Armored Core 4 Review

 

From Software's mech series takes an average turn.

Posted by Robert Workman on Monday, March 26, 2007

Anytime a publisher/developer tries something new with a popular game brand, fans should worry. On one hand, changes could attract new players. For the same reason, those changes might alienate long-time fans. With Armored Core 4, From Software ditched some of the slow-paced strategic game play that its mech-based series is known for in favor of a more approachable arcade style.

In the game, players find themselves jetting around the globe, fighting off the remains of an evil conglomerate on a desolate planet. Enemy robots and vehicles inhabit a number of locales, from a torn-apart U.S. city to the outskirts of icy Antarctica. The player cleans house throughout each level, blasting enemies to bits while completing side objectives. The story lacks a solid foundation, but it manages to hold everything in place.

Customization offers a number of tools for gamers to play with. Not only can they set up various weapons for their left and right shoulder mounts, they can customize other details on their Nexts (the "technical" name for the robots). Building a Next from the ground up has always been a big part of the Armored Core series, and From Software has done an excellent job keeping this feature intact. However, the sub-menus could've used a better layout. Purchasing weapons becomes a hassle as the player must look up prices and other information on different screens instead of having the details all in one place to glance over. It almost resembles checking out a used car and then having to walk up ten flights of stairs to get to the dealer's office.

Once past the confusing menu system, however, getting into the game presents no troulbe. It works more on a kinetic arcade level, almost like Sega's Virtual On but with a slight focus on strategy. The ability to use Primal Armor to keep the Next's power at a steady level works great here. The boosting system also shines, with players able to perform high jumps while holding the trigger button and performing "quick bursts" that let them perform fast dashes. These come in handy for avoiding incoming attacks and setting up a defensive strike, although some players might be confused as to why the two weapons were mapped to face buttons instead of triggers. Despite the odd button-mapping, the controls work well enough.

Unfortunately, From Software changed up the game's approach a little too much. As a result, levels don't take that long to complete. In one mission, the player hunts down several enemies scattered within a city. This battle of wits should take thirty to forty-five minutes in a previous Armored Core game, but in AC4, the mission ends after five to ten minutes. While some people won't mind the faster time in completing these levels, others will be saddened by their quick conclusion.

From Software also came up a bit short with multiplayer. The game supports various online scenarios, such as one-on-one or huge team battles. Players can also go at it in a huge eight-player free-for-all against other mechs. While the frenetic battles entertain for a little while, the player has to work through the single-player campaign to unlock maps and other items for multiplayer. That may not be a big deal to some people, but the maps themselves end up too simple in design. No complex structures or hiding spots to be found here, just wide open areas to shoot and move around in. This makes multiplayer a bit shallow in comparison to other games out for the Xbox 360, with each of the battles ending too quickly.

Aside from that, the game looks and sounds great. The single-player missions boast excellent environmental and lighting details. One particular example shows the Nexts fighting it out at night, with their boosting effects and weapons lighting up the terrain. The frame rate can be problematic at times, especially with incoming attacks, but it never becomes a big deal. The sound booms with quality effects, a decent music score and some well-done voice work, despite some dry dialogue.

Armored Core 4 will leave some players torn. The new approach offers benefits, especially with the more tightened game play and slick presentation. However, it ends up being a bit too user friendly, with a vastly changed difficulty scale and uncomplicated multiplayer action. Mech fans and those seeking out an alternative to From Software's Chromehounds shouldn't hesitate to check it out. Others should rent it with caution. After all, just because a robot goes through a rebuilding doesn't necessarily make it a more efficient machine.



Final Score: 6/10