Union (WA). Tensions rise and with diplomatic efforts failing, the nations go to war, leading to the outbreak of the African Conflict. Plot The plot of Front Mission Alternative revolves around the Independent Mobile Assault Company (IMAC), a special joint unit of soldiers from the OCU and the SAUS led by OCU Ground Defense Force 2nd Lt Earl McCoy. The SAUS government deploys the IMAC to stop the civil conflicts in its territory and in the other blocs. Piloting a new bipedal weapons platform called the wanderwagen or WAW, the IMAC successfully quells the violence across the continent. As they travel north to support the Western African Liberation Front, the company starts encountering unknown WAWs and WAW-vehicle hybrids known as "mobile weapons" being used by terrorist forces. The EC intervenes through the deployment of an elite anti-terrorism unit, but appear to be aiding the UNAS in prolonging the war. As the IMAC starts fighting their way into UNAS territory, they uncover connections between the terrorist uprisings, civil conflicts, the true cause of the war, and how the EC factors into the situation. Characters The game's main character is Bruce Blakewood, an O.C.U. lieutenant and a member of the Independent Mobile Assault Company (IMAC) in the years 2034 to 2035. Bruce was sent to the O.A.C. to fight in the African Conflict. He is the father of Willas E. Blakewood, and the grandfather of Natalie F. Blakewood. Bruce is also referenced in Front Mission: Online. Development The game was developed at the same time as Front Mission 2. Alternative was created in order to recoup the costs of that game's development. The music of Front Mission Alternative was done by DJ Riow Arai. A preview of the game was shown off at the 1997 Tokyo Game Show. Release The game was released on December 18, 1997 in Japan for the Sony PlayStation. Front Mission Alternative sold over 160,000 copies in Japan. It was listed as number 6 on Famitsus top selling games list for the week of January 15 to the 21st in 1998. It was re-released in Japan as part of Square Enix Co., Ltd's Ultimate Hits line on October 5, 2007. The game was made available on the PlayStation Store game platform in October 2008 and was made available to those outside Japan for the first time. Reception Greg Kasavin of GameSpot praised the graphics and audio experience, but