|
However, the in-game graphic rendering is just a slight mark above the industry's middle ground. The Vanguard Overboost adds a fun little mini-game-esque feature, and yet manages to avoid being trite by only being present in a few missions. The addition of Cooperative play makes for a whole new level of game play. This obviously could help eliminate some of the frustration that newer players may experience when they get stuck on a level. In addition to the new co-op feature AC:FA also has the ever faithful versus- with up to 8 player support. In the past, the only multiplayer feature available for Armored Core was AC VS.
An improvement for the PS3 version of the game is the inclusion of voice chat. But, above all, Armored Core has always been rewarding to play. Armored Core: For Answer certainly delivers. Graphically, FromSoftware follows tradition again by delivering unparalleled, stunning pre-rendered CGI movies. Playstation trophies are not supported (however, Xbox 360 Achievements are available in the Xbox 360 version) neither is custom music. The core concept of every Armored Core game is basic- take missions, get paid, buy parts and repeat. Chances are that if you are reading this then you have played an Armored Core game sometime in your life and it is equally likely that Armored Core 4 was not your first experience with the series. The real joy and replay factor comes in the form of clearing the AI arena and achieving S rank on all missions on both difficulty levels.
This prevents players from jumping ahead of the game.AC:FA contains 45 mission- 40 of which are co-op enabled. You do missions for money- simple enough. The only exception is AC2: Another Age- but even the very few co-op missions in that game were "co-opetition" normally ending with the best pilot standing. The game presents to you a general idea of what companies do and do not get along with one another as well as who some of the major players are and what part you play in the fate of the world when the resolution has been met. One cannot, however, join a co-op mission that you have not unlocked.
AC arena matches. As simplistic as this concept is it is truly the challenge, execution of concepts and mechanics of play that makes each game worth picking up. However, the silent protagonist (or antagonist depending on the path you choose) that you play as is a mercenary and one has to think "would a mercenary really fully understand or care about what is going on around them". The sound in AC:FA is also an improvement from AC4- especially the music. Thankfully though, this is an improvement to AC4 where surroundings were very drab and borderline monochromatic. Having a true Co-Op feature in AC:FA means not only can two experienced friends play together for fun, but a less experienced person can enlist the help of someone else in order to complete a difficult mission.
Modes such as defeat all, defeat leader, and destroy objective breathe new life and grant added interest into the classic one on one AC matches of old. Doing so grants you more parts and other tuning adjustments to make your AC better. Armored Core has always been easy to understand, frustrating to learn and difficult to master. The concept of AC:FA is classic Armored Core- take missions, buy parts, make a better AC, repeat. As aforementioned, the controls of AC:FA are a lot more responsive and fluid than AC4 which makes it much easier to play even without having to set a custom control scheme; a feature that is available if you would like to completely remap the controller- always a plus. Playing with, or against, a friend always provides replay factor to a game.
These features were introduced to the PS3 after AC:FA was released in Japan so that most likely is the presiding factor for this. AC:4A presents a story that is patchy at best. AC: FA not only takes the world that was introduced in Armored Core 4 and expounds upon it but also introduces more fluid control response and many new features.AC: 4A not only offers veterans of the series a bit of hope for the future and a good bit of challenge; it also offers new comers to the series a good place to start. Plus, for the very determined, there is the online arena ranking to conquer.As for Playstation 3 specific enhancements- AC:FA fails to deliver for the most part. The remaining five non co-op enable levels are decisive missions that directly affect the ending you will receive. Also, the new Assault Armor makes multiplayer matches even more frantic than ever before.As for the core game concepts- story, graphics, controls, concept, and replay factor, AC:FA follows the tradition with most games of the Armored Core series.
So, if you like Armored Core and your friend likes Armored Core you will both most likely be playing this game with each other quite a few times. This feature was unavailable for the PS3 version of Armored Core 4.Overall, Armored Core: For Answer is a very good game for those that enjoy the series or for those that are looking for a game that features tons of customization, a decent amount of on-line functionality, and a lot of large scale destruction.
The customization in this game is excellent and makes it easy to create sharp looking Armored Cores. I have been a fan of the Armored Core series since the Playstation One, so some may find this review to be slightly biased. I primarily purchase the Armored Core games to fill a Tech craving that I have. The game play is average, but for those who like the satisfaction of taking out home-made mechs this game is top dog. [.].
some are not so easy to do, coz they can obliterate your mech in just 3 or 4 hits. NOTE*(you will be able to pick whatever mech suits your style later thru the game). not a hardcore fan, just following my own tradition of games, same goes for ACE COMBAT and RE(Resident Evil) enough with that.5 stars - I was very stunned after playing this game for about an hour.CUSTOMIZE - Customization of your Mech is very detailed, every aspec of equipment you add to your mech required little though of making sure that its stable. after beating each one of them you will be granted with money and scheme(blue prints) of their mech.
you need to pick one out of four companies that will determine which mech you will be using. I been playing Armored Core since sony gave birth to PS1. strategy is a definite key to success.RANKING - Your not a super skilled pilot, so you start out as a nobody thru the story mode, Ranking battle is a ladder from ranked 30(lowest) to 1(best) and if you play the role of "lets stop them from living in the sky." you will be introduce to another ranking battle from 12 to 1. ONLINE CO-OP/ MULTIPLAYER - I haven't played online yet, but I heard you can exchange scheme(blue prints) play most of the story mission, or destroy your friend's hope that his mech is the best by slashing him three times. MISSIONS - depending on which mission you take and accomplished reveals your role thru the game either for "lets abandon the earth later" team or for "lets stop them from living in the sky" team.
I can't quite remember. ADDTIONAL INFO - I suggest you customize your mech for different type mission, boss battle, or ranking battles and save your scheme so you won't spend 20 minutes customizing everytime. which means if you carry a heavy right side shoulder weapon, it would be in your best interest to even the weight by adding a heavy left arm weapon, left shoulder weapon, or add a stabilizer would greatly improve the balance of your mech.STORY - at the begining of the game your a mercenary mech pilot. dont get your hopes up yet because that only means that you can make mech out of the scheme if you have the right parts or if they are for sale in the shop. BOSS BATTLE - Monstrous bosses, most of the boss are 5,000 times larger than your mech.
With that said, you mostly like need to detroy a certain area of the slow moving monster to accomplish the mission. play the game some more to unlock parts. I hope this helps
Team death matches, respawning, plenty of maps. It has its ups and downs. But that's when you change them. So building a ninja robot that uses only laser blades is actually feasible in this iteration.Multiplayer: 2 player split screen vs, 2 player lan/online coop, 2-8 player lan/online. But what sets this one apart, are the different endings. Same old same old. Its pretty depressing, but I liked it.Controls: Controls are bad, real bad. Compared to the older games, its MUCH faster.
Once you adjust them for yourself, you'll be comfortable with them and they'll become second nature.Graphics: The water is gorgeous, the AC's are gorgeous, the way the boosters send ripples of hot air out and distort the light is gorgeous. Why so many expansion packs. The emphasis this time is on flying, so you get much more boost power and endurance. If you chose the bad-guy path, you'll have the good guys trying to kill you once and for all, calling you things like murderer and animal that just knows how to kill. Also big plus for me, they give you all sorts of equipment that make it easier to laser-blade someone.
Unfortunately for ps3, not too many people play it online from what I've seen other than the Japanese. Like the armored cores, the controls are near completely customizable. I don't feel like dishing out the money for all of that, and the changes weren't really that substantial.AC:For Answer is one of my new favorites. I haven't completed all of them, but I think theres about three, depending on which missions you take for which factions. This one is probably the most fun of any of them as far as combat goes. Instead AC:FA is more psychological.
They're not just large flying statues with lots of guns anymore, they're actual animated machines with moving parts. I've played probably every other armored core out there. Action is the best, weapon selection is the best, tuning and customization is dumbed down in some respects but more complicated in others. But It is different enough from the older ones that its worth a buy.
Sorta like shadow of the colossus if you've ever played that. The environments are ghostly quiet and barren.Well this shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone whose played armored core. Boss battles are pretty epic. Environments with water are very pretty though, simply because the water looks so good.Gameplay: Its a lot of fun. I changed the fire buttons to the top bumpers like a first person shooter to make aerial combat MUCH easier. The story isn't as spacey as AC1 and AC2, and aren't really as cool with regards to alien technologies and people going mad with power to create super robots. AC has always had large bosses, but these take the cake.
Finally this.After AC2, the series really started to get dull. Maps are a lot of fun. The guns are gorgeous. But if you host a server you should have some people join. Even then not many play it online (1-4 servers at most).
First AC1, then AC1:PP, AC2, AC3, and AC:Nexus. The multiplayer is excellent. And 4vs4 is very cool. But AC:FA was definitely worth buying for myself. You go way too slow to do anything useful.
So the majority of your time will be spent horizontal boost-skating. The story of the cradles (large aircraft housing millions of people to live above the polluted atmosphere) at war with the people living on the polluted surface, is somewhat interesting. The story is about on par with the originals. If you were fine with the originals, then this shouldn't be much of a problem. Walking on your AC's legs is almost suicidal.
There just aren't any dedicated servers available, so it takes a little patience.Best armored core. I haven't played AC4, didn't catch my interest.
The only other Armored Core game I've ever played was the original and I really enjoyed it. However, things have dramatically changed since then. It's a bit overwhelming at first to try and find the right equipment for your mech and you'll tend to spend more time in the shop optimizing your mech than actually playing. You can however build pre-designed mechs once you defeat them in combat in missions or in the arena.Playing the original helped me learn the controls initially, but it can be difficult if you build a light mech meant for agility instead of a heavy tank which can take a beating.Haven't tried playing online with others in the co-op mode because I lost interest in the game pretty quick.
|
