The Raven Republic
The latest game from From Software, the creators of Armored Core, is a throwback to the classic 8-bit era RPG titles mixed with a modern aesthetic, giving the once blocky 2D sprites a high-definition 3D remake with particularly interesting results. A modern retro style game so to speak, the game is full 3D pixel art as seen from the screenshots below:
One of FROM’s biggest hurdles in converting their PS2 Armored Core titles to the PSP was the control scheme. The inherent difference in the number of buttons on the dual shock and the PSP meant that the controls simply couldn’t be the same. This is evidenced by how FROM’s first portable Armored Core game, Formula Front, was initially an AI arena only. FROM eventually did implement player control, but with automated vertical aiming due to the absence of the L2 and R2 buttons on the PSP. This made for what enthusiasts considered a dumbed down Armored Core experience.
With the release of Armored Core 3 Portable and the announcement of Silent Line Portable, many players wondered how FROM would work around this button handicap. The image below shows how they decided to lay out the default controls.
Here’s a gallery of the new parts that appear on AC3P as well as their stats. Most of the frame parts and weapons are remakes of older AC parts not included in the recent games such as in Last Raven.
RR cover girl Sophie Emilia shows more of her artistic side with the following original pictures by the talented Trace-02. First off is an artistic rendition of Sophie in the vein of Art Neuvo, influenced by the style of Alfons Mucha. I may have been enticed by some spell the illustration may have cast on me, and I can’t help but enjoy looking at the picture.
Recent screenshots of the upcoming Armored Core Silent Line Portable game for the PSP have revealed a variety of new parts to be included in the next AC game as well as some new features.
1. Shortened load time thanks to some of the game data being installed in the memory stick.
2. Data from AC3P can be carried over, though only 1/10 of the credits will be ported over aside from all of the parts.
3. A.I. training seems to be back as well.
On to the new parts:
Long time AC fan Naitoh, who has been an excellent source of information on the Japanese Armored Core scene, has recently uploaded videos of “Matsuri 2”, a Japanese Armored Core 3 tournament held back in January of 2003, on his YouTube account. Sadly, we have no further information regarding the tournament such as its rules and part restrictions. Beyond that, the only information we can confirm for sure is the slight lag with the 2nd player because of the i.Link connection, as mentioned by Naitoh himself, a given problem in the AC3 and SL editions of AC.
Anyone familiar with the game of pool will be familiar with the “nine-ball” format. Unlike other pool formats, nine-ball is generally played one-on-one, and remains to be a popular event in major pool sporting tournaments. The primary appeal of a nine-ball game is its mano-a-mano format, offering spectators a duel of fates between two competitors whether it is in the spirit of friendly competition, or bitter rivalries. It is this very same format and emotionally charged atmosphere that surround Armored Core’s defining attribute – the arena.
One large entertainment deal has been announced recently, as The Disney Company decides to buy Marvel Entertainment for a total of $4 billion USD. This means that Marvel Entertainment’s famous and iconic characters such as Captain America and Wolverine can and may co-exist with equally iconic characters such as Donald Duck and Goofy. What it means for us gamers, is the chance to see more berserk cross-universe games like Kingdom Hearts with Marvel characters, and maybe succeeding Marvel Ultimate Alliance games featuring a couple or so Hidden Mickeys.
Under the control of Disney, which is known to have a family-friendly disposition, the next issue of Marvel Comics may look something like this: