Armored Core 4/For Answer - OUT NOW

Forever Zefiro

It's out now. Go buy it to blow up things with cool robots



Quoting from here, some more info here.

Due to some conscientious ninjas, I was sent some scans of the latest Famitsu which contained an exclusive preview of the upcoming sequel to Armored Core 4. Entitled Armored Core for Answer, it utilizes the same game engine as Armored Core 4 but with some substantial modifications. For a start, each area will be around 20km square, they are going all-out to emphasize scale in relation to immense mobile fortresses. There will also be online co-op(!) and the series will finally feature playable mecha that are fully transformable.

The big thing for me is that From Software is hiring THREE major mecha designers to work on the game. The first is Shoji Kawamori, who was responsible for the transformable Valkyries in Macross and was instrumental in the creation of the design work for the older Armored Core games. Kawamori will be penning the NEXT mecha (basically the new futuristic AC's seen in AC4). Kazutaka Miyatake and Makoto Kobayashi will be designing the huge mobile fortresses. Both these latter gentleman are of special interest because Miyatake actually designed the SDF-1 from Macross and Kobayashi is a complete nut for complex bulbous machinery (his work on Dragon's Heaven is a personal favorite of mine, as it was relatively unfettered compared to his involvement in Zeta Gundam and the Venus Wars movie).

From the article it seems that both the PS3 and 360 versions will be released simultaneously (in Japan) in March of next year. Toshifumi Nabeshima will return as producer and I totally dig the funky logo.

Summary - Coming for 360 and PS3(in just Japan so far), online co-op, big name mecha designers, emphasis on scale, and motherfucking transformable ACs.

Also, it seems these giant mobile fortresses you have to destroy parts on the outside of it before being able to destroy the core. Armored Core: Shadow of the Colossus ?

Official Website

Scans from Famitsu:





Look at that fucking huge thing

Cherrn

So how was AC 4? I always thought it looked awesome, but it got such shitty reviews all-around that I thought something must've gone horribly wrong with it.

arcath

I got AC4 sitting on my shelf.

Never finished.

Think I should get back to that once I am done with this new ME run I am currently on.

This should be out sometime stateside. All the other AC games have come out here. But unfortunately I can see it taking 9-12 months after Japanese release to translate though.

meh

CyborgZeta

Cherrn wrote: »

So how was AC 4? I always thought it looked awesome, but it got such shitty reviews all-around that I thought something must've gone horribly wrong with it.

The graphics and gameplay were a huge improvement from the previous games.

The only real downside to it was the story.

Zombiemambo

That's quite some Engrish going on there.

Gatsuioki

Never been closer to smashing my damn controller than when doing the last mission, MArch Au Du Supplice, and Line of Defense (that motherfucker does NOT die); hard mode that is.

corin7

CyborgZeta wrote: »

Cherrn wrote: »

So how was AC 4? I always thought it looked awesome, but it got such shitty reviews all-around that I thought something must've gone horribly wrong with it.

The graphics and gameplay were a huge improvement from the previous games.

The only real downside to it was the story.

Also, load times. They wouldn't bother so much but if you fail the mission it has the load the whole thing again. Gah can get very frustrating at times. Still a pretty great game that I need to finish eventually.

McSnuggles

Jesus Christ.

I need this game...now! As for AC4, I have been really thinking about getting it, but I want to know if it's worth it? Does anyone still play online?

Der Waffle Mous

corin7 wrote: »

CyborgZeta wrote: »

Cherrn wrote: »

So how was AC 4? I always thought it looked awesome, but it got such shitty reviews all-around that I thought something must've gone horribly wrong with it.

The graphics and gameplay were a huge improvement from the previous games.

The only real downside to it was the story.

Also, load times. They wouldn't bother so much but if you fail the mission it has the load the whole thing again. Gah can get very frustrating at times. Still a pretty great game that I need to finish eventually.

A good majority of the missions were really fucking short, too.

I still rather liked it, though.

Akira

Shadow of the Colossus but with mechs would basically be my perfect game, and the (unbelievably awesome) trailer made it look to be something like that.

Medium Dave

You know what would be awesome (so awesome, I don't see it happening): multiplayer where it's 8, 10, 20 vs. 1. A special multi map and game where it's everyone versus the dude in the giant, world-destroying mech. Can barely move but takes a dickload of damage and deals out a lot, too. It'd be fun, like with a 20 minute timer to see if you can take the big bastard down. Kinda like the Assault maps in Unreal Tournament. I would buy that.

Darmak

complex bulbous machinery

Spoiler:

:winky:

Forever Zefiro

I'm loving that trailer

I'm glad to see it has brought some life to the thread

It looks so much more intense than the previous AC games, I can't wait

Dragkonias

Medium Dave wrote: »

You know what would be awesome (so awesome, I don't see it happening): multiplayer where it's 8, 10, 20 vs. 1. A special multi map and game where it's everyone versus the dude in the giant, world-destroying mech. Can barely move but takes a dickload of damage and deals out a lot, too. It'd be fun, like with a 20 minute timer to see if you can take the big bastard down. Kinda like the Assault maps in Unreal Tournament. I would buy that.

You, sir, are a genius. That would indeed be awesomesauce.

Alsepht

Wow, so excited about this. I saw it a few days ago and when I watched the trailer I immediately popped in the original and went for a spin in my old AC (it was pretty terrible). This looks great; so excited.

sabyul

After watching that a couple times, it seems like they're really pushing for Overboost to be a bigger part of the game. Maybe these missions will have us chasing down fleeing targets or better yet running away from destroyers of worlds or whatever.

One of my main problems with AC4 was that the game was almost completely made up of surgical strike type missions, where you have a few mission-critical targets and going after anything else both added to your time and to your "ammo spent" count. I hope there are some really nice "go destroy lots of stuff" missions here, even if it just means spamming Ogoto

Dixon

sabyul wrote: »

After watching that a couple times, it seems like they're really pushing for Overboost to be a bigger part of the game. Maybe these missions will have us chasing down fleeing targets or better yet running away from destroyers of worlds or whatever.

One of my main problems with AC4 was that the game was almost completely made up of surgical strike type missions, where you have a few mission-critical targets and going after anything else both added to your time and to your "ammo spent" count. I hope there are some really nice "go destroy lots of stuff" missions here, even if it just means spamming Ogoto

I agree...what would also be quite neat is perhaps some co-op action...I can just imagine going up against a huge flying fortress with another AC buddy, and like have our builds compliment each other...could take the game to new strategic heights! also I want more LAZERS *pew pew...wait whats a bigger sound then pew pew*

p.s. can't wait to try out the transforming mech feature...however i hope this doesn't hinder the customization of our AC's!

darkmayo

Dixon wrote: »

also I want more LAZERS *pew pew...wait whats a bigger sound then pew pew*

ZOW ZOW!!

Broncbuster

sabyul wrote: »

After watching that a couple times, it seems like they're really pushing for Overboost to be a bigger part of the game. Maybe these missions will have us chasing down fleeing targets or better yet running away from destroyers of worlds or whatever.

One of my main problems with AC4 was that the game was almost completely made up of surgical strike type missions, where you have a few mission-critical targets and going after anything else both added to your time and to your "ammo spent" count. I hope there are some really nice "go destroy lots of stuff" missions here, even if it just means spamming Ogoto

I did love me some of the last AC game, but this was my main complaint too. What happened to the "needs organic FCS to target organic life" missions that were longer that watching the LOTR series? The newer AC game I did enjoy, as said above though, it seems too much like a surgical strike without enough involving missions. I enjoyed the ones they did provide, I just wish there were more of them.

Here's to hoping they go for the longer missions. I will buy it just for Co-op regardless.

Nocren

So I rented the original (AC4). Holy shit... this is awesome. I figured that a couple of years since the last time I played AC3 and playing it on a new system/controller was enough to forget how to play (I was still stuck on using the shoulder buttons for rotation and looking up/down).

It's like going from a GTO to a Lotus.

Now to find a copy to purchase.

Peen

Dunno if this is resurrecting a dead thread or not, but has anyone else noticed that this is coming out in less then a month?! September 16 FTW!!

Darmak

culdrasbit*h wrote: »

Dunno if this is resurrecting a dead thread or not, but has anyone else noticed that this is coming out in less then a month?! September 16 FTW!!

Wait, is this actually coming to America? I thought it was Japan only?

Peen

Oh it's coming:

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=72303

Not to pimp a retailer, but just to prove that it's real. And it will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.

Darmak

Oh fuck yes, this is awesome. I had given up hope of ever seeing this game so this is wonderful news. I will also buy it, probably on or near day 1.

Ergandar

Hell yes

With the transformable ACs I must recreate the variable fighter from Macross.

Arvo

I'm obsessed with AC, but am I the only one that doesn't like the transforming idea? That just doesn't seem to me like what AC is about. If its something simple like popping wings and flying then alright. But if its like transformers shifting then I'm just not sure.

I've always wanted to see them bring back a full fledged arena game like the 4 disc one that was on PS one. But this looks damn impressive to.



edit: I'm miss Nineball

Darmak

8 more days, I can hardly fucking wait. I saw a banner for it on the PA main page and it reminded me all about it.

Ziggymon

The demo on the Jap PSN is pretty awesome. But also quite hard I keep running out of ammo, any tips?

Dixon

Hey and it has co-op in it!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOT

*If you look at my post at the top of the page I wish for co-op...that was a few months ago to

Olivaw

Man I heard nothing but terrible things about AC4 and now I see people actually saying it was good?

I don't know what to think anymore

Of course it's kind of a moot point since the AC games have never really been my cup of tea (too much menu management and not enough gameplay or viable mech customization)

yalborap

Olivaw wrote: »

Man I heard nothing but terrible things about AC4 and now I see people actually saying it was good?

I don't know what to think anymore

Of course it's kind of a moot point since the AC games have never really been my cup of tea (too much menu management and not enough gameplay or viable mech customization)

The game stripped out some major stuff, like the heat meter, and added some new major stuff, like individual boosters and weight balance.

Personally, I found it very fun, if at times a bit flawed, and found I had more room than before for creative mech designs.

darkmayo

I was seeing ads for this on TV in Japan in regards to the opening of a new building in Shinjuku. I had no idea what was going on other than it was Armored Core 4 and that it looked totally awesome, oh and the sound track was this awesome piano score.

Dixon

AC caters to a very niche group...Even though I know that the games aren't that great, and all the games before the 360 iteration had the most fucked up controls, it didn't matter. I loved these games, and customisation and over all atmosphere and awesomeness made me giddy

yalborap

Dixon wrote: »

AC caters to a very niche group...Even though I know that the games aren't that great, and all the games before the 360 iteration had the most fucked up controls, it didn't matter. I loved these games, and customisation and over all atmosphere and awesomeness made me giddy

Nexus and later games on the PS2 had logical controls, at least.

Morninglord

Arvo wrote: »

I'm obsessed with AC, but am I the only one that doesn't like the transforming idea? That just doesn't seem to me like what AC is about. If its something simple like popping wings and flying then alright. But if its like transformers shifting then I'm just not sure.

I've always wanted to see them bring back a full fledged arena game like the 4 disc one that was on PS one. But this looks damn impressive to.



edit: I'm miss Nineball

The valkyries from macross don't mass shift, all the mass from the plane is in the robot form, you can even see the robot form is made from bits of plane, and when you see it transform in action it makes perfect sense. It's the same guy so it's not going to be a "where the fuck did primes trailer go" thing.

Oh yeah and I'm interested in this, mainly because I love macross. I never played the other ac. The giant flying fortresses are all kinds of mass appeal awesome.

Random trivia: Pretty sure the voice actor narrator in that trailer did Major Kusanagi from Gits:sac 1 & 2, I'm good with voices, even if they're not in my language.

Forever Zefiro

Hah, man I didn't even think my topic still existed.

I wish I could find the youtube video of this 1 on 1 versus match between two guys. It was so fucking fast. It looks more like ZOE2 speed than AC.

So fucking pumped.

Ragnar Dragonfyre

Morninglord wrote: »

Arvo wrote: »

I'm obsessed with AC, but am I the only one that doesn't like the transforming idea? That just doesn't seem to me like what AC is about. If its something simple like popping wings and flying then alright. But if its like transformers shifting then I'm just not sure.

I've always wanted to see them bring back a full fledged arena game like the 4 disc one that was on PS one. But this looks damn impressive to.



edit: I'm miss Nineball

The valkyries from macross don't mass shift, all the mass from the plane is in the robot form, you can even see the robot form is made from bits of plane, and when you see it transform in action it makes perfect sense. It's the same guy so it's not going to be a "where the fuck did primes trailer go" thing.

Oh yeah and I'm interested in this, mainly because I love macross. I never played the other ac. The giant flying fortresses are all kinds of mass appeal awesome.

Random trivia: Pretty sure the voice actor narrator in that trailer did Major Kusanagi from Gits:sac 1 & 2, I'm good with voices, even if they're not in my language.

I'm in full agreement with you. I love Armored Core, but man... the ability to create transformable mechs is a dream come true.

Hell, in Kingdom Hearts I created a gummi ship that could transform into a giant robot using the transform block.

I can't wait to get my hands on this. I hope it has a good online mode and plenty of replayability.

Morkath

So is the 9/16 release date the official one? Or just a retailer bestguesstimate?

Edit:
Well ubisoft has it listed as in september, so I guess it is the real date. Sweet, week to go!

subedii

Morninglord wrote: »

Arvo wrote: »

I'm obsessed with AC, but am I the only one that doesn't like the transforming idea? That just doesn't seem to me like what AC is about. If its something simple like popping wings and flying then alright. But if its like transformers shifting then I'm just not sure.

I've always wanted to see them bring back a full fledged arena game like the 4 disc one that was on PS one. But this looks damn impressive to.



edit: I'm miss Nineball

The valkyries from macross don't mass shift, all the mass from the plane is in the robot form, you can even see the robot form is made from bits of plane, and when you see it transform in action it makes perfect sense. It's the same guy so it's not going to be a "where the fuck did primes trailer go" thing.

Oh yeah and I'm interested in this, mainly because I love macross. I never played the other ac. The giant flying fortresses are all kinds of mass appeal awesome.

Random trivia: Pretty sure the voice actor narrator in that trailer did Major Kusanagi from Gits:sac 1 & 2, I'm good with voices, even if they're not in my language.

I believe a reference video is in order:

http://www.crunchyroll.com/media-31910/Macross-Zero-Episode-1.html?h264=1

At the 25:00 minute mark ought to be about right.

EDIT: BTW, you watching Frontier?

Dixon

All the avid AC players on the PA board should get together and do a Game On. We could have our own little tourney. It would be sweet

Darmak

Dixon wrote: »

All the avid AC players on the PA board should get together and do a Game On. We could have our own little tourney. It would be sweet

Indeed, but let's wait till release day to make a new thread. Till then we'll just drool and squeal over in this one.