Armored Core 3 Silent Line

When a developer just adds a subtitle to a game name instead of dubbing it a true sequel, you usually can't expect too much. But with Silent Line, Agetec says it will address the main complaint against its mission-based robot-combat series: Your mech's always been too slow! In addition to quicker controls, it also promises a wider selection of parts to trick out your robot, smarter backup mechs to assist you on missions, a new targeting feature that lets you selectively shoot parts off foes, and the ability to import your old 'bot from Armored Core 3. The only feature missing is online play, which was included in the Japanese version. (Grumble, grumble.)

While startlingly consistent, it's always been somewhat difficult to review a game like Silent Line: Armored Core. As the latest in a long line of Armored Core titles, I've got the dubious task of finding its high points and low points, all the while conveying the basic sense of this title. In the end, that's extraordinarily difficult, as you've already played this game a few times before.

The Armored Core 'style' has suffered from little change over the last few years. Adding a few new types of parts, and eventually allowing the analog stick to control your mech were such changes, Armored Core is an enjoyable title that never offers that much new stuff. The sound, controls, most of the visuals, and a great deal of the overall 'feel' of the game is exactly the same as Armored Core 3. But, when you purchase a game like Silent Line, you're probably doing so because you already like the game, and simply want the additional material.

And material it has. Silent Line boasts a wide variety of new parts, sharper looking mechs, and a veritable cornucopia of new missions. Furthermore, it also features a pretty snazzy AI arena mode, letting you fight against opponents even tougher than before. The last, and my favorite, feature is the new view mode, where you can enter your core's cockpit for the course of the mission. You lose the advantage that a 3rd-person perspective gives, but I'll be damned if this doesn't look cool.

I'd most liken this title to Armored Core: Project Phantasma, as although most AC games have a small mystery going on in their backstory, this one is quite nasty, and well, like Phantasma. It isn't short by any means, and I was quite entertained beating every mission and collecting every hidden part.

Aside from the basic update that each AC pseudo-sequel (as compared to the full version updates, like AC2 to AC3) receives, there's precious little in Silent Line to encourage its purchase. I've always felt that, while excellent titles, the AC line had a specific enough play style, and little enough change, to easily be considered a game for a pre-existing AC fan. Not quite accessible enough to new blood, it essentially reigns supreme as a great niche mech title, and Silent Line definitely keeps up the tradition.