Armored Core Formula Front

Reviewed by Todd Hanni
January 1, 2006

Developer: FROM Software Publisher: Agetec Consoles Available: PSP (adhoc and info structure) Number of Players: 1 - 2 ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Screenshot from Armored Core Formula Front . Click image to enlarge.

Armored Core makes its way to the PSP with its latest title “Formula Front”. Now players can customize and fight with their AC units whenever and wherever they go. There's not much of a story to this game. Players assume the role of a team engineer who set up AC units to fight in a tournament. With hundreds of parts to create your AC Unit, most of the player's time spent playing this game will be used in the garage tuning and tweaking your mech's weapon systems as well as its armor and maneuverability. Mech customization is probably the most prominent aspect in this game. After choosing from five different Core Frames, players have their pick of over a hundred different weapon and armor systems allowing for thousands of possible combinations. As you progress, you get messages from the competitors but that's about it for dialogue and storyline. For AC fans, not much has changed except for the controls missing two extra buttons, but that should be easy to get used to. For those new to the series, the onboard AI allows players to program their AC unit to fight so they won't have to get frustrated with controls.

The AI system is new to the AC games and is very useful. The AI can be tweaked to suit your style of fighting, from quick and offensive, to stand-off or berserker. Other AI options become available in the form of “AI chips” as game play progresses. There is also downloadable AI’s to test your skills and strategy.

As graphics go, the detail on the AC units is brilliant and beautifully textured. As for scenery, there are rolling hills and contoured canyon settings as well as the occasional cityscape arenas. The graphics in this game definitely show off the visual capabilities of the PSP. Sadly, there is no option for online play. However, the ad-hoc feature allows players to battle wirelessly. There is plenty to do in Armored Core: Formula Front, with tons of customization and endless battles alone or against the world.

This version of AC is actually a newer edition of the Japanese release. Before it came to the U.S. , Formula Front did not have the option for manual controls, only the AI system. Armored Core is definitely a game for those who want to make a mech on their own terms. With so many options for players to explore and so many parts to choose and tweak for each battle, this game has a pretty high replay value.

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