The Let's Play Archive

Front Mission 3

by Smasher Dynamo

Part 128: Mission #60: A Waste of Everybody's Time

Mission #60: A Waste of Everybody's Time

Email Time!

Liang Hua posted:

TITLE
Hey

Hello, Kazuki.
You know the rebels
lost in Shanghai.
We're in Wuhan now.
Everyone is wounded.
I'm doing fine.
Don't worry about me.

Kwang and Commander Huang
are both gone. The rebels
will collapse soon.
I'm busy taking care of
the injured members.
I hope you're doing okay.

Awesome, so we spent something like twenty-five or so missions helping the rebels, and they still get slaughtered. Oh, and the kid we recruited to help the rebels got killed because of us too. You know how in some stories there's a character that broods about how everyone he loves gets killed because of him, even though it's usually like one guy who got killed by accident or something? Well, Kazuki may be the only character I've seen who probably should be angsting about how basically gets everyone he meets killed. And it's going to get worse from here.
: I got some mail from Liang Hua.
: How's she doing?
: It sounds pretty bleak for the rebels.
: We can't do anything about it.
: Yeah... I guess.

Sybil posted:

TITLE
In Ravnui

You thought I'd
give up so easily?
I'm in Ravnui.
I couldn't find
anything at the Orsha
lab, but Japanese
scientist told me a few things.

His name is Kazumi Kato,
an environmental engineer.

The Imaginary Number Project
was considered a failure,
like the Real Number Project
that came before it.
But it was a success.
The head of Ravnui Fund
might be an Imaginary Number.

Ravnui is keeping the Imaginary Number
Project shrouded in secrecy.
Norman Bates might also
be an Imaginary Number.
The project produced many
subjects that went insane.

He was a victim of an
experiment. Not that it
makes him innocent...

: (She hasn't changed.)

Dennis posted:

TITLE
Sybil

Sybil, I can't believe
you're in Ravnui.
Thanks for the information

about the Imaginary Number
project.
You need to stop now.

I'll handle this from
here.
You'll understand once
your case is resolved.
I'll tell you everything when
I get back to the USN
with your birthday gift.

Game, I could not care less about Dennis' girlfriend.



Back to Kumamoto!



: Now we can begin the counterattack.
: That was easy!
: The JDF is no match for us!
: Don't get cocky. Sasaki will get serious now.
: They know they can't trick us now.
: They'll use all of their forces. The damage could be insurmountable.
: So this is where the real fighting begins...
: Takiguchi, any movements?
: No. The enemy hasn't moved.
: I see...
: Let's be patient.
: I hate waiting.
: Stand by, just in case.
: The real fight begins now.
Not exactly the sort of thing you want to hear 60 missions into a game.
: The enemy is being careful now. You can use this training data for practice.
You have to leave the base to move the story forward, but the only thing you can do is go to the bar where no one has anything really new to say, so, let's dive right back into the...I want to say action, but that would be a bitter, bitter lie.



: Yes, finally! Takiguchi, explain.
: Yes, sir. Sasaki's Fukuoka, Kurume and Sasebo forces have reformed to attack. This is the attack route we have confirmed. From Sasebo, via Omuta to Kumamoto. Also, from Kurume via Omuta to Kumamoto. Lastly, from Fukuoka via Mt. Aso, then to Kumamoto.
: I see, a prong attack from Omuta and Mt. Aso.
: So, divide our forces and overwhelm us with numbers...
: What do we do? Facing such numbers is pretty risky.
: I think the enemy is pretty well tied down at Mt. Aso.
: Yes, guerilla tactics should slow them down, but not for too long.
: While they are tied down, we can smash the enemy on the highway.
: Full deployment along Route 208, then?
: No way, if we do that, the damage here will be bad.
: Why don't we use the enemy's strategy?
: The enemy's strategy??
: Earlier, the enemy landed at Omuta.
: Yes, now we do the opposite.
Because if there's one thing the enemy won't be able to counter, it the exact sort of attack the party just demonstrated how to defeat!
: We can catch the enemy in a pincer attack! Mr. Taniyama!
: Yes. You want us to keep the enemy on highway 208. You take all the juicy missions.
: I'm sorry.
: Ha ha ha, I'm just kidding. You're better suited for those missions.
: Let's divide our forces.
Why? I mean, haven't we already done that enough?
: Hey Kazuki, can I lead the Mt. Aso group?
: Sure. Why?
: Just kinda want to.
Great, this game has gone on so long that even the characters in the game are just going through the motions.
: Okay! I'm counting on you!



Yun automatically is part of Ryogo's group, though I would have put her there anyway. I also give Ryogo Jose and Dennis.
: Don't do anything rash. Come back alive.
Don't tell me what to do!
: They're serious about wiping us out. Be careful.



Deploy!



: They're just asking to get rocked!
: Aww yeah, let's go!
Awwwwwwwwwwww yeah!



Ryogo, Yun, Dennis and Jose sortie against....tanks...every enemy is a tank. Shit, this mission is all ready over.



This is the cannon tank. It can't fire if you're in melee range, so you can run and shoot at it with fear of retaliation, and then just use your shield against its cannon attack the next turn. They have no chance in hell.



This is the machine gun tank. It can fight back, but simply doesn't have enough HP to last against your wanzers, especially since it only has two sections, meaning it doesn't have much in the way of damage sinks.



There's also one semi-trailer. It has no weapons, but well, I can blow it up, so I do.



I'd show more of this mission, but, fuck, there's not much else to show. Tanks, as I've said roughly ten million times, are just not threats in Front Mission 3, and, without any support from enemy wanzers, they're just a waste of my time. Jose wins MVP



: You're the one who wanted to do this... Now quit beating around the bush and resupply. They'll be back!
: Kazuki, waste the guy in Omuta. I can't hold out much longer.
: Shut up and get moving!
: Ouch!

Next Time: I fight Kuroi...again.