If you watched this year's Game Awards, then you were treated to a real surprise. No, it's not the “rebel Bill Clinton” kid, but rather the announcement that From Software is hard at work on a brand-new Armored Core game. That's right, nearly a decade after Verdict Day, those giant mechs are back in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, coming sometime next year. With everybody so excited about the return of these massive robots, I was curious to see what the critics at Electronic Gaming Monthly thought of the Armored Core franchise over the years.
Now, in case you're wondering, EGM reviewed a total of nine games in the long-running franchise. That includes most of the numbered sequels, spin-offs and expansion packs that were released between 1997 and 2006. Unfortunately, they never had a chance to review a few of the more recent releases, like Armored Core V and the aforementioned Verdict Day. What we're going to do countdown the best and worst Armored Core games using Electronic Gaming Monthly's own words and scores. There's no editorializing here, we're going to focus on what the critics said back when these games first came out. Join me for this mech-building episode of EGM Ranks Armored Core.
Armored Core 4
(PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360)
#9
"Here's the thing you need to remember about Armored Core 4. The game isn't about giant mechs fighting in large, bland arenas. The game is about BUILDING giant mechs to fight in large, bland arenas. The actual fighting takes a backseat to the insanely in-depth customization of your “Next.” This is the focus of the game: Selecting, turning and modifying weapons, boosters, arms, legs, paint schemes, decals and about three dozen other parts I haven't mentioned. That being the case, it shouldn't really be much of a surprise that the bits in between – y'know, the gameplay – are awfully weak, with missions that tend to be almost comically short and simple. It should also come as no surprise that online play is little more than a simplistic way to show off and trade Nexts. But somehow, the lack of surprise doesn't improve the product any." (4.8 out of 10)
Armored Core 2: Another Age
(PlayStation 2)
#8
"It may be called Another Age, but as far as I'm concerned, Armored Core has been stuck in time ever since it appeared on the original PlayStation. They FINALLY added analog stick support (welcome to 1998), but the controls still feel clunky and slow. It gets better once you soup up your robot, but still, it's annoying. As always, building and customizing your mech down to the tiny details is great, but when that's more fun than actually taking it out into battle, we've got problems. With responsive controls like Zone of the Enders, this series could really go somewhere. As it is, Another Age is for Core heads only, and even some of them will be disappointed with more of the same." (5 out of 10)
Armored Core: Project Phantasma
(PlayStation)
#7
"This game's window of opportunity expired 18 months ago. Project Phantasma is an interesting addition for fans of its predecessor, but keep in mind that it's the console equivalent of a mission disc. There really aren't enough enhancements to warrant a new purchase, aside from the cool base elements of the game. Building up Armored Cores is fun, and the missions are fairly challenging, but if you're really interested, try renting first." (5.25 out of 10)
Armored Core: Master of Arena
(PlayStation)
#6
"Armored Core's going on almost four years now and it still holds up very well. Sure, the graphics are dated, but the gameplay has drawn such a fundamental die hard crowd that From Software has felt no need to change it. It's been a long time since we busted out the link cable, but Armored Core almost demands it. Split-screen head-to-head is fun, but ultimately a limiting experience. There's an extra disc that contains a bunch of extra mech parts and deathmatch arenas, too. The question is: Do we need another add-on pack for Armored Core?" (5.5 out of 10)
Armored Core: Nexus
(PlayStation 2)
#5
"I say, if you've played one Armored Core game, you've played them all. Nexus has the same type of boring escort and seek-and-destroy missions as its predecessors, and the controls haven't lost their clunkiness, despite mild tweaks. But the customization aspects of Nexus are still pretty cool, since assembling a decent giant robot actually requires some thought. In fact, your journey to build the world's best battle robot is probably the single greatest motivating factor for plodding through Nexus' limp single-player experience or its mildly entertaining multiplayer mode." (5.7 out of 10)
Armored Core 2
(PlayStation 2)
#4
"Would somebody please explain why From Software thought to include every conceivable tweaking option in Armored Core 2 – including linking multiplayer and the ability to craft your own decals with a USB mouse – but they left out analog stick support. It's just a little thing, ut it would go a long way toward updating gameplay that's little changed from the PlayStation One games. That said, Armored Core 2 looks extraordinary, with outstanding mech models and the fancy weapon effects fans of Macross-flavored battles love. Of course, you get the endless mech-customization options and some decent missions, but the stiff control really hurts this game's score." (5.8 out of 10)
Silent Line: Armored Core
(PlayStation 2)
#3
"Disregard the haters – the Armored Core series continues to evolve nicely. I love the increasingly vast collection of possible mech combinations and fine-tuned gameplay of each successive iteration. Also, assembling your own Cores and tailoring their colors and emblems to suit your taste is practically a game unto itself. Silent Line still offers the same rewarding (albeit sterile and linear) arena combat that series fans expect. Hopefully, From Software will infuse a little more personality into the next installment." (6.2 out of 10)
Armored Core 3
(PlayStation 2)
#2
"Although you'll initially need two brains to comprehend the controls, Armored Core's mech-maneuvering system eventually becomes fluid, just as the level of difficulty flicks up a notch. Stages are reasonably short, but there are masses of them, and completing each one without an embarrassing internal fire is the key to purchasing more dangerously over-the-top weapons. Fans of the series won't be disappointed, unless they're expecting online play – it isn't in. Only those dedicated enough to have an iLink cable, two PlayStation 2s, two copies of the game and two TVs, however, will enjoy any four-player action. Add the fact that the noise of exploding mech metal is in Dolby Surround, plus the ability to “buy” CPU wingmen for missions, and you've got yourself an addictive action-combat extravaganza." (7.5 out of 10)
Armored Core
(PlayStation)
#1
"To me, Armored Core is the happy median between the too simple Virtual On and the too complex titles like MechWarrior II and Carnage Heart. It takes arcade-style gameplay and deepens it with strategic elements, as you attempt mission after mission, configuring your mech with different parts and weapons. Its final stage is about as challenging as you can get without crossing the line over into frustrating. This is not one to miss." (8.25 out of 10)
