Armored Core V

It's still the hardcore spectacle we know and love, with its Moonlight laser blades and hidden AC parts, but by bringing mecha enthusiasts together in a team-based environment that isn't restricted to one-on-one arena battles, we finally have a game on which an online community can be built.

If you can't play online, Armored Core V is rather dry, but if you can, it's a detailed and substantial mech experience made loads better by the addition of other people.

This is fanservice for mecha fans in its purest form. Armored core lovers will definitely appreciate the extensive multiplayer and the usual amazing customization options, everyone else will probably give up soon, due to the boring and repetitive campaign and gigantic amount of data that needs to be absorbed.

This is war in its most brutal form and as fans on the series know this translates into a merciless game with a complex control scheme, complicated menus and a shitload of different parts for your mechs. [April 2012, p.98]

Despite failing to reach its spectacular potential due to the region issues, there's still a great giant robot sim to be enjoyed. [June 2012, p.65]

Yes, for newcomers, Armored Core V is a difficult game, frustratingly difficult. Yet it can be rewarding to those willing to put their precious hours not into learning a new language, or a skill, but to master a mech-combat videogame.

The technical issues, obtuse game design, and low population really hurt Armored Core.

Armored Core V is a good step forward for this franchise. The huge and interesting multiplayer experience is a nice addition to the Armored Core brand. The lack of balance on the unlocking process and Conquest Mode, sadly, ruins the game's flow.

The most rewarding and commendable component of ACV is its multiplayer offering. If you can get into that, especially with some friends, it's easier to forgive the flaws and have fun.

It's still not the game that will make giant robot sims mainstream, but it does have some innovative ideas in terms of both combat and online play.

Armored Core V has got a huge potential, but fails to deliver because of its unfriendly UI, repetitive missions and online shortcomings.

The true value of the game comes from playing it as a multiplayer experience. Attempting to play through the game as a single, offline player is an uphill struggle during the more difficult missions, and diminishes much of the value found here. But while the multiplayer component provides an interesting platform for interacting with other like-minded mech enthusiasts it only works to mask the otherwise competent core experience beneath it.

Don't get me wrong, the game is fun and a filled online match is second to none. With some better decisions this game could have been special, instead it's forgettable and will likely be abandoned. Sitting in lobbies is not the definition of a good time.

I appreciate the interesting format AC V employs, and enjoyed the sense of camaraderie I had for my team. However, the story missions are too confusing and difficult, the order missions are too short and repetitive, and there is no in-between.

Weak combat and shoddy visuals saved by some excellent mech customisation. [June 2012, p.88]

Overcoming the initial intimidation of the vast arrays of stats and finding your footing in the battlefield are certainly challenges worth celebrating when victorious. However, if you're looking for an engaging campaign, measured and concise tactics, and stunning graphics beyond the mechs, From Software's latest entry will leave you severely disappointed.

The game system of Armored Core 5 remains efficient but clearly suffers from out-of-date graphics that only huge fans of the IP will forgive. You've been warned!

Yes, we are annoyed it isn't better than it is. [Issue#217, p.76]

Despite the mechas' new,smaller stature(roughly two-thirds the size of those in previous titles), battles felt sluggish. [May 2012, p.81]

Your typical niche game for those who dig robot combats. The robots are fully customizable, and of course, you can play online... it's deep and rich, even though its production values are clearly less than impressive. The solo campaign is weak, it's really online that its appeal appears.

Armored Core V can field some fierce firefights, but the combat is encumbered by repetitious missions, simplistic objectives, and dull visual design.

Armored Core V is a very dull vision of a future filled with powerful mechs – even though the tactical options and the extensive construction of those metal beasts are quite impressive.

Fans will love V's hardcore complexities and online battles. It's all poorly presented, and impenetrable for newcomers. [June 2012, p.109]

Essentially, the most entertainment here comes from (finally) tweaking your 'AC' to a preferred fighting style, applying tactics to infiltrate enemy lines and using the rocket boots to skate about and scale buildings. Frustration creeps right back in again when you realise how counterintuitive the menus are. [May 2012, p77]