Girls' Frontline is a moe anthropomorphism game in which the player controls of android characters, known in-game as "T-Dolls" or "Tactical Dolls", each of which represents a real-world firearm. The player plays as a newly recruited commander of an area who commands the T-Dolls in battle, and organises the echelons as well as the T-Dolls' wellbeing. Battles are a mix of turn-based strategy puzzles on a set map with enemies that can move about, random item nodes and heliports/command nodes, from which the player can summon their own echelons, or support echelons, which are echelons that the player's friend sets on their profile to be used by others, and real-time battles with enemy echelons. Battles are for the most part automated, although the player can activate the T-Dolls' special abilities manually if wanted, or order them to different spots in formation (which the player can organise out of battle to be set as the default formation when entering a battle) or to withdraw in order to conserve health or resources). Players also have the option of withdrawing specific echelons from the mission altogether if they wish. Gameplay progresses by playing on the campaign missions, logistic support missions, or combat simulations to level up each T-Doll. The game also features gacha elements, such as in the production and heavy production of T-Dolls and equipment, or in the Dormitory with costumes and furniture sets for the T-Dolls on a time-limited basis with several sets and costumes being available for a limited time, before another few sets and costumes are revealed and added. After a while, old costumes from previous gacha events will be added to the "Black Card" store, where players can exchange an amount of Black Cards (obtained from gifting T-Dolls a duplicate costume that has already been gifted before) for a costume of a previous gacha set. Players can customise their dorms with furniture, and interact with Chibi renditions of the T-Dolls in the echelon corresponding with that dorm. They can also gift the T-Dolls food and costume, which raises the affection of the T-Dolls. Affection is also gained from success in battle, and is lost when the T-Dolls die (unless it is a boss battle) or when another T-Doll in the same echelon dies.
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Yeah sure there's a gacha element to it, as in allocating your in-game resources to get characters with a "gacha" system. The in-game resources of which, can only be acquired through playing the game. And a paid skin gacha system that's entirely cosmetic. But that's kinda about it.
By nature, GFL is a team-building, strategic, turn-based RPG, where you build your teams (uhhuh), strategise (yeah), and base your turns! (wow). Jokes aside, the game-play itself is very complex so I'll try my best to keep it short.
Every character is split into 6 different classes that can be assembled into echelons with 3x3 grid formations, each classes will buff certain classes, and those certain classes will buff other certain classes. Those echelons can then be deployed across a map of linked nodes, where you'll direct them to complete a predetermined mission. Some nodes will have enemies occupying them, strategise and setup specific comps in order to win against them in a combat sequence. Those combat sequences themselves will also be where you struggle the most, scratching your head trying to figure out a way to win.
After winning each round, you'll be awarded with (drumroll please) the story! Which is also the heart and soul of this game, yeah I'm not kidding, a gacha game story. I won't spoil it, mainly because I'm lazy and this review is getting too long. But if you decide to get into the game, you'll understand immediately why so many people stick with this horribly niche game despite everything. Or you could just look it up, on you really.
The music is amazing, yeah, I don't really know what to add. Done by Vanguard Sound Studio, this game has some of my favourite tracks, uh, ever.
This game has a lot going for it despite its age, but if it was a perfect game, I wouldn't have given it a 3.5 star review.
Bogged down by a very difficult and complex combat system (seriously, if it wasn't an issue I wouldn't have given it a whole segment, and that wasn't even everything), laggy gameplay and UI navigation due to remnants of spaghetti code, a very slow start for the story, and "gacha" if you're one of those people, this game... definitely isn't for everybody, and I won't dissuade you if decide not to try this game out. But it you're a gun nut, an anime women lover, or that you like reading your friend's OC loredumps and worldbuilding on discord? Hey! What the heck! This game is free, just give it a try.
Wait... I have been informed that this game is a hidden money laundering scheme due to how this game is still floating around despite the little profit it generates... I'm- I'm sure it's fine. Yeah.
At the end of the day, 416 is all you need.
Now i am just watching the story on youtube
Best & Most F2P Gacha ever btw.