From Software

While the hardcore fans of mech games will enjoy this, the steep level of difficulty that this title presents might turn off casual gamers.

Another year, another Armored Core. While the series still ranks high on my list of favored games, its getting harder and harder for this line to sustain the impact it once had. Since the originals debut stateside in 1997, there have been a total of five games released including this one, Another Age.

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence

Game Description: Five years have passed in the Armored Core story line. The government of earth is rebuilding after the destruction it suffered during the coup led by Leos Klain, Martian rebel. Heavy casualties have resulted in a brain drain, leaving technology and science to languish. Clearly vulnerable, the government mounts an armament campaign. In an environment such as this, an underground of mercenary factions flourishes. Enter the Ravens, the pilot wing of the Armored Core. They battle in government skirmishes, as well as public arenas, for profits, much like Rome's gladiators. If you can become a high-ranking Raven, your influence will reach beyond the public to affect the fate of the planet. Your mission then is to rise through the Raven ranks and chart a destiny for earth.

Their most recent offering, The Adventures of Cookie & Cream, seems like a simple action/platformer at first glance, but it reveals itself to be decidedly different from other recent releases by making cooperative effort and teamwork the driving force behind the game.

Cookie & Cream is inventive, amusing and gratifying. From Software took the chance and created this game and it should be rewarded for it.

The cult PS series makes the jump to PS2

According to the ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence

Man, I really wanted to like this title. The minute I loaded the disc, I marveled at the stunningly clear introduction movie and drooled over the countless customizations for Armored Cores. I was even impressed by the mock e-mail system used to give characters life and progress story details. Suffice it say, the game had me the second I hit the start button.