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9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Almost what I expectedFeb 02, 2006
By zhnkiu I picked up this game a few days ago on the hope that the AI customization would allow for direct programming of the AI routines. For example: jump/fly forward 15 feet, scan, if enemy found: shoot, etc. Similar to Origin's Omega circa 1987.
Actually, such AI programming is more suited to 2D enviroments than 3D, so I am not disappointed. What you get instead is a small set of routines you get to unlock, and a bunch of combat style variables. The selling point for others, I suppose, is the ability to use 300 or so components to construct your uber-AC and combat other such constructs either manually (with the US edition) or in simulation. I have learned that the game is seriously unballanced in this respect. There is the possibility to construct an AC which is so stupidly powerful, that anyone who has less than a modicum of an idea what they are doing (such as myself) will simply be obliterated within 15 seconds. The challenge then becomes, ignoring the point of numerous failures, what exactly is his weakness? Well, he's slow and heats up fast. You can't get him by direct attacking. Too tough. You can't get him by flying about, he'll just shoot you down. And if you try long distance sniping, the arena is too small, he just has to get into range. So all I can think of is to try to stay out of his vision, and wait until he breaks down from overheating after 2/3 of the match is over. This game requires some difficult planning. I think the game should have allowed for some form of direct AI programming in order to deal with this issue and to the circumvent the need to find the right tactical combination of routines through tedious trial and error. But I did buy the game expecting this.
18 of 22 found the following review helpful:
Rusty, creaky, and simply not fun.Dec 17, 2005
By C. Bakehorn The Armored Core series has had a rusty life the last few years. Despite a cult following, the mech customization video game has lost its touch time and time again. With the PSP version, Armored Core: Formula Front, this trend continues. Formula Front isn't as bad as the recent Ps2 outing, Nine Breaker, but arguably so. I wouldn't consider this an action game as much as I'd consider it a big game of chess, where the pawns and bishops are replaced with guns and different body parts of each robot.
In Armored Core: Formula Front, you are the engineer and leader of a team in the mech league known as the FFA. You customize and alter five of your very own mechs, each of which you try to differentiate in order to formulate strategic gameplans and strategies. Through winning matches, you progress through the FFA ranks and eventually become the top AC team. Throughout the experience, you'll be informed of all the latest FFA and team rules, you'll be challenged by beaten opponents, and more. This stuff kept me into the experience more than I expected.
Customizing your mechs is the name of the game here, and you could spend hours on each of your hulking robots. Each of the dozens and dozens of parts have different parameters that alter the performance of your AC. You can equip your mech with the strongest weaponry around, but those big guns will bog you down and overheat your mech faster than you'd ever believe. Of course, smaller guns make way for better agility and terrain movement as well as decreased energy use and better cooling. Equipping parts isn't the only thing you'll do. In fact, you'll tune those parts, replace them, set the AC's personal artificial intelligence, and more. It's all about your personal preferences, and of course the competition ahead. If you're about to go up against a defensively weak but speedy AC, you will want to plan accordingly and try to counter the AC with a speedy but powerful mech. If you're about to face a beefy pile of steel, you'll want to slow down the pace and have enough power to outlast your opponent, perhaps from long range. If you're into this kind of customization, you're going to absolutely love Formula Front. It's like a slower, virtual game of chess that involves robots and guns. If you don't, to put it bluntly, you're going to hate this game.
In the Japanese version of this game, you couldn't actually PLAY as your mechs--you could make them, coordinate their AI, and watch them fight. In the American version, you can actually control your ACs on the battlefield but the controls are so broken and the computer AI is so good that playing the game is a worthless effort. I eventually gave up and decided to watch the mechs fight instead. Fortunately the graphics are very attractive, and the mech action is fast-paced and exciting to watch. After playing a few matches I decided to stick to watching my mechs after tuning the AI, and I had a much better time. I'm very upset, though, that it's not as fun to play Formula Front.
As I said, the visuals are top-notch. This is a very attractive PSP game. You'll scope out individual parts and intricate details on your mechs. Explosion effects and particles look fantastic. Overall Formula Front looks like a second- or third-year Playstation 2 game. The music isn't bad, either--and when paired with the explosive sound effects, realistic warning sounds, and gunfire, this title is a nicely-presented game. Of course, it doesn't have an excuse to be anything otherwise. If a game's actual gameplay is indended to be observed rather than played, the game in mind should look and sound fantastic. This is Forumla Front's saving grace, and if you're one of the people I said would love the game earlier, these factors will only improve the experience to you.
I regret to report the rest of the PSP crowd that Armored Core: Formula Front isn't the action game you're looking for. Armored Core fans might enjoy it for its customization and impressive superficial qualities, but almost anyone else will immediately regret a purchase because there isn't much gameplay involved. From Software, I know you're capable of making an Armored Core that is more fun to play than watch. Please do it next time.
(NOTE: This review also appeared on another website that I write for on a regular basis.)
14 of 19 found the following review helpful:
For the AC vetsDec 15, 2005
By J. Husted
"Gamer"
If you're looking at this game, odds are you've played an Armored Core game before. If that is the case then you're in for more of the same, only now you can take it with you.
One thing to keep in mind is that the description of the game is inaccurate. They haven't updated it from the description of the original Japanese version. The original Jap version of the game does not let you control your mech, but in making the game for US audiences they realized that this wouldn't fly, so they changed the gameplay so it's just like the classic AC games, where you control your Core.
Overall, if you like big robots and want to create your own, this is your game.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Armored Core Formula Front: Extreme Battle.......Aug 05, 2010
By blackaciddevil I simply love Mech games. However, the only Armored Core game I've ever played was the first game in the series on the Playstation years ago. At any rate, considering how this was a Mech game and an Armored Core game I could play on the go--I was sold. Course, I was a bit skeptical as to whether this game would be any good. Reviews I've read on recent outings of the series has left it in a bad light(much like Front Mission, I'm afraid). Thankfully, I was quite surprised with the game. What impressed me the most about ACFF:EB? First and foremost was the visual presentation. I've seen some beautiful games on the PSP but this one made my jaw drop. Second, while the gameplay mostly puts you in more of a spectating role during the battles, you do get to create your mechs and adjust their AI for battle with the option of playing the classical AC way. That's a really good thing. Third and perhaps the most important thing, if you're in micromanagement, you can manage just about everything in the game(from AI to paint, parts and emblem). The game lets you build your own mech using 480 different parts to make it up!! You're a newly hired architect for a team that has just made it into Formula Front's Bottom League. You have the task of assembling the team's ACs for battle against those of other Bottom League qualified participants. There are several different teams with which the player must compete with to reach the top(Testarossa Artigiana, Wyvern, Ogre, Neonia & Peace Security-just to name a few). Some of those teams will call for a rematch, so you'll have your work cut out for you.
Be warned, however, that this game isn't for everyone. Sometimes, this game can be hard as nails but-if you're patient- you can come up with the right strategy to beat the game.
Personally, I loved it. Being as this is the first PSP game I've purchased in quite some time. Highly recommended for the Armored Core crowd and Mech lovers. All others proceed with some caution.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A perfect handheld mech game.Aug 23, 2009
By Talus Armored Core: Formula Front. I was honestly surprised when I started playing this. Despite being a handheld entry to the venerable series, the quality of the game is equal if not better to it's console brethren.
Graphics:
The graphics are about on par with the PS2's Armored Core 2. The resolution and texture for the landscape, buildings, etc., are very low-key and bland. However, the mecha themselves are very highly detailed, and the gunfire, lasers, missiles, and explosions are very enjoyable. The frame-rate is very high also.
Controls:
The controls about as good as the PSP's control scheme allows for, which has always been a bit deficient due to the lack of a second thumbstick. There are two modes of control: Manual and AI. Manual uses a very standard Armored Core control scheme that can be customized. AI mode is where the Computer controls the mech, and the PSP controls make for a very good cinematic camera scheme. More on AI mode later.
Gameplay:
This game shines in two areas.
The first is the level of sheer parts customization. There are hundreds of parts, for every single part of the mecha's body. There are also many weapons, and performance enhancing add-ons. Many parts can also be "tuned", reducing weight, adding more armor, or draining less energy.
It's also worth noting that there is no money system for purchasing parts. Every single part is unlocked at the beginning of the game, and ammo and repairs are free. This means you don't have to wait and save up to build that heavily-armed superweapon of a robot.
The AI is what really sells this game. The artificial intelligence of each of Mecha can be programmed down to a very minute level. You can program it to stay at long range or short, how aggressive or defensive it should be, how much to jump around or dash, and how often to switch it's weapons. You can also allocate a set number of point to improve it's mobility, target acquisition, terrain navigation, weapons handling, energy consumption, etc.
Lastly, you can install "performance chips", which tell it what do at specific points in the battle. For example: I may create a close-range mech with long-range missile launchers, as well as a short-range laser blade and shotgun. I can install a chip ordering my mech to focus on using missiles in the first 30 seconds, decimating the enemy before moving into closer for the other weapons.
All in all, this is a great game, and I highly recommend it to Armored Core fans.
based on 9 reviews
( 9 customer reviews )
