| Armored Core: For Answer | |
|---|---|
 netc Cover art for Xbox 360 |
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| Developer(s) | From Software |
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft From Software (Japan) |
| Composer(s) | Kota Hoshino |
| Series | Armored Core |
| Aspect ratio | 1080p (HDTV) upscaled 720p (HDTV) 480p (EDTV) 480i (SDTV) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 |
| Release date(s) | JP March 19, 2008 NA September 16, 2008 EU October 3, 2008 AUS November 20, 2008 |
| Genre(s) | Vehicular combat game |
| Mode(s) | Single player Multiplayer Online co-op |
| Rating(s) | CERO: A ESRB: T |
| Media | Blu-ray Disc (PlayStation 3) DVD (Xbox 360) |
| Input methods | Gamepad |
Armored Core: For Answer also called 'Armored Core 4 Answer is a video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the 13th installment of From Software's Armored Core series. Armored Core: For Answer is the sequel to Armored Core 4, and takes place over a decade later.
Contents |
Gameplay
AC customization has been changed from the previous Armored Core title, with a new interface and many new parts not found in Armored Core 4. Online mode returns with a new co-operative mode alongside the player versus mode. Gameplay enhancements included a power increase for both Quick Boost and Over Boost, as well as an auxiliary high speed booster known as Vanguard Over Boost (VOB). All parts carried over from the previous game have had their parameters altered, much like the transition between previous series installments Silent Line and Nexus. The on-screen HUD can now be changed to any of 20 colors. There are now 442 FRS tuning points available to unlock, which is an increase from the 300 (PS3) and 337 (XBOX360) FRS points available in AC4. Maps are much larger and more detailed including environment damage such as collapsing buildings. The game also features multiple endings with three different possible plot branches available depending on your actions and decisions in the game.
The North American Xbox 360 edition of For Answer was released advertising both online and off-line (local) cooperative play on the packaging, but as of early October, there has been no off-line cooperative option accessible in game, nor comment from Ubisoft or From Software.[1]
Plot
The planet is in a decrepit and decaying state. Pollution from not only human habitation, but from the hazardous waste given off by Kojima particles has caused the surface of the earth to become virtually inhospitable. In desperate need of a solution, the remaining corporations from the Pax Economica build giant airborne habitats called "Cradles" to house a majority of the populace - safeguarding them from the contaminated surface below. Some however, are forced to live on the surface. They form a resistance force known as ORCA, and amass a formidable arsenal to battle against the corporations. The player once again takes control of a "Next" (A more technologically advanced Armored Core) (The pilot of a "Next" is called a "Lynx".) - as a mercenary for hire. Piloting the cutting-edge Armored Cores known as NEXTs, the player is thrust into the middle of the conflict between the corporations and ORCA. Each faction now controls super weapons known as "Arms Forts" that the player must battle against.
Background
More than ten years have passed since the National Dismantlement War. The League of Ruling Companies has taken over the world. To escape the pollution that poisons the surface of the planet, the League has built massive floating platforms (as mentioned earlier) called Cradles. Only there, 7,000 meters (4.35 miles) above the ground, is the air clean and safe. Already, half of humankind lives in the skies. The planet's surface has become a battlefield, where armies fight to control the resource plants that feed the Cradles.
As the Lynx War came to a close, NEXTs enabled the League to firmly establish its rule of the planet. NEXT pilots (established in the previous title) are called Lynx. Fearing the power and independence of these NEXTs, the League left them behind on the surface. The Lynx now work as mercenaries for an organization called Collared.
Factions
The League of Ruling Companies
A group of corporations that have banded together to control the world's economy. On paper, the League seeks to preserve peace and order within the corporate society, but the grim reality does not match these aims. Under their rule, the planet succumbed to rapid over-development, giga-industrialization, and pollution. 'The Cradle System', the current solution to the problem, is developed by the League in order to house and protect millions of civilians from the nearly uninhabitable surface. However, many people see this as only a temporary solution, as the surface-based facilities known as 'Arteria', which power these Cradles, produce more Kojima pollution into the atmosphere. It is only a matter of time before the pollution reaches the Cradles floating 7000 metres up in the atmosphere.
Collared
Not much to be called a faction, but an organization under full jurisdiction of the League which manages and controls the mercenaries, LYNXs. Similar in nature to the Raven's Nest/Ark of previous titles, this organization acts as an intermediary between the LYNXs and the League, setting up contracts and missions for the mercenaries.
Line Ark
The largest surface-based power on earth. Line Ark is a maritime city-state formed by those who oppose the League and their Cradle system. They advocate freedom and democracy and appears to be fighting for a just cause. However, their motto of 'accepting all who wish to enter' has attracted a large number of unfavorable and undesirable types, which has led to slow decay of their government and society, leaving little of their original ideas and dreams remaining.
Line Ark's guardian, a legendary and infamous NEXT pilot, pilots the White Glint, and is a highly skilled LYNX rumored to be capable of engaging and defeating entire armies. White Glint's Lynx is speculated to be the player from Armored Core 4; the fact that Fiona Jarnefeldt (who left Anatolia after the war in AC4 with the player) is the operator only strengthens this speculation. Also notable is that White Glint was the name of the LYNX of the player's friendly rival in AC4, Joshua O'Brien.
ORCA
A mysterious group that operates outside the League's rule, led by the enigmatic Maximillian Thermidor. They are against the league's "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" approach of solving the pollution problem. They believe that the pollution will kill millions of people on the ground, and it will eventually become so bad that even the cradles will be affected. They believe that forcing humanity into outer space is the only way to keep them alive. They are composed of several top-class LYNXs and seem to possess a military strength that can match the League's.
Characters
- The Protagonist: The unnamed protagonist and Player of Armored Core for Answer. He and the story plays entirely out of their perspective and does not speak. The default name for the protagonist's NEXT is "Strayed." The protagonist initially carries out missions for The League, and later, other factions if he/she chooses. It's worth noting that in Japanese version, he is clarified as "him", as several characters refer him with masculine pronouns.
- Unknown Lynx: The pilot of White Glint is silent and the pilot's identity remains unknown, but is hinted to be the protagonist of Armored Core 4. The official Armored Core for Answer website refers to the pilot as "she," and also explains that she is the Rank 9 and took down an entire company solo during the Lynx War. Also, in the Ordered match text, White Glint is referred to as "she." However, the LYNX is referred to as "he" by Fiona. This, understandably, has led to conflict over the gender of White Glint's LYNX. Most sources attribute this to a translation error. During the gameplay of Armored Core 4, the player is responsible for destroying the companies Rayleonard and the Bernard and Felix Foundation (BFF), although the latter returns to full size after receiving support from GA. It is noteworthy that a Next named "White Glint" appeared in the Armored Core 4, piloted by Joshua O'Brien.
- Fiona Jarnefeldt: Fiona Jarnefeldt is the operator of White Glint. She returns from Armored Core 4 to join Line Ark.
- Serene Haze: She is the protagonist's operator. Unlike other operators in series, she talks to protagonist in senior, or even teacher-like manner. This fact, coupled with several evidences in the game, implies her past as an experienced LYNX herself. She is hinted to be Kasumi Sumika from Armored Core 4, because of her NEXT. If the player chooses to ally himself with Old King in the special third ending, the player will face off against Serene Haze herself in the final mission on Hard mode piloting the Next known as Ciliegio, often fought against in the ACSIS's test submenu. She is voiced by Cindy Robinson in the US version.
- Maximillian Thermidor: The Leader of Orca, He pilots a black and red colored mid-weight reverse-jointed craft, Unsung. His goal is to succeed and make Rayleonard's former vision a reality. Equal parts romanticist, visionary, and passionate demagogue, he is a complex, (if not divided) man. He is one of the Original five. He believes that carrying out the former Rayleonard's "Closed Plan" will open the last frontier for mankind...Outer Space. He shares some personality and AC part design (with emphasis on energy weaponry and missiles) to Berlioz and Zanni in Armored Core 4.
- Old King: He led the former armed rebel group Lilliana. Isolating himself from other Orca to maintain his "outsider" status, his Algebra-based craft, Lisa, is reversed-legged and armed with a heavy shotgun. He is portrayed in the missions in which he appears (Defend/Destroy Cradle 03) as a genocidal maniac who verbally expresses excitement and hums cheerful jigs while anywhere up to a hundred million people are killed. The Protagonist (often referred to as "Lap Dog" by Old King himself) can access a special ending paired with Old King once sufficient ORCA missions are fulfilled in which Old King and the protagonist embark upon a plan to destroy the Cradles themselves; this, obviously, is a massive killing spree, and the death toll approaches one hundred million innocents. After this is done, Old King and the Protagonist end up fighting against the four top ranked Lynx of Collared collectively. In this battle, Old King can be killed. However, regardless if Old King dies or not, if the protagonist survives, he will go on to destroy the remaining Cradles, slaughtering even more people.
- Lilium Wolcott: A female Lynx who inherited the prestigious Wolcott name. She is the new princess of Wong Shao-Lung's treasured BFF, but her graceful disposition sets her apart from the late Mary Shelley, who piloted Prometheus in Armored Core 4. She pilots an offensive front line craft, Ambient. She respects Wong Shao-Lung greatly as a senior figure despite having surpassed him in rank and capability and often follows his wishes and commands selflessly.
- Gerald Gendlin: Gerald is a Lynx working for Rosenthal, and is the successor to Leonhardt as the Lynx of Noblesse Oblige. Noblesse Oblige is Rosenthal's iconic NEXT and is often considered a symbol of the company's power utilizing powerful laser weaponry. Very self righteous and dutiful, Gerald often takes immediate action when lives are threatened.
- Otsdarva: Formerly from Rayleonard, this is Omer's trump card as the pilot of the AC Stasis. His home is the battlefield, where he's touted as a tactical genius and rank 1 in the Collared rankings. Now he's turned his attention toward the infamous White Glint, and is determined to secure his spot at the top. Note that he mistakes the White Glint in Armored Core: For Answer for Joshua O'Brien, who was the one to actually bring down Anatolia.
- Wynne D Fanchon: Interior's female Lynx, often referred to as "GA's disaster". Also known as the "Brass Maiden" by many front line soldiers, she pilots Reiterpallasch. An aggressive Lynx who is famous for never failing a mission, her craft is lightweight but strikes hard. Proud of her everyday work, she despises those simply in the business for killing.
- Roadie: An experienced pilot who continues to pilot an outdated craft armed with bazookas known as Feedback. He compensates his low AMS aptitude with battle experience. He is one of the few survivors of the Lynx War and is GA's top Lynx. Portrayed as a righteous senior figure, he is respected by most for his experienced judgements on the battlefield and often feared alike for his NEXT's bazooka wielding arms.
- CUBE: A cyborg test pilot for the Aspina corporation piloting an experimental X-SOBRERO craft, whilst he is not primarily a combat pilot, he is used by Aspina on specialized missions for data collection and often accompanies Omer's top ranked Otsdarva on missions of utmost importance to the group. It is stated that many Lynx have fallen to its inhuman piloting abilities.
- Shamir Raviravi: This Lynx is often called "Algebra's Femme-Arachnid". She pilots Red Rum, an insect-like four-legged craft equipped with a slug gun and other slug-based weaponry. Best in her element, she loves to get the drop on her enemies in adverse battle field situations taking sadistic delight in culling her victims like sheep.
- Malzel: A strategist and Maximillian Thermidor's right hand man & trusted friend. He pilots a black heavy GA NEXT for key ORCA operations, he suggests going to Big Box himself, taking his younger protege Vaoh, whose talent he discovered years ago. He is well aware that he might die, but like he says - "We all have to die sometime".
- Neo Nidus: One of ORCA's top ranked Lynx. He is greatly feared for his remarkable AMS aptitude whilst piloting his NEXT Gachirin and his clever tactics on the battlefield. His NEXT, a heavy Torus craft utilizes experimental Assault Armor weaponry which can often cause great damage to surrounding NEXTs when approached.
- Takafumi Arisawa: The 43rd president of the Arisawa Heavy Industries, some call him "Shadow Warrior". He searches for an opponent for his beloved craft, Rai-Den. His craft is the driving force behind all Arisawa technology, a heavy tank-type armed with grenades.
Arms Forts
Large-scale weapons created by the Companies to replace NEXTs in military operations as well as keeping each company in The League in a state of checks and balances. They are many times larger and much more powerful than any single NEXT is, and are usually deployed in matters where a NEXT is neither available nor sufficient.
- Stigro: A marine-type Arms Fort from Interior Union, armed with massive scale laser blades and missiles, the Stigro is the fastest of all Arms Forts, but largely based in water. While an extremely well designed AF for combating enemy naval fleets it won't fair well against a NEXT. Appears in "Attack on Naval Port of Mimir", "Defeat AF Stigro and "Defeat the 8th fleet"
- Spirit of Motherwill: A huge walking Arms Fort created by the Bernard and Felix Foundation. Designed like a gargantuan aircraft carrier and bristling with several homing missile launchers, long-ranged cannons, and many Normal units. Heavy armor made this AF indestructible from the outside. However having all these powerful weapons have their flaws. When the gun batteries and missile silos are destroyed it may cause uncontrollable internal fire to the structure. Appears in "Defeat The spirit of Motherwill"
- Cabracan: A large, tower-like Algebra AF with a shredder-like apparatus equipped to the front. All around defense made this AF totally indestructible. However being so focused on defense it lacks any serious firepower for an AF. Furthermore the steel plated 'skirt' that protects its treads must open up to adjust to the uneven surface while travelling, leaving the treads temporary vulnerable. Its top half contains multiple drones that activate upon destruction of its treads. Appears in "Defeat AF Cabracan"
- Land Crab: Arms Fort utilized by GA and Interior Union, GA Land Crabs are equipped with High Caliber Cannons, whereas the Interior Land Crabs are equipped with very accurate laser cannons. Much like the mobile fortresses from Armored Core 4, they are easily destroyed from the underside. This AF is massively produced. Appears in "Attack on Richland" and "Rescue the GA Transport Unit",
- Eclipse: Omer Science's Arms Fort, flight capable and equipped with a laser cannon that rotates a full 360 degrees around the craft. Appear in "Defend Megalis" and "Defend Anti-Satelite Cannons"
- Answerer: A floating Arms Fort armed with the latest in Kojima technology, including Kojima beams, Kojima missiles, homing missiles, and Assault Armor. Heavy armor is used to protect its core. However to reduce its weight this AF only used standard armor for its outer shell. Appears in "Defeat AF Answerer"
- Sol Dios Orbit: A modified Land Crab Arms Fort with several Sol Dios Cannons that are capable of operating independently from the main unit. However the Sol Dios Cannons takes a while to engage, which might allow a fast moving NEXT to approach before it happens. Appears in "Defeat Unidentified AF"
- Great Wall: Global Armament's greatest Arms Fort, it is several miles long and equipped with long range ballistics and heavy missile ordinance. Many consider it the "greatest land-based weapon" ever built. Appears in "Defeat AF Great Wall"
- Jet: ORCA's special, custom-made AF, heavily armored except for a single exposed exhaust vent on its upper half. It is armed with multiple energy blades. Due to its small size design and relatively lower cost this AF was massively produced. Appear in "Defeat ORCA's Special AF Unit", also miniature versions appear in "Defend Arteria Cranium(Hard mode)"
- Giga Base: Another aquatic-based AF. While cruder in appearance than Stigro and incapable of melee combat, it is equipped with a very powerful long-ranged cannon and several homing missile launchers. However its lack of defense against close by targets made it an outdated machine against the increasingly fast moving ACs like the NEXTs. May also be capable of moving on land, as one appears in the distance to provide backup during the mission 'Defeat AF Cabracan' (Normal difficulty only). Also appear in "Defeat AF Giga Base" and "Clear Former Chinese Shanghai"
Reception
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (September 2008) |
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 63.2%[2] (Based on 4 reviews) |
| Metacritic | 67/100[3] (Based on 4 reviews) |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1UP.com | 7.0/10 |
| Game Informer | 6.25/10 |
| GameSpot | 7.0/10 |
| IGN | 8.0/10[4] |
| Official Xbox Magazine | 5.5/10 |
| TeamXbox | 6.1[5] |
References
External links
- Armored Core For Answer Official Ubisoft Armored Core For Answer Website
- Armored Core For Answer Official Japanese Armored Core For Answer Website
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