Armored Core: Last Raven | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Developer(s) | FromSoftware |
Publisher(s) | |
Director(s) | Dai Takemura |
Producer(s) | Toshifumi Nabeshima |
Designer(s) |
|
Programmer(s) | Ryoutarou Kishi |
Artist(s) |
|
Composer(s) |
|
Series | Armored Core |
Platform(s) | |
Release | PlayStation 2PSP |
Genre(s) | Third-person shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Armored Core: Last Raven is a 2005 mecha-based vehicular combat game developed by FromSoftware. It is part of the Armored Core series and is a direct sequel to Armored Core: Nexus (2004). The game was originally released for the PlayStation 2 and was ported to the PlayStation Portable in 2010. Gameplay remains largely unchanged from the game's predecessors and is centered around piloting a large mech in combat missions for various clients. The game is also notable for being the debut project of future FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki.
Last Raven concludes the storyline that began with 2002's Armored Core 3. The previously warring corporations have merged into a single organization called The Alliance, while a group of mercenaries called Vertex rise to oppose them. The player takes the role of an unaffiliated mercenary, a Raven, and is given the option of which faction to support, leading to several distinct endings for the first time in the series.
As with previous Armored Core games, players in Last Raven are pilots of mech robots called Armored Cores. Players can take on over 70 missions that play out over a 24-hour period. [1] Completed missions provide the player with credits to spend on parts and weapons, and can influence the availability of subsequent missions. The 24-hour period incrementally moves forward with each mission, and mission choices can dictate the narrative ending the player receives. [2]
Customization is identical to previous entries. Players start the game with 300,000 credits and a basic Armored Core. They can alter the mech with hundreds of parts and weapons, each of which can change the player's gameplay experience. [3] A component damage system allows for parts to be broken individually over the course of a mission, drastically affecting its performance. For example, damaging its legs crippled its movement, while damaging its arms removes its ability to use hand-held weapons. [4]
In the wake of the now defunct Navis's failed attempt to control recovered ancient weapons technology at the end of Armored Core: Nexus , the world has been left in tatters. Looking to consolidate power, the remaining corporations have merged into one super-corporation known as "The Alliance". Fed up with corporate rule and oppression, and seeing a newfound threat in The Alliance, a Raven known as Jack-O forms an organization of Ravens known as "Vertex" from the ashes of the fallen Raven's Ark. After rallying a sizable force of fellow Ravens to his cause, Jack-O declares that he will launch an all-out war on the Alliance in 24 hours. Leading the opposing force, a Raven named Evangel has rallied just as many Ravens to the Alliance and is preparing to fight Jack-O head on. Making matters all the more complicated, many Ravens have turned into independent warlords, setting out on their own after the collapse of Raven's Ark.
The player, one of a surviving Raven, begins the game by choosing to take a mission for either Vertex or The Alliance. After completing the mission they are introduced to Evangel, Zinaida, and Jack-O; The major characters of the struggle.
Throughout the story missions, the Raven learns the existence of "Dominant", an extremely gifted pilot who can turn the tide of war. This was a title sought by Evangel, who are driven to become the strongest by any means necessary. In middle game, Evangel betrays The Alliance to infiltrate Vertex from within. Meanwhile, Jack-O puts Zinaida and the Raven through several missions which often pit them against other Ravens. It is revealed that Jack-O was so desperate to find the Dominant that he would go so far as to betray or execute fellow members of Vertex if he felt they didn't measure up.
The struggle reaches its climax at an energy plant, where the Raven learns of a destructive weapon called Pulverizers. Following several attacks by seemingly rogue Pulverizers, it is revealed that an AI called Internecine is controlling them and was responsible for the weapons attack at the end of Armored Core: Nexus. Jack-O reveals to the Raven that the true purpose of this war to find the Dominant that are strong enough to stop the Internecine and the Pulverizers.
Armored Core: Last Raven was initially released in Japan for the Sony PlayStation 2 on August 4, 2005. [5] FromSoftware partnered with Agetec and released a North American version on June 13, 2006. [6] [7] A European version was released in partnership with 505 Games on October 6, 2006. [8]
Armored Core: Last Raven was re-released for the PlayStation Portable as Armored Core: Last Raven Portable. In Japan, it was released on March 4, 2010. [9] A North American version was later released on May 4, while a European version was released on July 14. [10] [11] The re-release includes widescreen support, an ad hoc multiplayer mode, and the ability to import save data from Armored Core 3: Portable . [12] [13]
Aggregator | Score | |
---|---|---|
PS2 | PSP | |
GameRankings | 62% [14] | 67% [15] |
Metacritic | 59/100 [16] | N/A |
Publication | Score | |
---|---|---|
PS2 | PSP | |
1Up.com | D− [1] | N/A |
Famitsu | 29/40 [17] | 26/40 [18] |
GamePro | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | N/A |
GameSpot | 5.7/10 [2] | 5/10 [20] |
GameSpy | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | N/A |
GameTrailers | 6.2/10 [21] | N/A |
GameZone | 7.9/10 [4] | N/A |
IGN | 6.4/10 [7] | N/A |
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | N/A |
X-Play | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | N/A |
Last Raven received "mixed or average reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregator websites GameRankings and Metacritic. [14] [15] [16] The game was praised for continuing the impressive level of customization that Armored Core has become renown for, yet it was also cited as a daunting barrier to new players. GameSpot's review of the PlayStation 2 version claimed the difficulty of the story and arena missions were too steep, and relied too much on trial and error to customize the player character successfully for the challenges at hand. [2] IGN's review of the same console version was slightly more favorable, but still criticized the game's extreme learning curve, the lack of new graphics, and lack of significant innovations to the game's formula. [7] In Japan, Famitsu gave the game a score of 29 out of 40 for the PS2 version, [17] and 26 out of 40 for the PSP version. [18]
Armored Core is a third-person shooter mecha video game series developed by FromSoftware. The series centers on a silent protagonist who takes on work as a mercenary pilot in the far future, operating large robot combat units known as Armored Cores at the behest of corporate and private clients. As the player completes missions for these clients, they gain credits to improve their Armored Core and unlock further opportunities to make money. Some games include an "Arena" mode in which the player fights other Armored Core pilots in head-to-head battles, which can reward the player with further income or prestige.
X-Men Legends is an action role-playing video game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision. It was released on the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles in 2004. Barking Lizards Technologies developed the N-Gage port of the game, which was released in early 2005. Players can play as one of fifteen X-Men characters, with the ability to switch between four computer- or human-controlled characters at any time.
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse is an action role-playing game developed primarily by Raven Software and published by Activision. It is the follow-up to 2004's X-Men Legends. It was released in September 2005 for the GameCube, Microsoft Windows, N-Gage, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox. It is set after the events of X-Men Legends and features the mutant supervillain Apocalypse as the primary antagonist.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 is a professional wrestling video game and developed by Yuke's that was released on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable by THQ in 2005. It is part of the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw video game series based on the professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and is the successor to the 2004 game of the same name. SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 was also the first game in the series to be released on PlayStation Portable and the last game in the SmackDown!/SmackDown! vs. Raw series that was PlayStation exclusive.
Formula One 06 is a racing video game developed by Studio Liverpool and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It is a sequel to the 2005 video game Formula One 05 and was based on the 2006 Formula One World Championship.
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software for the PlayStation 2 video game console. Disgaea 2 is the sequel to 2003's Disgaea: Hour of Darkness and was released for the PlayStation 2. It is also the predecessor to Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice for the PlayStation 3.
Armored Core is a 1997 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It was originally released in Japan by FromSoftware in July 1997 and in North America in October 1997 and Europe in 1998 by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game is the first entry in the Armored Core series. A digital port was released in 2007 in Japan and 2015 in North America on the PlayStation Network as a part of the PSone Classics line of games.
Armored Core: Project Phantasma is a 1997 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation. Project Phantasma is the second entry in the Armored Core series and a prequel to the original Armored Core. The game was not released in Europe.
Armored Core 2 is a 2000 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 2. It is the fourth entry in the Armored Core series and an indirect sequel to Armored Core: Master of Arena. In North America, Armored Core 2 was a launch title for the PlayStation 2. A direct sequel, Armored Core 2: Another Age, was released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2.
Armored Core 2: Another Age is a 2001 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 2. It is the fifth entry in the Armored Core series and a direct sequel to Armored Core 2. A reboot of the series, Armored Core 3, was released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2.
Armored Core 3 is a 2002 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 2. It is the sixth entry in the Armored Core series. Armored Core 3 acts as a reboot for the franchise and begins a storyline that would continue through Armored Core: Last Raven. In 2009, Armored Core 3 was ported to the PlayStation Portable.
Silent Line: Armored Core, known in Japan as Armored Core 3: Silent Line, is a 2003 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 2. It is the seventh entry in the Armored Core series and a direct sequel to 2002's Armored Core 3. In 2009, Silent Line: Armored Core was ported to the PlayStation Portable.
Armored Core: Nexus is a 2004 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 2. It is the eighth entry in the Armored Core series and a sequel to 2003's Silent Line: Armored Core. Unlike Silent Line, Nexus is not an expansion but rather a full-fledged sequel.
Armored Core: Nine Breaker is a 2004 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 2. It is the ninth entry in the Armored Core series and a spin-off to Armored Core: Nexus.
Armored Core: Formula Front is a mecha video game developed by FromSoftware and published by Agetec. It was a launch title for the PlayStation Portable in Japan, the 10th main installment in the Armored Core series.
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a 2006 action role-playing video game, developed by Raven Software for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360, and published by Activision. The game was ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox. A different Game Boy Advance version was developed by Barking Lizards Technologies. A re-release version based on Xbox 360's latest edition was ported by Zoë Mode for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and was released in July 2016.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is a 2006 action-adventure game developed by Rockstar Leeds and Rockstar North, and published by Rockstar Games. The tenth instalment in the Grand Theft Auto series, the game was initially released as a PlayStation Portable exclusive in October 2006. A PlayStation 2 port was released in March 2007. Set within the fictional Vice City in 1984, the game is a prequel to 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and follows the exploits of ex-soldier Victor "Vic" Vance, a minor character originally featured in said game. The story centres around Vic's attempts to build up a criminal empire alongside his brother Lance. With the initial intention of raising money for his sick brother Pete's medication, Vic comes into conflict with rival gangs, drug lords and other enemies.
Burnout Dominator is a racing video game developed by EA UK and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It retains the core gameplay of the series, as players race at top speeds through dozens of World Tour events testing "reckless skill-based" driving techniques.
Armored Core V is a mecha-based video game developed by FromSoftware and published by Namco Bandai Games for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the 14th main installment in the Armored Core series and a return to the more traditional style of gameplay found in the original series of games.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a 2023 mecha-based vehicular combat game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game serves as a reboot for the franchise, is the first entry in the Armored Core series since Armored Core: Verdict Day (2013) and was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Armored Core VI received generally favorable reviews and became the highest-selling entry in the series, selling 1.3 million copies on Windows alone.