Not a mech Gran Turismo.
User Rating: 8 | Armored Core 3 PS2
I've seen comparisons of this game and Gran Turismo. Although both have their bright spots, the two franchises are entirely different. ;-) Armored Core 3 expands on the AC lineage which developed a cult following after the initial PSX games (which I admit I never played) and AC2 with AC2:AA. Admittedly not much changes in the formula for AC3, but all that does is for the better. ******************************************** Gameplay - 7/10 ******************************************** This game features two primary modes of play: Mission and Arena combat. In Missions, the player is asked to perform several run-of-the-mill objectives, such as destroy this, rescue that, etc. In reward, you get money to spend on your mech (or Armored Core or AC) upgrades and parts. For the most part, these missions are tense and unsatisfying affairs. You're sent off into one with little information on what needs to be done, and the unintuitive manner in which the maps are laid out doesn't help matters. Furthermore, you pay for any damage and ammunition you depleted during your mission, which can be very frustrating indeed. (My first time through, I used a light, hovering AC with a potent Machine Gun part, with strafing around opponents being the strong point. Ammunition costs, usually higher than a severe AC repair, led me to LOSE money after missions, although I completed them. Thus, restraining myself from crying like a little schoolgirl, I was forced to start over, this time investing in "free" energy weapons.) So yeah, Missions suck. The Arena portion of the game is much more satisfying. There are no costs for repair and ammo maintenance (take a moment to sigh with relief), so all those costly TITAN missiles and back-mounted granade launchers can be taken here, no sweat. Basically, you move through the ranks by challenging other Ravens (mercenary pilots) in a set of environments. It's not very advanced from a technial standpoint, but it's a fun (and restart-happy) way to both test your AC design and rake it tons of dough. Of course, the main appeal for a game like this is in building your own Armored Core. It's great fun putting together a ballet-dancer light machine, or a thundering tank, or anything in between. Your ACs become your bestest friends. Sort of. Anyways, there are a bunch of categories to choose from - Head, Core, Arms, Legs, Generator, Radiator, Thrusters, Shoulder Weapons, Left/right arm weapons, inside-arm weapons, extentions, optional parts... I loved the customizing possiblities of Squaresoft's Front Mission 3, but this is just much deeper, much better. All items are ranked according to a detailed number of statistics, and it all comes down to a huge game of Rock-Paper-Scissors. There are no "best" parts, only ones exceeding in a particular field and weak in another. And that's good. ;-) The multiplayer capabilities of AC3 remain its best "social" feature. Split screen dueling is quite fun, as is proving the debate of whose design is better. Even better, though, is the iLink-function, doing the same thing on two TVs. Four-player LAN in a similar fassion is also possible, although unlikely. Sadly, there is no much-desired online support for AC3. Control also leaves something to be desired, a departure from the double-analog setup customary to console shooters. Another shame is not-really-analog buttons and frustrating controls for using the boost, especially when in a heavy behemoth of a tank that just won't turn, with some ******* merrily pelting you with rockets from aft. The enemy Ai is pretty good at avoiding your attacks (sometimes a little too good), and all Arena opponents feel like distinct personalities. Although your Consorts (hired friendlies for Missions) sometimes sometimes hump the walls or go off and get killed, the AI is altogether rather formidable. So, the gameplay gets an 7, because you get to draw your own icon ;-). *Gran Turismo Non-Similarilies* Bolting on biggest part isn't good idea. Physics don't exist. Build your own toy, don't mess with real-life ones. You now get to blow your opponents up. ;-) *************************************** Graphics - 8/10 *************************************** These may not be the prettiest textures or most fluid animations witnessed on the PS2, but they're bearable for all intent and purposes. ACs look sharp, contrasting with the bland, somewhat washed out background. Due to this lack in detail, the sense of scale of the huge, underground arenas is diminished somewhat. Nonetheless, weapon effects, animations, explosions, and pre-rendered sequences look sharper than AC2's. Overall this isn't a bad game graphically, it just doesn't stand out in the crowd. I don't think it's fair to give it less than an 8 in the graphics department. *Gran Turismo Non-similarities* The graphics are no longer the highlight. Shame. ********************************************** Sound - 8/10 ********************************************** Pretty good voice acting mixed with passable special effects and music makes a decent 8/10. You never really notice the sounds of this game in a negative manner. They blend in to the background and quietly add to the experience, pun intended. Dolby II is supported, although I haven't the hardware to exploit this. ********************************************** Value - 7/10 ********************************************** The game's value is decent. Although content sometimes reeks of level designers getting lazy and other development hacks, the effect altogether (specifically the well-chosen and balanced AC parts) is palpable. Behind all the fudge-filled missions, this game has a soul. Though not as lovingly composed as Gran Turismo, AC3 has had some care put into it. ********************************************* Tilt- 10/10 ******************************************** I love the limitless possiblities in AC creation, even considering all the negatives I've just pointed out. Pretty soon this game will be in the bargain bin, and if you really don't want to get AC: Nexus or wait for Niner, I recommend this game for at least a rental. I went into it knowing that it wasn't perfect, and I've ended up greatly enjoying my AC3. I'll never like it quite as much as Gran Turismo, but nonetheless kudos to From for making a decent game. ;-)
