Game Guides
Armored Core - Control Scheme Differences
by: lordnikon
All Armored Core games can be completly configured. You have complete control to customize a configuration that suits you best. You are not stuck with preset control maps.
First of all, Armored Core 2, is a strait PS1 control setup. Analogs cannot be used for directionals at all. Even the left analog is dead. What can be used is pressing either analogs in(also known as L3 and R3), to innitiate the Over Boost and Extensions.
In Armored Core 2: Another Age, Armored Core 3, and Silent Line: AC3, the left analog stick is mapped to the same maps of the D-pad. So you can bounce back and forth between the left analog stick and the d-pad depending on the amount of reaction time you need. During more casual battles it can be nice to use the analog since its more relaxing, and easier on the thumbs. However when you need precision FAST reaction, you can switch over to the d-pad. It's nice. The right analog is once again dead as far as movement/aiming is concerned.
Finally, Armored Core Nexus, NineBreaker, and eventually Last Raven as well, allow for a dual analog setup. Allowing you to set movement and aiming to both analogs.
I would like to point out that, for the newcomer, using the dual analog setup might seem like a requirement. However please think this through. By opting to only use dual analogs, you are basically restricting yourself to Armored Core Nexus, and all future releases. Leaving behind tons of other armored core games that are awsome games. All the PS1 and previous PS2 armored cores would be beyond your reach because you refuse to use anything but dual analog controls.
It should be noted that aiming at an enemy in Armored Core usually has a lock on system. Most weapons use a bounding box, which varries in size depending on the weapon. Other weapons do have a manual aim system. However in most cases aiming only requires you to get the enemy target within a certain range and your gun will lock onto that target and fire in its direction. Because of this, prrecision FPS style aiming is not necessary to play armored core. Because of the lock on mechanisms built into the game, the non-analog, PS1 originated, control scheme works quite well.
This isn't to say that Armored Core falls under the stereotype that a lock on aim system is "cheap". For starters enemies are usually moving so fast that hitting them manually all the time would be near impossible for most, leaving only the most seasoned AC veteran with the ability to fire manual only. Many other factors come into play, such as the FCS(fire control system), and your AC's arms which have recoil and accuracy statistics. Rader distance, ecm, and multi-target lock on capabilities factor in as well. So the lock on capabilties are actually both part game design and part functional for control, and is an essential aspect of Armored Core.
I hope some of this information helps you learn more about the control system built into Armored Core, across all current iterations of the game. Good luck future Raven.
First of all, Armored Core 2, is a strait PS1 control setup. Analogs cannot be used for directionals at all. Even the left analog is dead. What can be used is pressing either analogs in(also known as L3 and R3), to innitiate the Over Boost and Extensions.
In Armored Core 2: Another Age, Armored Core 3, and Silent Line: AC3, the left analog stick is mapped to the same maps of the D-pad. So you can bounce back and forth between the left analog stick and the d-pad depending on the amount of reaction time you need. During more casual battles it can be nice to use the analog since its more relaxing, and easier on the thumbs. However when you need precision FAST reaction, you can switch over to the d-pad. It's nice. The right analog is once again dead as far as movement/aiming is concerned.
Finally, Armored Core Nexus, NineBreaker, and eventually Last Raven as well, allow for a dual analog setup. Allowing you to set movement and aiming to both analogs.
I would like to point out that, for the newcomer, using the dual analog setup might seem like a requirement. However please think this through. By opting to only use dual analogs, you are basically restricting yourself to Armored Core Nexus, and all future releases. Leaving behind tons of other armored core games that are awsome games. All the PS1 and previous PS2 armored cores would be beyond your reach because you refuse to use anything but dual analog controls.
It should be noted that aiming at an enemy in Armored Core usually has a lock on system. Most weapons use a bounding box, which varries in size depending on the weapon. Other weapons do have a manual aim system. However in most cases aiming only requires you to get the enemy target within a certain range and your gun will lock onto that target and fire in its direction. Because of this, prrecision FPS style aiming is not necessary to play armored core. Because of the lock on mechanisms built into the game, the non-analog, PS1 originated, control scheme works quite well.
This isn't to say that Armored Core falls under the stereotype that a lock on aim system is "cheap". For starters enemies are usually moving so fast that hitting them manually all the time would be near impossible for most, leaving only the most seasoned AC veteran with the ability to fire manual only. Many other factors come into play, such as the FCS(fire control system), and your AC's arms which have recoil and accuracy statistics. Rader distance, ecm, and multi-target lock on capabilities factor in as well. So the lock on capabilties are actually both part game design and part functional for control, and is an essential aspect of Armored Core.
I hope some of this information helps you learn more about the control system built into Armored Core, across all current iterations of the game. Good luck future Raven.