Armored Core 4 review

Gigawatt death-mechs toting planet-scouring artillery? Check. Decent gameplay? Erm...

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Crazy-deep mech building

  • +

    A few creative missions

  • +

    Four-on-four online play

Cons

  • -

    Ultra-short single-player

  • -

    Graphics rarely impress

  • -

    Countless little flaws

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Like Paris Hilton without a camera nearby or C3-PO without plucky sidekick R2-D2, Armored Core 4 is a fantastic giant mech construction sim left incomplete because it just can't find its reason for living- a decent action game. There are a gazillion destructive weapons to bolt onto your rig: bazookas, plasma cannons, sniper guns, energy swords, guided missiles... and even more standard parts, ranging from various heads and legs to missile-jamming ECM generators. You have to monitor each part’s weight and energy consumption, and even counter-balance your mech so that it isn't lopsided. Did we mention the custom paint-jobs?

More info

GenreShooter
DescriptionA fantastic giant robot construction kit that just can't find a decent action game to make it complete.
Franchise nameArmored Core
UK franchise nameArmored Core
Platform"Xbox 360","PS3"
US censor rating"Teen","Teen"
UK censor rating"",""
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
More
CATEGORIES
Eric Bratcher
I was the founding Executive Editor/Editor in Chief here at GR, charged with making sure we published great stories every day without burning down the building or getting sued. Which isn't nearly as easy as you might imagine. I don't work for GR any longer, but I still come here - why wouldn't I? It's awesome. I'm a fairly average person who has nursed an above average love of video games since I first played Pong just over 30 years ago. I entered the games journalism world as a freelancer and have since been on staff at the magazines Next Generation and PSM before coming over to GamesRadar. Outside of gaming, I also love music (especially classic metal and hard rock), my lovely wife, my pet pig Bacon, Japanese monster movies, and my dented, now dearly departed '89 Ranger pickup truck. I pray sincerely. I cheer for the Bears, Bulls, and White Sox. And behind Tyler Nagata, I am probably the GR staffer least likely to get arrested... again.
Latest in Action
Fujibayashi Naoe looks at her father's hidden blade in Assassin's Creed Shadows as he bestows it to her
Assassin's Creed Shadows looks like the success Ubisoft needed as it tops Steam charts
Looking over the countryside in Assassin's Creed Shadows
"I don't think AI can take away our creative voices": Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe actor thinks AI will only push people toward "human creativity"
A screenshot from MindsEye showing a character leaning out of a car, shooting another car with a gun.
Dystopian action thriller from GTA veteran has a "fake open world," and its devs want playing it to feel like "bingeing your favorite Netflix show"
Dragon's Dogma 2 screenshot showing a young female Pawn with short brown hair holding her right hand up, a glow emanating from it
Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma director Hideaki Itsuno says he's working on a new AAA action game that'll make you say "'I've never seen that in a game before'"
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin's Creed Shadows reaches 1 million players on day one, and it sounds like even Ubisoft's having a tough time believing it: "It's not even 4PM here"
Pal wields a massive turret in a screenshot from Palworld
Palworld devs tried, but the "certain franchise plus guns" brand in the West "has stuck with us to this very day despite our best efforts to shake that off"
Latest in Reviews
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% gaming keyboard with purple RGB lighting on a desk setup
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: "a niche luxury"
A woman chasing a shining butterfly with a leaping cat on her shoulder in InZOI
inZOI review: "Currently feels like a soulless imitation of the worst parts of The Sims"
White Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K gaming mouse standing up against a green-lit setup
Razer Basilisk V3 Pro 35K review: "hampered by its predecessor"
Alienware AW2725Q gaming monitor sitting on woodgrain desk next to plant with Marvel Rivals on screen and Invisible Woman selected on character screen.
Alienware AW2725Q review: “I dare you to try and spot this QD-OLED 4K monitor’s pixels”
Looking over the countryside in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows review: "More confidence, texture, and purpose than we've seen since Assassin's Creed pivoted into RPG territory"
HeroQuest box, models, tokens, board, and cards on a wooden table
HeroQuest review: "The grandaddy of dungeon crawlers"