Armored core 3 + sniffiling apology

[fatbot]

Maybe I was a bit harsh earlier with my previous topic, I apologize, I just needed to let some steam off.

Anyhow 8) has anyone bought this gem of a game? I love it, sure its taking From software ages to get this franchise right but this version is pretty damn good.

It took me along time to enjoy the armored core series but once you put together an AC which suits your playing style the game opens up to you, the choice of parts for your AC is brilliant. Arena matches are my favorite part of the game, because I use a fast AC I can dodge pretty much everything they throw at me, its so satisfying to dodge a 4 missile salvo my opponent has fired at me and then return fire with a blade energy wave! it look cool too

I could go for ages about this game but Im probably boring you now so if anyone is looking for a quality mech game get this game now!

[Ish]

I take it from your post that you've played the others? How does 3 differ from 2 (I own 2 see)?

How does it compare to, say, Phantom Crash?

[fatbot]

Well AC3 has slightly better graphics + I havent encounted any slow down yet so thats a plus point, theres some pretty good missions in there as well and you can buy buddies to help you out on certain missions. Its now much easier to put together an AC and alot of the parts have been redesigned + there are more parts as well. Theres a new feature which lets you drop your weapons if you've run out of ammo and you can pick up enemy AC weapons, I havent had to do this yet so I dont think its that important. The game feels alot better structured and just seems much more polished, its not a perfect game admittedly but what games are.

I dont think you can really compare it to Phantom crash but if you're thinking which one to buy I'd get this. Phantom crash needs a sequel to really reach is full potential.

[Ish]

Well I've already got Phantom Crash - picked it up cheap for 15 quid or something.

And I've got AC2.

But neither really fully satisfy my desire for big mech action

I think I'm looking for something of a less 'clumsy' feel than AC2 but still with the wealth of customisation options and proper 'battles' (as opposed to the 'sport' of Phantom Crash)

[fatbot]

The controls are the same as AC2 which arent great, I had trouble with them for ages but after a while I mastered them, couple that with a super light AC and the enemy wont know where to fire.

Try building A light AC with a machine gun, a decent blade, missile launcher, fast humanoid legs, light generator with good output + good recharge, use the head which looks like a tv aeriel(that way you dont have to have a seperate radar) and finally buy a top notch booster.

With this setup you will be more agile and deadly instead of clumsy and a bullit magnet.

[Cacophanus]

Anyhow 8) has anyone bought this gem of a game? I love it, sure its taking From software ages to get this franchise right but this version is pretty damn good.

I take it that you haven't played the PlayStation originals? Master of Arena is a paragon of mecha gaming.

I could go for ages about this game but Im probably boring you now so if anyone is looking for a quality mech game get this game now!

I would chime in to with this sentiment, but the truth is that Metro3D castrated the British release. One of the major advents for the series was the inclusion of four player iLink versus. Metro3D removed this.

Moreover, whilst Armored Core 3 is a nigh on perfect game it does have it's faults (the game is unbalanced towards lightweight AC design). That being said Armored Core 3's follow-up, Armored Core 3 Silent Line, is awe inspiringly superb.

Well I've already got Phantom Crash - picked it up cheap for 15 quid or something.

And I've got AC2.

But neither really fully satisfy my desire for big mech action

Phantom Crash lacks finesse and Armored Core 2 (as well as Another Age) is particularly sluggish. Armored Core 3 is a good game however.

I think I'm looking for something of a less 'clumsy' feel than AC2 but still with the wealth of customisation options and proper 'battles' (as opposed to the 'sport' of Phantom Crash)

Import Armored Core 3 Silent Line. Do it now.

[fatbot]

I take it that you haven't played the PlayStation originals? Master of Arena is a paragon of mecha gaming.

I would chime in to with this sentiment, but the truth is that Metro3D castrated the British release. One of the major advents for the series was the inclusion of four player iLink versus. Metro3D removed this.

Moreover, whilst Armored Core 3 is a nigh on perfect game it does have it's faults (the game is unbalanced towards lightweight AC design). That being said Armored Core 3's follow-up, Armored Core 3 Silent Line, is awe inspiringly superb.

Didnt the japanese version of AC3 have online play as well?

I dont import games because Im to lazy so I didnt get a chance to play AC MOA because they didnt release it over here.

Armored Core 3 Silent Line do you own this game? if so how does it improve upon AC3? What I've seen of it looks very promosing

[Cacophanus]

Didnt the japanese version of AC3 have online play as well?

Yes, they had direct dial versus (read: rather crap actually). In actuality Armored Core 2 Another Age was the first AC game to receive this feature. Since then each (Japanese) release has come packaged with the option (you need a USB modem for it to work though).

I dont import games because Im to lazy so I didnt get a chance to play AC MOA because they didnt release it over here.

Indeed, but the game was released in the US (in English). I heartily recommend that you pick it up.

Armored Core 3 Silent Line do you own this game? if so how does it improve upon AC3? What I've seen of it looks very promosing

I was a tester on the game and "yes" I do own it. I also reviewed both Armored Core 3 and Armored Core 3 Silent Line, so have a gander at my more detailed impressions.

[mid]

Presumably one factor in dropping the iLink mode is that the new PS2 model thats already out in Japan (and presumably heading this way eventually) doesn't have iLink ports any more? I don't know of anything other than GT3 that ever used it in any case, so its not that surprising.

My only mech experiences have been:
Virtual On: Cyber Troopers - quality game
Mechwarrior (forget which, but on the PC) - boring as hell. Like an FPS through treacle, no feeling of being any different to a traditional on-foot FPS other than the paucity of scenery.
Z.O.E. - oops, this disc doesn't play.

So, is Armoured Core 3 a great way to finally get into Mechs or am I going to get handed my newbie arse in the same way I have been before in games where there are so many previous versions that its assumed I'm an expert already?

[fatbot]

Just buy Armored core3 from GAME and if you dont like it then take it back, simple

[Sidez]

Silent Line is rad, watch out though, some of the missions aren't always straight forward. The depth of customisation though is peerless. Makes GT3 look like as advanced as Virtua Racing. The soundtrack is gorgeous.

[fatbot]

Probably wont get released over here until 2004

[Cacophanus]

Presumably one factor in dropping the iLink mode is that the new PS2 model thats already out in Japan (and presumably heading this way eventually) doesn't have iLink ports any more? I don't know of anything other than GT3 that ever used it in any case, so its not that surprising.

Yet, it has only received a Japanese release. I am aware that Sony are pulling a fast one, after all in my correspondence with Metro3D stuff appears most certainly "awry".

My only mech experiences have been:
Virtual On: Cyber Troopers - quality game
Mechwarrior (forget which, but on the PC) - boring as hell. Like an FPS through treacle, no feeling of being any different to a traditional on-foot FPS other than the paucity of scenery.
Z.O.E. - oops, this disc doesn't play.

Armored Core is much like MechWarrior except being much faster, with far better design work and from a third person view (adnmittedly there are cockpit view cheats and even a cockpit mode in Silent Line).

So, is Armoured Core 3 a great way to finally get into Mechs or am I going to get handed my newbie arse in the same way I have been before in games where there are so many previous versions that its assumed I'm an expert already?

Armored Core 3 is stand alone, so you don't need to have played the other games to keep pace. However the control interface does require practice, but it is eminently serviceable once learnt.

Silent Line is rad, watch out though, some of the missions aren't always straight forward. The depth of customisation though is peerless. Makes GT3 look like as advanced as Virtua Racing. The soundtrack is gorgeous.

Too bloody right matey.