Armored Core 4

From Armored Core Wiki

Armored Core 4 is the 12th installment of the Armored Core series despite being titled Armored Core 4. Armored Core 4 is set in the future, where an impending great war will potentially leave the nations of Earth devastated and their respective governments taken over by corporations. The game features a system for personalized customization of the player's AC and an online mode where players can battle each other over either the PlayStation Network or Xbox Live.

Contents 1 Gameplay 1.1 New features 2 Plot 2.1 Characters 2.2 Corporations 2.3 Subsidiaries & Minor Companies 3 References

[edit] Gameplay

Gameplay in Armored Core 4 is divided among several modes, where the player can build an AC unit for combat and test its abilities.

• Assemble - In this section, the player builds his AC from the current pool of available parts. This works differently than in previous installments of Armored Core, in that the Shop area is integrated into the garage and can be accessed by pressing square on the PS3. All the parts that are currently available are listed in the garage, whether the players owns them or not. Parts that the player does not own are marked "DATA ONLY".

• Paint - This section is for changing the color of the AC. The player can change the color of any and all elements, except for boosters (same color as core), generator, and FCS.

• Simulation - Simulation is essentially Armored Core 4's version of the Arena found in many previous Armored Core games. A single data pack contains simulation data for one or more enemy Nexts. When a Next is defeated in a Data Pack, the player is given a monetary reward, with an additional monetary award for defeating all the Nexts in a given Data Pack. Other rewards are also available, and include items such as parts for the AC, Memory for tuning, and even new Data Packs. One thing to note about Simulation mode is that the player doesn't need to buy the parts in the schematic to use it. A schematic made entirely out of unpurchased, "DATA ONLY" parts can be used in Simulation without penalty. There is no penalty for losing in Simulation mode, and no cost for repairs or ammunition if the player wins.

• Test - Launches an AC test simulation. As with the Simulation mode, the player doesn't need to purchase the parts in a schematic to use it in a test simulation. By default, there are no enemies in the simulation and the player can add enemies. Targets available include a squad of MTs, a small group of Normals, or a single Next. Only one type of target can be active at a time, and changing target types restarts the test.

• Tutorial - Selecting this option launches the tutorial from the start of the game.

• Schematics - This category is in essence the library of various AC designs. The player can have up to five different sections to keep certain designs separate if desired. There are also pages for enemy designs that are acquired by beating them in the simulator, Company Standard designs, and one reserved for other players designs that have been traded to the player via online. Main, slot A-D, and trade can total up to no more than 100 AC's per save file. To load a design, the player must have at least as much FRS as the desired design uses.

[edit] New features

Armored Core 4 has more new features than previous AC games although some of those found in previous AC games were removed. The lockbox from the first AC game up to Last Raven was enlarged to nearly the size of the entire screen and its borders were made invisible. As a weapon's lock approaches the edge of the lock box, its tracking ability decreases, this is most clearly seen when using sniper weapons. AC's will now automatically lock on to enemies when in FCS range instead of waiting for the weapon to be in range. Lock box tracking is now second to melee ability in importance. Melee ability determines how fast a weapon's lock on reticule can track an opposing AC. A heavy weapon with low melee is likely to lose a lock on if a fast AC QB's to the side, while a high melee weapon will maintain its lock on.

The controls for the game have been reworked from the ground up to provide easier and more efficient play. Also, the environment is now affected by AC battles. For example, an AC moving on sand or on the ground will leave footprints, boosting leaves a trail. Some buildings and landmarks can be destroyed. Weapons possess terra-forming effects. For example, if you shoot a plasmatic energy bolt at a building, a small chunk will be removed, if you lay waste to your opponents with a machine gun or assault rifle and in that rush you continue firing, bullet holes appear. yet, most notably in an unlockable Arctic battle stage, snow rushes up in an explosive fashion. Battlefields are now considerably larger, but relatively barren of details like previous AC games. The player can now fight on water unlike past AC games where the player would fall straight to the bottom if contact was made (that is, the player was not given a chance to try to recover), as if the water was a living, metal-hungry beast that steals your AC and leaves your drowned corpse for the carnivorous fishies.

Other changes made from past AC games include that all weapons now do more damage, the heat and overheating game mechanics have now been replaced with Kojima Particles and Primal Armor shielding, AP and defense was raised greatly, from the thousands to the ten-thousands leg weight capacity being more forgiving, the removal of cannon restrictions on non tank legs, boosters separated into categories of main, side, back, and overboost, and boosting along the ground (and sometimes in the air) no longer consuming energy, but merely causing the energy bar to regenerate more slowly (Generator output no longer stops when boosting, so total drain is a function of output added to boost and weapon drain). A quick boost (QB) function was also added which causes almost instantaneous bursts of speed. QB is the main method of movement in AC4, and has many analogies to boost movements in older games, such as the QB hop vs boost hop. New techniques include "second staging" and "chaining". Second Stage (or SS) QB can only be used when QB is mapped to a pressure sensitive button, like the triggers on the 360 and PS3 controllers. Pulling the trigger at the correct and steady rate results in a more powerful QB that increases speed and acceleration for negligible drain penalties. Chaining is move that overcomes the latency time between QB's, if one QB is activated but then immediately followed by another in a different direction, the recharge time of the first QB is voided, allowing that booster to be used immediately after the second QB is fired. Overboost is relatively weak, and drains Kojima Particles (KP) when activated. This means that frequent use of OB may leave one's defenses greatly reduced. This led to OB being less popular than in previous games, such as Silent Line. then again, most beginners tended to get the E.O. cores that had small drones built in.

[edit] Plot

The world experienced a period of rapid population growth, which put a strain on global food and energy supplies. As populations increased, so did the gap between the wealthy and the poor, and so did the unrest within the population at large. Eventually, violence began to erupt and the governments quickly lost control of their populations as their cities were consumed by terrorism and anarchy. People began turning to corporations, complete with private armies, to keep them safe from the chaos.

In the midst of the meltdown, the world's six most powerful corporate conglomerates decided to do away with national governments and install their own brand of rule and law. They launched a full scale war on the nations of the world, which came to be known as the National Dismantlement War.

Using advanced Armored Core technology, the corporations decimated the forces of the nations and declared victory in less than a month. With the old nations of the world effectively toppled, the corporations set out to work on a new system of government.

The corporations dubbed their new order as the "Pax Economica" ("Economic [or Corporate] Peace", Latin), a system where loyalty and service to the corporations guaranteed food and survival. Under the Pax, however, people were forced into corporate-run colonies and essentially became slaves serving wealthy corporate masters.

[edit] Characters

• Raven: The silent protagonist of Armored Core 4. As in previous Armored Core titles, the Raven is unnamed and does not speak. The story plays out entirely from his perspective.

• Professor Jarnefeldt: As the developer of Next control technology, he single-handedly supplied the core of Anatolia's livelihood with his many technical advancements . His death left Anatolia in a state of economic crisis.

• Emil Gustav: Though a member of Professor Jarnefeldt's Next tech development staff, his true talents lie in the world of politics. Following the Professor's death, Emil assumes responsibility for the Colony's welfare and proposes that they sell the Nexts. With this in mind, he asks the Raven to act as the Next's pilot. He was voiced by Dwight Schultz for the US version.

• Fiona Jarnefeldt: Not only is she Professor Jarnefeldt's daughter but she also worked as the Raven's support partner (operator) in the field. Though she understands the necessity of Emil's plan, she is unable to relieve her feelings of guilt at using the Raven, she also seems to have feelings for him. Both She and the Raven together leave Anatolia after the war. She was voiced by Kari Wahlgren for the US version.

• Joshua O'Brien: An old friend of Fiona's, this former AMS test subject now works as a mercenary for Aspina. He pilots the NEXT White Glint, tuned for extreme mobility, and utilizing Joshua's high degree of AMS compatibility. Despite his gentlemanly calm nature and somewhat apathetic aura, he continues to fight to protect his tiny homeland. He was voiced by Daryl Kurylo for the US version. He is the #40 Irregular.

• Leonhardt: He pilots the NEXT, Noblesse Oblige, with large-model custom laser cannons. An enigmatic character, he and his AC are regarded as the symbol of Rosenthal Corporation. His consistent success on the battlefield is seen as justification to Rosenthal's extreme quantity-over-quality philosophy.  He is the #04 Original.

• Amazigh: He pilots the NEXT Barbaroi for the Maghrib Liberation Front. Born and raised in Africa, he stands as an iconic hero to Maghrib and the other anti-establishment forces in Africa. He's pushed Barbaroi's performance to the limits, despite extremely low natural AMS compatibility. This leads to him enduring a tremendous amount of psychic shock. He recently started working alone to avoid contaminating his comrades. He was voiced by Jeffrey D. Sams for the US version.

• Sus: He pilots the NEXT Asyut Minya for the Maghrib Liberation Front. He is generally seen as inferior to Amazigh as a pilot. He was voiced by Bumper Robinson for the US version.

• Mido Auriel: She pilots the NEXT Null. An experienced pilot and highly adaptable, she was selected after the Dismantlement War for training. She is considered highly talented, and is regarded as Omer's most powerful close range combatant. She was voiced by Masasa Moyo for the US version.

• Anjou: She pilots the NEXT Orleans. Her chief power lies in close combat, where she astounds her enemies with her extremely powerful experimental laser blade. Her Rayleonard NEXT utilizes custom-made parts and is extremely fast. Her skill on the battlefield is almost unparalleled, and she is known for killing the most Ravens during the Dismantlement War. She is the #03 Original. She was voiced by Karen Strassman for the US version.

• Mary Shelley: She pilots the NEXT Prometheus. The undisputed leader of BFF Corporation's military, she utilizes long range weaponry to deadly effect. BFF Corporation based its official design methods on her combat style. She is the #05 Original. She was voiced by Karen Strassman for the US version.

• Unseel: He pilots the NEXT Red Cap. Infamous as a rough Original from BFF Corporation, he utilizes sniper weaponry and ECM highly effectively. Although boasting of his talents, he feels no shame in stooping as low as he needs to in order to win. He is the #15 Original. He was voiced by Crispin Freeman for the US version.

• Zanni: He pilots the NEXT Roughcut. A Rayleonard Linx, he utilizes his Company's powerful boosters in a unique, 3-dimensional combat style. Known for utilizing experimental weaponry. He is the #12 Original. He was voiced by Dave Wittenberg for the US version.

• P. Dam: She pilots the NEXT Hilarios. An Akvavit Linx, she utilizes a first-generation Kojima-based AC. Known for high combat skills, but is prone to emotional instability that impairs her ability to complete missions. She is the #21 Original. She was voiced by Kate Higgins for the US version.

• Sherring: He pilots the NEXT Critique. Under Aldra's command, his NEXT utilizes powerful, high-output energy weaponry. A former Raven during the Dismantlement War, he is not fazed by the rapid technological gains made by the Companies. He is the #13 original.

• Berlioz: He pilots the NEXT Supplice. A legendary hero during the Dismantlement War, he is Rayleonard's most powerful Linx. A pragmatist and consummate soldier, his impressive skills has earned him the right to use any part he chooses - even from other companies than Rayleonard or Akvavit. He is the #01 Original. He was voiced by Chris Edgerly for the US version.

[edit] Corporations

The world of Armored Core 4 is ruled by six major companies, each of whom constantly vie for control with one another. The six companies are the Bernard and Felix Foundation (BFF), Eqbal, Global Armaments (GA), Leonemeccanica, Rayleonard, and Rosenthal. Besides these, several smaller companies worldwide often cooperate with the larger conglomerates for mutual benefit.

• Bernard and Felix Foundation: An integrated military company based in Europe, they produce highly precise weaponry and are a solid supporter of long range armament. The Bernard and Felix Foundation has an advesarial relationship with GA.

• Eqbal: An industrial integrated enterprise, based in Asia. Eqbal is known for their solid mass-production system and for unique and unconventional weapons.

• Global Armaments: The largest integrated military company, they based in the Pacific Rim economic region. GA has a solid reputation for practical and stable armaments and their arms are characterized by simple strength, and have a strong military favor. GA has an adversarial relationship with Bernard and Felix Foundation.

• Leonemeccanica: Develops AC units entirely with energy in mind, both offensively and defensively, Leonemecannica is based in Europe. Their AC's low-drain parts are able to get the most out of their high grade energy-based weapons.

• Rayleonard: An emerging energy company, based in North America, that occupies an important place in the development of the highly secret Kojima Technology sector.

• Rosenthal: A military company that was derived from a huge industrial conglomerate, they share close ties with Omer Science Technology.

[edit] Subsidiaries & Minor Companies

• Akvavit: A new company in strong partnership with both Rayleonard and GAE. They are in strong competition with Omer Science Technology for the development of Kojima technology and weaponry.

• MSAC International: Considered by most to be a complete subsidiary of GA, MSAC International is currently the main manufacturer of Missile-type weapons for Nexts.

[edit] References

ACO Armored Core Online Community website

XPLAY G4 TV Video Game Network website