EZRetro Plays

Tag: srpg

  • How Front Mission: Gun Hazard Stands Apart in the SNES Library

    How Front Mission: Gun Hazard Stands Apart in the SNES Library

    Just two days ago, I stumbled onto a game I had never given much thought to before: Front Mission: Gun Hazard. If you know me, my usual go-to SNES game with mecha and heavy action has always been Mega Man X. For me, nothing really topped that mix of speed, precision, and music. Because of that, I never really dove into titles like Assault Suits Valken (Cybernator) or other similar recommendations.

    Front mission: Gun Hazard  box art

    So what changed? Honestly, it wasn’t a review or gameplay clip that convinced me. It was the fact that the fan translation patch was done by Aeon Genesis, the same team I always trust when I want to play Super Robot Wars in English. Seeing their name tied to Gun Hazard was enough for me to fire it up on my Miyoo Mini. That decision opened the door to one of the most unique experiences I’ve had on the system.

    Gun hazard game cartridge

    Another reason I gave this game a shot is because it was a Japan-only release. And if you’re into retro emulation, you know that’s usually a big sign the game is worth trying. Back in the 90s, Japanese developers often thought their games were too hard for Western audiences, so they’d create watered-down versions for overseas release. Honestly, most of those simplified versions stripped away what made the originals shine. That’s a real shame, because Japan was putting out some of the best and most ambitious games of that era—and Gun Hazard is proof of that.

    Gameplay and Mechanics

    Some sections in the game can be played on foot instead of a wanzer

    If you asked me what genre Front Mission: Gun Hazard belongs to, I’d have a hard time sticking to just one answer. On the surface, it looks like an action platformer or an action shooter. But then you add in the ability to level up, customize weapons, and upgrade parts, and suddenly it feels like an RPG.

    Story-wise, it leans even closer to being a JRPG, with its heavy themes of politics, betrayal, and emotional storytelling. Add in the world map where you can choose missions, side missions, and paths forward, and it starts to feel like an SRPG too.

    Wanzer combat

    What we really have here is a hybrid, and a surprisingly smooth one at that. It’s action, it’s RPG, it’s strategy—all blended together in a way I haven’t seen matched, even in more modern titles. The presentation seals the deal: the background music and sound design feel richer than most SNES releases, which makes me think this was definitely not a low-budget project.

    And yes, while it shares DNA with other mecha games of the era, Gun Hazard pushes the concept much further with its RPG systems and narrative depth.

    Story and atmosphere

    My bad, the sound plays if you leave the screen on and it gives you a backstory before you play. I was so hyped I avvidentwlly pressed start and did not see this.

    Booting up the game, I noticed something unusual right away—silence. I even cranked up the volume on my Miyoo Mini, thinking maybe the sound wasn’t working. The opening text explaining the backstory had no music. The character naming screen? Still silent. Then the first cutscene started, and even up to the ambush—the one where the rocket slams in and wipes out nearly everyone—there was no full soundtrack. Just the sound of seagulls and faint notes in the background. It created this eerie calm that made the eventual explosion hit so much harder.

    Can’t get over the fact that Albert, the series protagonist looks like Christopher Lambert from the Highlander movies

    From there, the story really takes off. You play as Albert Grabner, a wanzer pilot suddenly betrayed and hunted after a coup tears apart the very unit he trusted. Branded a traitor, Albert escapes and takes on work as a mercenary, traveling the globe and getting swept into conflicts much bigger than his own survival.

    What makes Gun Hazard stand out isn’t just the “good guy vs bad guy” setup—it’s how the story dives into politics, alliances, betrayals, and moral struggles. Each mission feels alive with dialogue and character moments that push the plot forward. You’re not just blowing up enemy bases; you’re caught in a web of shifting power, trying to figure out where you really stand.

    Without giving away spoilers, I’ll just say the game doesn’t stay small. It expands from one soldier’s desperate escape into a global conspiracy that keeps escalating until the very end.

    As for the finale? Let’s just say you know you’re playing a front mission game through and through. I won’t add more to this because it’s best you guys experience it first hand to fully enjoy it.

    Replay value and personal experience

    Boss fights can be quite challenging but fun

    I’m on my third playthrough now, and I still can’t put it down.

    • The first time, I rushed through to see where the story went.
    • The second time, I focused on tweaking weapons and experimenting with different loadouts.
    • Now, on my third run, I’m slowing down, enjoying the story beats, and really letting it all sink in.

    I even tried playing it on my phone, but honestly, the button layout is perfect on the Miyoo Mini. It feels like this game was meant for that handheld. That’s where I’ve decided to keep playing it.

    Tactical map screen where you choose the missions to take, shop for weapons and upgrade s or take on side missions

    What keeps me coming back isn’t just the gameplay, but the mix of story, customization, and music. Even after finishing it, I still want to try new setups, explore missions in different orders, and revisit the world again. That’s rare for a retro title, and it’s what makes Gun Hazard such a special find.

    Closing thoughts

    Front Mission: Gun Hazard is a game I wish I had discovered years ago, but I’m glad I finally did. It’s a hidden gem that blends action, RPG depth, and storytelling in a way that feels timeless. Each playthrough offers something new, whether it’s experimenting with gear, savoring the narrative, or just soaking in the atmosphere.

    If you own a retro handheld, even a tiny one like the Miyoo Mini, this game is absolutely worth your time. It runs beautifully and feels like it was made for handheld play.

    One piece of advice: play it with headphones. The soundtrack was created by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy), Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears), Masashi Hamauzu (Final Fantasy XIII), and Junya Nakano (Final Fantasy X). That lineup alone is legendary, and the way the score blends suspense with emotional depth gives the game an atmosphere far beyond the average 16-bit title.

    If you’re looking for a new retro experience—something different in the SNES library that still feels fresh today—give Front Mission: Gun Hazard a try. Fire it up, put on some headphones, and let yourself be pulled into one of the most memorable rides the Super Famicom ever offered.

    And of course, huge thanks to Aeon Genesis. Without their fan translation, this gem might have stayed locked away in Japan forever.

  • Why I Keep Coming Back to Fire Emblem Heroes

    Why I Keep Coming Back to Fire Emblem Heroes

    There are games you play once and move on from, and then there are games you always find yourself coming back to, no matter how casually. For me, Fire Emblem Heroes falls in that second category. I don’t grind every event or chase every new unit, but even after all these years,

    I still return to it every now and then. To explain why, I need to go back a bit—back to where my connection with Fire Emblem really started.

    The spark that got me hooked

    Fire emblem 4 Genealogy of the holy war Snes box Art

    When Fire Emblem Heroes first came out back in 2017, it immediately caught my attention. I went out of my way just to find a way to download it.

    Seliph, one of the main characters in fire emblem 4 (image from fire emblem heroes)

    Being a longtime fan of the series, it felt like something I couldn’t miss out on. My history with Fire Emblem goes way back to childhood with Fire Emblem 4, which many still call one of the greatest entries in terms of story. But for me, the moment I really got invested in the franchise was during my college years.

    My college fire emblem grind

    Fire emblem the blazing blade Hector gameplay (GBA)

    I still remember sitting in my dorm room, skipping out on social gatherings, and just spending hours on my laptop running GBA Fire Emblem games through an emulator. Weekends would vanish as I replayed campaigns, mixed and matched different character supports, and dove into their backstories. That was my comfort zone—me, my desk, and the world of Fire Emblem.


    The one that almost ended it all

    Robin, female version of protagonist in fire emblem awakening (fire emblem heroes)

    Of course, I missed a few entries along the way, like Path of Radiance on the GameCube, since I never owned one. But I was always reading up on the series, watching how things were unfolding. When news spread online that Fire Emblem Awakening was in development, I followed it closely.

    What stood out to me was that this game was being built as a “make or break” moment for the franchise. The team basically poured everything into it, and in my opinion, the game is both approachable for newcomers and and exceeded expectations for old fans like myself.

    Fire emblem awakening 3ds box art

    When Awakening finally dropped on the 3DS, the reviews were incredible. Never in my life had I wanted a 3DS so badly—but being a fresh young adult, money was tight.

    Handhelds were expensive, I was just starting to work, and whatever spare cash I had usually went into my side hobby of collecting PSPs. (For the record, I had the fat PSP, the 2000, and my most painful purchase ever—the PSP 3000 that I bricked within a day trying to install custom firmware. If you know, you know.)

    Finally getting to play awakening

    Fire emblem awakening gameplay (citra emulator)

    It wasn’t until years later, when the Citra emulator became stable enough, that I finally got to play Awakening on mobile. Sure, it was laggy, it crashed a lot, and cutscenes were a gamble—but I pushed through and loved every second of it. That led me down the line to Fire Emblem Fates and Echoes, and by then, my love for the series had reignited in full.

    Enter Fire Emblem Heroes

    Fire emblem Heroes home screen

    So when Fire Emblem Heroes launched, I had to try it. The timing wasn’t great for me—I had spotty internet, and the game requires a stable connection—but even then, I was hooked. The story chapters pulled me in, and the gacha system felt surprisingly fair.

    Fire emblem heroes summon screen

    Summoning only costs 5 orbs, and if you go for a full five-pull on a banner, the cost per pull actually drops. On top of that, the game gives out free summon tickets and even first-pull freebies on banners. It never felt like it was pushing me to spend, which is rare for a mobile game (and believe me, I’ve played a lot of mobile gacha games).

    Why I’m still here after 8 years

    Fire emblem heroes map battle screen

    Now, don’t get me wrong—Heroes still has its challenges. Some maps definitely require you to know your tactics, and yes, there’s always the option to whale and max out top-tier characters. But I’ve been playing casually for over eight years now—since February 2017, without spending a single cent—and I’m still enjoying it.
    Sure, I don’t get to pick the heroes I want to have (I’m looking at you Hector) but it really doesn’t matter since I love the franchise and getting low tier side characters from the fire emblem universe is like seeing a long lost friend after he’s been gone for a long time.

    A Love letter to Fire Emblem fans

    Seliph and Marissa battle screen (Fire Emblem Heroes)

    For me, Fire Emblem Heroes feels like a love letter to fans. It celebrates the series’ history, keeps things fresh with constant updates, and yet never punishes you for just playing at your own pace.

    I don’t grind every event, I don’t chase every new banner, but I keep coming back. And honestly, I see myself playing casually until the servers shut down—or until the day I can’t pick up my phone anymore, whichever comes first.

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