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A.P.I Review:	ARMORED CORE
Developer:	From Software	OPTIONS:	SCREENSHOTS: No.1   No.2   No.3
Distributor:	Sony	1-2 Player
Game Type:	Shoot-em-up	Memory Card
Review Date:	July 1998	Standard Joypad

Setting the Scene

With high-tech sci-fi movies like Armageddon in the theatres, why not
carry the mood over to the Playstation.  Let's take a look at one of the
latest Mech Warrior games, Armored Core.

Genre

Armored Core is a Mech Warrior arcade style action game.

Graphics

The graphics for Armored Core aren't too bad.  The opening CG FMV is
pretty cool.  The opening intro shows the complete construction of a
kick ass Mech Robot, it definitely gives you a feel for what to expect
while playing the game.  

The game proceeds through several different areas from city streets, to
underground bunkers, to oil rig type platforms.  The scenes are adequate
for the gameplay but aren't worth getting too excited over.  Everything
has a rather grainy look it, kind of like looking through a screen door.
The Mech's and the enemy robots are a little blocky but the texture
mapping is colorful and varied enough to be pleasant.  The graphics
merely serve their purpose in getting the Mech's moving around the
screen.

I should also mention that the frame rate stays at a pretty reasonable
clip in the two-player split screen mode.

Sounds and Effects

The sounds and effects aren't bad either, but like the graphics, it does
nothing to raise the bar.  The guns sound like guns and when you blow up
an enemy Mech you know it.  I did think that the Mech's movements and
the hover jets sounded pretty exceptional though.  It reminded me a lot
of the Terminator movie when, after getting repeatedly whacked all that
was left of Arnold was his metal frame.

Playability

I found Armored Core fairly difficult to get into.  In the beginning the
controls were hard to get used to.  The hover jets and full 360 degree
views make things a bit disorienting for a while.  However, you do
eventually get used to things if you play enough and the game becomes a
little bit more exciting.  Slight learning curve here.

You have the choice of playing either the standard VS mode or SCENARIO
mode.

In the Scenario mode you are a mercenary Mech performing the missions
you choose.  There are extensive pre-mission write-ups that brief you on
your mission, but after a few missions, I tended to just zip through
this part.  The basic idea is that you get paid to kill the enemy or
protect others.  Be careful though, the more damage you obtain in a
fight, the less your overall paycheck will be.  This may not sound like
a big deal but you can't buy new parts for your Mech without money.
It's your typical double-whammy.

You can upgrade everything from guns to legs to arms to cores.  If you
win enough money you can make yourself a pretty kick ass robot!  This is
a neat function that lets you customize your Mech for the mission at
hand.

The best way to use your totally upgraded Mech is in a good old
fashioned two-player brawl with a "friend".  Stalking a buddy and
putting a well placed missile right where it belongs just has that basic
satisfying element to it.

Value for Money

Armored Core is a pretty decent game.  After the initial disorientation
the controls become fairly familiar.  The game also allows you some neat
alternatives with the ability to build your own Mech and choose your own
mission.  I did find the game becoming a bit boring after a while
though.  I guess if you really aren't into Mech games, that's what
happens.  All in all Armored Core is a decent buy for the average gamer
and a really fun buy for the Mech lover.