Armored Core V

Armored Core V
North American cover art
Developer(s)	From Software
Series	Armored Core
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre(s)	Simulation
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer, Co-op

Armored Core V (アーマード・コアV / ARMORED CORE V, Aamaado Koa Faibu) is a 3D mecha-based video game for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the 14th installment and 5th main installment of From Software's Armored Core series. Armored Core V is a return to the more traditional style of gameplay found in the original series of games. It is an indirect sequel to Armored Core 4 and Armored Core: For Answer.

Gameplay

Whereas previous games in the series focused on quick-reflex combat, Armored Core V relies heavily on tactical gameplay. Similar to the first games in the series, Armored Core V requires players to use level geography to their advantage. New to the series are Ultimate Weapons, which deal enormous damage; however, these weapons need to be recharged between uses, limiting the player to only one use per mission or match.

The online mode features five-on-five team-based battles, with each side battling over specific objectives across the map. One member of each team is designated as the Operator and must oversee the entire battle and issue orders to their team. On March 10, 2014, it was announced via the Armored Core Facebook page that the online servers for Armored Core V would be shut down 10 days later on March 20, 2014.

Background

The game is set in a futuristic post-apocalyptic war in which the Resistance is engaged in an all out war against the so-called "FATHER" and his Corporation. Gameplay and story are featured differently from all the other games in the Armored Core series. Each mission in the story contains voice-over narration that depicts the history involving the events in Armored Core V and how the player character and his group approaches every situation. The in-game environments of the story missions are based in war torn cities, harbors, deserted ancient facilities, and post-apocalyptic wasteland. After the player has completed the introduction of the game, the game begins with order missions, and sub missions; some of these sub missions are required to be completed in order to continue the process of the game's main story. The story is divided into 10 story-based missions depending on the player's choice on which to play first when each story mode is unlocked. As the story may confuse players, they can play order and sub missions to better understand their pilot's and comrade's personal boundaries towards hostile enemies, or friendly units. The Player's AC pilot is a silent protagonist featuring no reaction, but his ambitions can be judged. Armored Core V is not a sequel to previous Armored Core series games, but the game features a linear storyline, similar to the earlier games in the series. Players are free to play the missions in any order they like, although this will not change the story’s ending.

Characters

Although From Software never focused on developing deep personalized main characters in the game which changes the game into a whole new level.

Player character (protagonist)

An AC pilot who comes from an elite mercenary family previously worked for the Corporation and now works for the Resistance.

Carol Dorry

The Player's operator during the Player's time with the corporation, she currently works for the Chief.

• Chief

The main antagonist in the game revealed mostly during story 09 who is fascinated by the Player's piloting skills. It is hinted over the course of the Story that Chief is actually be an AI, similar in function to Nine-Ball from the early games.

Fran

The player character’s commander and operator in the resistance. She is also the superior of Rosary and RD. Fran is the Leader of the resistance however she aids the player as an operator during solo missions during which Leon covers for her as the Resistance Leader.(Fran's Father was revealed as Jack Batty during a transmission of Rosary calling for her father's retreat) (Japanese VA:Sanae Kobayashi)

Leon

Sub-Commander of the resistance who covers for Fran during Fran's solo missions after the death of Jack Batty. (Japanese VA: Hiroshi Shirokuma)

Jack Batty

A deceased Resistance member who was killed by the Chief in story mission 00 while the Player worked for the corporation.

Rosary

The player character’s supplier during most of the story missions. Also known to be a money hungry mercenary working under the command of Fran. (Japanese VA: Marika Hayashi)

RD

Serves as the player character’s supplier during the mid-game and as Rosary’s copilot in story 03 under Fran’s command during his occupation in the Resistance. RD betrays the Resistance to join the Corporation. (Japanese VA: Daisuke Namikawa)

FATHER

Originally plays as the antagonist although he is not featured in the game for any purpose other than for ruling the city with an iron fist as part of the story

Zodiac

A group of 12 pilots that the player character fights. Nine of them appear in order matches while the other three are optional boss fights.

Release

The game was released in Japan on January 26, 2012 for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was released by Namco Bandai on March 20, 2012, in North America and March 23, 2012, in Europe.

From Software has released a companion application for iOS and Android devices which provides access to a database of in-game parts and weapons to aid in mech customization.

In Japan, those who pre-ordered Last Raven Portable received an art book and a download code for an exclusive variant of the Moonlight close-quarters weapon. In North America, two promotional download packages were offered to those who pre-ordered Armored Core V: Amazon offered the Recon Pack, while GameStop offered the Heavy Assault Pack. Both of these packs can now be purchased from the in-game store. Both content packs did not add anything new to the game, rather they enabled players to access parts far earlier than they would normally by playing through the campaign.

External links

• Template:Ja icon From Software's official site
• Namco-Bandai's official site