What if Armored Core but arcadey and cool techno-fantasy combination setting. There's a total of, like, 5 unique, required fights or something, with the last one being a badass snake boss. If Armored Core's mecha fantasy is based around the limitations of a mech's movements and these clunky, chaotic battles, a shitton of missiles flying by at all times and all that, Frame Gride's mecha fantasy is about the dynamic gamefeel, where the technology feels perfected. That's because the mechs are more so knights... with guns.
This is one of those games where you are supposed to read the manual. It contains the descriptions of button combinations required to pull off certain moves. You have your standard mecha guns, melee and special laser/missile launcher in the form of, like, a spell. But the moveset also changes depending on the distance, for example the button you use for shooting turns into a punching button which breaks a shield stance, something the melee weapon cannot do. By holding both triggers, typically reserved for strafing, the player can combo or unlock special properties of his guns. It's honestly a very fun, exciting and snappy risk-reward system.
The final boss is tough as nails. You gotta figure out ways to dodge his attacks rather than tank his hits like you usually could with FromSoft's other mecha games. It's a boss formula that is much closer to their post-AC games, and it's very fun once you get a hold of it! I think this, more so than anything I played of Armored Core so far (the PS1 titles and Armored Core 2) will be what the series look like from 6 onward. The melee-gun balance works perfectly, and the battle tempo is excellent as well.
Losing so much against the final boss made me explore other parts, of course. It's very, very far from being as expansive as Armored Core, but they differ signficantly, which is more than enough for the length of the game. Some parts change how you need to position yourself, or when you can pull off a big move. Also, whenever you lose, a part gets removed and you have to make a new one before heading out. If you can't, you're screwed.
At the beginning of the game you answer a few questions, giving you parts that you might not know anything about, but they're all relatively simple and intuitive to use. If you played Armored Core that is. Otherwise, the manual is once again your best friend. You obtain other parts by combining crystals you obtain from winning fights. You can refight previous fights at any point in time to obtain more gems. Enemies, and you also, can spawn "squires" which are these smaller enemies. If you defeat them and subsequently destroy their bodies, you can get another gem. Another cool risk-reward factor, as the enemy can deal a lot of damage while you focus on their minions.
Really enjoyed this game. Ideal length (around 4 hours) for a retrospective, obscure title. Great game feel for a short, evening playthrough. Might replay down the line.
This is one of those games where you are supposed to read the manual. It contains the descriptions of button combinations required to pull off certain moves. You have your standard mecha guns, melee and special laser/missile launcher in the form of, like, a spell. But the moveset also changes depending on the distance, for example the button you use for shooting turns into a punching button which breaks a shield stance, something the melee weapon cannot do. By holding both triggers, typically reserved for strafing, the player can combo or unlock special properties of his guns. It's honestly a very fun, exciting and snappy risk-reward system.
The final boss is tough as nails. You gotta figure out ways to dodge his attacks rather than tank his hits like you usually could with FromSoft's other mecha games. It's a boss formula that is much closer to their post-AC games, and it's very fun once you get a hold of it! I think this, more so than anything I played of Armored Core so far (the PS1 titles and Armored Core 2) will be what the series look like from 6 onward. The melee-gun balance works perfectly, and the battle tempo is excellent as well.
Losing so much against the final boss made me explore other parts, of course. It's very, very far from being as expansive as Armored Core, but they differ signficantly, which is more than enough for the length of the game. Some parts change how you need to position yourself, or when you can pull off a big move. Also, whenever you lose, a part gets removed and you have to make a new one before heading out. If you can't, you're screwed.
At the beginning of the game you answer a few questions, giving you parts that you might not know anything about, but they're all relatively simple and intuitive to use. If you played Armored Core that is. Otherwise, the manual is once again your best friend. You obtain other parts by combining crystals you obtain from winning fights. You can refight previous fights at any point in time to obtain more gems. Enemies, and you also, can spawn "squires" which are these smaller enemies. If you defeat them and subsequently destroy their bodies, you can get another gem. Another cool risk-reward factor, as the enemy can deal a lot of damage while you focus on their minions.
Really enjoyed this game. Ideal length (around 4 hours) for a retrospective, obscure title. Great game feel for a short, evening playthrough. Might replay down the line.