Armored Core for Answer (Playstation 3, 2008)

This is the best armored core to date. The game play is TONS more fun! You dont feel like your playing some clunky slow armored machine from some ancient outdated time anymore. The game is fast and fun. The level design is better and lots of details too. Customizing your AC has never been this in depth whatsoever. And the option of online co-op is sweet! The ONLY thing I could ask for is a two player offline co-op but the graphics would definetly have to suffer if they did that. I suggest you buy this game if you liked ANY of the other previous armored core games. If you never played armored core before, start here!

Armored Core is what it is, and always has been for the past 10+ years. The learning curve is steep, but for those willing to learn it is a satisfying mech game with a great deal of customization.

Improvements over Armored Core 4 are substantial, even if they are few in number; online play is vastly improved, textures and effects are noticeably better, and being able to team up online to take on difficult missions is a big plus. Even the menu systems are now easier to get around, and tuning is easier to maneuver. For bladers, blades have been significantly improved with new game updates released after the game came out.

Cons? the paint system is still clunky, and if you want to get all the missions you'll have to plow through the game five times! Lag online is still an issue, but given all that is happening during an online game I'm surprised it doesn't tear itself apart more often. Playing online is still very daunting even for veterans of the series, and takes some patience to get better. While there is not cheating to speak of, you will find yourself getting beaten by similar designs in 1v1 matches. Stick to team or battle royale matches if you want more variety.

Having played Armored Core since the first one back in 1997, I'm obviously a bit biased. I'm not afraid to put these games to task for not fixing what is broken, however, and after the mixed back that was Armored Core 4, I give Armored Core: for Answer a solid 8/10 overall.

fast pace game with lots of action and great robot customization the only thing i did not like is that you can't play cooperative in the same console, you can only play it online thats why i gave it 4 but the game is great

Armored Core: For Answer is probably the best in the series. It is a 3rd person mech action game with mind-blowingly deep customization options, brought stateside by Ubisoft. If you’re an AC fan definitely get this one, it you are new to the series rent it first. If you love mechs then you should probably purchase this game, as you’re almost guaranteed to love it. The customization is deep, the action is fast, and the fun factor is high. The single player game should take 8 to 10 hours to complete and there are many, many unlockables that require 2nd and 3rd play troughs. Plus there are a substantial amount of multiplayer modes and maps (1 on 1, team deathmatch, co-op, and some variations), so you’ll get your money’s worth. It is a MASSIVE improvement over AC4 with double the parts and customization options, online co-op, cooler missions, a much better interface, improved graphics, a much stronger online component, tighter/more responsive controls, fully customizable button layout, and the giant Armored Fort boss battles.

Pros:
-Fast and Fun
-Substantial Single Player and Multiplayer Offerings
-Deep Customization
-Way better than the previous AC game
-Overall very good graphics and controls

Cons:
-Steep learning curve, especially for customization and controls
-Noticeable slow down on the PS3 version
-Definitely a niche game, not for everyone
-Can become repetitive

Firstly, I only recently discovered the Armoured Core series, the best mech simulation series in existence! However, I ask you not to disdain me for it, pass me off for a ninny who doesn't know what he is talking about. I've always loved mechs and Armoured Core, as soon as I had discovered it, I knew that I could never speak of it without being biased in my opinion. You have, then, been warned, I suppose, if you care for that sort of thing; personal bias, I mean, you know.

Right, on to the review proper (gameplay is the most important part of a game, we can surely agree, and so the greater part of my critical review will be of the gameplay):

Let us consider that integral part of any game... the gameplay.
Armoured Core: For Answer in my opinion is very well designed in regards to suitability of the game to mapping of keys to the PlayStation 3 controller. You can yourself remap the keys to match your whims or also for convenience, and indeed to compete aat the higher levels of AC combat this is necessary, almost. In short, it controls very well. The ACs or NEXTs, really, themselves, are also considerably lighter, I feel, to handle, than in previous Armoured Core installments. This is in my opinion a very good thing indeed, in fact there is throughout the game and even more so when you unlock higher tier parts for your NEXTs to allow for even greater agility of movement, duration of flight, etc., a very great sense of freedom of movement, and aerial maneuvering and combat plays a much greater part than it did in previous Armoured Cores, though it was similar in Armoured Core 4, retaining as well the quick boost feature, allowing you to boost to the side immediately for a trade of energy, as much as you like. This sense of freedom and agility is even greater than in Armoured Core 4, however. Also, customisation is increased in AC:FA, and overall it is much better than AC4. The fighting is very similar to previous armoured cores concerning weaponry, but as previously stated, the much greater rate of movement changes the way in which you fight. Indeed, anything other than bipedal medium/light armour NEXTs, although heavy bipedal designs don't do too badly either, are not very viable choices. They are certainly an option, but they would never allow for as great a rate of success as a bipedal design due to the centrality of the concept of fast movement and the restrictions of other than bipedal designs (heavy weight). The implementation, as in AC4, of kojima weaponry adds, of course variety, and variety breeds amusement, and luckily that is the purpose of a video game, to amuse, perhaps to inform, but that is far off. Not in AC:FA, in any case, information of the people, subversion, no, no. Some might rue what they consider the simplification of AC, but the kojima system is a viable enough replacement for the heat system of old in my eyes.
10/10

Story
The story has never been the main focus of Armoured Core, but it is intriguing enough, and has multiple paths. I was particularly surprised, and enjoyed, one particular ending... but I will leave that for you to discover, if you so wish; I don't intend to convince you personally, oh no, oh deary me no.
7/10

Graphics
The graphics are absolutely spectacular, especially the detail on the ACs or NEXTs. A beautiful game, though most of the time you will not be able to appreciate it as you will be flying or shooting or boosting, et cetera. In any case, there is not much more to say here

Armored core for answers is my first armored core game I have ever bought because of my friends' recommendation for mecha simulation game and I was totally in love with it, this is how a mecha simulation game should be. A seamless coordination of movement that depends totally on the players. It definitely is the best mecha simulation game of all. I am being objective here since I also play gundam and it is not as good so I sell it back. The game and controls might be too difficult for a beginner, but as you play you will gradually get it and enjoy the game. The storyline is also superb. Again, if you like a robot, a mecha, and want a complete control over one, you should get this game. I will give this game 9/10 rating.

If your playing this game for the beautifully rendered landscapes you should probably fuoff and play oblivion. The button layout is fine except yeah every once in a while you run into someone. But all in all For Answer offers me what I want from an AC game: Fast Sweet Mechs.

Pros: tight controls, deep customization, giant mechs!
Cons: some slowdown, steep learning curve, no offline co-op

This is the best mech game I've ever played. Rather than list the reasons why you should buy it, I'll instead list the things that might deter you from doing so. There is some slowdown in the game, but I honestly can't hold it against the game since it has only occurred one or two times after playing through the game three times (and a couple times against some friends). There is a steep learning curve, but I got the hang of it in about a week (which isn't too bad). The real big shame here is no offline co-op, especially since co-op is advertised on the back of the case it comes in.

Gameplay: 10/10 - ACFA gets both high speed mech action and the customization just right
Graphics: 8/10 - The mechs and arms forts are great, everything else not so much
Options: 8/10 - Customizable control scheme, mech customization, online versus and co-op, and offline versus. It's got everything you want - except offline co-op
Overall: 9/10 - If you want mech action, there's none better. If you aren't, why are you looking at a review of an Armored Core game? This game isn't perfect, but if you're looking for a next-gen mech game, look no farther.

This game has so many customize able stats and out looks.
Great game, if you like gundams.
However, it is too easy once you figure out the weapon of your own.

This is the latest installment of the AC franchise. I think it is the most beautiful one to date, they seemed to have streamlined the controls to make the game a (little) more accessible to everyone but it doesnt lose it's touch to the veterans. The best new addition they have are the collosal bosses. Think of you fighting a moving skyscraper.. thats exactly how it feels. They have also added this new move called assault armour and it's best described as you using all of your particles to cause a massive explosion around yourself. But just like it sounds it comes with a price.

All in all i would only suggest this game to the AC veterans because story wise it doesnt have much to be disired and the arena matches are hella hard. I got this only only out of loyalty to the series, and i cant say that im dissappointed in the least.

p.s. MULTIPLAYER