Armored Core Formula Front Review (no fat)

Game Description

When it comes to ‘action game’, the typical gamer in many countries around the world wants just that - fast paced action. Armored Core Formula Front was initially developed in Japan and it is thus mainly aimed at the Japanese audience.

While the game does contain action and adventure, it is a more a cerebral endeavor than one normally associates with an action game. This particular game requires a deal of thought, consideration and strategic planning on the part of a gamer. In short, rather than being an action packed adventure, Armored Core Formula Front is a game of strategy quite different from what many gamers have come to expect in countries such as the United States, Canada and the European communities - some of the largest markets in the world for computer and high tech games.

Armored Core Formula Front Gameplay

The root of the game is to train and improve your Raven. The Raven is the character that takes the player through the game. A great deal of time is spent creating, building and training this particular character.

Throughout the building and training process the player also develops weaponry that will be used by the robot during the course of the game itself. In addition to developing a solitary Raven (or mech) during the initial parts of the game, you can also create a team of mechs -- each with different weaponry and skills that a player can refine during the initial phases of play.

Following the establishment of parameters and training your team of mechs or Ravens, you then have to undergo the process of three full stages of fine tuning the menu for play – all before you even embark on the first battle.

The Action – Oops!

To actually say the battle ‘begins’ at this juncture is a bit of a misnomer. While the system is queued up for battle at this juncture, you really do not have direct control over the battle itself. Rather, the battle sequences and your Raven squad of mechs essentially are running on a system of artificial intelligence. A player’s success during the battle sequences depends entirely on how well you have tuned and “programmed” the Ravens or the mechs prior to the commencement of the battle sequences.

Throughout the battle sequences, there is very little interaction between the player and the action on the screen. So if you were planning to beat the crap out of your enemy once you finally tuned your Raven to perfection, you might as well use a pillow to vent your frustration (…computer monitors are costly!)

Armored Core Formula Front & the Battles

The crux of the game lies definitely in strategy rather than action, don’t get us wrong, you’ll get plenty of action on-screen but you won’t be taking part directly. If you select the proper strategy during the planning stages of the game, you will see your decisions play out successfully as the battle sequences progress (or fail to progress if you do not strategize and plan well).

The battle sequences, themselves, are vivid and truly interesting to witness. When you are through bashing buttons to see how you can impact the battles, you can actually witnessing what your Raven really is doing for the most part during these battle sequences.

While this is not your type of game if you like clobbering the enemy rather than plotting your victory, gearheads would love the sheer amount of choice they have in tweaking their robot just right. The strategic element remains captivating for a long time because of this diversity and you might end up trying a lot of things if you really get addicted.

Armored Core Formula Front Visuals and Graphics

The visuals and graphics associated with Armored Core Formula Front are generally impressive. The detail and the special effects are tremendous in their scope. Overall, the visuals, graphics and special effects have to be described as fantastic.

Of course, for the most part, after a player passes through the strategic planning stage of the early part of the game, he or she is essentially a spectator. But, the action visually portrayed on the screen can hold your attention at least to some degree. And, it is interesting to see how a your initial strategic planning decisions come to fruition through the excellent visuals associated with the game, if nothing else.

Armored Core Formula Front Sound Quality

The sound effects and sound track components are also nicely presented. The sound effects fit neatly and smartly into the action on the screen and compliment very effectively the visual and special graphic effects that are interspersed throughout the action sequence.

Armored Core Formula Front Summary

Once again, not what one normally would expect in the way of an action and adventure game, Armored Core Formula Front is a perfect choice if a person has an inclination to appreciating the strategic aspects of battle. If you are a person who enjoys plotting and planning future action, and have a talent for the same, you will find Armored Core Formula Front interesting and enjoyable.

However, if you like the rough and tumble of on the spot action and immediate do or die decision making, Armored Core Formula Front may fall a bit flat for you because there isn’t any ‘direct’ action for you to go around with and cinematic's can only be interesting for a very limited amount of reruns.

Armored Core Formula Front Cost

The game for PSP retails for $39.99US at the time of this review.