Yet another under appreciated Armored Core game.
Armored Core: Nexus comes with two discs. The first, Evolution, has the storyline that I described above and plays like a traditional AC game with new parts, missions, and features. The gameplay is the same as other AC games, with you as a Raven who takes jobs from huge corporations to further equip your AC. But Nexus does have a few features that make it better for newcomers and veterans alike. The one thing you’ll probably notice first is the addition of a dual analog control scheme. Veterans might be a little skeptical of this at first ( I know I was) but if you decide to play with it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that it works better than the traditional control scheme. Another feature added is the ability to tune up AC parts with the money you receive. This adds yet another option to the already insane customization. Some other additions are the option the have Hanger Cores, which allow you to bring extra weapons into missions by storing them in your core, the removal of some weapons (howitzers), the addition of new weapons (linear rifles), and making heat a much more important thing to worry about. All of these additions make Nexus a more enjoyable game. Nexus takes place from a world map of sorts where you’ll receive messages from your employer (Raven’s Ark) and corporations, accept missions, fight in the arena, customize and buy parts for your AC, and view all your AC’s stats. One thing new to Nexus’s mission structure is that depending on whether you lose or win a mission, it affects the game. For example, say you take a mission for Crest and they want you to attack Mirage’s base and you fail. Crest will weaken a bit, while Mirage will get stronger, and vice versa if you win. This adds replay ability and a real concern to whether or not you complete the mission. Overall, Evolution’s gameplay is the same as other AC’s but with some added features to make it better.
Now the second disc, Revolution, plays completely different. It’s more of a tribute to all the AC’s before it, with old missions (from AC1 and on) that have improved graphics and sound and Nexus’s control scheme. Depending on how many missions you beat and the grades you get (anywhere from S to E) you can unlock things from past games like soundtracks, posters, and concept art. So overall, while Evolution is a true sequel to Silent Line, Revolution is more like an AC fan’s dream come true.
Graphics wise, both games look pretty good. You might notice some textures that look a little less muddy and the AC’s look a little better, but it’s about the same as Silent Line from a graphical standpoint. All of the effects look great also, everything from a machine gun’s constant flashing to the smoke let off after a missile is launched.
The sound in Nexus has it’s strong and it’s weak points. While everything sounds good, almost all of it is recycled from previous games. So if you’ve played any of the past AC games, you’re going to be hearing a lot of the same things.
Value wise, Nexus is a great deal. While it would have been good just to get the Evolution disc, you also get the Revolution disc which greatly increases the value by adding tons of content.
Overall, Armored Core: Nexus is at least a great addition to the AC series and could quite possibly be the best. No matter if you’re a newcomer whose never played any AC game or if you’re a veteran whose played all of them previous to this, Armored Core: Nexus is a great game that I can definitely recommend for any fan of mech games to pick up.