Armored Core: Last Raven

Armored Core: Last Raven is the fifth standalone expansion to Armored Core 3 and the direct sequel to Armored Core: Nexus. This tactical shooter was developed by Japanese studio FromSoftware.

Plot

Armored Core: Last Raven is set after the events depicted in Armored Core: Nexus. After the destruction of Navis corporation, its three competitors teamed up to form a mega-corporation known as The Alliance. They're opposed by a new opponent - the Vertex organization, founded by Jack-O and other former members of Raven's Ark. Vertex declares war on The Alliance, which is to erupt within 24 hours. The Ravens' remnants aren't all united though, as Evangel has also assembled his own army, ready to clash against Jack-O's forces. As if that weren't enough, many Ravens have become independent warlords.

We play as one of the surviving Ravens, right in the middle of the looming conflict. It's up to us whether we'll side with The Alliance or Vertex. Our choices affect the course of the story and its ending.

The game's plot concludes the storyline which began back in Armored Core 3.

Mechanics

Armored Core: Last Raven makes use of the third-person (TPP) and first-person (FPP) perspective. The gameplay heavily resembles what was already seen in previous installments. The player must complete missions for the faction of their choice. These take place on open maps and can be completed in different ways. During each mission we pilot a powerful mech, eliminating various opponents with its diverse weaponry. Our machines can also be modified by selecting different components, adapting them to our playstyle and current needs.

When choosing missions, we must pay attention to how long they'll take. The outbreak of total war comes closer with each mission, meaning we can't complete each task in a single playthrough. Our decisions also affect the distribution of faction forces, and thus the outcome of the war and the future of the world.

Game modes

Armored Core: Last Raven is playable in singleplayer and multiplayer. The latter works via local network; the PlayStation 2 version also supports split-screen.

Technical aspects

Armored Core: Last Raven doesn't improve on the visuals much compared to its predecessor.