Armored Core 4: Letdown to its Predecessors?
 

Personally, I feel that AC4 was a complete letdown compared to its predecessors. While I am stunned by the visual improvements and the storyline, the inability to choose your own mission, as well as the function known as quick-boost, are tools that make the game much easier for me, to where I don't appreciate it.

Perhaps I'm only one of a few, but I feel that AC4 no longer submerses you into the life of a mercenary, as Last Raven did so well.

What are your thoughts, for those of you who have touched the Armored Core universe?

I haven't really played Armored Core so for a minute I thought "Letdown to its Predecessors" was actually the subtitle and the game was already yelling at you for disgracing your ancestors with your terrible performance and lack of killing efficiency.

Is that...
 

...really necessary?

So then it'd be AC4+Mulan.

That'd be more fun than AC4 actually was by wide margin.

You mean like...
 

...some sort of weird female self-discovery Shanghai movie?

I dunno, I personally hated like, every single AC Ive played, but I found 4 to be at least marginally playable.

Please don't...
 

...talk like this anymore.

Please. :)

I thought Four was better than Chromehounds anyway, but that's not saying a whole lot. Not just because it's a whole different series but also because Chromehounds was really bad.

I have to agree with all but one point, I disliked the storyline. It was interesting seeing and finding out the history of all the other mercs, left over from the last war but besides that, having to follow the development and protection of anatolia alone, was pathetic. I'd prefer if they did the old AC format (choosing different missions) with a touch of Splinter Cell (news reports detailing what's happened in the world as a result) however the game doesn't need to lead to one conclusion. What if by preforming missions for company A only, it manages to usurp the government and eliminate company B and C, what if I work for the terrorist trying to take down the companies? What if I act like a true merc and work for the highest bidder (which is changing in response to your action based on how good you've done, and the financial state of the group) eventually leading to all the companies being knocked a significant peg due to your tactical strikes.

Also I have a love hate relationship with the quick boost. It made my light armor constantly dodging high powered weapon mech (the style I always play with) a supperior fighter then the heavily armored mechs, and actually very reasonable to use (with enough skill). But at the same time those tiny boosters move the heavier mechs, way too fast. The weight to booster speed detriment needs to be fixed.

Also weapons should be ambidextrous (whenever I switched weapon rotations I ended up having to resell and rebuy my parts).

Quick Boost is...
 

...a hastily added function that serves no other purpose but to attempt to appeal to the players. It's unrealistic, overly convenient, and all too predictable. It was a novelty for a while. Being able to use a relatively heavier mech compared to what I'm used to, while quickboosting like a madman (didn't take all that long to master), made gunslinging so much easier. Yeah, the whole setting thing needs to be switchable after purchase. Actually, when Armored Core: Nexus introduced a differentiation between left-back part and right-back parts I hated it instantly.

While I understood the geometrical purpose, it was just way too inconvenient. Gameplay wise, it's a very minor facet in the life of a mercenary who pilots these giant 10 story monsters all to make a decent living.

I actually liked the storyline though. Aside from being unable to pick your mission, it was much more romantic and a nice break from the usual Armored Core series. Keep in mind, I haven't actually beaten the game, but I'm tired of the splinter-cell story. Last Raven also attempted to have multiple endings, but the shortness of the game just treated the six endings like items to be acquired, almost like obtaining those enhancements after beating Armored Core 2.

HERESY! Just kidding.

Well, I don't see it as much of a problem. What From did with SEGA was completely do away with the original codes and [modified] engines, and start completely from scratch to give a new and better experience. AC4 MORE THAN surpassed it's predecessors in practically every aspect. Yea, the game is easier (especially for veteran Ravens), but it was revamped for efficiency and ease of understanding for new players. Of course I'm partial to the Arena instead of "Simulation battles" but still, it's not that different. The mission selection isn't dealt away with, it's just more tuned to a story instead of running around like in Armored Core 2: Another Age and EVEN MORE Ninebreaker; you have to admit that even Last Raven had a story that was followed.

For the first AC game of the new generation consoles, really it did it's part. It's just the start of things to come. Give it time and more Armored Core games will be even better and better.