New Review Posted: Armored Core: Formula Front

[Daniel Weissenberger]

Brad Gallaway takes a look at the latest Armored Core game, Formula Front:

"It's amazing to me how quickly some things can turn around, for better or for worse. In life as well as games, everything can be completely fine and good one moment and absolutely wretched the next. It's something that everyone should keep in the back of their minds, but the good news is that it's just as possible to go from bad to good as it is to go from good to bad. Case in point— Armored Core."

There's more to the review, and it's here.

[EnduroGamer]

Brad,

Let me get this straight. You don't actually do the fighting in this game, but rather play the game by simply designing/customizing the mechs? Normally, I would probably think that soundslike half a game but given the PSP's lack of a right analog stick, I'm apt to think that this may be the first Armored Core game I ever buy.

So, how are battles initiated? Is it a straight list-based system of gameplay? Is there a story or a world map? Is there any strategic elements like Ring of Red?

[Brad Gallaway]

hey Enduro.

Although there is an option to control the robots directly, the control scheme is retarded and will instantly piss off anyone who has ever played an action game. (The original Japanese version did not even include the option to control the robots directly.)

There is no strategy like Ring of Red or an SRPG, but there is a ton of strategy in robot design and programming the artificial intelligence. The game is all about tinkering and rebalancing things, experimenting with new set ups and trying to design the ideal killing machine.

The game is basically a hierarchy with number one at the top and a player starting at the bottom, working their way up. Battles start whenever you want them to, you simply challenge the opponent ranked directly above you. You can go into your garage and mess around with your robot at any given time.

There is no world map or any characters really, the story is simply that you are a participant in this robot battling tournament, nothing more than that. The game is definitely not going to be for everyone, but if you think you might be into all the statistics and the intricacies of doing the robot and artificial intelligence design, this game is far and away the best example of doing what it tries to do.

It's not a well-rounded package compared to the average game, but it's extremely unique and I think very successful in terms of achieving its own goals. If you give it a whirl, I'd like to hear your take on it.

[EnduroGamer]

Thanks Brad. I think I will definitely give this one a whirl. I like to play games that are completely different from what I normally play. Also, usually my favorite part of SPRG's is the stats and tinkering with equipment.