Armored Core: Project Phantasma

"the 'AC' in the middle"

This game had it all. The next in line for the still active Playstation series. This is the add on to the first Armored Core game, Which lifted the bar mighty high for all other mech games to follow. As an upgrade from the first game, Comes new stuff like the addition of the arena, More parts, And some more nice extras.

Gameplay: 10/10
Its a step up from Armored Core 1 with this factor. Armored Core 1 introduced a ton of parts to customize your AC, And a bunch of missions. in Project Phantasma, You get MORE parts, MORE missions, AND a 1 player arena with 50 some opponents to challenge. The missions offer a challenge with the objectives needed to be completed, But when ever you grow tired of fighting defenseless MT's, Just go to the arena and bully some fighters in there that can actually stand to take a bullet. This game is just really fun, And it has it all.

Graphics: 8/10
Well, It has great movie graphics, And above average in game graphics, But it gets kind of...well, yucky on the screen some times. Especially in some levels where there are tons of MT's, Then the graphics get ugly. But other then that, In the arena and in most missions the graphics are great for the PS1.

Control: 9/10
How many times must i say that these controls are the same as the first game, Fit just fine, Cannot be beaten, Work perfectly for all the AC's operations, And its all at your finger tips? Well, I will be saying it for a while seeing as how this series is still alive and growing.

Sound: 8/10
Its sound, Whats to say. Its the same as Armored Core, But what else is expected. Its still the sound being used in the new games, And i expect it to be around for a while, But for a good reason.

Overall: 10/10
This game is a fun ride, will keep you playing until you finish and far beyond then, And has all thats needed/wanted by an AC fan like me. Now a days its hard to come by since its license is expired and they dont make it any more. Last time i saw it was at fun ko land for 80 bucks in crappy condition. but if you can find one, Get it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/29/01, Updated 03/03/02