Armored Core

"A Cornerstone in Mech Gaming"

I didn’t know much about mech games when I saw this, so I figured I’d give it a try. It looked really good and interesting at first glance, and sure enough, it was. This game is the first in many wonderfully compelling and awe-inspiring games made by From Software. A must-buy for anyone who likes action even the slightest bit.

Story: 8/10

Very interesting to say the least, you are neither a good guy nor a bad guy. You’re a mercenary for hire in a group of mercenaries called “The Ravens.” This game is set in the future after a war that came to be called the “Great Destruction” in which humanity was nearly wiped out. Now, they live under the surface of the Earth in a subterranean world, the surface can’t support life nearly as well as it used to. Later, “nations” no longer existed, Corporations were the only ones with power. These corporations are Chrome, Murakumo Millennium, the Guards, and Raven’s Nest. The first two corporations are the largest, and they hold a bitter competition between one another for supremacy and power. The Guards are like the world police, and finally there is the Raven’s Nest, to which you belong. You are hired for a multitude of missions, which consist of various tasks along with the main focus of your assignment. As you progress, you’ll discover the secrets behind the corporations, the world itself, and the Raven’s Nest…

Gameplay: 10/10

Simply spectacular. The controls may seem a little awkward and strange to handle at first, but after a little bit of practice you’ll get it under control. As you progress in the game, you, yourself, will become a better pilot. Your AC (Armored Core, hence the name) can do many various things. Such as jump, fly for a period of time (referred to as “boosting”) shooting up to three different weapons (all of which you can customize), and use a beam sword. There are numerous parts for your AC, allowing you to change your AC in many, many ways. Your AC consists of the head, core, arms, legs, generator, FCS, right and left hand weapons, and back weapons. With all of this, there are over 300,000 combinations. While not on a mission, you are at the Raven’s Nest. But you don’t just walk around in here. A list of options in a circle-ish pattern appear for you to choose from, they are: Missions, Shop, Garage, Ranking, Mail and System. The ranking system is a way to show how good of a pilot you are by posting your score in the top ten list for high-ranking Ravens. The better you do on missions, the higher up you go.

As a Raven, you are presented with various jobs called contracts from different clients. These clients can be anyone; the corporations, the Guards, the Nest itself and even terrorist groups. The missions are all very different from one another, some have you sneak into an enemy base and either steal or destroy something or someone, protect a certain person or thing, escort vehicles, and at times have you take out certain people (like terrorists). But be advised, you are a mercenary in a group of mercenaries. You may have to destroy your own, or they’ll come to destroy you, it’s all part of the job, as a Raven…

Graphics and Sound: 8/10

Not bad, considering this game came out in ’97. The mechs look exceptional, even the generic enemies, but especially the AC’s. Equipment looks good as well, and the attacks are quick and move fluently, though a little gritty, but that doesn’t present much of a problem. The 3-D landscapes are nice for the most part, some are good, some are just ok. They’re not the best, but they’re good enough.

The sound effects aren’t too bad either. A lot of the weapon sounds may sound the same, though. They can seem a bit dull, but you never really focus too much on sound that your or your opponent’s weapon is making, right? There is practically no music while on a mission, maybe on a few. There is music playing while your back at the menu, where you prepare for your next sortie (mission). It’s nice and fits rather well for preparation music.

Replayability: 8/10

With the numerous AC customizations, hidden parts, two player mode, this will keep you busy for a long while. Even after the game is done, you can go through again trying to use different methods, improving yourself to battle against your friends or for the next Armored Cores. This is a game more than worthy of playing again.

Overall: 9/10

You’ll be more than pleased with this game, fun and addicting. A whole new level to mech gaming.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/13/01, Updated 08/13/01