Armored Core 2 for PlayStation 2

Armored Core 2 is what Mech fans want in a mech game. AC2 lets the player feel more in control than other games with a less simulation and more arcade feel. Players will spend days upon days tweaking their mech to make it their own personal creation. The weapons are fairly balanced so that no player can have a powerhouse with unfair advantages. For example, you could choose some high damage rockets but you'll have to use lighter, and consequently weaker, additional armaments to avoid being too heavy to start a mission. Only after beating the game can you get away with using these "illegal" mechs once the weight limit is removed. Players could spend hours setting up their mech and I guarantee the player logs in more time tweaking in the garage than playing actual missions. In the end, this is a good thing, it's rare that a game have such a vast array of options. Missions begin rather easy once you set up your mech the best way but those missions get increasingly difficult, very difficult. Graphics-wise, AC2 is really sharp but not as mindblowing as expected since it's on a 128 bit system. Backgrounds are rather plain but the mechs themselves are greatly detailed right down to the nuts and bolts. The best graphical achievement would have to be the weapon explosions though, they are seriously cool and let you know you're doing some damage. The music in the game is almost identical to the first Armored Core game and some of the techno songs are just plain bad, they sound like a scratched CD is playing (especially in the AC Test Arena). Multiplay is fine but could get old fairly quick, especially if your friends have to use the poorly equipped default mech while you're stomping all over them with your nuclear missile-equipped death machine. Overall, AC2 is so similar to Armored Core that it only barely deserves the right to have the 2 placed on the end of the title. The game will please even those players who are not big mech fans but the game is honestly geared towards mech junkies. The game definitely deserves a rent at the least but would not be a waste of money if it were purchased. The sheer amount of custom options makes it well worth the price. However, a purchase of this game is really only recommended for mech fans or Armored Core fans. Casual gamers should be sure to rent it to try it out, if only to see if it suits their gaming tastes.