Armored Core: For Answer Review for Xbox 360 (X360)

System: X360, PS3	Review Rating Legend
Dev: From Software	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Ubisoft	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sep. 16, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-8 (Online)	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

For Answer might be a next-gen game, but, at first glance, you wouldn't know it. Aside from the various NEXT, everything in levels - from buildings to transport vehicles - has very little detail. The game also suffers from that fake sheen-look common in early next-gen titles, so the side of a canyon wall looks shiny and water, instead of looking like a fluid, moving object, resembles a sheet of Vaseline. What makes it even worse is the muted color palette. Everything is a shade of gray, blue, or brown. This leads to a bland look that doesn't pop. The audio side isn't as bad as the graphics, but it just sounds so generic that, ultimately, it's not memorable. Nothing - not even explosions - really stand out in a noticeable way.

Armored Core: For Answer screenshot

Online play does throw co-op in the mix, allowing you to play nearly every single-player mission with a friend, but since the levels aren't that fun to play solo, throwing another NEXT in the mix doesn't really boost the fun factor. Up to eight players can participate in a deathmatch-like mode. However, this ends up being chaotic, as NEXTs slide around the screen spamming missiles in every direction.

What's so strange about For Answer is its trading of extensive customization for actual gameplay. Sure, you can build the ultimate mech, customizing it to your heart's content, yet when you actually play the game, you realize its shortcomings. It's like a gear head and their car - it's fun to tinker under-the-hood all day, but if the car isn't actually fun to drive, then it all seems like wasted effort.

By Jason Lauritzen
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.0

Graphics
Aside from the impressive looking robots, the environments are very bland. The extremely muted color palette compounds the overall lackluster look of the game.

2.3

Control
Piloting can be frustrating and the multiple control schemes don't simplify matters by any means.

2.6

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Featuring average voice acting, half-decent sound effects, and a generic score, the audio is forgettable.

1.5

Play Value
The actual gameplay doesn't live up to the insane customization options. Robot fans will love tweaking their mechs all day long, but once you get into the actual missions, you'll find there's barely any fun to be had.

2.1

Overall Rating - Poor
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Fight COLOSSAL military vehicles in beautiful, expansive environments.

Play almost any mission cooperatively with a friend online.

Influence the outcome of the war by choosing your own path and by selecting the factions you will help along your epic adventure.

Face ten uniquely designed types of GIANT mobile battle stations and engage ten other kinds of mechs in high velocity combat situations.

Customize your mech with hundreds of parts and weapons, a killer paint job, and decals, and find the right combination of weapons and armor that will help you take down COLOSSAL enemies.

With more than 130 new parts, enhance your mech to take on increasingly deadlier GIANT mobile battle stations.

Screen Resolution: Up to 1080p (Full HDTV, Widescreen).