WARNING: READ BEFORE USING YOUR PLAYSTATION®2 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. A very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light patterns or flashing lights. Exposure to certain patterns or backgrounds on a television screen or while playing video games, including games played on the PlayStation 2 console, may induce an epileptic seizure in these individuals. Certain conditions may induce previously undetected epileptic symptoms even in persons who have no history of prior seizures or epilepsy. If you, or anyone in your family, has an epileptic condition, consult your physician prior to playing. If you experience any of the following symptoms while playing a video game -- dizziness, altered vision, eye or muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary movement, or convulsions -- IMMEDIATELY discontinue use and consult your physician before resuming play. WARNING TO OWNERS OF PROJECTION TELEVISIONS: Do not connect your PlayStation 2 console to a projection TV without first consulting the user manual for your projection TV, unless it is of the LCD type. Otherwise, it may permanently damage your TV screen. USE OF UNAUTHORIZED PRODUCT: The use of software or peripherals not authorized by Sony Computer Entertainment America may damage your console and/or invalidate your warranty. Only official or licensed peripherals should be used in the controller ports or memory card slots. HANDLING YOUR PLAYSTATION 2 FORMAT DISC: · · · · · This disc is intended for use only with PlayStation 2 consoles with the NTSC U/C designation. Do not bend it, crush it or submerge it in liquids. Do not leave it in direct sunlight or near a radiator or other source of heat. Be sure to take an occasional rest break during extended play. Keep this compact disc clean. Always hold the disc by the edges and keep it in its protective case when not in use. Clean the disc with a lint-free, soft, dry cloth, wiping in straight lines from center to outer edge. Never use solvents or abrasive cleaners. CONTENTS 02 02 03 04 06 06 07 07 08 08 09 11 11 12 12 12 13 14 14 15 19 20 20 21 22 25 > GETTING STARTED > SAVING AND LOADING > BASIC CONTROLS > CAST OF CHARACTERS > BASIC GAMEPLAY > DEPLOYING UNITS > THE BATTLE SYSTEM > ACTIONS ON THE BATTLE MAP > THE COMMAND MENU > ATTACKING > BACKPACKS > THE STATUS SCREEN > STATUS DAMAGE > THE SYSTEM MENU > THE MINIMAP > THE BATTLE SCREEN > LINKS > SKILLS > VICTORY > WANZER SETUP > PILOT SETUP > WANZER SHOP > COMPUTER SHOP > THE SIMULATOR > CREDITS > LIMITED WARRANTY GETTING STARTED MEMORY CARD slot 1 MEMORY CARD slot 2 disc tray RESET button OPEN button controller port 2 controller port 1 USB connector 2 BASIC CONTROLS DUALSHOCK®2 ANALOG CONTROLLER CONFIGURATIONS L2 button L1 button R2 button R1 button 3 directional buttons left analog stick (L3 button when pushed down) button button button button right analog stick (R3 button when pushed down) Set up your PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system according to the instructions in its Instruction Manual. Make sure the MAIN POWER switch (located on the back of the console) is turned ON. Press the RESET button. When the power indicator lights up, press the OPEN button and the disc tray will open. Place the FRONT MISSION® 4 disc on the disc tray with the label side facing up. Press the OPEN button again and the disc tray will close. Attach a game controller to controller port 1. Follow on-screen instructions and refer to this manual for information on using the software. ® SELECT button ANALOG mode button START button Left analog stick Right analog stick Directional buttons button button ç button button START button SELECT button L1 button R1 button The main menu will appear after the opening demo or when the START button is pressed. NEW GAME Begin a new game LOAD Continue a previously saved game from a memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2) CONTINUE Resume a mission saved with the quicksave function from a memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2) SOUND Select stereo or monaural sound > Sound selection (stereo or monaural) only applies if you begin a new game. SAVING AND LOADING There are two ways to save your game in FRONT MISSION 4: saving during missions, and saving during intermissions or in towns. SAVE TO A SAVE FILE You can save your game in town by selecting "Save/Load" from the menu, and then selecting "Save." > A memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2) with at least 35KB of free space is required to save the game. > Up to 30 FRONT MISSION 4 save games can be saved on one memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2). SAVE TO A QUICKSAVE FILE Press the START button during missions to open the system menu. Then select "Quicksave" to save your game to the quicksave file. > A memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2) with at least 342KB of free space is required for a quicksave game. > Only one FRONT MISSION 4 quicksave file may be saved per memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2). L2 button R2 button L3 button R3 button Move cursor Move camera on battle map Move cursor / Select command Confirm command / Advance messages and dialogue displayed in windows / Speed up movement of units on battle map* / Speed up missile flight animations during battle sequences* Cancel command / Return to previous menu / Speed up cursor movement on battle map / Skip battle scenes / Skip messages and dialogue displayed in windows Toggle display of HP bars on battle map Change unit's current weapon Display system menu during missions / Skip events Display minimap during missions Cycle through targets in range on battle map / Cycle pilots in shops and during setup Move cursor to friendly unit on battle map / Change turn order of friendly units / Cycle pilots in shops and during setup Zoom out from battle map Zoom in on battle map Activate and deactivate jetpack Rotate battle map 90 degrees *See p. 12, THE SYSTEM MENU for more information. > This software does not support the vibration function. > The ANALOG mode button and red LED light are always set to ON. > This game may be incompatible with controllers other than the DUALSHOCK®2 analog controller. CAST OF CHARACTERS DARRIL Age: 32 Darril is a sergeant in the U.C.S. Army 332nd Company. Darril worked his way up the military ranks to become a promising young officer. However, his strong sense of justice--combined with an unfortunate tangle with a commanding officer--resulted in his demotion. Darril has been cynical ever since his loss of rank, and is disinterested in military matters. On the outside Darril seems light-hearted and carefree, but deep inside, he is looking for a cause he can believe in. 4 CAST OF CHARACTERS [CONT.] ELSA Age: 22 Formerly a wanzer pilot for the French Army, Elsa was recently transferred to the E.C.'s Armored Tactics Research Corps, also known as the Durandal. Honest and upbeat, Elsa has an admirable grasp of wanzer combat theory, but she understands little of the mechanical engineering behind the giant fighting machines. Still young, she has a strong sense of justice-- and is a stickler when it comes to principles. 5 RENGES Age: 35 Holding the rank of corporal, Renges is technically under Darril's command, but the two soldiers are brothers at heart. Equipped with a dry wit, Renges is continually skeptical and aloof when dealing with others. He disguises his emotions well, but when they come to the surface, he's a totally different person. CHAEFFER Age: 24 A private first class in the U.C.S. Army, Chaeffer is the youngest member of his squad. Though his age marks him as the platoon's little brother, Chaeffer's double dosage of carelessness and recklessness frequently leaves situations in tatters. Despite his class-clown demeanor, he is very compassionate towards others, and is always there to help someone in need. ZEAD Age: 45 A former British officer, Zead is the Durandal's de facto commander. With a strong military background, Zead is eternally courteous to others and hard on himself. He does not, however, demand the same rigid discipline from his colleagues; he is patient enough to accept their individuality. Zead's subordinates regard him as both a dependable leader and a kind father figure. HERMES Age: 20 Though Hermes has no military experience, his elite computer hacking skills make him a natural as the Durandal's systems engineer. Hermes is always positive and jovial, but he can be childish when arguing with those of different opinions. LATONA Age: 28 Latona is a skilled wanzer pilot and a former member of the Zaftran military. She cannot stand being looked down upon. Due to her extensive military background, she talks and behaves in a masculine way; coaxing a smile out of her is a herculean task. She is strict towards both herself and others. LUIS Age: 20 Luis is the young leader of la Alianza de Libertad Venezolana, or "The Venezuelan Freedom Alliance." He embodies the spirit of righteousness, aiding the oppressed and yielding no mercy to the dishonorable. Though just and fair, he is occasionally overcome by his sense of duty. INES Age: 20 Ines is a fellow member of la Alianza. She is also Luis's lover, and shares his passion for justice and honor, but she is better able to assess situations and act accordingly. WAGNER Age: 28 Wagner is the commander of the German Blauer Nebel Special Forces unit. Always levelheaded and calm, he speaks in a cold, uncaring manner that forever masks his true emotions. GLAESER Age: 50 Brigadier General Glaeser is a hard-line career soldier who spent his life working his way up the chain of command. He speaks to everyone in the same displeased tone. He will not tolerate slack from his subordinates, who fear nothing more than his icy wrath. BASIC GAMEPLAY The story of FRONT MISSION 4 is told through event sequences and combat missions. SELECTIONS IN EVENT MODE: Talk with other characters Buy parts and weapons from wanzer shops Buy skills and abilities from computer shops Set up wanzers Set up pilots Run battle simulator Save or load game data (see p. 20) (see p. 20) (see p. 15) (see p. 19) (see p. 20) (see p. 2) 6 THE BATTLE SYSTEM VIEWING THE BATTLE MAP Unit Data Window 2 4 5 6 3 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 13 14 1 Shop Setup 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pilot Portrait Pilot Name Unit Name Action Points Backpack Armor Weapon Type Damage Ammunition Weapon Properties Wanzer Parts' HP Experience Gauge Status Damage Level Picture of the pilot controlling the unit Name of the pilot controlling the unit Name of the pilot's wanzer Points used to perform attacks and other various actions Type of backpack equipped on wanzer Type of armor equipped on wanzer indicated by icon Type of weapon indicated by icon Damage multiplied by number of attacks Current ammo / maximum ammo Weapon damage type indicated by icon Current HP of wanzer parts, presented both numerically and as gauges Displays pilot's experience (pilot gains a level once this gauge becomes full) Displays current types of status damage induced by enemy Pilot's current level THE AP SYSTEM Event Scene Action Points (AP) dictate how many actions you can perform in one turn. Every unit must spend AP when moving or attacking. For example, moving one square costs one AP. Attacking costs a different amount of AP depending on the weapon used. When a unit runs out of AP, it can no longer move or perform any other action for the remainder of the turn. AP is restored at the beginning of each turn. AP capacity differs by pilot. To increase AP totals, upgrade your computer or purchase skill sets from computer shops. World Map Battle Map FRONT MISSION 4 alternates between the viewpoints of Elsa, a fresh recruit in the E.C.'s "Durandal" research group, and Darril, a sergeant in the U.C.S. Army. > Some event scenes feature voice, while others consist of only text. > Press the START button to skip events. ACTIONS ON THE BATTLE MAP Movement Once you select a unit, a blue grid will appear, indicating how far the selected unit can move in the current turn. Move the cursor to the unit's destination and press the button. The unit will remain stationary for a turn if you move the cursor to the current location and press the button, then select "End" from the command menu. > Your units take turns in a pre-selected order, but you may use the R1 button to select another unit if you wish to change the order. Wanzers that have completed their turns are marked with an E icon. Movement Restrictions A wanzer's mobility is limited by its currently equipped leg parts. Note that specific leg types may be required to climb certain surfaces. Jetpacks that greatly affect your mobility are available, but their performance varies by model. Several jetpacks allow you to climb to higher surfaces while sacrificing general mobility. Spending AP As a rule, moving 1 square costs 1 AP. If you are equipped with a jetpack, the jetpack's performance determines the amount of AP required to move 1 squ ...