Armored Core 2
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| Armored Core 2 | |
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| Image:Ac2 cover.jpg |
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| Developer(s) | From Software |
| Publisher(s) | Agetec |
| Aspect ratio | 480i (SDTV) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release date | JP August 3, 2000 NA October 24, 2000 EU March 23, 2001 |
| Genre(s) | Action, Third-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen |
| Input methods | DualShock 2 |
Armored Core 2 is a mecha video game in the Armored Core series.
Contents |
[edit] Storyline
Sixty-seven years after the events of the first game, Earth's second largest corporation, Zio Matrix, acquires plans for a research project on Mars, dating back before the Great Destruction. Using these plans, Zio sends a research team to Mars to begin the Terraforming Project, which causes the Martian surface and atmosphere to approximate that of Earth. Other corporations quickly learn of the project and quickly follow Zio, bringing with them the competitive environment that existed on Earth. Along with them, they bring the employ of the mercenaries of Nerves Concord.
To complete this situation, you're once again in the ranks of the Ravens. The politics don't really matter; all you care about is the money. In this already volatile situation, what other powers are at play? Tread carefully Raven. Your life is once again on the line...
[edit] Background
- Zio Matrix - The most prominent corporation on Mars, Zio Matrix earned this position after following up on long lost plans relating to the terra-forming of the planet. The company is capable of projecting a fearsome array of military might, but is usually capable of cowing other corporation's meddling with just the threat of its use.
- Emeraude - Earth's largest corporation, but the second largest so far as Martian expansion goes. Emeraude has ambitious growth aspirations and boldly seizes or creates opportunities to gain the upper hand. Emeraude is the catalyst behind many corporate conflicts.
- Balena - Balena falls a distant third behind both Zio Matrix and Emeraude with regards to corporate expansion on Mars, but maintains a firm footing by siding with neither of its competitors. In fact, the company conducts business with both, and is steadily growing.
- Earth Government - A provisional government organization established after the signing of the Isaac Treaty. Its initial focus was bringing order to the subterranean world after the Deep Earth War. Eventually, the government's attention shifted towards reestablishing human civilization on the Earth's surface and though great strides have been made, much work remains. Given the fact that most of the government's resources are put to use on the Earth, they have little sway over the situation on Mars.
- LCC (Large Scale Enterprises of the Central Committee) - The LCC is an attempt by the Earth government to establish a presence on Mars and bring order to the chaos there. A severe shortage of resources limits the LCC's influence, and what little they do have pales in comparison to that wielded by the corporations. The LCC is more or less a puppet organization with little to no control over events on Mars.
- Nerves Concord - Similar in function to the Ravens' Nest of old, the Nerves Concord acts as an intermediary between the corporations and Ravens. For providing this service, the Nerves Concord takes a commission on all transactions.
- Ravens - Mercenaries of the series, being sanctioned by the Earth Government. Your character plays the role of a Raven, and as such, is hired by corporations and led into a conflict over their independance. Ravens as a whole fell out of favor for a time following the signing of the Isaac Treaty. This situation reversed itself as circumstances on Mars deteriorated, and now their numbers are growing rapidly.
- Disorders - The collective designation given to the unmanned units discovered on Mars as Zio Matrix's continuation of terra-forming plans moved forward. They typically appear in droves, displaying insect-like behavior, and take many different forms. Wherever they are found, destruction follows in their wake.
- Frighteners - An Earth government sponsored mercenary group, intended to bolster the LCC's position on Mars and bring both the corporations and Ravens to heel. Its core members are all ex-Ravens and they're lead by Leos Klein, a "Nine Breaker."
- Nell Aulter - Nerves Concord liaison manager and the person in charge of the player’s mission assignments and communication support. Of all the operators before and after her Nell appears to be the one most genuinely concerned for the well being of her Raven client. She possesses an unusual amount of compassionate characterization in the normally cold and basic Armored Core universe.
- Leos Klein - Once an active Arena "Nine Breaker," Klein now heads the Frighteners mercenary organization. A long time pilot with ties to the original Ravens' Nest, he is an ambitious sort whose ultimate intentions remain unclear.
[edit] Gameplay
Similar to the first game, the player starts off with a basic AC and is expected to complete a trial mission which consists of destroying several MTs. Completing the mission will register the player's character with Nerves Concord, a "mediation" firm much like the Raven's Nest of the PlayStation era games. From that point on the player is relayed missions by their Nerves Concord manager and completing these missions will advance the game's storyline. The Arena from Master of Arena makes a return, allowing players to compete in matches against upwards of 57 other Ravens in order to earn more credits and new AC parts. Armored Core 2 was also the first game to introduce the Extension and Inside parts, as well as the addition of the Overboost Core.
[edit] Trivia
Hustler One, the pilot of Armored Core: Master of Arena's antagonist Nine Ball is spoofed twice in the Arena section. One of the first opponents the player can fight in the Arena is a Raven named Hustler Two who pilots Eight Ball, a marginally-upgraded starter AC painted in Nine Ball's color scheme. Hustler Two's bio says he claims to be the heir of a "legendary Raven" (alluding to Hustler One), however Master of Arena reveals that Hustler One is an AI computer program, proving his claim false through dramatic irony. The second time Hustler One is spoofed is in the emblem of the current #1 Raven in the Arena, the "Nine Breaker" Ares, who's emblem depicts a red beast breaking Hustler One's emblem, a black billiard ball.
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