Armored core returns with the everything the same, but if you were ever a fan of the series, this one won't disappoint.
Good changes: 5 storable AC's, lots of arena people, faster loading times, there is actually audio for the briefings.
Bad changes: ever since (i belief nexus, but it was perhaps SL where it was done away with) Human Ops, Op intensify, OP-i, whatever you want to call it was done away with, it has proved a major source of frustration. The fact that the ai and enemies have a tremendous unfair advantage over you- and im disregarding that OP-i made the game more fun- is borderline infuriating. Its been a problem in the last 2 or so versions, but its a bad change that still persists. The arena betting is another bad change. Also, they need to reinstate that Peasonalized rena from SL.
what it needs:OP-i, co-op missions, BETTER MUSIC (seriously), and a graphics update.
I've been a fan of the series for the last five years, and it is, to this day, one of my favorite series. The seventh armored core on the ps2 and technically the 4th tie in th AC3 (even though this expansion is more concerned with the storyline of nexus- ninebreaker seems to have had nothing to do with any storyline, as their is no direct allusion to it here), its just like every armored core game. And just like every other armored core game, the graphics are the same, the music is the same, the idea is the same, and so forth.
Along with nexus, this game has a plethora of material, packing in a large amount of game into one CD. There is over 75 missions, roughly 60 arena opponents, additional parts, and tuning returns. The arena, much modified (the VR arena), now has determined situations to fight in against virtual combatants, betting now thrown into the mix. First off, if you never played AC, don't start with this one. This is a bit of a fanboy edition, or at the least for compitent and versed players, so if you're interested in the series, pick up AC2, AC3, or Nexus (each is now a bargain im sure) and get aquinted first. In the last two instillations, the bosses have been much easier then the oh-my-god-i-just-pissed-myself-it's-that-hard difficulty that had been the norm throughout AC3 and prior. For better or for worse, the final boss is back to the epitome of difficult; the good part is the that the other five "final bosses" that come before become increasingly difficult, allowing you to get somewhat of an adjustment before the final boss rocks your face off. The game play is what its always been, save for a new twist: part damage. This little nuisaince is executed much better than the weapon destruction that was experimented with in SL. It adds a new dimension to the game, and ultimately rewards you for using lockless weapons such as rockets. Radiatiors isn't as much of a problem as it has been, but the nagging overheat symbol is still there.
As i said above, the graphics are bleh; they're the same as they were in AC2. They were great then, but not now. The only place where the graphics has changed are in the pre-rendered cutscenes, which are jaw droppingly fantastic. Final Fantasy quality, really. The ACs are all very detailed and well done, but the enviorments are the real let down. Also, some of the particle effects are subpar.
AC is notorious for having pulsing, abnoxious, bad electrionic music. When I heard the opening music for this game, I started to think things had taken a turn for the better. WRONG. Whereas previous installations had music that was just bland and forgetable, if marginally annoying, the music in this one is, by definition, crap. I have nothing against electronic music, there are even a few songs I enjoy, but this does not deserve to grace anyone's ears. The repetative, looping, sporadic sound gives me shivers everytime I first listen to it. After a while, you can drown it out or ignore it, but you really are better off listening to your own music with the sound muted from your T.V. I'm quite generous to give the audio a five.
Normally, this 30+ hour game (upwards of 200 hours if you enjoy tuning like me) would be a good value to begin with; it functions entirely on its own, and overall is very solid. But for a near budget price of thirty dollars (due most likely to its location on an older platform and the technicality that it is an expansion), this is a fantastic value.
I enjoy the armored core series; I enjoy tuning and perfecting my creations; I don't mind retrying missions two or three times. If you're like me, you'll love this game. If you liked the series thus far, you'll like this game. But if you're looking for an arcady, fast paced, depthless game, or you haven't liked the series before but for some reason want to try it again, don't buy this game. Rent it if you're really interested, but don't buy. It's become a bit of a cult game to be honest.