Armored Core 2

"Don't like it? Try again!"

Ok, I first popped in AC2, didnt like it, I borrowed it from a friend along with ZOE and Onimusha, for the next 3 days, I didnt touch and cores that happened to be armored. But after a while of playing the other 2 games, or 3 including the MGS2 demo, I accidently put in AC2..... I was too lazy to change discs again, so I tried to give it another shot..... well the rest is history...

Gameplay-
Okay, first impression.... UGH! After about an hour and a half or so..... WHOA! I DID THAT!? Yeah, as many many people would agree.... it has a steep learning curve. At first the controls suck-diddly-uck. then after a while they become quite natural. The gameplay becomes from a sucky ol game to a lovely piece of work with time. That seems to be the big main issue, you have to give the game time. You will get a whole lot better, thus the game will. It doesnt force you into playing a certain way... you can personalize your fighting style much like the way you personalize your skating style in the Tony Hawk games. And the missions do seem impossible when you first start out, but as you play the game you find ways of incorporating strategy with the customization of your ACs. Usually you may have one kind of AC for taking on the many, many enemies at one time in the missions, and a whole other kind for the one on one Arena battles. Customization is the key, you customize the bot, and yourself.

Story-
Well, AC2 has a good deal of background for the characters in the Arena, but s of the story is in the missions. The story is mostly based on corporate power the wars raging between companies. You as a Raven, are a mercenary. You work for the highest bidder, or whoever you think will be a better company to work for. The plot will have mysteries unfold, and you will get into it, but not much. It does keep you wanting to see what happens next in some areas, but most areas, you wont give a flying monkey's butt about it. I do think the plot could make an interesting book.....

Graphics-
Well, the bots look good. They can look better when you mess with the colors.... which is pretty fun! The backgrounds are quite beautiful, but nothing is stand out awesome. They seem to be better graphics then most DC games, and some PS2 games. But I myself am not hooked on how good a game looks. But I do like my ACs to be stylish!

Sound-
Again, nothing awesome. The sound from battles kind of remind me of anime movies and shows. And the music is there, and its subtle. Usually the music fits the mood.

Replay-
Well, after you beat the missions.... you gotta make sure you beat the Arena, and the new Ravens the Arena gets, and then you gotta go search for AC parts in previous levels, and then you gotta make sure you can build the best darn AC in the world, with your combined skills. And then there's some more stuff. Replay enough for you?

Overall-
Awesome! Just great! Buy it.... then force your friend to buy it too! Linked battles could be awesome! So in other words, take time with it.... it's worth it... only reason it didnt get a perfect score from me is the steep learning curve, and the slow start.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/14/01, Updated 05/14/01