Armored Core: for Answer is a video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is the 13th installment of From Software's Armored Core series. Armored Core For Answer is the sequel to Armored Core 4, and takes place over a decade later. Massive weapons called Arms Forts are the main adversaries in the game. They are extremely large (some several kilometers long) fortress type weapons with limited mobility.

Story Overview

The planet is in a decrepid and decaying state. Pollution from not only Human habitation, but from the hazardous waste given off by Kojima particles has caused the surface of the earth to become virtually unlivable. In desperate need of a solution, the remaining corporations from the Pax Economica build giant airborne habitats to house a majority of the populace - safeguarding them from the contaminated surface below. Some however, are forced to live on the surface. They form a resistance force known as ORCA, and amass a formidable arsenal to battle against the corporations. The player once again takes control of a "Raven" - a mercenary for hire. Piloting the cutting-edge Armored Cores known as NEXTs, the player is thrust into the middle of the conflict between the corporations and ORCA. Each faction now controls super weapons known as "Arms Forts" that the player must battle against.

History

More than ten years have passed since the Linx War. The League of Corporations has taken over the world. To escape the pollution that poisons the surface of the planet, the League has built massive floating platforms called Cradles. Only there, 7,000 meters above the ground, is the air clean and safe. Already, half of mankind lives in the skies. The planet's surface has become a battlefield, where armies fight to control the resource plants that feed the Cradles.

As the Linx War came to a close, NEXTs enabled the League to firmly establish its rule of the planet. NEXT pilots (established in the previous title) are called Linx. Fearing the power and independence of these NEXTs, the League left them behind on the surface. The Linx now work as mercenaries for an organization called Collared.

Factions

The League of Ruling Companies

A group of corporations that have banded together to control the world's economy. On paper, the League seeks to preserve peace and order within corporate society, but the grim reality doesn't match these aims. Under their rule, the planet has succumbed to rapid overdevelopment and pollution. "The Cradle System" is a series of floating platforms developed by The League to house and protect millions of civilians from the nearly uninhabitable surface.

Line Ark

Regarded as the largest surface-based power, Line Ark is a maritime city-state formed by individuals that oppose The League and the Cradle system. They advocate freedom and democracy and appear to fight for a just casue. However, their motto of "accepting all who wish to enter" has attracted a large number of unfavorable types, which has led to the slow decay of their government and society, leaving little of their original ideals and dreams remaining. Their main protector is White Glint, a renowned NEXT capable of taking on armies.

Collared

A pilot management organization under full jurisdiction of The League. They manage all pilot rankings and organize "Order Matches," contests where pilots duke it out to increase their rank. In recent years it has become nothing more than a watering hole for mission agency brokers carrying out orders for corporations.

Orca

A mysterious group that operates outside the influence of The League and Collared, their true aims are unknown, save that they oppose mankind's exodus from the surface. They move quickly and respond with deadly force.

Characters

* Unknown Pilot: A Linx of the famous NEXT White Glint and the unnamed protagonist from Armored Core 4, Unknown is affiliated with the anti-League power Line Ark. The new White Glint AC is an original craft by the master architect Abu Marshe, the designer of the original White Glint of Armored Core 4. Although still Rank 9, Unknown is well known as a top class NEXT pilot and took down entire companies solo during the Linx War. Unknown does not speak in the game, and only communicates through Mission Operator, Fiona Jarnefeldt. (Compare to Joshua O'Brien in Armored Core 4.)

* Thermador: The Leader of Orca, He pilots a black and red coloured mid-weight humanoid craft, Unsung. His goal is to succeed and make Rayleonard's former vision a reality. Equal parts romanticist, visionary, and passionate demagogue, he is a complext, if not divided man. He is one of the Original five. He shares some personality and AC part design (with emphasis on energy weaponry and missiles) to Berlioz in Armored Core 4.

* Old King: He led the former armed rebel group Caliliana. Isolating himself from other Orca to maintain his "outsider" status, he Algebra-based craft, Lisa, is reversed-legged and armed with a heavy shotgun.

* Lilium Wolcott: A female Linx who inherited the prestigious Wolcott name. She is the new princess of Wong Shao-Lung's treasured BFF, but her graceful disposition sets her apart from the late Mary Shelley (who piloted Prometheus in Armored Core 4). She pilots an offensive frontline craft: Ambient.

* Otsdarva: Formerly from Rayleonard, this is Omer's trump card as the pilot of the AC Stasis. His home is the battlefield, where he's touted as a tactical genius. Now he's turned his attention toward the infamous White Glint, and is determined to secure his spot at the top.

* Wynne D Fanchon: Interior's female Linx, often referred to as "GA's disaster". Also known as the "Brass Maiden" by many frontline soldiers, she pilots Reiterpallasche. An aggressive Linx who is famous for never failing a mission, her craft is lightweight but strikes hard.

* Roadie: An experienced pilot who continues to pilot an outdated craft armed with bazookas known as Feedback. He makes up for a low AMS aptitude with battle experience. He is one of the few survivors of the Linx War and one of GA's top Linx.

* Shamir Raviravi: This Linx is often called "Algebra's Femme-Arachnid". She pilots Red Rum, an insect-like four-legged craft equipped with a slug gun and other slug-based weaponry. Best in her element, she loves to get the drop on her enemies in adverse battle field situations.

Features

AC customization has been changed from the previous Armored Core title, with a new interface and many new parts not found in Armored Core 4. Online mode returns with a new co-operative mode alongside the player versus mode. Gameplay enhancements included a power increase for both Quick Boost and Over Boost, as well as an auxiliary high speed booster known as Vanguard Over Boost (VOB). All parts carried over from the previous game have had their parameters altered, much like the transition between previous series instalments Silent Line and Nexus. The on-screen HUD can now be changed to any of 20 colors. There are now 442 FRS tuning points available to unlock, which is an increase from the 300 (PS3) and 337 (XBOX360) FRS points available in AC4. Maps are much larger and more detailed including environment damage such as collapsing buildings. The game also features multiple endings with three different possible plot branches available depending on your actions and decisions in the game.

source: wikipedia