A review of Armored Core 2.

Game: Armored Core 2

Developer: AgeTec

Rating: Teen (For Animated Violence)

Platform: PS2

Aright then! It’s been a while since my last review of game, and I hope not to disappoint. To start off, I am coming out in the open. I am going to be a bit biased here. Why? It’s a Mech game. Plain and simple. And if you’ve known me long enough, you know how I get with giant robots. Also, I am going to be making some Gundam references and comparisons in this review. If you don’t like it, please email me. You’ll get an email back stating “And your point is? That’s what I thought. Please go stick a light bulb up your nose.” And with out further ado, on with the REVIEW OF ARMORED CORE 2!

Story

It’s been 67 years since the AC (Armored Core) conflict on Earth. (As shown in the original Armored Core, for the PS1). This time around you play once again, as a Raven, a ‘mercenary AC pilot’ who is hired out by whoever wishes to pay, take part in the conflict betweens the Corporations, each bent on ruling all of Mars for themselves. (By the way, Mars has been terraformed, so people live there now). As a Raven, the corporations hire you out to do their major dirty work. Assault a base here; recover downed cargo here, whatever. At the same time, you are ranked in the Arena, a place where Ravens can test there skills, and advance in rankings, in order to become a “Nine Breaker” aka, the Best of the best (I am currently at Rank 1…. What? I have no life.) As you progress deeper into the game, you slowly become entangled in a power struggle involving an unknown group of mechanical units, known as “Displace Units”. Suit up pilot. It’s one hell of a ride.

Graphics.

Ok. This is an older PS2 Game, so the graphics are not going to be top of the line uber pretty Gran Tursismo 4 graphics. The game however, still looks damn good. The cinematics (Especially the opening one) are very very pretty…. I mean the AC units ARE going to look blocky…Come on…THEY ARE GIANT ROBOTS! There are some times when the frame rates slows down…but this only happens on one or two missions due to crazy number of units involved (I mean…missiles, bullets, lasers ALL OVER THE PLACE). Other then that, the engine looks great.

Sound.

I’ll start right off. The sound of you using your Over Boost Propulsion is one of the coolest sounds ever. Period. It’s all high pitched when charging…and then BAM! Kinda like a sonic boom. Anyway, the sound effects are nicely done. A laser rifle sounds like a laser rifle. A machine guns sounds like well, a Machine Gun. Explosions are a tinny bit weak side, but you really don’t have time to take them in, as your always being shot at.

The computer voice in you HUD is pretty nifty. Depending on the head unit you buy (more on that in a bit), the voice is either male or female. I tend to op for the female voice…. The soundtrack is all technoish…something that helps set the mood of the battle. I don’t need some J-pop singing about love or something while the main character debates whether or not to use his laser rifle…*ahem* Coming to that, every area that you are required to read text (With the exception of mail), is done with a moderately done voice over. You can skip all of that if you want…but whatever.

Gameplay.

Ok. This is the meat and bones of the game. This is the core of my review (No pun intended.) You take control of a custom built AC (your mech) and go on missions you take in order to gain credits to buy bigger and better guns and parts.

The controls are slightly un-orthodox compared to many PS2 games…as you can’t use the analog sticks to move. You heard me right. You can’t use them to move. Instead, you use a combo of the D-pad, L and R buttons to move your mech. It feels slightly awkward at first, but soon you get used to it. Plus, in my opinion, it gives the game that true Mech feeling. No like…oh you know….a certain anime show…where it should be just freaking impossible to use a joystick to do a triple somersault….I will never understand that…ever. Period. Just…no…

Anyway, you build you AC of a vast number of components. They as follows…

Head, Core, Arms, Legs, Radiator, Generator, Inside, Extension, Back Units, Right Arm, Left Arm, and Optional Parts, and Boosters

Booster, Head, Core, Arms (You can get “gun” type arms… But I didn’t like them because you can’t carry a laser blade.), and Legs (You can get 5 types. Standard Bi-pedal, Reverse Bi-pedal (aka Bird legs), Four-legged, hover, and treads (aka things tanks use))…. Parts are self explanatory. The radiator is used to keep the heat of your AC down. Your mech will heat up when ever you are hit with a weapon other then the laser blade. And this is bad. Get to hot, and your AP (Armor Points, aka your HP, your health) goes down until you reach a certain temperature again.) The generator is used to provide your mech with energy. All the parts of the mech draw energy, and if you have too many things hooked up…or your generator does not have enough output…you can’t use it..

Extension Parts are items that attach themselves to your parts, and provide missile defense systems, add on to existing missile supplies, or energy shielding. Inside parts are items such as mines and the good stuff.

Your right arm holds your main weapon. Laser Rifles, Machine Guns, Handguns, the whole assortment of items you expect to find. Your left arm can hold your laser blade or energy shield. The Back unit is where the good ol, never-failed-me-before missiles, rockets, and the good stuff go. Plasma Cannon anyone?

The great thing about this game is the fact you can pretty much configure you mech anyway you want. Want a beastly powerhouse? Go right ahead. Want a heavy weapons whore AC? Yup. Speed Demon? Yup. The game does a good job of forcing you to try to balance your equipment. If you build a hulking monster but can’t move fast at all, you’re at risk of being picked off by much faster units. Have a speedy dude….the computer (especially in later levels) will smite you worse then those chili dogs you just ate. (That is until you get really good in your piloting skills.)

The gameplay itself takes place in the 3-D person, behind your mech. You have a HUD that displays your Armor Points (determined by what parts you equip), your energy meter (Needed for use of boosters and energy weapons), your radar, and heat meter, and ammunition counter for your weapons. Always pay attention to these things.

The game is hard. Period. Until you pretty much master the controls, and win some money, your going to be up s**t’ creek.

Overall

My review is long enough. Overall, this is an awesome mech game for anyone. However, the frame rate problems, and severe learning curve can chase many people away. It makes up for this in the what’s the word…oh….uh…”Gran Tursimso like” building of your mech and customization options.

Overall…I give Armored Core 2

A 8.5 outta 10.

-Jedi