Armored Core: For Answer Is EXACTLY What A Sequel Should Be...

After the jump to PS3, Armored Core was in an interesting spot. Armored Core 4 had the best gameplay mechanics in the franchise thus far, but was a downgrade in almost every other way. But as we all know by now, every new Armored Core game gets at least one expansion, and these have a long history of correcting mistakes made in the base-game. So how did Armored Core: For Answer address the problems found in AC4’s design, and how did it turn out? Well, let’s talk about it...
Full Armored Core Series: • A First Timer's Journe...
Armored Core: For Answer is a 2008 vehicular combat game developed by FromSoftware and published by Ubisoft for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the 13th installment in the mecha-based Armored Core series, the game is the direct sequel to Armored Core 4.
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[@notcole]

Vote for the next review series here: strawpoll.com/1MnwONOvMn7

[@draydra]

kinda sad you didn't mention how White Glint was the player from AC4

[@MommysGoodPuppy]

hey, please consider monster hunter. I think your format would mesh very well with that series although they're much longer games. Or phantasy star online/universe/portable

[@justinjacobs1501]

Loving that AC's spiritual sibling, AC is at the top of the polls. The AC series has a whole lot structurally in common with AC due to them both hailing from the PS1 hardware. Hopefully, if you do play them, you can get a hold of the Japanese version of three as the US release was heavily gutted, going from two discs to one. I've also heard tell of a fan project to port three to either English subtitles and or a full-on fan dub.

[@Spino-hx2mr]

How do I play For Answer? I REALLY WANT to after Armored Core 6!

[@draydra]

@@Spino-hx2mr rcps3 or an xbox emulator

[@shingshongshamalama]

I love that the VOB is basically that old cold war concept of a nuclear-reactor-powered nuclear cruise missile. It's a ridiculous slab of metal that just dumps horrific radiation all over the place and then it's disposable once used, and the _only thing it's for_ is making you go places fast. It's so hilariously, almost cartoonishly wasteful.

[@redjack2629]

To be fair, the surface of the planet has been all but destroyed after the Anatolia incident at the end of 4. Not like they have much reason to hold back.

[@wanderingbufoon]

they had produced an overly abundance of kojima particles. So they might as well use em.

[@we-must-live]

@@wanderingbufoon heh. “we got nukes, might as well use em!”

[@theskipper7305]

You'll probably see this in other comments, but hard mode on missions isn't just a simple increase enemy stats. What changes in hard missions are the scenarios within, for example in a mission that requires you use a VOB to close thr distance might have the VOB malfunction and forces you to purge it well before your anywhere near closer to the objective or different enemy layouts that make the mission different.

[@darkjackl999]

I actually really loved that, made some missions more interesting or in marche au supplice's case, suffer

[@jeeBisOkay]

There's also a mission that causes the VOB to malfunction, but since purging it early would be suicidal, you simply have to avoid getting hit or it'll explode.

[@michaelhuss0]

I like the hard version of Support the Red Beret Assault. It has big bullet sponge enemies that you need to destroy to win, so your AC needs to have enough *ammo* to succeed, not just DPS. It's a good use case for blades, machine guns, assault armor... I take the fastest route first, and then circle around to clear the enemies on the other paths too just because I can.

[@RickSanchez0109]

@@michaelhuss0 wow nostalgia unlocked

[@Jsay18]

@@michaelhuss0 Or you can just bring a single sword on that mission.

[@theskipper7305]

Likewise, AC6 gets its 3 paths/endings idea primarily from this game. I HIGHLY recommend playing the 3rd ending (destruction) in preparation for AC Verdict Day

[@danieltorresgonzalez462]

Don't forget to at lest try the hard version, respect if he doesn't cheese it

[@XmarcX92]

It’s impossible to enjoy AC6 when AC4A exists.

[@R3TR0JVN]

ngl this was what i yearn for back AC3. seeing how the franchise or any gameplay driven and lore heavy game will benefit from it, and glad they invest for. like dude 👩‍🍳💋 game w/ replayability 🤝variety

[@joe74509migo]

As a mecha genre fan, I must say White Glint from for answer is one of the best mecha design in all media. It's elegant and powerful, featuring interesting transformation while boosting. A timeless AC designed by Macross creator Shoji Kawamori himself.

[@dragostorm5947]

Mmm and not just that, even for the people who don't know the series very well in general, just seeing White Glint makes the term "Armored Core" just immediately pop up in your mind. That's how iconic White Glint's design really is.

[@adrienzappala4266]

Major main characters gundam vibes

[@OCTO358]

Not my favorite, probably due to the plain white color scheme.

[@Beastly_Genius]

It would be great to see it wit current gen graphics like wit AC6

[@ArifxDD]

Wait Shoji Kawamori??. That Macross Creator himself that design White Glint???!!! Damn no wonder why White Glint look so attractive

[@TemjinZero]

That increased speed of 4A further exacerbated the online PvP situation. With laggy netcode, you'd often see opponents warping around inconsistently, and tracking opponents became a literal nightmare. The game literally could not keep up with player movements, and sometimes you'd just die or you'd crush your opponent without any resistance. While the increased part diversity was beloved... the number of things actually good at hitting another player was not nearly as expansive. Also, keep playing through for the other endings, 4A's other paths might surprise you.

[@eis6570]

When in doubt, blame netcode (seriously it's bad lmfao)

[@ColdCryomancer]

Hope he kept playing. This review is half cooked.

[@vizardzero2566]

Does 1 playthrough. Me waiting for Chole to discover how hard mode changes the story and for the final FINAL boss fight on the final playthrough changes his opinions further.

[@nicklausdavis]

That’s what I’m saying. He acknowledges that the game is MEANT to be played through multiple times then proceeds to get the most basic ending on normal difficulty.

[@droman608]

That final mission on Hard… haven’t finished it.

[@TE72GOD]

​@@droman608 I hope you havent given up. It is so incredibly fun and rewarding. To this day it remains as the best memory I have in all my gaming experiences. Beating it on hard using dual blades.

[@WingOfTheMad]

@@droman608 Pssss, kojima kanons, or what ever the huge ones that make u bend over, cheese 'em if u can't beat 'em.

[@Ag-Stone]

Nice video. I remember not liking AC4 when it released and didn't expect much of this but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I was blown away when I found out you could chain quick boots and blades and finished the whole game just using two blades. This game is so cool and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I would also highly recommend doing the 3rd ending. The most fun and challenging mission in the game in my opinion, and possibly related to the lore in subsequent games. As far as the mission briefings, they made a call back to this style in AC6. I think there was a lot FromSoft did right stylistically in 4A that they repeated in 6.

[@Xanderj89]

It’s fun hearing about all these new additions knowing how many of them become a new standard for the series

[@AeroWraith901]

For Answer definitely makes it hard to go back to 4. It’s the pinnacle of the NEXT ACs. I will say that the other 2 endings are a bit more satisfying to complete, and also hard mode versions of missions can sometimes tell some interesting story bits. Especially the final mission on the ORCA path. It’s not my favorite AC game cuz I prefer the bit of slower movement the other games have in comparison but it’s a fun one!

[@michaelhuss0]

To be fair, the minor sequels are usually better in every generation of Armored Core. ACVD > ACV; Last Raven > Nexus > SL > 3... The last game in each generation is usually the one most worth playing.

[@kylehibshman6619]

You unlock another smaller arena set on NG++. And you'll like the final bosses on ng+ and ng++ a LOT better, I promise.

[@Ikcatcher]

For Answer is one AC game I really want to play, unfortunately the lack of backwards compatibility and my PC not being powerful enough to emulate it prevents me from doing so

[@TRD6932]

Try some oldgen AC. I wanted to emulate 4A for a long time now, but hopping to it needs some experience. For now I'm playing AC3.

[@alehnny]

not even Xenia saves you?

[@joshuahendricks9558]

I'm emulating it pretty successfully with PS3 emulation my PC isn't really high end either

[@maxbgc3950]

Even in it’s current stage RPCS3 is remarkable, I got all 4 AC titles working with extremely minor issues, I’d say try emulating them again.

[@michaelhuss0]

Another mistake from 4 fixed: Weapon arms are a thing, which is an overall DPS boost for some builds. Assault Armor is immensely useful, it's just a bit slow. I use it to kill groups of small targets to save ammo in my main weapon. I tend to build with the Linstant generator (the one with the least energy and the most kojima regeneration) for the best AA cycle time. It combines pretty well with the Rigel overboost thruster (which has the best OB and like 2nd best AA of all AA boosters).

[@WhatIsLove170]

Weapon arms were a thing in 4 though.

[@michaelhuss0]

@@WhatIsLove170 I forgot about that... I stand corrected. I guess the reason why I associate weapon arms with ACfA is because there were so few in AC4 as to be insignificant. It was the Eklakh arms (machine guns) that I used constantly in ACfA. I normally start the game with the Rayleonard mech (Aaliyah), equip it with dual machine guns, and clear most of the Collared side arena with that until I can get the machine guns weapon arms and the small rocket for the left-back socket. That build can complete much of the game.

[@TheGundamsword]

Weapon arms were a common use for me as I realized my back left weapon could be used with then, thus allowing me to fire three weapons at once, 4/5 if you count expansion weapons.

[@Mathwayb]

AC4A is the apex of AC games for me. The speed, power and coolness factor of your AC; the awesome arms forts; the music; the build variety; I loved it.

[@escapegulag4317]

as much as I loved acfa I legitimately enjoy ac6 a lot more.

[@sor90]

AC4A is great, but 6 is the best in the series for me. and I've been playing AC since the original was released. But 4A is excellent too.

[@Mathwayb]

AC6 was good as well. Managed to finish it twice but just couldn't bring myself to slog through to get the 3rd ending because I was really not enjoying the non-AC systems and mechanics FS added. Stagger, EN meter more like a stam meter, bosses that fit in better with other non-AC FS games to name a few. Perhaps after some much needed weapon balance patches I'll go back and finish it.@@sor90

[@escapegulag4317]

@@sor90 yes mate. ac6 is the first game I ever 100%ed

[@Jonathan---]

The second lowest arena opponent is that hard because she's an Original from the National Dismantlement War. Yep. An Original, dropped down to second lowest. Really gets to show just how much NEXT technology and LYNX skills have developed between 4 and 4A. And another fact, White Glint is you from 4. The frame is also designed by the same in-universe architect as Joshua's White Glint, Abu Marshe, .

[@ashtonoden7540]

4 Answers is one of the games in series that rewards S ranking every mission, just like Last raven. And yes, doing so brings up a punishing final mission.

[@seifer447]

For Answer is my favorite old AC game. It was a little too fast in my opinion, but the vertical movement and huge vareity of weapons is incredible. I loved dual wielding guns instead of having subpar weapons or a laser blade and the cannon function is excellent. My only real problem was trying to hit Fragile. Hate that guy. Btw, excellent video. I agree with basically everything you say here and this game is a huge step up from AC4.

[@IBx27]

The final boss isn’t 2 ACs, it’s 4 of the absolute most difficult master pilots. Finish your playthroughs and you’ll see why it took an AC expert like me way too many tries to beat it.

[@OCTO358]

"AC expert like me" ☝️🤓

[@IBx27]

Actually the correct term would have been LYNX 🤓 I’ve loved the games and have been hooked since AC2, but man that fight was punishing.

[@Bdakkon]

The "evil" ending is the true difficulty spike. If I remember correctly its this AC game and its a 5v1. Also this is still my favorite AC build. Other were good but this games micro weight adjustment system allowed for a blade build that could 1 shot anything and I mean ANYTHING. Even a glancing blow was often fatal for mid weight ACs, Granted it was a glass cannon tho. It couldn't turn worth a damn but its forward speed was such that you would instantly close distance before the max lock range the best FCS could get a lock on you and if you missed with your attack you'd speed past them and go beyond the max range again before the lock on happened. My opponents had to manually aim and pray to hit me. (or my smart opponents would just stand at the arena edge and basically force me to risk going out of bounds) Loved that build. Called the AC Buzzkill. Piloting that AC felt like you were on drugs.

[@LeeBruhVR]

at 9:30 That specific mission has a funny thing where all the tiny helis will pile up in a random spot near the base, they're the last enemies you're supposed to kill, didnt know the timer ran out and completed the mission for you anyways

[@antoniocinque]

You should've really played it three times on hard difficulty, the missions change and the real last mission on hard mode is the hardest mission in any AC ever

[@matthewhanson498]

The game had a hard mode from what I remember, at least some missions for sure, I think it’s a mission called defend arteria carpals that has you take on the top 5 ac at once. One of the most difficult mission in the franchise. Super fun

[@birdmanhero]

I have a Japanese copy of this game for my PS3 (it was WAY cheaper than an english copy) and it has become one of my all time favorite games

[@ComebackGAWD]

I think they named it “For Answer” cuz all the questions left unanswered after 4 😂

[@astrea555]

Even now playing AC6 and greatly enjoying it, I miss ACFA speeds and the HUGE maps of nothingness allowing you to permaflight freely. nice video again man, how are you beating these games so quickly >_>

[@notcole]

it's all thanks to my little secret: having no work-life balance 😅

[@malum9478]

oof. oh man you really shoulda given it some more time. you pretty much only played half of the game! there's an entire extra arena with ORCA that you unlock in the ORCA path, that has way tougher Lynx's and opportunity to get get moonlight, a more impressive final ending, and perhaps one of the best additions: hard mode. hard mode versions of missions are essentially remixed missions with entirely new scenarios and added events and dialogue. another thing to bring up with 4A is that this is the game with THE MOST skill ceiling for movement. there's a plethora of advanced movement techniques in this game that far surpass the bunnyhopping of the old gen games. quickboost chaining, second staging, quickturning, etc. if you want to REALLY play 4A, THAT'S the shit you gotta master. i also wish you had gone over the story a bit more. especially in talking about white glint since that's probably the most iconic mecha in all of AC history at this point--probably even more than nineball. but aw well.

[@axsprime]

Fun things the game does that the video didn't go over: ORCA has it's own arena in NG+, it isn't as long as the standard arena but it is still nice to see. While you can carry over your old save data, it doesn't bring the parts over. That being said once you beat NG+ the game just gives you all the parts left in the shop for free. There still are some that you unlock from missions but getting 90% of the parts after NG+ and are told to go nuts helps with replayability. You can switch patch versions in the options menu. You can do this in 4 as well and later AC4 patches get close to 4A's speed but the game can't connect to the servers to download the files (at least on PS3) but if you grab a save file online you can get it that way. One of the patches is a joke patch that gives everyone infinite energy which makes a fast game even faster. Hard mode isn't just inflating the numbers to make things harder. Enemy layouts change and are new ones are added as well as other complications. On top of that some of the hard mode missions have part unlocks behind them as well as giving you more tuning points to further customize your NEXT. On top of that S ranking missions gives you tuning points as well. It made getting PvP ready back in the day a pain if you wanted to get everything the old fashion way since S ranking some of those missions is no joke. The game has a co-op mode. You can't play through every mission but having the option the team up with a friend and fight together is always a welcome feature.

[@doomspud6302]

4 Answer is definitely one of the peaks of the whole Armored Core series. It takes all the new things 4 tried, and makes them just that much better. And its got more than double the parts of 4, so potential build variety is incredible. I spend most of my time in this game replaying missions with all kinds of different builds, just because I can. And, of course, Arms Forts are one of the coolest enemies in any of the AC games. I love how 4A tells its story. By forcing you to take the League ending first, it intentionally hides certain information from you. So when you finish the first time, it seems like you did a good thing. But then, when you get the Orca ending, it gives you more context, and you might realize that it wasn't quite as good as you originally though. Or, you can follow Old King, and just ruin everything for everyone. Because why not? Is there really anything left that's worth saving? Plus, there's a reason that final mission is so infamous among anyone that's played it. If you want a crazy final fight, this is it. I love 4A's hard mode, too. Instead of just doing something basic like increasing the HP or damage of enemies, they actually completely change how the mission works. They throw new and different enemies at you, or add some extra hazard to increase the challenge. So you basically get two missions for the price of one. Basically, my one complaint with this game, is that the environments are kind of boring. It fits with the lore that basically everything is just empty desert. But that's not the most exciting thing to play missions in. This is the one thing I think AC4 did better than 4A. 4 had several interesting and varied environments to explore, while 4A pretty much always has you flying over empty desert or ocean. I really wish there were more maps like Line Ark. That place is super cool, but only used in like three missions, two of which are just boss fights.

[@jacktheripper7935]

4A was my first AC game and it was a blast, from that point, I fell in love with the franchise and played each AC games released after that. My dream is to see the customization (mostly from mech parts) from 4A and multiplayer aspect from V/VD being put in AC6 in the future. It'd be heaven for me.

[@ArifxDD]

Something about Armored Core 4 Answer aesthetic is just hits man... Idk how to explain it but just look at the logo alone and you can tell the theme for this game. Simple word mean, Nier Automata if the game focus on mech only And Armored Core 4 Answer was my very first Armored Core game and it will always have special place in my heart. Really wish Fromsoft remastered this game just imagine 60fps on a modern console and maybe no that stupid height area limit, that just annoying

[@afarce4172]

While it largely improved AC4's design, it also showed a massive issue with the design that they went with. Outside of NEXTs, nothing can really challenge a NEXT to any real degree. The Arms Forts are a good idea, but the only one with a good design (mostly) was the Spirit of Motherwill. Mostly, because it can be cheesed. I never cheesed it, because it was so really fun to fight it honestly and they did enough to sell the idea of it being a mobile base. Everything else was incredibly gimmicky, or just easy. There is a reason characters are incredibly dismissive about taking down Arms Forts in game. That, I think, was part of the reason they slowed down the series after fA. AC6 also has this issue where it is pretty much bosses and ACs after you get any skill, but they at least play with some lesser enemies being a threat.

[@grayter]

For answer was my favorite of AC.. I used a dual wielding Blade with crazy agility-build..if you ran such with a good lock-on/ targeting system? and had plenty of thrust/boost?... you could literally swing away and win the moment you locked on something within range. I beat out many of the bosses (Including the MASSIVE fortresses) within seconds..it was a cheat Code..many people requested my build(s) after a dual with me..

[@ninjastreet5]

OMG PLEASE DO ACE COMBAT FR FR IT'S ANOTHER BANDAI NAMCO GAMES IT HAS AMAZING FIGHT You can use simplified control to minimize motion sickness (though everybody would suggest pro control) BANGER SOUNDTRACK (I'd say more than Armored Core) LIKEABLE CAST OF CHARACTERS RUSTY IS IN IT TOO (Buddy)

[@draghettis6524]

ACVI spoilers : 8:19 *looks at the Strider and the Ice Worm.*

[@thewatcher9778]

thinking back on 4A after playing AC6 i feel 4A gave you more control over weapons and customizing of the AC allowing you to have a real connection with your AC in game

[@ThatOneMan830]

Man I was waiting for you to slam into the other endings and Hard Mode difficulties here lmao. AC4A was my first game and the one I played before 6. It’s stuck with me ever since high school when I played it. I hope it made its mark on you too. Also surprised you didn’t shout out the music here. It’s *divine,* I can name some of the tracks by instinct.

[@evoluder7616]

damn, the last mission with Thermidor and the guy with the MOONLIGHT absolutely destroyed me multiple times, I only did it cause I got the blade AC stuck in a corner, and wailed on him with grenade splash damage. Other than that, the Big Box mission is flat out evil imo, either I didnt have enough EN to play around with energy weapons or I was falling short on actual movement around the arena, but i hate the AC with the miniguns, only won through dual blades

[@Boss_Fight_Index_muki]

Never got to play AC4A, no ps3, after finishing ac6, this is the one i want to try

[@reijivonasuna7199]

I’m not sure how strong of a PC you may need or have already, but I don’t have a relatively strong system and I can emulate the game practically problem free; smooth as butter using my Dualsense controller

[@Boss_Fight_Index_muki]

@@reijivonasuna7199 Tried MGS4 and it ran at like 2fps lol. AC5 ran at maybe 10fps. Haven't tried AC4 yet.

[@reijivonasuna7199]

@@Boss_Fight_Index_muki MGS4 requires a beefy PC and workarounds, and AC5 just hasn’t been worked out cause yeah I tried ACVD and it’s a slide show for sure, but for me both 4 and 4A run really good, like stable 60 fps good

[@blackmage471]

Gen4 as a whole was such a huge step in a new direction that I see it as more of an experiment rather than the natural evolution of the series. But I still rate AC4FA up there as an A+ tier AC game. It only misses being S tier, for me, because it doesn't have the simulation elements I enjoy from the classic titles. You will see they put the brakes on the mech speed in AC5, which I also consider to be an experimental entry; and AC6 is the entry level AC game for onboarding new players into series. I hope by the time we get to AC7 we will get something as responsive as AC6, as intense and well-balanced as 4FA, but with a grand return of all the simulation elements of the classic titles, even heat.

[@jimbothefuzzy]

I remember an interview where Miyazaki said that 4th Gen was an attempt to see how far they could push the speed aspect of Armored Core, and that the franchise would probably never get that fast again. So you can consider 4th Gen as the extreme upper bound. Perhaps if they have a reason to go fast again, they will. But I think they want to explore other aspects of the game than just speed. Like seeing how much they can improve melee, for example.

[@curveofsound]

I do miss the heat function. Flamethrower was fun lol

[@blackmage471]

@@curveofsound I thought I was the only one!! It's been so lonely!! lol

[@cabellism]

Been a Armored Core fan from the early demo days of the 90's. AC4A was amazing back then, and from the looks of it in 2023 still is today. So many memories this video brings back.

[@TheGundamsword]

This is still, in my personal opinion, the best AC game by far. I absolutely adored both the store and the characters. I loved the concept of AC designs that come pre designed by companies with particular play styles in mind, which helps by giving you a starting point for your design. The gameplay was top-notch, and the missions were great. A lot of the designs in this one are ones that I try to build in other games. This game was heavily influential to the franchise, particularly AC6. In fact AC4A and ACLR are probably the biggest influences. I love this game and I still play it to this day. My favorite Lynx to work with was Roadie and the most icon Next to this day is White Glint. Fun fact, White Glint is implied to be your character from the first game. Youll get lore Arms Forts in AC6.

[@RavenOfRazgriz]

So, I have problems and I've binged this entire playlist in one sitting after being on my own Armored Core kick. And, something that sticks out to me: Despite 13 games (so far) played, with varying quality and appealing to certain tastes, it's noticeable that the one critique that never comes up is the franchise itself becoming repetitive despite there really being nothing but minor changes to gameplay from Armored Core 1 basically all the way until Last Raven, where Armored Core 4 and the NEXT's basically rewrite the way the mecha work. Even Master of Arena to Armored Core 2 is, despite being a big jump, just a refinement of the gameplay that came before. It's impressive, I think, the many ways that, over the years, these games find new ways to iterate on the same general gameplay loop to avoid getting stale, even if not every one hits. Project Phantasma adds the Arena, Master of Arena is built around it, Nine Breaker is nothing but Arena. Then there's Another Age with its 100+ missions, Armored Core 3 with its more measured approach, Last Raven with its six endings and branching plotlines, For Answer with a proper NG+ cycle that's honestly not far removed from what From does now with Souls games or something like what the NieR franchise does, the complete left-field nature of Formula Front, etc. Then when the well finally seems to be about dry, Armored Core 4 and For Answer throw out the old ACs entirely to introduce the NEXTs and create their own distinct gameplay loop. There's a distinct willingness with Armored Core to never quite make the same game twice which I think is a big part of what made it such an impactful cult series. And, with their approach to Souls-like games being similar, it's interesting to see that same DNA extending decades back in how they approached Armored Core. I think it's just neat.

[@ReelRai]

My favorite in the series. Nothing beats the feeling of being an absolute mechanical god on the battlefield that 4A gives.

[@Leonhardt04]

"While I doubt we'll get boss battles on this scale again in the series" Hehehe

[@miguelbat27]

White Glint has to be my favourite AC design

[@alexanderminas28]

What i loved lorewise was about White Glint. The pilot of White Glint is you - the protagonist from AC4.

[@LazyY91]

Chole, I think that a Games series you maybe would enjoy playing is the Way of the Samurai series. The games normally have a real quick playthrough, but there are multiple endings and events that can change depending on your actions. Like a Dead Rising, but WotS is older. And the combat is fun, there's different styles of fighting, multiple swords, cosmetics/skins/accessories that you unlock playing. Take a look at the game if you have the opportunity

[@notcole]

interesting… 👀

[@LazyY91]

@@notcole it's really entertaining and I've never saw many channels talking about it. And your reviews are becoming one of my favorites too watch, so it would be very cool to see your take on it

[@joshuamcwatters6803]

6:00 hiring arena enemy's is also in ac3

[@MarK0-D4c]

This mission system comes back in AC 6, and there are 3 endings as well.

[@Helldiver450]

My man... give it one last playthrough, it goes into terrorism. It's very, very interesting. You are in for a hell of a treat

[@memeplus7560]

Indeed.

[@notcole]

I'll definitely be going back for a third run once I have the time to, I gotta see that last ending for myself lol

[@ChaosTicket]

Armored Core 4 Answer was an improvement in story, basically taking from Last Raven in a Corporation vs Raven war. Its different from other expansions in that you cannot import your data. I didn't quite like the actual gameplay because by the time of For Answer its all about mobility, never stopping, quick-boosting to dodge and there are so many battles against bosses, either Arms Forts or NEXTs that things were like the Nineball battles from the original Armored Core 1, every few missions.

[@xKALLx1]

What regulation were you playing on? Your EN recharge rate is very high, that might expalin the ring outs in the arena. A.I had more energy than they were supposed to have when the fights were designed.

[@notcole]

This was on 1.0 🙂

[@MrSomaArikado]

The old king ending was the most brutal ending.....millions dead by your hand which in a crazy way sets the stage for 5 and 5: verdict day.

[@TommyMcMommy]

I remember playing this game a year or two ago and having a blast. I had so much fun taking on missions with a high mobility dual laser blade build. So imagine my disappointment when AC6 came out and right off the bat I couldn't re-make my mech because you can't dual wield melee weapons.

[@yungwarlocc]

Is verdict day to armored core 5 as for answer is to 4?

[@yungwarlocc]

And if u think Roman numerals, V and V

[@yungwarlocc]

Also just wanna say the arms forts look insanely boring/easy to fight. It’s cool they’re big but that isn’t everything. Still a fantastic game that I wanna play some day, seems to have lot of iconic characters

[@AlexDenton0451]

​@@yungwarloccmost Arms Forts have specific ways to take them down, often time they are more focused on whittling you down or just instagibbing you with massive attacks. This video didn't even cover half of the game's content unfortunately as he only played the first ending, it's like playing 1 ending of a Nier game.

[@sonicmid06]

5:13 the VOB Is reference to the dendrobrium the series mobile suit Gundam 0083 Stardust memory which came out in 1991

[@redjack2629]

I appreciate that 5 and 6 both brought back fights to evoke the feeling of Arms Fort battles, even if 6 didn't do quite as well. The huge mining machine feels less like Spirit of Motherwill and more like Great Wall...

[@aPopcap]

one thing i would want to say about this one and armored core 4, is that the hardmodes are worth tackling, they not only make certain enemies have better ai and a bit more damage, but story also changes and adjusts, where some missions you tackle will just have some like wonderful body being more competent, other missions add in extra enemies, infact some will have you ambushed by extra NEXTS at times Also i do feel the second and third endings do add quite a bit to the experience as a whole with some of the missions, with second having some big enemies you won't have experienced that i would argue are must haves. It is sadly hard to move back to 4 from 4A but the hardmodes of both games do add a good amount of spice to their difficulties, though i am not sure if you were aware of their existence, Marche Au supplice from 4 is one particular hardmode i loved

[@GundamPharmacist]

I wish you did cover hard mode as that adds whole new objectives to the missions - that, and the true final mission is a chef’s kiss

[@jimbothefuzzy]

Unfortunately I can't go back to AC:fA. I'd been S-Ranking everything, but never got the final mission of the third ending on Hard. To provide a spoiler-free description (or as close as I can), I had a case of the extra Hard Mode bit glitching out and getting stuck on the terrain somehow. So I had to deal with that bit last. And got that specific line of dialog as the screen was fading to black after completing the mission. The moment that happened, I put my controller down and haven't touched the game since. Because that was the perfect way to end that game, and going back to it would ruin that. Thankfully, I have ACVI now, which feels almost as good to play (even though I have my issues with it), and they seem to have taken some inspiration from the AC:fA method of storytelling. But I will say no more, as I don't think Chole has gotten to that yet (apart from the fact that the combination of a certain AC and pilot name from the third ending is my favorite reference in a Fromsoft game yet).

[@benthebamboozler4104]

Wait, you don’t have anything to say about your second or third playthroughs?

[@regretgames5580]

Man has no clue that the final boss of NG++ is possibly the hardest fight in the series

[@brandongo9365]

Great review Chole ACFA is a beast of a game and I hope you are on your 3rd playthrough because it has the hardest mission in an AC that I have played so far

[@Sorain1]

Thing is, if you've not done at least 1 run on Hard, your missing some of the game. There's a lot of value to the changes to narrative built into hard, and because it doesn't tweak numbers, all the challenge is from actual substantive change to missions. Still, I'm glad that you got to see the full weight of AC 4/FA's narrative. For Answer is very much the 'Okay, it's the new generation but with polish.' a lot of folks like myself have come to expect.

[@KennaQueenOfTheBlaze]

You made this after AC6 came out? Because I see this was 7 Months ago and AC6 came out in august of last year

[@Stammer6]

It's crazy how well they build up from the numbered entries into the sequels. "Life is good, but it can be better!" AC5 will be much the same. That entire generation is noticeably slower and less "powerful", being sort of a transition game between Armored Core and their then-upcoming Souls series. And just like AC4, AC5 is kinda 'meh'. But also just like ACFA, ACVD is much better. That all makes me very hopeful for a sequel or expansion to AC6 one day.

[@pragmat1k]

We need to hear your thoughts on the third ending mission...

[@kentyannayon3741]

It had been my favorite addition to the franchise that I've actually played until AC6 arrived. A lot of lessons learned by a now much more substantial studio absolutely improved on the overall design and feel of the game. We did have the whole issue of balance being way off at release, but they're tweaking it back to a better state.

[@EmeraldFatalis]

Did you catch that White Glint is YOU from AC4? Joshua (the final boss and original pilot of white glint) died and then you took up his name/legacy (before he went over the edge). Also did you use the old ACforA mission tree? I made that back in the day and I know a lot of people used it. (Small bagging) :)

[@notcole]

I did! It was a little weird to work into the script so I ended up cutting it, but I thought that it was a really sweet detail 🙂

[@EmeraldFatalis]

@@notcole Nice! Glad you caught it. ACforA is my most replayed Armored Core. Not the best story, but really good. And most fun Gameplay IMO. Overall really hits that sweet spot for Armored Core for me. Also I really like that almost every mission can be done co-op (a fearure that I really wish AC6 had) FYI for AC5 and Verdict Day. Some of the best stuff is in online mode only (world bosses), so probably won't get to have in your review unless you got a team to play with.

[@m0nkiZ]

Bless 🙏 I grew up with playing the series since PS1/PSX~ Decent review 👌

[@draugr7693]

I honestly thought AC4 was just meh but For Answer is one of my favourite games in the series along with the entire 1st gen, AC3 and AC6.

[@StylishYeoman]

FINALLY! I've been waiting months for this video! Ever since your very first one I could wait to see your thoughts on FA!

[@Stimm002]

I literally never took a partner with me, not once. I loved this game, so much. The hours i sunk into this one specifically was insane.

[@shepardpolska]

ACFA has one downside in my opinion, and it's a minor one. I just think it's a shame they droped the Kojima tech being used by normal units, those big tanks and the tunel weapons have their PA removed in ACFA.

[@ProTroll69]

God the environments in this game look so bad… I keep waiting for them to load up the rest of the details but there are none. That’s it. It’s like the developers forgot that the AC’s need something to fly around in and added “something” at the very last second…

[@ColdCryomancer]

I hope you went back and actually beat the entire arena. Those guys weren't easy for young me. I never ring out'd a single one. I built a mech specifically to counter each of those encounters. as your supposed to. I unlocked almost every customization piece. You seemed proud to say you beat it. but you didn't really. Only having 9 or 10 hours playtime for this game and making a review is... interesting. I find it strange how people will play an entire franchise at a surface level and feel as though their opinion has more merit since they skimmed each title. Wheres as someone like me played this specific title near obsessively. But would people listen to me If i gave my review of this game singing its praises citing my high playtime? I Havent played this game in some thing like 12 years. But I have hundreds of hours playtime probably thousands. Keep playing.

[@MrDarksol]

OK I may not remember much about this game other than the fact that it's basically a better version of 4 but there is one thing I will always remember about this game and that is how God damn cool that opening is. Seriously I've never played this game and even I know how iconic the opening is and the same goes for the white glint AC. That is one of the coolest AC's I've ever seen in the entire series which is why it sucks that years later it gets a model kit and the model kit is a**. Really hope we get some armored core 6 a c's in model kit form done by bandai because this series deserves it. Regardless, Gen 4 was a a fun mecha filled ride and great job in talking about 4 and For Answer!

[@bntrs]

Kotobukiya has the rights for AC6 kits this time around but chances are their kits have improved since then. Bandai is releasing Robot Damashii figures though

[@MrDarksol]

@@bntrs They better be improved because when I found out what happened to their version of the white glint and most of their previous models of the past they have to be better than they were before because those were terrible. You could barely get them in interesting poses without a part or any piece of it falling apart.

[@lvl5Vaporeon]

Wanna count with OldKing? I know I didn't But a paycheck is a paycheck.

[@decayingstorm0127]

Wonder when we are getting AC6: Lost Raven or smt

[@aggelosaggelos5696]

now that i have listened to the full ost of both 4 and FA...i gotta say for answer has a lot of flop songs that dont fit the nature of the game while 4 has almost no flop songs and they all fit the seriousness of these games

[@DarkonFullPower]

Note: You CAN get the second ending on your first run, but you have to pick "Rescue GA Trasport", as well as "Defend Megalis." I dont remember if Old King's offer is possible though, and for the best. A first run have no chance to best ending 3 with the parts available.

[@Dre2000lbs]

great video. I'm doing AC franchise research/study right now. These videos help.

[@DiscoFinalBoss]

I’ve seen streams of the behemoth boss fights. It is something I hope they bring back.

[@isaiahmolina6034]

does anyone know how he emulated the game

[@diobutjonathanjoestar8367]

I think he used rcps3

[@JackDout]

Was that a stinger cosplay?

[@notcole]

it wasn't intentional... but now that you mention it...

[@eyescreamsandwitch52]

Well I expect nothing but a sound thrashing of ACV once you get to that one. Consorts will return in Verdict day but not in the same form. Think of them like Formula Front meets Consorts. It's sad that this will be the last good Arena the series is getting. 5th gen's Arena are a mixed bag while 6 has a very easy arena thanks to its mechanics.

[@r-typeforever_r-9dp2_asanoga16]

Armored Core è speciale proprio per questo per i pregi, i difetti ma sopratutto perché è sempre diverso! per essere un 10/10 bisogna mischiare il carattere e l'arte di ACFA con le armi e armature pompate di AC Virdict Day, il tutto con grafica e comandi di AC 6 F.o.R.

[@danieltorresgonzalez462]

Alright you haven't played the hard modes to get S ranks nor reached arteria carpals, your ending thoughts are justified

[@dahandsomeguywithcoolglass8949]

I hope AC 6 have some kind DLC or something like what happen to route we choose

[@crimeman621]

4:42 i was using it constantly, just because it’s so cool

[@GxCreed]

I never played previous armored core games besides the new ac6. And old games like for answer look much faster and way more high octane.

[@kaliduncanel3356]

I brought both. One at clearance price the other as soon as it came out. I let you guess the order

[@Merotryz]

When you review the AC6 do please finish the 3 endings first.

[@hiyazaki09]

for me this is still Armored core meets Omega boost sure White glinth is cool but to me still not as challenging as a old Armored core do.

[@sorakeyblademaster2890]

I really hope ac6 gets something similar to 4A expansion.

[@snakepitskeleton4193]

Unpopular opinion: AC4A is not only the best AC game, but one of the best games ever made

[@OCTO358]

Not unpopular. There's a *very* loud minority of AC fans who think that way.

[@ZedtheRedRaven]

Oh wait until you do the second and 3rd ending. It even gets better in hard mode. Also.. Assault Armor disables the camera if the person who gets hit by the Assault armor as well for a small period of them the pvp in for answer is top tier as well. There is a lot more depth to for answer's game play. The pvp is going to blow your mind.

[@davidvenegas220]

Some of the best music in the series in my opinion. Also, you probably should have waited to be a "Lapdog" before posting this. Hehe. Have fun on your 3rd playthrough.

[@OCTO358]

I'd like it more if lyrics in gen 4 songs actually made sense.

[@davidvenegas220]

@@OCTO358 what song in particular?

[@Solaris2000APB]

just wait till you get to Verdict day and AC 6

[@onigojira]

So, I know you like how they do the multiple endings here, but when the game doesn't tell you that it'll be different this does cause problems. There's a surprising number of people who just didn't know there was a lot more to this game because they never went back and replayed it after their first run. This is probably the prettiest and best playing game in the series. It just goes down hill from here. Six fixes a lot of problems Five introduces, but its inclusion of the Sekiro Stagger mechanic returns us to the days where you rush-kill targets by building a bad-status-effect on them and the entire game pretty much revolves around trying to avoid being hit with hea- I mean stagger. The story is important here, so pay attention. The plot of AC4->fA->V->Verdict Day is the story of how the Great Destruction began. You really should play the Destruction Ending (take any mission which is offered to you by Old King when siding with Orca), because it appears to be the canon ending. There's a map in Verdict Day which literally makes no sense unless this is the case. The issue with the ring outs in the arenas is specifically due to your flight pattern. The game has no downward thrust mechanic like the Gundam Versus games do, so they can't kill their acceleration. With no way to bleed their lift, even if they let go of their thrust once their AI registers being too close to the ceiling, because they were going full throttle to keep up with you they just sailed past the limit. If you don't make them chase you to the top, they should usually manage their upward thrust to avoid that. Except on that one water arena, which has a ridiculously low ceiling for some reason. The menus here are the cleanest and most well thought out in the series, too. But I don't recall V and VD being bad. Really it's only when we get to 6 that the menus go back to being trash for some reason. I'm.. not really sure what happened there. You really should give Chrome Hounds a shot. It's the progenitor of Armored Core V, is made by From, and has SIGNIFICANTLY more in common with V than any previous Armored Core does. The two are spiritual brothers and although you can never play online mode, almost everything V does had its ground work laid out by Chrome Hounds.