Armored Core 4 (Xbox 360, 2007)

10 years ago, the first Armored Core game was released. It offered fast paced combat, plenty of customizability, and was a good game in its time. The rest of the series played out similarly, and Armored Core 4 is nothing groundbreaking for the series – though it is, in some ways, a bigger change than has been the norm.

Visuals: Once you get past the very well done introduction, the visuals of Armored Core 4 are nothing amazing. There's plenty of detail, but most Xbox 360 owners will not be amazed by this game's visuals. Some of the effects, such as laser cannon blasts, icebergs cracking, and swirling desert sands are rather nicely done, but ultimately there's nothing amazing here. I do prefer the very basic presentation (menus, etc) over more ornate systems seen in other games, though.

Overall: 7/10

Sounds: There's not a whole lot of sound effects or music, but there is some good voice acting (for once). The sounds are pretty good but a bit bland and recycled, and the music so quiet or rarely used that I hardly noticed it. The voice acting, while used sparingly and featuring only a handful of actors, is much better than that seen in most video games. Ultimately, the sounds are about as forgettable as the visuals.

Overall: 7.5/10

Controls: They take a while to get used to, but once you get comfortable, the only problem that remains is the slow aim that all console shooters suffer from. Since you can customize your controls or use the standard sets, there isn't a whole lot to say here.

Overall: 7.75/10

Gameplay: This is the only area of the game where it really excels, offering plenty of difficulty, plenty of options, a story that doesn't fall on its face, and a decent amount depth (primarily from multiplayer). Without multiplayer, the game's depth suffers, even with a Hard Mode, as normal mode can be completed in 10-15 hours. Still, it's pretty fun while it lasts.

Fans of the series may be slightly disappointed by the seemingly lacking options for parts, but there are more as the game progresses, and few throwaway parts (unlike some previous installments in the series). Ultimately, it does feel a bit thin compared to some other AC games, but the lack of quantity is made up for by the quality of each part – most of them are usable in endgame Crafts. Of course, getting to the endgame isn't easy, as almost all the missions have some degree of challenge, and some are downright difficult (and the difficulty is ramped up again for Hard Mode).

The story doesn't add much reason to play at all, acting more as a backdrop for throwing missions and special conditions at you. However, Multiplayer and online play do provide plenty of incentive to play (Armored Core 4 is the first Xbox 360 game that makes me wish I still had a Gold Membership), and the simulator missions do help to extend a normally thin single player experience.

The combat isn't radically changed from previous games, even with the addition of ubiquitous Primal Armor. Of course, that's no big deal, given that combat in the Armored Core series has always been well done. The addition of Primal Armor, a new defensive system, manages to add a little strategy to AC building and combat, which helps keep it fresh.

Ultimately, it's a fun, challenging game while it lasts – and there are ways to make it last. 8.5/10.

There's not a whole lot to say about Armored Core 4, other than that it's another solid entry in the series.