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Ah, the Armored Core series… the games that just keep on giving, whether you want them to or not. Thankfully, the latest, Armored Core 4, is definitely a cut above the previous games in the series. Available on both next-gen systems, it cuts an explosive path of dismembered robot parts through the overly dramatic world of battling future corporations.

FROM Japan with Love

Apparently, FROM Software has finally realized that almost no one enjoys spending hours modifying the living daylights out of giant robots—except perhaps a few sun-fearing basement dwellers still living with their parents. Mostly, as it turns out, we just enjoy the simple pleasures of blowing robots to bits. Armored Core 4 does a pretty good job at exploding things, although über-pale lonely boys can take heart in that it still allows you to mod robots until the cyborg cows come home.

The pace of AC4 is also noticeably faster, which is where the true joy of the game comes in. Jump jets, speed boosts, sword swipes, and lots of missiles and bullets flying through the air all at once leads to big happy fun. Aerial maneuvers play a huge role, which adds greatly to the entertainment value. Powerful jump jets enable you to leap skyscrapers in a single bound, reach artillery gun nests on cliff tops, and just generally make the battlefield even more chaotic.

The plot, told in the usual overly dramatic overtones, takes you through 37 missions full of mechanized destruction and involves a regrettable war of corporations and political intrigue. You take the role of a mercenary used as a precision tool of extermination, and the story is told in a semi-flashback manner. Admittedly, the back story is almost transparent. You often have the opportunity to select the order of missions within a given chapter, and can buy new parts and use new schematics to alter your robot.

Customized Combat

Although the robot customization options still play a large role, the usual required tweaking has been streamlined and, to some extent, toned down. While this makes it much easier for newcomers and straight action gamers, hardcore fans will likely be disappointed. Even with the new design, modding your robot is still something of a chore, with a maze of menus and choices that are sure to overwhelm the newbie.

A bigger issue, however, is easily the mission designs. Although there are many missions—some of which are brutal—few of them last more than a few minutes. This short time span leaves the action feeling somewhat hollow. Running into a huge battle, only to suddenly find yourself automatically leaving the mission because you destroyed the key target, seems anti-climatic especially since there are usually more enemies to fight.

The controls, on the other hand, are excellent, and combat is slick and fast. Changing weapons configurations on the fly is easy, the targeting system works well, and the dual analog movement controls are responsive. Though often confusing, due to the crowded nature of the fighting, the combat in Armored Core 4 is by far the most exciting the series has seen. If the mission design were actually satisfying, the game would be far more appealing.

Core Presentations

As expected, this is easily the best-looking Armored Core game. The levels have a great sense of scope, especially during the urban missions, and while the scenery isn’t overly detailed, the maps look good. The many robot units are particularly detailed, while the array of weapon effects, explosions, and other bits of eye candy look terrific. Ironically, the Xbox 360 version supports 1080p, while the PS3 version sports a maximum resolution of 720p. For owners of 1080p sets, the Xbox 360 visuals look noticeably better, with smoother lighting, details, and effects.

However, the audio of both versions is excellent. The battle surround effects offer up impressive multi-channel explosions and enemies’ movement. Even the voice work is surprisingly well done, and the overly dramatic score is quite good.

Rounding the game out is the online play, where up to eight can compete in team-based or free for all deathmatches. It’s disappointing that Armored Core 4 only offers deathmatch variants, as co-op missions and other team games would have been much more appealing. If online play isn’t for you, there are also split-screen and system link options.

Cored and Charred

A vast improvement over other recent Armored Core games, Armored Core 4 is fast, fun, and sharp looking. Had the missions were more expansive, and the multiplayer broader, this would have been a must-buy—especially on the PS3. As it is, Armored Core 4 is the best in the series, and a decent action game.

Article by: Jason D’Aprile