Armored Core: For Answer

Armored Core: For Answer

North American cover art
Developer(s) From Software
Publisher(s)
Composer(s) Kota Hoshino
Series Armored Core
Platform(s) PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Release date(s)
  • JP March 19, 2008
  • NA September 16, 2008
  • EU October 3, 2008
  • AUS November 20, 2008
Genre(s) Vehicular combat game
Mode(s) Single player
Multiplayer
Online co-op
Rating(s)
Media/distribution Blu-ray Disc (PlayStation 3)
DVD (Xbox 360)

Armored Core: For Answer is a 2008 3D mecha-based video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 developed by From Software and published by From Software in Japan and Ubisoft internationally. It is the 13th installment of From Software's Armored Core series. Armored Core: For Answer is the sequel to Armored Core 4, and takes place around ten years later. It was released in Japan on March 19, 2008, in North America on September 16, 2008 and in Europe on October 3, 2008.

Contents

Gameplay

AC customization has been changed from the previous Armored Core title, with a new interface and many new parts not found in Armored Core 4. Online mode returns with a new co-operative mode alongside the player versus mode. Gameplay enhancements included a power increase for both Quick Boost and Over Boost, as well as an auxiliary high speed booster known as Vanguard Over Booster (VOB). Another new feature in the game is the Assault Armor attack that becomes available by equipping certain OB parts. This attack uses up all available Primal Armor that the AC has and generates a huge blast consisting of Kojima (highly reactive particles) that destroys or damages all objects surrounding the AC. However, this also leaves the AC vulnerable because not only will the AC lose its PA, it will also not regenerate for a few seconds. Laser blades are deadlier because of the revamped laser blade attack. Once the blade has acquired a lock-on, the AC will instantly rush to the target, traveling a great distance to use the laser blade. All parts carried over from the previous game have had their parameters altered, much like the transition between previous series installments Silent Line and Nexus. The on-screen HUD can now be changed to any of 20 colors. There are now 442 FRS tuning points available to unlock, which is an increase from the 300 (PS3) and 337 (XBOX360) FRS points available in AC4. Maps are much larger and more detailed including environment damage such as collapsing buildings. The game is also the second in the series (after Last Raven) to feature multiple endings, with three different possible plot branches available depending on your actions and decisions in the game.

The North American Xbox 360 edition of For Answer was released advertising both online and off-line (local) cooperative play on the packaging, but as of early October, there has been no off-line cooperative option accessible in game, nor comment from Ubisoft or From Software.

Plot

The planet is in a decrepit and decaying state. Pollution from not only human habitation, but from the hazardous waste given off by Kojima particles released during the LYNX War, has caused the surface of the earth to become virtually inhospitable. The remaining corporations from the Pax Economica formed a new group called "The League of Ruling Companies" or "The League" for short. In desperate need of a solution, they build airborne habitats called "Cradles" to house a majority of the populace - safeguarding them from the contaminated surface below. Some however, are forced to live on the surface. A few NEXT pilots have learned of the corporations' dark secrets and formed the rebel group known as ORCA to wage war against the League. Piloting the cutting-edge Armored Cores known as NEXTs, the player is thrust into the middle of the conflict between the corporations and ORCA. Each faction now controls super weapons known as "Arms Forts" that the player must battle against.

Background

Ten years have passed since the National Dismantlement War, and five years since the LYNX War. The League of Ruling Companies has taken over the world. To escape the pollution that poisons the surface of the planet, the League has built massive floating platforms (as mentioned earlier) called Cradles. Only there, 7,000 meters (4.35 miles) above the ground, where the air is still clean and safe. Already, half of humankind lives in the skies. The planet's surface has become a battlefield, where armies fight to control the resource plants that feed the Cradles.

As the LYNX War came to a close, NEXTs enabled the League to firmly establish its rule of the planet. NEXT pilots (established in the previous title) are called LYNX. Fearing the power and independence of these NEXTs, the League left them behind on the surface. The LYNX now work as mercenaries for an organization called Collared.

Factions

Corporate elements

Opposing Factions

Characters

LYNX

Line Ark/ORCA LYNX/
Corporate LYNX

Operators

Arms Forts

Large-scale weapons created by the Companies to replace NEXTs in military operations as well as keeping each company in The League in a state of checks and balances. They are many times larger and much more powerful than any single NEXT is, and are usually deployed in matters where a NEXT is neither available nor sufficient.

Heavy armor is used to protect its core. However to reduce its weight this AF only used standard armor for its outer shell, and its large "wings" housing the main HI Laser batteries are vulnerable to attacks . Appears in "Defeat AF Answerer"

Reception

 Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings 360: 65.74%[1]
(Based on 20 reviews)

PS3: 66.23%[2]
(Based on 21 reviews)

Metacritic 360: 64/100[3]
(Based on 22 reviews)

PS3: 62/100[4]
(Based on 22 reviews)

Review scores
Publication Score
1UP.com 7.0/10
Game Informer 6.25/10[5]
GameSpot 7.0/10
IGN 8.0/10 (360)[6]

7.8/10 (PS3)[7]

Official Xbox Magazine 5.5/10
TeamXbox 6.1[8]

Armored Core: For Answer received generally mixed reviews. The scores tended to be about the same or a little lower than those for Armored Core 4.[9][10] (with exceptions, such as IGN, who scored the game considerably higher than AC4)[11][12][13] One of the most consistent complaints among reviewers seemed to be the lack of any sort of online community. Kevin Van Ord of GameSpot stated in his review that there were "fewer than a dozen [players on] Xbox Live" when he tried to playtest the game, and that similar attempts to find a game on PlayStation Network yielded "just a single opponent".[14] The graphics were also generally criticized, with many reviewers describing the environments as bland and unappealing, although both the NEXT and Arms Fort designs were praised. Additionally, most reviewers noted that the PS3 version had framerate issues during particularly intense sections (such as the Spirit of Motherwill battle), while the 360 version had no such problems. Controls were typically praised for being fairly fluid, while mech customization was similarly praised for being deep but easy to use. Arms Fort missions and NEXT vs. NEXT battles were generally praised for being intense and fun to play, although more typical missions tended to be criticized for being bland and boring.

References

External links