What's next for From Software's Armored Core series? Armored Core 4A: For Answer is coming to the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 with new features that should make fans drool, and allow newcomers to enter the intense world of fighting mechs. Find out more by heading over to the full article.

 

Perhaps one of the most inviting features of 505 Games' Armored Core 4 for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 is its online feature. This allows for players to battle each other over the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. 505 Games has recently released information about the other features that will be added to the mecha-themed 360 and PS3 video game which makes Armored Core 4 the game to play when you're feeling uber competitive.

Xbox 360 gamers are promised to experience online and system link multiplayer action in games for up to 8 players. PS3 players, on the other hand, will be able to join in multiplayer online, with up to 8 people at a time. They will also be able to experience system link multiplayer through network cable, not to mention split-screen action for 2 players on the same PS3 unit.

Now, gather your teammates, friends, acquaintances, companies, enemies...whoever to join in the fun. Destroy! (Wait, that's something else entirely...)

Admittedly, the Armored Core franchise is built for a niche market. And like every niche market, it will always carry a loyal following from a relatively small community that, no matter how badly their game fares, will always find some redeeming tweak that keeps them following the brand.

And in From Software's case, keeping the fans happy worked - Armored Core has enjoyed 11 video game installments up to this point, with Armored Core 4 being launched as the franchise reaches its 10th anniversary (that would be this October).

But while the past selection of AC titles have done little to change AC's own established game mechanics (with the exception of Armored Core: Nexus), Armored Core 4 has come in with attempts to breath new life into the franchise. Whether its innovations succeed will be left up to player's impressions, which is why I'm here. Moving on with the article, we'll taking a look at From Software/Sega's AC4 game, and we'll examine just what sort of moves it has made to keep it looking fresh, courtesy of this AC4 demo we've just put through its paces.

The full Armored Core 4 review is available at the Full Article.

 

Looking for a reason to grab Armored Core 4? Well, why not try it out for yourself? That's the sweet new incentive we came across with while browsing the Xbox Live Marketplace. As of right now, you can download a trial version of Armored Core 4. The trial features three single-player missions from the full game, which should give you a lot of extra fun in your spare time.

There are some limitations though.The file is 791 MB in size, so it's a pretty hefty file. Even more importantly, the download is limited to Canada, Mexico, and the United States, so if you have American accounts, now would be a good time to use them.

In any case, we're downloading the trial ourselves. You may want to give it a go as well, just in case mech-smashing action is up your alley.

If you (like this writer) aren't much of an Armored Core fanboy, after watching this launch trailer, you just might be grinding your teeth on metal sheets in anticipation for this game. Face it; Armored Core 4 (whether on the PS3 or 360) looks like no other mech-fighter game we've seen before. Stop comparing both versions. Just watch the trailer for the game that it is:

I'm actually quite sold in to those product blurbs flashing by in the trailer. Sort gets my gas pumping, if you get my drift. High-speed mechs, mid-air explosions, missile air streams... Sega sure got this game right. Both versions get released on March 23.

Buy: [Armored Core 4 (PS3)]
Buy: [Armored Core 4 (360)]

Rosenthal Corp. sent over a care package (no, that's not right)... Ah, sorry. It's GameVideos who's got the latest string of Armored Core 4 (PS3, Xbox 360) gameplay trailers from Sega (no, it's not another comparison vid, so you can put those pitchforks down, hold hands and sing Kumbaya).

There are four videos to peruse - from "Factory Demolition" to "City Battle". As embedding multiple GameVideos leads to glitches, we'll settle for one video - Shotguns and Swords - and leave the rest to the Read link below. Dang, the size of that energy blade (compared to the energy blades we're used to before), and the Raven's reliance on it. You'd think he's trying to compensate for something...

Video: Factory Demolition
Video: Countdown Battle
Video: City Battle

If in case you didn't get to watch all the previous Microsoft Xbox 360 vs Sony PlayStation 3 comparison videos that we've posted before, here's one for Armored Core 4 (PS3, left side; 360, right side) courtesy of the folks at GameTrailers.

Yes, the difference is still the same. Xbox 360 versions of games usually feature a higher contrast setting. While it's useful for hiding poor textures - please take time to recall the earlier Call of Duty comparisons - some would argue that in a game like Armored Core 4, it makes spotting those tiny little mechs from far, far away a little difficult. Moreover, take note of 1:41, when the "descent" portion of the mission was featured. In the PS3 version, because the contrast wasn't turned up so high, there was an illusion of a fine mist on the ground as your mech descends from the upper atmosphere.

Of course in Xbox 360's defense, because of the high contrast, you're eyes tend to focus on the glow effects a bit more, and not on the textures and on the environmental details, thus making the game look a lot smoother and prettier. Also, the higher contrast makes the browns and the red shades seem a lot richer.

It's all a matter of preference really.

What about you folks? Which do you prefer?

Buy: [Armored Core 4 (PS3)]
Buy: [Armored Core 4 (360)]

Get to know the companies in Sega's cross-platformer mech title, Armored Core 4. You know it's important to acquaint yourselves with them as you will be spending a whole lot of time with these dudes once AC4 comes alive in your respective chosen consoles. Today, we bring you the six big guns and their descriptions, along with renders. Are you ready? Let's roll, then.

Global Armaments (GA)
Relegated in the Pacific Rim economic region, they are deemed to be the greatest integrated military company in the area. Its reputation is well-know for being a standard military company that has practical and stable armaments. Their arms contribute a huge chunk to their strength.

Rosenthal
Also an integrated military company, this one's from a huge industrial conglomerate. What they have to offer is a line of versatile arms that has exceptional balance, as well as well thought-out designs. Their weapons sure are noteworthy as it carries a near-futuristic precision.

Buy: [Armored Core 4 (PS3)]
Buy: [Armored Core 4 (X360)]

The rest of the companies and loads more of the renders after the jump! Be sure to check it out!

 

Ready for more metal-rending action? Armored Core 4 will be blasting to the shelves (and mech geeks are probably thanking the mech gods) later this month. Here's another sneak peek at the next gen mech title.

The trailer is entitled "Critical Acclaim" and, as the name suggests, it features some of the positive PR Armored Core 4 has received. It also showcases some snippets of gameplay, and if you need another reason to grab this vid up, it's also on high def. With the North American release set on March 22 (Europe gets it on April 27), we're all crossing our fingers that the game lives up to expectations.

We'll leave you to enjoy the video. Be sure to mark your calendars, as Sega and From Software's Armored Core 4 explodes to your choice next gen console this spring.

Download: Armored Core 4 Critical Acclaim trailer

The Armored Core 4 fans in Japan must be in a state of bliss right now, as we pick up word that a demo of From Software's hit mecha title has been made available for their download.

This obviously means that this demo is well out of our North America's reach, and that anybody who wishes to download it may have to resort to using fake Xbox Live accounts to do so - we strongly discourage this course of action, as you will get banned by Microsoft.

We're unsure of what the demo carries. We're hoping this signals a possible demo release for America's 360 community in the near future.

Armored Core 4 or AC4 is set for a March 20, 2007 release for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in North America and Xbox 360 in Japan (Japan's PS3 version was released December 21, 2006).