It you must, keep playing.
Armored Core 4, not actually the fourth, but more like the 12th installment in the Armored Core series by From Software. (Misleading indeed. Nevertheless, I suppose you could call it a "4th Generation" of Armored Core.)
ANYWAYS, ON WITH THE SHOW! (everything is on a 10 point scale, 10 being the best, and 1 being the worst.)
Controls: 8
Alright... for those of you who have played Armored Core since the dawn of time (AC1), you'll notice, the controls are very different. Now I've heard that the control schemes were actually introduced sometime around AC: Last Raven, but I missed a few games between AC3 and this one, so I'm not familiar with them. For those of you who are new to the AC series the controls aren't terribly difficult to pick up, however, thanks to some pressure sensitive booster triggers, they're a bit tough to master. (not everyone plays games with nerves and trigger fingers of steel.) For some older veterans of the series, you either like the controls or you don't. This game loses some points for controls because while type A and B and customizable configurations are allowed, From decided to exclude use of setting the gamepad buttons for use in control schemes... which some older players will prefer for movement. I think the control pad could've been used for FCS targeting selection and other hotkeys for things... so it's a shame to see the gamepad's potential not being used. On a side note... I do love the new quick boost because it opens up so many possibilities in combat... but it does need some getting used to the fact that Heavy mechs are rather nimble now...
Gameplay: 9.5
From and Sega wanted to revitalize the series? How so? Make it faster. Did they get the job done? Heck yea. This game in comparison to previous releases is MUCH FASTER. There's a lot of emphasis on speed and quick gameplay. As previously mentioned, the new Quick Boost has been added, allowing a mech to quickly boost in a direction to dodge enemy fire or position one self in an enemy's blind spot. As well, changes to the energy system allow for infinite regular boosting over surfaces, probably so those water skimming levels could be made possible (they are quite fun indeed...). Overall I would say gameplay from previous AC installments has improved, and the mech piloting doesn't feel so clumsy and cumbersome. As with previous installments, you are capable of fully customizing your mech with the weapons payload of your dreams, so long as you stay within the limits. By far, this has been Armored Core's most redeeming quality, and it never ceases to amaze me what From decides to invent next. The possibilities are incredible.
Story: 7
As with all previous Armored Core games, you play as a Raven. A mercenary Core pilot for hire, taking on all the dangerous missions and doing all the dirty work of the various corporations who are at each other's throats. There's a bit more background to this story as you play as the mercenary of a colony know as Anatolia, where a large majority of the futuristic technology you blow stuff up with was developed. The colony has long since fallen from glory and you've basically been hired to carry out the colonists' revenge upon its enemies. As well this time around, they also included a bit of story where companies have overthrown the government and rule the world by some crazy economic principles... but I'll let you, the gamers figure all that out.
Characters: 5
...well... There are a few key characters in the story, primarily yourself, the mercenary, your operator, that Emil guy who gives you orders... sorta... and a few others, however, everyone's fairly cookie cutter simple. Your character doesn't have a voice, so he/she never says anything, and those who do speak in the dialog are rather monotone. Essentially... this game is all about the mechs, so don't expect any great sort of character development or story development.
Graphics: 8
Impressive, but it could've been better. Environments are rendered nicely, and draw rates of terrain are well done. However, the terrain itself is very bland and simplistic, and most level layouts are very simple. Makes me wish that this game was PS3 exclusive, so that From and Sega could've spent some time putting that cell processor and all the video processing equipment in the PS3 to it's full use to make truly spectacular playing fields. Mech detailing on the other hand is very nicely done, as you can nearly see every little nook and cranny on your mech in game. :D Sadly... there are some parts/walls which your mech sorta clips a bit into... not a lot, and not always noticeable, but it'll have to do. Otherwise the graphics are fairly well done.
Sound: 5
Explosions? Check.
BGM? Err... I think there's like 6 different tracks in total... not really sure... >_>
They could've used a bit more music. The theme in the opening credits is nice, as are some of the mission BGMs, but nothing that stands out particularly as "appropriate for the situation" or "really great to listen to while blowing the crap out of my opponent.". Then again, I hope you didn't buy this game so you could stand around in a mission to listen to the tunes.
Replayablity: 9.5
...ONLINE AT VERY LONG LAST! The way Armored Core should be. :D
This feature would be one of the PRIME reasons I bought it. Online versus. You can play 1 on 1 matches, 2 on 2 matches, 4 on 4 matches, 4 and 8 way free for alls, ranked and not ranked. This is a definite plus. You could spend hours and hours and hours on end just building new mechs to cater to your play style, then take em up online to face the world to see who's the best. Or maybe you want to just go head to head against some friends. Well at least now you don't need to be in the same room anymore, and no split screen just to play against them! This game has a lot of replayability, thanks to FRS tuning points, the mech customizations, and online play. Definite win here.
Downsides... would be the split screen mode. I don't expect many people to actually play using split screen anymore, however, the programmers felt that they should preserve the approximate 640x480 type resolution, so the split screen mode has a lot of black space... and ultra tiny screens for gameplay... making it difficult to see much of anything, including your own Core.
Difficulty: Variable
The missions are fairly simple, and don't take long to beat. Once you clear the game for the first time, you can open up hard mode, and aim for S-ranking missions, which can be a bit of a challenge. Ultimately, the greatest challenge comes from going head to head against other human players online. However you choose to play the game pretty much determines how hard the game is for you.
Overall: I give this game a 8.5 out of 10. It's extremely fun, and I'm a huge mech fan. The gameplay has been refined so to attract a larger crowd, and I think From and Sega did the job. Personally, I've always enjoyed the mech customizing and battling against friends, so this game gets my approval, most definitely.
The reasons why this game doesn't get a perfect score in my eyes:
1. Control schemes. Not using the gamepad deters some veterans of the series, and doesn't use the full potential the controller provides for in game combat. The gamepad shouldn't be required to move the mech, and the ability to set gamepad buttons as shortcuts to certain Core functions would have been nice.
2. Very cookie cutter story. All AC games are like this. It was good back in the first game. Nowadays... it'd be nice to spice it up a bit more.
3. Online lag = doom. You can't damage squat.
4. Regulation versions. From and Sega are lagging behind a bit in updating the American server side to catch up to the Japanese servers... so some balancing issues have yet to be resolved. Fortunately, they can actually BE RESOLVED. :D
5. The music could be more... varied. Not a huge deal.
Buy or Rent: Buy. This game is way too long and in-depth to fully enjoy for just a weekend rental. However, if you're just trying the game out, renting is a good idea as the game doesn't cater to every gamer.