part of a wanzer. The advantages with these weapons are their high accuracy, they take priority over Melee weapons in battle sequences (Short weapons attack first), and they often destroy wanzer parts if the round connects.
Long weapons are used from a distance and consist of Missile Launchers and Rocket Launchers, which fire either multiple rounds or just a single round. The advantage with a Long weapon is simple: the attacked unit cannot counterattack the attacker. Long weapons have ammunition limits, however, and must be reloaded when a weapon has used up all of its ammo. Hybrid weapons that specialize in both Short and Long are present in the form of Bazookas and Grenade Launchers. These weapons have a noticeable drawback in that they have low accuracy and thus, rounds are likely to miss instead of hit the target.
Wanzer Customization
The main draw of any Front Mission is the massive amounts of customization involved in creating wanzers. Provided a wanzer's total Weight does not exceed its Power Output limit, a player can configure a wanzer out of almost any combination of parts. A wanzer can be equipped with up to 4 weapons (Right/Left Hand, Right/Left Shoulder) for offensive purposes, though it is very hard to outfit a wanzer with 4 weapons without exceeding its Power Output. Wanzers can also use Weapon Arms, which are Arms with built-in weapons that are considerably lighter than equipping an Arm with a weapon. A wanzer can also equip a Backpack that grants additional Power Output, increased item storage capacity, and raises the effective range of support weapons such as acid bombs and flash grenades. In regards to movement, the player can equip a wanzer with a variety of leg types (Tread, Hover, etc.) that has specific uses in terms of moving through various terrain. Therefore, players ultimately decide the effectiveness and strength of their squads based on wanzer setup alone. One of the most well known wanzer models is the Zenith, which has become an iconic figure for Front Mission for its appearance in every game.
Other Features
Front Mission has a few other features incorporated into the game. Players can purchase or sell wanzer parts and weapons at the Shop, which can be visited at any town. Front Mission also sports a Colosseum, which is a gameplay feature where the player chooses one of their pilots to fight Colosseum combatants and win additional money. Furthermore, Front Mission sports a briefing feature that details the basic information about the enemy composition for the next mission. Missions in Front Mission are standard strategy RPG fare, however, since most can be finished by destroying all enemies or protecting a particular unit from the enemy forces.
Characters
 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (September 2007) |
Front Mission has a fairly large playable cast that are seen throughout the game. Some require tasks for them to join, while others are automatic entries. The 1st remake introduces a new cast exclusive to the USN side of the story. Character data is taken from the book Front Mission: World Historica[5](ISBN 978-4-8402-3663-8).
O.C.U. Scenario
Roid Clive - Age: 23. Roid is a former O.C.U. Ground Defense Force (OCUGDF) captain and the current leader of the Canyon Crows mercenary group. Roid was born in O.C.U. Australia from a middle-class family, living a normal life until he enlisted in the OCUGDF at the age of 18. During his time in the military, he meets O.C.U. Lieutenant Karen Meure and begins to take a liking to her. Roid is emotionally traumatized after witnessing Driscoll destroy Karen's wanzer, seemingly killing her. Roid also appears Front Mission 2 and in Front Mission 5: Scars of the War. In Front Mission 2, Roid is hired by Saribash Labra as a bodyguard in the event that The Revolutionary Army attempts to assassinate him. He can also be fought in certain Colosseums in Front Mission 2 and FM5's Arena portion.
Karen Meure - Age: 23. Karen is an OCUGDF Lieutenant and Roid's fiancee. She enlisted at the age of 18 and served as an intelligence officer. Karen eventually met and fell in love with Roid Clive, who eventually proposed to her at the age of 22. Karen is killed a few months after the proposal during the Larcus Incident event.
Sakata Ryuji - Age: 23. Ryuji is a former OCUGDF Lieutenant and the younger son of Sakata Reiji, the Chairman for wanzer developer Sakata Industries. Ryuji was born in O.C.U. Japan and was trained to lead Sakata Industries in the future during his childhood. Ryuji desired the chance to prove his skills in the OCUGDF despite proving to be a worthy leader for the company's future. Ryuji befriended Roid Clive and the two have great respect for one another, forming a brotherly-like bond. Despite the aftermath of the Larcus Incident, Ryuji reunites with Roid in the Canyon Crows.
Natalie F. Blakewood - Age: 21. Natalie is an OCUGDF Lieutenant and the Canyon Crows' adjutant. Like Roid, Natalie was born in O.C.U. Australia but had a sheltered life until she decided to enlist. Natalie's career opportunities were limited by her father, Senator Willas Blakewood, who wanted her as far from from the battlefield as much as possible. Her new position as the Canyon Crows' adjutant is an advantage as Willas, a respected O.C.U. politician, closely monitors the status of the team and grants them special status among the OCUGDF. This is likely the main reason that the mercenary outfit is largely unaffected by military policies and laws set by the O.C.U. Army.
Keith Carabell - Age: 23. Keith is an experienced mercenary, having fought in several conflicts around the world with his parter Joynas Jeriaska. Keith was born in U.S.N. America and dreamed of becoming a mercenary ever since he was a child. He trained and graduated from a military academy prior to becoming a full-time mercenary. Keith and Joynas (whom he met during a mercenary job) eventually came to Huffman Island looking for mercenary work. The two were recruited by Colonel Orson into the Canyon Crows after he saves them from being arrested by O.C.U. officers. Both are ambushed by U.S.N. forces during a reconnaissance mission, but are saved when the rest of the Canyon Crows arrive to the area.
Joynas Jeriaska (J.J.) - Age: 25. Joynas is a mercenary born in O.A.C. South Africa and grew up in a poor living conditions caused from civil conflict. Wishing to help his family to move out of the neighborhood, Joynas becomes a mercenary and leaves South Africa, but regularly remits his earnings back to his family. During his travels around the world, Joynas meets and befriends mercenary Keith and the two have been good friends since then. The duo travel to Huffman Island in search for jobs, but an encounter with O.C.U. officers nearly leads to their arrests. The two are saved and recruited by Colonel Orson to work for the Canyon Crows.
Frederick Lancaster - Age: 30. Frederick is a veteran journalist who is well-known worldwide for his detailed reports and findings on various matters. Frederick was born in O.C.U. Australia and worked for various publications before he worked for a newspaper company based in New York City, U.S.N. America. Frederick was fired after writing an article that disclosed information about the U.S.N. Army. During the Second Huffman War, U.S.N. forces attack Frederick while he investigates the crash site of an O.C.U. transport. After the Canyon Crows save him, Frederick asks Roid if he can join the unit for the purposes of data collecting. Frederick also makes an appearance in Front Mission 4, investigating the causes behind the destruction of E.C. German bases by unknown forces.
Hans Goldwin - Age: 19. Hans is a gifted computer specialist and information tracker, capable of finding data on anyone or anything in a short period of time. Hans was accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in U.S.N. America at an early age of 12, but was later expelled after causing the university's main computer network to crash. After his expulsion, Hans moves to Huffman Island to offer his skills as a computer specialist and information tracker. Hans is accepted into the Canyon Crows after he travels to Freedom City to deliver information to them. He is seen wearing a VR-style helmet at all times.
Yang Meihua - Age: 19. Yang Meihua is a Colosseum combatant and wanzer pilot who was born in the People's Republic of Da Han Zhong (DHZ). Meihua lived with her brother Yeehin in DHZ until the two decided to travel around the world. During their travels, Yeehin disappeared when he was 12 years old and Meihua has been searching for him ever since. At Huffman Island, Meihua claims to have met Karen at a Grey Rock hospital while she recovered from injuries sustained in a skirmish between the O.C.U. and U.S.N. After Roid defeats her in the Colosseum, Meihua joins the Canyon Crows to aid her search for Yeehin.
Peewie Richburg Jr. - Age: 20. Peewie is a licensed OCUGDF supply truck driver and comes from a wealthy family. Peewie was exempt from the OCUGDF's qualification tests due to his family's reputation and support for the O.CU. Army. The lack of training has a price though as PeeWie tends to retreat in situations where his life is threatened. During a mission, Peewie retreats from the area of operations when his supply truck was attacked by U.S.N. wanzers. Guri saves Peewie from receiving a court martial for deserting and assigns him as the Canyon Crows' supply truck driver.
Paul C. Grieber - Age: 34. Paul is a OCUGDF Lieutenant who spent a large portion of his life devoted to helping the weak and powerless as a pastor for a church in Huffman Island. While he refuses to solve issues through violence, numerous conflicts that Paul witnessed in Huffman Island changes his views on how to resolve conflicts. Paul enlisted in the OCUGDF and is assigned to defend the city of Grey Rock. During a battle against U.S.N. forces, the Canyon Crows assist Paul in driving the U.S.N. out of Grey Rock. Paul later joins the team in hopes of ending the war soon.
Gregorio Maias - Age: 29. Gregorio is a former OCUGDF soldier. He earned the nickname "Kong" for destroying an impressive number of enemy wanzers only using melee weapons at close range. One of Gregorio's commanders realizes his talent and tells him that he is better off making a living as a Colosseum combatant instead of being a soldier. Gregorio takes the advice seriously, amassing large sums of money from winning many Colosseum battles. Gregorio joins the Canyon Crows after they defeat him at the Colosseum.
Maury O'Donnell - Age: 42. Maury is a civilian and a former nurse who lived her life in Huffman Island's Lark Valley town. She developed an interest for helping children as she grew and and worked as the nurse for a local orphanage. During the Second Huffman War, Lark Valley is destroyed by a U.S.N. bombing raid and the O.C.U. sends no assistance the town, which enrages Maury. Maury tries to discourage the Canyon Crows from entering Lark Valley, but this fails when a U.S.N. detachment attacks her and the mercenary outfit. Maury joins the Canyon Crows afterwards in hopes of ending the war to spare the lives of children.
Yang Yeehin - Age: 17. Yeehin is Meihua's younger brother born in the People's Republic of Da Han Zhong (DHZ). Yeehin and Meihua left DHZ to learn more about the world, but Yeehin went missing at the age of 12. Unknown to Meihua, Yeehin was recruited by the U.S.N. and he trained in a military academy until the age of 15. Yeehin later deserts the U.S.N. Army and sends an SOS signal to the O.C.U. in hopes that someone will protect him from his pursuers. The Canyon Crows respond and defeat Yeehin's pursuers then take him to Guri, who wants him locked up. Meihua objects and Roid supports her by accepting Yeehin in the Canyon Crows as a substitute for imprisonment.
Bobby Hopkins - Age: 32. Bobby is a mercenary and a former Corporal for the O.C.U. Army. Bobby served in the OCUGDF for an undisclosed amount of time in an elite wanzer squadron, receiving the nickname "Death" for surviving many missions. Bobby later resigns from the army and becomes a mercenary along with his friend, Porunga. After finishing several jobs in Huffman Island, the duo head to a bar in Peseta City and get into a fight for no apparent reason. The Canyon Crows accept them as new members after breaking up their fight in Peseta City.
Porunga - Age: 28. Porunga is a mercenary and a former Sergeant for the O.C.U. Army. Porunga was born in O.C.U. Australia, though he comes from an Aboriginal family. While he could not join the O.C.U. Army due to his lineage, he joined the O.C.U. Volunteer Corps to prove his worth to the O.C.U. Army. Porunga's efforts do pay off when he contributes to the success of a military operation led by an elite wanzer squadron that Bobby Hopkins is part of. Porunga is then formally accepted into the O.C.U. Army and soon becomes best friends with Bobby.
Alder Weiss - Age: 48. Alder is a former OCUGDF Master Sergeant who served in an infantry unit during the First Huffman War. He was promoted to Master Sergeant for his contributions when the war ended. Alder resigns from the OCUGDF after his son was killed during a military operation. During the Second Huffman War, Alder initially despises Roid as he resembles his dead son and challenges him to a Colosseum fight. Despite losing, Alder joins the outfit to end the war and spare the lives of many young soldiers.
Ralph Dian - Age: 34. Ralph is a Colosseum combatant and a former First Lieutenant for the U.S.N. Army. Ralph enlisted at the age of 18 and was assigned to border patrol duty on Huffman Island, though he never got the chance to engage in wanzer battles. Ralph resigned and became a Colosseum regular, finally getting his chance to partake in wanzer battles. When Ralph is defeated by the Canyon Crows in Fort Monus, Roid offers him the chance to join and apply his skills in actual wanzer combat.
Gentz Weizer - Age: 39. Gentz is a mercenary and the leader of the "Spirits of Huffman" terrorist group. While working for an unknown military source, Gentz infiltrated a factory run by Sakata Industries. Unknown events occur and Gentz has been attempting to bring down Sakata Industries ever since. All of his attempts have failed due to interference from Driscoll and the Black Hounds. While the Spirits of Huffman is a terrorist group, the group has never targeted civilians.
Dr. Mizzete Brown - Age: 48. Dr. Brown is a researcher that specializes in neural science. Dr. Brown was researching material on how the brain functions when a mysterious man asks him about how to control the brain. Dr. Brown then works on an unknown project for a period of time before he decides to quit and attempt to leave Huffman Island. Although he never discloses the details of his work, Dr. Brown deeply regrets having worked on the project.
Guri B. Orson - Age: 47. Guri Orson is a Colonel and a special operations commander for the O.C.U. Army. Guri is the supervisor for the Canyon Crows, making sure that the mercenary outfit does not cause any trouble within the O.C.U. Army. Looking for a way to reverse O.C.U.'s losing situation in the Second Huffman War, Guri recruits Roid and Ryuji to serve in the Canyon Crows unit.
Willas E. Blakewood - Age: 51. Willas is a well-known O.C.U. politician from O.C.U. Australia who looks after the Canyon Crows and closely monitors the Second Huffman War. Willas is also the father of Natalie and has tried hard to discourage her from a life in the army, but his attempts have failed. Willas works hard to ensure the Canyon Crows protect his daughter at all times.
Sakata Koichi - Age: 31. Koichi is Ryuji's older brother and the current President for Sakata Industries. Koichi is heavily involved in the Metal Worker project, which is expected to boost the company's reputation as a wanzer developer. Koichi has been targeted in attacks by the Spirits of Huffman and its leader, Gentz Weizer.
Sakata Reiji - Age: 60. Reiji is the father of Koichi and Ryuji, as well as the Chairman for Sakata Industries. Reiji desires to see the company thrive and places a great amount of faith in Koichi's Metal Worker project as a result. Reiji does not have a personal preference when it comes to expressing an interest in the victor for the Second Huffman War.
U.S.N. Scenario
Kevin Greenfield - Age: 23. Kevin is a Second Lieutenant and the leader of the B-team platoon, the Silver Lynx, for the Black Hounds in the U.S.N. Army. Kevin was born in U.S.N. America and has lived in a military environment throughout his entire childhood as his father was a former Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S.N. Army. Kevin enlisted at the age of 18 and graduated from a top military academy before applying to the special forces unit, Black Hounds. Kevin is then accepted as the B-team platoon leader after passing the qualification test, eventually meeting and falling in love with fellow Black Hounds member Maria Paredes.
Maria Paredes - Age: 26. Maria is the A-team platoon leader for the Black Hounds. Maria was born in a poor village located in U.S.N. South America. Maria was orphaned early in her childhood and was raised to be a guerrilla soldier by her parents' friend. An attack in U.S.N. America fails and Maria is placed in a high-security prison, though she is later released by Driscoll. Maria then becomes a member of the Black Hounds A-team platoon and becomes its new leader after the current one died during a military operation. Maria also makes an appearance in Front Mission 4, now working as an intelligence agent to assist La Alianza de Libertad Venezelana leader Luis Perez.
Johnny Sanders - Age: 42. Johnny is a Master Sergeant and a member of the Black Hounds in the U.S.N. Army. Johnny has an extensive amount of military experience in the U.S.N. Army and serves as a mentor to Kevin, although the two treat each other in a brotherly-like manner. Thanks to a referral from Kevin's father, Johnny was able to take the qualification test to join the Black Hounds. Johnny passes the test and is designed as the adjutant for the B-team platoon.
Matthew D. Lorenzo - Age: 22. Matthew is a Second Lieutenant and a member of the Black Hounds in the U.S.N. Army. Matthew became a member of the special forces unit a few months earlier than Kevin and Johnny due to his outstanding performance in a major U.S.N. civil conflict. While Matthew tends to get sidetracked during military operations, he proves to be a valuable asset to Kevin, the B-team platoon, and the Black Hounds in general.
Halle Fiennes - Age: 20. Halle is a Corporal for the U.S.N. Army and one of the new recruits to the Black Hounds. Halle is an expert mechanic who loves to tinker with wanzer parts and weapons when the opportunity is available. Despite her incredible knowledge of wanzer warfare and technology, Halle is not a skilled wanzer pilot by any means. Halle is good friends with Howard, who often lets her tweak and tinker with his wanzer during their free time.
Howard Wong - Age: 26. Howard is one of the new recruits to the Black Hounds and a long-range combat specialist in the U.S.N. Army. Howard enlisted in the U.S.N. Army at the age of 18 and became a wanzer pilot after graduating from a military academy, specifically as a support fire unit. Howard dislikes close-quarters combat and he tries his hardest to ensure that he never has to fight an enemy unit at close-range.
Gina - Age: 27. Gina is a Corporal and an intelligence officer in the U.S.N. Army. Gina's squadron is attacked and defeated by the Canyon Crows, though Gina survives the battle. Though she is unable to access communications and signal for help, Gina is saved by the Black Hounds' B-team when they search the battlefield for survivors. Upon making a full recovery, Gina is recruited into the B-team platoon.
Ghetta Cedric - Age: 24. Ghetta is a Corporal and member of the U.S.N. Army's elite 64th movement squadron "Hell's Wall." The Hell's Wall squad is defeated during a battle with the Canyon Crows at an O.C.U. base. While Grieg Demetrius is the only survivor by U.S.N. records, Ghetta also survived the attack. The Black Hounds's B-team finds a wounded Ghetta after intercepting an SOS signal at the same base. Ghetta is then recruited into the B-team platoon after making a full recovery.
Driscoll - Age: 28. Driscoll is a Captain and the head of the Nirvana Institute for the U.S.N. Army. Driscoll is heavily involved in the Nirvana System, a new type of weapon system being developed by the U.S.N. Driscoll is also Karen Meure's killer and the one who truly is responsible for the Larcus Incident. Driscoll pilots a unit called the Type 11DS, codenamed the "Raven".
Gail - Age: 26. Gail is the head of the Black Hounds and Director Wingar's personal assistant and reports only to him. Gail is widely regarded as one of U.S.N.'s best wanzer pilots and pilots one of the four Type 11DS "Raven" units, the other known pilot being Driscoll of the Nirvana Institute.
Patrick S. Wingar - Age: Unknown (appears to be in his 50s). Patrick Wingar is the Director of the Nirvana System, overseeing every detail that goes on about the weapons system. He does not trust anyone with information regarding the Nirvana System except Gail, who has earned his respect and trust.