The Raven RepublicAnything and everything Armored Core
After the release of Armored Core 3 Portable for the PSP last July, From’s next entry in its PSP ports series is Armored Core: Silent Line, which is scheduled for a November 19, 2009 release. One of the highlights of this new edition is the reappearance of the legendary Karasawa Mk II first seen in Armored Core 2, and it seems like it retains most of its stats except for the reduced ammo count as seen below:
ORCA Brigade leader Maximillian Thermidor’s personal NEXT is the next (pun definitely not intended) Armored Core to be immortalized in plastic model form, courtesy of model maker Kotobukiya. This kit is the twenty-seventh model to be produced for the Variable Infinity series, joining the likes of Supplice, White Glint and Noblesse Oblige from the Playstation 3 Armored Core games.
We have a bit of a LEGO theme going on here. But here’s a nice change of pace: this one’s actually related to Armored Core.
Flickr user bermudafreze‘s photostream sports a couple of recent shots of three ACs (one quad, two bipeds) made from LEGO. They’re pretty detailed, and are mostly faithful to for Answer-era parts. See more after the jump.
Hot on the heels of the release of the next-gen Armored Core model kits come these new weapon sets from Japanese plamo-maker Kotobukiya. While previous weapon sets used armaments and equipment from the PlayStation 2-era of games, these latest additions to the Variable infinity line-up offer parts to customize the new ACs coming from Armored Core 4 and Armored Core: For Answer for the PlayStation 3. Among the parts included are the HITMAN machine gun, the SAMPAGUITA shotgun, the 061ANSC sniper cannon and the venerable MOONLIGHT laser blade.
From software, the creators of Armored Core, is sponsoring a tournament for the recently released Armored Core 3 Portable for the PSP. It seems that From plans to go on a tour of various game stores all across Japan for the preliminary matches in this tournament. It’ll be interesting to see how tactics and gameplay have evolved from the original release on the PS2, as well as taking a look at the new parts in action. With the finals date set for October 3, 2009, it is only a matter of time before we get to see results.
Given my lack of Japanese reading skills, I could only decipher that the prizes include the awesome Armored Core model kits made by Kotubukiya plus various extras that I could not read. Please visit From’s officia tournament website for more details (Warning: Heavy on Japanese text): http://armoredcore.net/acct/season1/
The first matches are scheduled to start on August 29, so stay tuned to From’s official site for updates.
This official screenshot sports a sexy new head design previously absent from all preceding AC games. One can only wonder what other new surprises AC3P has in store for its followers and fans. Speculation goes that it’s the equipped head part of the new No.1 Ranker in the arena, replacing Ace as the arena top dog from the original AC3. See more pictures below and in the gallery.
As seen from this latest Famitsu magazine scan, Armored Core 3: Silent Line and Armored Core: Last Raven are receiving PSP ports soon as well. The listed release dates mark Silent Line due to release November this year, and Last Raven on March 2010. Two Tenchu games are coming out too, with Wrath of Heaven getting the first release this August, and Fatal Shadows on January next year.
Here’s the official launch page for these games. This was previously a countdown page, as what seems to be the norm for teasers these days.
No word on any changes in gameplay for SL or LR, though there is speculation it will take advantage of the PSP’s ability to connect online and play against other players via the internet as seen from AC3P‘s promo video.
[via Kotaku]
When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. – Luke 12:48
Pilot: R. Leonhardt (AC4), Gerard Gendelin (Armored Core: For Answer)
First Appearance: Armored Core 4
I feel it is appropriate to do a background check on one of the more recent icons to appear in the Armored Core franchise, the Noblesse Oblige, in light of the announcement of its upcoming model kit.