Armored Core Review

This is a great game, and I'm not just saying that because there are
blisters on my hand from playing this game almost non-stop the last
three days.  Armored Core offers a plethora of game-playing options to
satisfy not only action gamers with sore thumbs like myself but also
simulation and strategy freaks who need a little more after that
Mechwarrior rush died out.

I don't know about you, but I've always been interested in playing
video games where I get to pilot a 10 ton robot and walk around blowing
things away with machine guns and/or guided missiles. This is my
life-long dream in real life too. Unfortunately, I never got into
Mechwarrior on the Playstation or the PC because it was just too danged
difficult to synchronize all the movements and weapons at the same
time.  In short, too complicated. Me, I'm a shoot first, ask questions
during office hours kind of guy. A Doom/Duke gamer from the heart.

However, I do like my strategy too (but not that Axis and Allies kind
of crap though). Armored Core offers the best blend yet action with
elements of strategy and preparation. This strategy is evident in two
prime portions of the game, namely adding weapons and equipment for
your mech to fit various missions, and choosing your plan of action
during those missions.

The game puts you in the role of a devil-may-care free-lance
no-holds-barred mercenary playing for keeps between giant corporations
in the future.  No, Microsoft isn't one of them. You are offered
missions to complete, and upon finishing one, you are rewarded with
bourbon and hookers. No seriously, you get cold-hard cash (which you
will exchange for bourbon and hookers, knowing you). There are over 40
missions to complete, and the game offers some non-linearity by
changing missions depending on whose side you fight for more. Also,
although you are usually offered three or four missions to choose from
at a time (less $reward == less difficult), sometimes there will be a
mission that is a bottleneck in the storyline you must fight through to
complete the game. (Like the $@#%'ing Air Cleaner mission; heaven
forfend they should make that one a little more clear cut!! But I
digress.)

Before each mission you get to suit up in your mech and choose what you
want to outfit it with. Choices include a head, the core (upper torso),
the legs, arms, arm weapons, shoulder-mounted weapons, the fire control
system (radar locking), and booster. Elements of role-playing are
evident here as you must consider the consequences of buying the
wrong equipment for the mission you are going to embark on. For
instance, it would be inappropriate to arm your mech with powerful but
slow-firing rifles when you'll most likely be facing swift flying
adversaries. Also, when facing bio-organic creatures, you're going to
be needing a head that is equipped with bio sensors so your weapons
can lock on.

During the course of the mission, you can't just charge headlong with
guns blazing. Some missions do require just quick reflexes, but others
will need some careful strategy and composure. You'll need to know your
environment and plan accordingly. The 3-D map is invaluable in this
respect.

The graphics are wonderful in this game. All I ever wanted for
Christmas was a fast frame rate, and I got it in this game. The mechs
are superbly drawn, as are the playing arenas. Some missions involve
very expansive environments that will have you wandering here and
there. The details are great too, such as the trails of smoke from
fired missiles. The sound is good, but the techno music is sometimes
inappropriate; when a mech is hunting you down, I expect more dramatic
and scary music.  The adversary AI varies in this game. I've found that
the smaller the enemy is, the more stupid it is.

The game also offers fierce two-player action via link or split
screen.  Unfortunately, you only get to choose between five available
battle fields.  This is my only major gripe in this game. All in all, a
great game.  I need to stop typing this. My thumbs are hurtiing...