Armored Core 2

Armored Core 2
European PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s)	FromSoftware
Composer(s)	Kota Hoshino
Series	Armored Core
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Genre(s)	Action, third-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer

Armored Core 2 is a mecha video game in the Armored Core series, and was a launch title for the PlayStation 2 in North America. It represents the first major graphical overhaul for the series; while the three PlayStation-era games used the same engine with few changes between entries, Armored Core 2 featured a new engine built specifically for the PlayStation 2.

Storyline

Sixty-seven years after the events of the Subterranean Era in prior games, Earth's second largest corporation, Zio Matrix, acquires plans for a research project on Mars, dating back before the Great Destruction. Using these plans, Zio sends a research team to Mars to begin the Terraforming Project, which causes the Martian surface and atmosphere to approximate that of Earth. Other corporations learn of the project and quickly follow Zio Matrix, bringing with them the competitive environment that existed on Earth, and the employ of the mercenaries of Nerves Concord.

As the three companies' war comes to a close, the most powerful, Zio Matrix, attempts a coup against the government, which has regained control through its elite mercenary team, The Frighteners, led by Leos Klein. But in the chaos that ensues, the Frighteners turn on the government, assassinate the new leader of the LCC, and take control of powerful Disorder technology. The player character is tasked with confronting them and saving the human populace of Mars.

Gameplay

The player starts off with a basic armored core and is expected to complete a trial mission which consists of destroying several MTs. Completing the mission will register the player's character with Nerves Concord, a "mediation" firm. From that point on the player is relayed missions by their Nerves Concord manager and completing these missions will advance the game's storyline. The Arena from Armored Core: Master of Arena makes a return, allowing players to compete in matches against other Ravens in order to earn more credits and new AC parts.

Reception

On release, Famitsu magazine scored the game a 33 out of 40.