Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Full Metal Panic! Fight: Who Dares Wins
Developer: BB Studio Inc
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
Price: $89.90 (SGD)
Genre: Simulation RPG
Considering the timing, the release of Full Metal Panic! Fight: Who Dares Wins was clearly meant to coincide with the broadcast of FMP! Invisible Victory in the middle of the year. The juxtaposition is justified, to be sure: It shares principal story elements with the fourth television series of the popular anime franchise. Ditto with the treatment and presentation; gamers are thrust in the middle of the narrative, with developer B.B. Studio assuming that they: 1) already possess ample knowledge to follow it; 2) figure to be satisfied with the modicum of information conveyed via the optional tutorial missions, and/or 3) look to arm themselves with background material through appropriate research.
The assumption isn’t unreasonable. Given the intrinsic pull of the Full Metal Panic! series, Bandai Namco likely figured that Fight: Who Dares Wins would be able to lean on a core set of gamers — including those familiar with mechanics employed in Super Robot Wars —from the outset. Concomitantly, it may well have conceded the title’s limited appeal outside of the captive market, hence its decision to eschew exposition that would have otherwise enticed newcomers.
Which is too bad, really, because at the heart of Fight: Who Dares Wins is an intriguing storyline. As with Invisible Victory, it follows the exploits of Kaname Chidori, a municipal high school student with “whispered” capacities that grant her comprehension of future applied sciences. By her side is undercover agent Sousuke Sagara of Mithril, a private anti-terrorist entity resolved to protect her from elements keen on exploiting her abilities. In particular, they stand against Amalgam, promoter of dubious ideologies and employer of other Whispered in furtherance of black technologies.
In this regard, it bears noting that turns are determined by distinct agility attributes of individual mecha and not simply alternating between sides. At the same time, players need to choose between movement and attack on any given turn. During combat, they’re given the option to choose what part of the body to target; heads, arms, and legs have unique hit points, as opposed to overall hit points, allowing for easier attainment of specific mission objectives. In the latter stages of the game, however, any strategizing goes out the window. Against bosses, especially, aiming for the body becomes expedient and even necessary.
The good news is that Fight: Who Dares Wins possesses a soundtrack that stays faithful to its source material from start to finish. In no small measure, it’s propped up by excellent Japanese voice acting (with an equally remarkable effort to translate the dialogue in English). Parenthetically, the music makes full use of the Full Metal Panic! license, resulting in strengthened ties with Invisible Victory. The resulting mix is nothing short of pleasing to the senses, and adds to the intent of getting players invested in the story arc.
By design, Fight: Who Dares Wins is a niche title catered precisely to wow followers of the Full Metal Panic! franchise. And to this end, it does its job well. While short for a release in the tactical role-playing-game genre, it’s a competent companion piece to Invisible Victory and opens the door to better-planned and -integrated offerings across any number of media.
THE GOOD
- Uses the Invisible Victory storyline as foundation
- Incorporates Super Robot Wars elements in the gameplay
- Outstanding voice acting and localization
- Soundtrack faithful to source material
THE BAD
- Graphics a mixed bag
- Difficulty reaches extremes late in the game
- Menus serviceable but not intuitive or user-friendly
- Maps show bland terrains that tamp down importance of tactical positioning
RATING: 7/10
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