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ESRB rates Armored Core 3 Portable for stateside release

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 5th 2009 at 2:15PM }

Giant robots on a tiny screen? How unthinkably farcical!

From Software managed to see beyond this astute observation earlier this year when it ported Armored Core 3, a six-year-old PS2 title, to the PSP in Japan. It looks like America will also be exposed to this amusing juxtaposition, as the ESRB recently rated a U.S. version of Armored Core 3 Portable. From Software has yet to officially reveal a stateside version of the mega-mech sim, but we predict we'll be hearing just such an announcement soon. Hopefully, it'll be accompanied by a English-language version of the above trailer. (Such drama! It's like a robot-centric soap opera!)

From Software's PS2 ports getting new features

by Richard Mitchell { May 25th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Remember the PS2 ports that From Software has brewing for the PSP? According to Siliconera, the games will be more than simple ports and will include some new features. First, the Armored Core ports will receive 16:9 widescreen support, improved menus, ad-hoc wireless play and the ability to transfer save data from one game to another.

Additionally, Tenchu 3 Portable will be widescreen enhanced and will also include story missions taken from the Xbox version. Tenchu Korenai Portable will get a "renewal," whatever that means. Meanwhile Fu-un Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu-den Portable will receive new, unspecified elements.

Frankly, it's nice to see From putting some extra effort into these ports, especially the transferable saves in Armored Core.

From Software goes port crazy on PSP in Japan

by David Hinkle { May 20th 2009 at 12:00PM }

According to the latest issue of Famitsu (via PSPHyper), From Software plans to follow up its port of Tenchu: Shadow Assassins with some more PS2-to-PSP ports, so we hope you like games about silent, deadly ninjas, and gigantic, destructive mechs.

First, From Software plans to port Tenchu 3 (also known as Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven) to Sony's handheld as Tenchu 3 Portable in August in Japan. Following up that title will be Armored Core Silent Line Portable, destined for a November release, and Tenchu Korenai Portable, which is scheduled for a January 2010 release. Finally, From Software plans to finish off its porting spree with, yep, you guessed it, some more Armored Core, with Armored Core Last Raven Portable set to release in March 2010.

Oh, and one last game that is surprisingly neither Tenchu nor Armored Core -- Fu-un Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu-den Portable, which is planned for a December release. There's no word if any of these titles will be available outside of Japan, but we'll be sure to keep you posted.

Armored Core 3 Portable debut trailer is filled with drama

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 25th 2009 at 3:33PM }

We're not sure why PSP is getting a port of a six year old PS2 game, but it is. Although the Armored Core series has already progressed on to its fourth iteration on current home consoles, PSP will be getting an enhanced version of Armored Core 3, with added bonuses like Ad-Hoc multiplayer.

The debut Japanese trailer for the PSP version of Armored Core 3 is quite dramatic, although it's hard to discern the quality of the gameplay from it. We can confirm that there will be robots and explosions -- and those two things usually go hand-in-hand.

[Via PSPHyper]

Famitsu: Armored Core 3 coming to PSP

by David Hinkle { Apr 15th 2009 at 10:30PM }

Fans of bulky mechs and slim handhelds will likely find this bit of news to be the highlight of their day: From Software is porting Armored Core 3 onto the PSP, according to Famitsu. A scan (via PSPHyper) shows the 2002 PS2 title is slated for a July 30 release on PSP and will include some extra goodies, including Ad Hoc multiplayer (and even Ad Hoc Party support).

But, dare we ask what the point is? There have been countless Armored Core games that have released since then, so why not just port one of those? Or, here's a novel idea: what about a new game? We hear PSP owners love those things.

Armored Core: for Answer will land stateside on September 16th

by Alan Tsang { Aug 19th 2008 at 6:00PM }

Looks like Armored Core: for Answer will be arriving on our shores fairly soon; Ubisoft has announced that the game will be released on September 16th. GameSpot scored an interview with associate producer Kenan Alpay, who tells us a couple of facts about the game. Here are some highlights:

Online co-op mode: "30 missions and eight-player online melees in 80 different arenas."
Story mode: You play as a mercenary who can eventually choose which missions to take from different factions within the game. There are over 40 missions and the decisions you make can lead to multiple endings.
Arms Forts, which are giant battle stations much larger than yourself, will be the featured enemies of the game.
Control scheme: new control scheme for beginners, as well as an option for other players to join in via co-op mode to assist them with difficult missions.
New customization options: 130 new mech parts, including "interesting" parts such as an "auxiliary boost jets that increase your mobility and are ideal for hit-and-run attacks."
Voice chat will be supported, as well as cross-regional (North America, Japan, Europe) play.
No trophy support for "the Western version."

Gallery: Armored Core: for Answer

Ubi to release Armored Core for Answer in September

by Jason Dobson { Jul 30th 2008 at 5:15PM }

Armored Core for Answer, the thirteenth title in From Software's giant mech love fest, is preparing to stomp onto North American shores later this year. Ubisoft is set to publish the laboriously-titled game, which will unload onto both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in September.

Armored Core for Answer follows 2007's Sega-published Armored Core 4, and promises to once more let players slip behind the controls of a giant modular war machine, with "epic" boss fights, "seamless" 2-player co-op and 7-player competitive modes promised as well. Much like most games that come out of Japan, Armored Core for Answer pits rebels against a malevolent megacorp with the fate of the world, not to mention precious customizable parts (130 new, 400 total), hanging in the balance.

Gallery: Armored Core for Answer

Ubisoft to publish North American Armored Core: for Answer

by Majed Athab { Jul 30th 2008 at 1:55PM }

The extremely niche Armored Core series continued with for Answer -- a sequel to Armored Core 4. The title was released back in March in Japan, and since then fell off the radar for any hope of a US release. However, that's all changed as Gamecyte has discovered that Ubisoft will be picking up the game and will ship the mechanized warfare to North America.

The move is a stealthy one as we haven't heard anything regarding the game for months. Oddly enough, the game is scheduled to be released sometime between August and September. Siliconera suggests for Answer might be heavily discounted for cheap bucks due to the lack of marketing; that might actually sound bad if localization is to be sacrificed. If you're wondering even more about the game, check out the embedded trailer, and even better still, download the demo off the Japanese PS Store.

[Via Siliconera]

More Armored Core: for Answer screens show off colossal-sized enemies

by Majed Athab { Mar 8th 2008 at 5:30PM }

Armored Core: for Answer looks like it is really knocking things up a notch from its predecessor, Armored Core 4. These new screenshots from The Magic Box help prove that point as they display the game's larger arenas and amazingly humongous enemy fortresses. Suiting up in the good old AC unit is going to become a whole new experience when it finally comes time to take these giant foes down.

So far, for Answer hasn't been announced outside Japan; however, we're keeping our fingers crossed for that nice little press release to arrive and tell us otherwise. This game has got us excited since January; check out this trailer we posted to see why. Or better yet, if you have a Japanese PSN account you can download the full HD version for yourself and be awed.

Gasp! Another Armored Core title is on its way

by Chris Powell { Jan 13th 2008 at 10:00AM }

Historically, the Armored Core franchise has seen little evolution from each installment, but Armored Core: for Answer looks as if it could change that trend. Not only sporting bigger play areas compared to Armored Core 4, the game will also support online co-op and transformable battle mechs. And oh yeah, this new Japanese trailer for the game is godly amazing.

Armored Core: for Answer is set to release in Japan on March 19, but it currently doesn't have a release date elsewhere as of yet.