Armored Core 2: Another Age

"Brilliant"

The 5th instalment in the AC series may well be the best. If you are familiar with AC then you have an idea of the praise that intends. Graphics are beautiful, albeit almost exactly the same as AC2. The soundtrack is the familiar AC theme, and all ambient sounds are nicely realized. Although I wish From Software would use psy-trance instead of generic commercial techno, but that might just be me. The control is better than AC2 simply because of the use of analog movement. It is also the first game to use the USB modem for Ps2, so all of you loners out there can finally play with another person. Now onto the game....

Another age takes place years after Leos Klein is defeated on Mars. You begin on Earth with either a very weak AC (armored core.. or giant robot for those who are not familiar) or which ever ACs you had from AC2. Being that this game is technically an expansion of AC2 you can convert your AC2 data into AC2:AA data. There is a large map with certain areas open for missions, after completing some more areas open etc. etc. until the entire map can be accessed. AC2:AA is really more innovative with the menus than its predecessors. There are around 100 missions in this game and more than enough variety.

The main concept of this game is building your own AC from the hundreds of parts, (all from AC2 plus new ones you can unlock) and then going on missions. The missions are more plentiful and more varied than AC2, and a bit more difficult as well. Human Plus enhancements are still usable, as well as overweight ACs (once you complete the last rapture mission). To the disappointment of some there is no arena. There are arena type missions, but no arena in the normal fashion. There are also more modes than ever before including vs. split screen, vs. modem, vs. link, vs. mission, or standard 1 player.

English or Japanese spoken languages are available in the option menu, but Japanese is the only text. So for those who do not live here in Japan, it is import friendly. As to buying or renting this one... Buy it as soon as possible. It will not disappoint. It might frustrate you though with the difficulty.

So here is how I rate this game....
Graphics-10, sound-9, control-9, difficulty-9, and replay ability-9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/18/01, Updated 04/18/01