Armored Core: Project Phantasma

"Nearly flawless but not quite"

Story
The story is actually quite simple.You're a pilot controlling a 100 FT robot.You may either work for the organization known as the Ravens acquiring money as you go along or you can work up a ladder of battling Armored Cores & receiving parts every so often.

Gameplay
If you played the first Armored Core & saved your game then this game will be an expansion to your previous Armored Core.Otherwise you'll start out with the worst equipment in the game which is ok because with good things comes patience.You might find the controls a bit awkward at first but it won't take you long to become an AC busting master at this game.The variation of parts,weapons & chips puts the twist on this game.Will you blow your opponent away with a laser cannon with mass explosions or will you chip the enemy away with your machine gun.It will be your choice on how you decide to customize your Robot.There is a decent amount of arenas to battle in one varying from the next.

Graphics
Now remember,Play station is no longer one of the next generation consoles.However I found the graphics of the stages,weapons & armor & so forth to be quite interesting.Its nothing to say ''wow'' or ''lets do it again'' at but the graphics will give you a good feel of the futurism & so forth in this game.

Sound
I didn't really see anything to great about the games sound.Everything element in sound was great all except for the music.It wasn't spectacular it didn't make me want to turn off the music either but that's ok because I was too busy playing the game to care any ways.

Replay Value
Is this game really worth playing again once you've beaten it.I would have to say not.The only thing that can be done with this game once its done is tease the Armored Cores in the arena but this can only keep you occupied for so long.Once you have some friends over the fun will continue but other then that,game over.

Story 9
Gameplay 9
Graphics 8
Sound 7
Replay Value 4

Is is worth the buy?Yeah but as you can see it still has some elements to be worked on.But don't let this stop you because it is still a game worth putting your time,effort & excitement into.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/16/02, Updated 03/16/02