PlayStation 2

Armored Core 2

Despite the somewhat niggling flaws, Armored Core 2 simply amazes. Out-of-this-world customization, great gameplay and tons of depth place Armored Core 2 atop the current list of PS2 games. Even if you're not a fan of Robotech, Gundam or any other mech-based anime, this is a must-have.

Armored Core 2 gears up on the PlayStation 2 featuring solid gameplay, a story that unfolds according to the gamer's decisions, and more tweaks and customizations for your robot than you can imagine.

Armored Core 2 is still basically the same deal as its PS-X precursors, but From Software has added a fantastic new look and enough new part types and tweaks to take the game to a new level. For the most part, the old weapons and body parts are all in the game in similar forms. However, a new leg type specifically made for flight has been added, and there are now a host of defensive options. Laser swords can be traded for shields that reduce damage from frontal hits. Other defensive devices include anti-missile rockets, ECM jammers, and weapons that temporarily disable your opponents’ targeting systems. There isn’t enough space to go on about how cool AC 2 is. If you like mecha, upgrades, and explosions, this is the first game you should buy for your shiny new PS2.

Although it performs much better than the PSX version, looks much nicer, and has the same consistent gameplay, there is nothing new and enticing for the player to do inside the game. Still, even with those small drawbacks, Armored Core 2 remains one of my favorites and one I’d definitely recommend to future PS2 players.

Man braucht ein wenig Zeit, um die Qualitäten zu schätzen, die Armored Core 2 im spielerischen Bereich besitzt. Viele werden sich vielleicht angesichts des vergleichsweise langsamen Kampfverlaufs von AC2 doch für den momentan direkten Mech-Konkurrenten Zone of The Enders entscheiden. Doch kaum ein anderes Konsolen-Mech-Spiel kann mit einer derart detailverliebten Kampfroboter-Grafik aufwarten. Addiert man noch die gute Soundkulisse und die fast unendlichen Möglichkeit des Mech-Designs, werden nicht nur Hardcore-Mech-Zocker an AC2 gefallen finden. Nur, wie gesagt, ein bisschen Zeit muss man schon mitbringen.

Overall this game is one I suggest you buy, its much like the first and much better than the first one. You will like this game if you like mech games, this is one of the best mech games ever made. I hope you have fun with it.

Two hundred years into the future and 70 years after the last Armored Core, From Software's Armored Core 2 picks up where the previous sequels left off: a world in ruin, humankind struggling to survive, and order on the brink of chaos. In this release, you'll assume the role of a Raven, a highly skilled mercenary for hire. Your tool of the trade: a ten-ton mech kitted out with a wide variety of rifles, missiles, radar units, explosives, and other destructive devices. Three dueling factions, the Zio Corporation, the LCC, and the Emeraude Corporation are vying for total control of the Mars Development Project. However, each of these groups lacks the resources to topple the others. Thus, across 30 missions, many of which are optional, each will hire you to do its dirty work. As for who wins, that's up to you.

Fans of the series will certainly recognize all of this and enjoy it, even though Another Age lost its single distinguishing feature – online mode. It's just too bad Another Age's status as a stopgap sequel will once again keep the genre from spreading its fun to gamers everywhere.

All in all, this game is more of the same. And whether or not that's cool is entirely up to you. As for me...well, I guess it's okay. I'm still kind of dissapointed, and hoping that From Software comes up with something newer for their next title.

Those problems, however, can be overcome with patience and replay, and while that might be an annoying facet, they don't serve to ruin the experience. The whole package makes the game more than worth it, especially for fans of both the series and the genre.

Det finns ett par parametrar som gör att Armored Core 2 inte lyckas klättra upp högre på betygsskalan. Dels är det ett par metodiskt monotona inslag som vissa uppdrag och strider, samt en viss opersonlig touch i spelets atmosfär. Bitvis känns det väldigt dött i den här virtuella världen. Spelkontrollen är en annan bit som kan leda till irritation. Efter att ha hårdspelat i ett par timmar blir det lättare, men därmed inte sagt att den är lyckad. I spel av den här sorten måste det vara enkelt och receptivt och jag tror att många där ute kommer att avskräckas efter att ha testat spelet en timme eller så. Vilket leder till att en summering av Armored Core 2 är att det är kul med svårt att ta till sig.

Un titre correct mais décevant à de nombreux points de vue. Dommage que la maniabilité discutable fasse baisser le bon niveau de gameplay dont pouvait se prévaloir ce soft. Les amateurs du genre y trouveront probablement leur compte alors que les autres auront sans doute du mal à être convaincus.

It's a tough life being a Mech but it beats being a Transformer; with kids chewing on you all the time, parents stepping on you while you're trying to take a nap at the top of the stairs and the concentration camp called a toy box where you eventually end up with other dismembered and disfigured figures. With such impressive graphics, sound and gameplay it will be a long time before AC2 is relegated to the toy box, just be sure that you know that it's basically the same game(s) you've played before on the PSX.

Mi-simulation, mi-arcade de bourrin, Armored Core 2 pêche par une maniabilité lourde et complexe. Mais il se rattrape habilement grâce à sa réalisation très honorable et à son système de customisation très poussé. Certains adoreront, d'autres détesteront.

Regardless of all the superficial trimmings though, the core of the game (no pun intended) remains flawed. The ideas were there, that much is certain, but for whatever reason the game lost its footing. The final result is that of an overtly hyped title that patently failed to deliver. Unless you are a die-hard fan of the series, judiciously avoid.

Enemies tend to run circles around you, and turning your mech around is painfully slow. But wait - it gets worse! When you fail a mission, you actually lose credits, and you'll soon find yourself knee-deep in debt. There's no "restart" option, unless you want to go through the reload process, that is. Another irritant is the fact that you cannot skip through all of the mission text, which is absolute torture when you have to repeat a mission. Armored Core 2 is simply a bad game. Save your money!