Armored Core for Answer (Playstation 3, 2008)

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