Armored Core 3

"Fun Game, Hard Missions, Poor Control"

What you should write about
So, what can you talk about in your review? Here's a quick list...

Gameplay - 7 of 10 -

I didn't like the Aim up/Aim down controls set to the L2/R2 buttons. Would have been much better with dual analog support (like TimeSplitters). The AI has much better control over their ACs than the average player does, although certain (sometimes very obvious) flaws allow the player to defeat even the top ranked arena pilot with a few pursuit missiles.

The missions in later game are VERY difficult, and you lose the ability to merely leave a mission incomplete if you fail it, a feature that cause me a few headaches. Although, the ability to hire wingmen on some missions, if not only to serve as a decoy for enemy fire, was enjoyable. The Arena was interesting, and I thought the (rather useless) feature of getting mail was slightly entertaining.

Despite how much I criticized this game, it was fun and addicting. Get some friends together to play it and do some 2 on 2 arena battles (they're good for a few laughs if nothing else...)

Story - 8 of 10 -

You are a ''Raven'' (Mech pilot mercenary, also serves as your name since none of the NPCs bother to learn it.) out for hire to any employer that makes a mission available to you. Sorta well written out, although its been done before. Also, some of the later game ''shocker'' plot twists (like the mysterious new enemy) were really easy to guess. Also, the NPC Pilots weren't really developed enough to make you care when you got mail from them.

Audio/Video - 9 of 10 -

The people that made this must have really had the graphics department well funded, and it shows. Great graphics. As for the sound, I thought it was very well done (although I've never heard a missile coming at me in real life). The voice acting was decent, but the title music killed me (never used the mute button on the TV so often in my life...)

Replayability - 6 of 10 -

Replayable once or twice to get 100% mission completion and all the parts, after that the arena and versus are the only parts you'll be playing.

To buy or to rent? -

Fans of the series should buy, others should rent first and then buy if they think its worth it.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 09/22/02, Updated 09/22/02