Continuity Lock-Out: Every canon video game entry are continuations of unresolved stories from the previous one chronologically. This is because the franchise tells its story like a TV serial: the standalone stories (for newcomers) often interconnect with other ones and tie back to a larger overarching storyline (for fans). Front Mission 2089 leads into 2089-II, 2089-II leads into 1st, 1st leads into 4 and 2, 2 leads into 3, and so on for an 80-20 split between the standalone and on-going stories. Most evident in 5, which is a 50-50 split, but really requires having played all of the previous titles to truly understand. Also very evident in the 70+ characters that show up in at least two or more of the games, some showing up as many as five times (Royd Clive from 1st, Morgan Bernard and Glen Duval from 5, etc.). Oh, and add in the other Front Mission media which only adds to this, and it becomes quite obvious that this is one of those things you REALLY have to get into, or don't even bother trying! This does not apply to Gun Hazard (which takes place in a completely different universe) and Evolved (which is a reboot story-wise).
Melee users in 1st can learn Melee Skills like First (gives you a chance to strike first, even if your opponent is using Short weapons), Stun (chance to keep an opponent from being able to do anything), and Double (allows you to strike again with your other arm). Anyone with all three skills can wreck major havoc on the battlefield.
Short-range users in 1st are equally as broken as they can learn Duel (lets you choose which part to attack directly), Speed (adds an extra bullet attack when using multi-hit weapons), and Switch (see Double). Anyone with all three skills can outright demolish an enemy unit, even boss units, from full health to absolutely nothing!
This passes through into 3 as well, where incredibly skilled or lucky wanzer pilots could let off two to as many as six attacks through Skill Chains. There Is No Kill Like Overkill.
And that's not even counting the Hoshun Mk. 112, which packs not only the instant-death skill "Body Smash", but also a particle cannon whose damage type can't be defended against and whose ridiculous AP cost can be mitigated by using one of two "double attack" abilities to have it follow up a cheaper lead-in.
Most Wonderful Sound: In 3 onwards, the skill activation sound... especially when it's in a chain.
Scrappy Weapon: The Raptor MG, which has appeared in two games, stands out as being a fairly poor beginner-tier weapon that suffers from bad accuracy and low damage output.
