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Armored Core Formula Front is a Mechwarrior on steroids for the PSP. You no longer have to lug around the PC to enjoy the fun and thrills of robot and transformer battles.

Armored Core Formula Front has taken advantage of all of the features the PSP has to offer. Agetec has utilized the extensive controls, the incredible video and great sound that the PSP has to offer in a portable media device.

The graphics fully utilize the capabilities of the PSP. The environment that you interact with has very good detail. The robots movements follow the contours of the area around them with ease and believability. You won’t see the robots floating in mid air except of course when you use the thrusters or jump. The robot warriors will get stuck or hung up in a legitimate spot and not out in the open. Overall I found the graphics very pleasing to the eyes and enjoyable to play.

The PSP has plenty of controls available to utilize and Armored Core uses them all. There are a multitude of movements and weapons available and each is controlled by a different control. For those of you younger and those that have better hand to eye coordination than us older folk will probably find this game to be nothing different than any other new game. Me personally, I had trouble getting used to the controls.

I found myself playing the AI mode which allowed me to have the full experience of customizing my robot but not have to worry about losing to my own control inadequacies. One great feature of the game was the customization you are able to do to the robot. You pick everything from its limbs and maneuverability to its full blown arsenal. Just be sure to pick the perfect combination of weapons to maneuverability or you will find yourself dead and starting over hoping you find the right combination for your opponent. Don’t pick a slow powerful weapon against a quick and nimble opponent. You will pay for your decisions.

Because I do not have the best hand to eye coordination for the newer games which fully utilize every feature and control available on the new platforms, I found that I fully enjoyed and utilized the AI mode where I could pick and chose the weapons, power plant, limbs, maneuverability and much more to attempt to defeat the enemy. Of course by actually utilizing the controls and doing it yourself you are able to defeat a more powerful and nimble opponent with a slower robot. I just couldn’t get used to the key and joystick combinations to be successful.

Overall I would have to give this game a very good score for the mechwarrior type gamer. Me I just couldn’t quite get into it to that level. ?I think it is a very good game for the right gamer but I just was not that type of game. The level of customization was definitely a strong point for the game as well as their use of the PSP’s capabilities. If you are not into the mechwarrior style of gaming this game will not be your cup of tea. I definitely recommend you give the game a chance and see what you think since it does have plenty to offer. The AI mode and the ability to customize the robots to your liking definitely gives you plenty of variety to keep the game fresh and exciting.