What rescues Battle Network 5 from being another slight, trivial update is not so much the wacky story but their new Liberation Missions - lengthy challenges that splice their trademark battle system with turn-based tactical gameplay. While its map designs and objectives are rather plain, the sheer number of enemy units (acting more like blockades to remove via regular battles) and spawners finally allows combat to take center stage. The result is a strenuous but also enjoyable and very welcome change of pace, one that perhaps hints at BN's full potential. Some situations even alter combat (and vice-versa) in intriguing ways. For example, when surrounding oneself with units translates into a pincer attack-type struggle, or when scoring one-turn kills also clears any panels around the player. Far from a minigame, this unlikely meeting between two opposing 'styles' of tactics may be their most significant addition yet.

However, the fact that there are only six missions scattered throughout (and amid their usual dose of errands, backtracking, bland dungeons, etc. etc.) simply reaffirms the fundamental state of the series: Two good ideas trapped in the wrong game.