Whatever reviewer said only FM fans will learn to love FM4 is wholly mistaken. I was new to the series and I love it!!!
The graphics are relativly, good though they're mechs so a lot of detwil isn't really required. the environments are traditional TBS fare, nothing really innovative here, but when it comes to customization this is where the game really shines. You will spend days working out the perfect balance and configuration for your mechs. Deep doesn't describe the system. It has depth on a whole other scale! It's fantastic. The strategy involved allows for different paths to victory so you always have freedom to determine how you're gonna get the job done. Chaining together attacks w/ other mechs on your team makes the offensive / defensive potential skyrocket!
The storyline is complex and engaging. It's geo-political of course, and is of no less consequence than avoiding global war. The story is played out by two separate mech teams on opposite side of the world fighting towards the same goal. Some of the tale is a little contrived, and clearly geared towards the bad guys being a made up version of the soviets from the cold war, but it's still fun.