View source for Armored Core: Formula Front

{{Short description|2004 video game}}
{{Infobox video game| title = Armored Core: Formula Front
|image = PSPArmoredCoreFomulaOneFrontCover.jpg
|caption = North American box art
|developer = [[FromSoftware]]
|publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|FromSoftware|NA|[[Agetec]]|AU|[[Red Ant Enterprises]]|EU|[[505 Games]]}}
|director = Nozomu Iwai
|programmer = Nobuhiko Yoshino
|producer = Toshifumi Nabeshima
|composer = Tsukasa Saitoh<br/>Ayako Minami<br/>Hideyuki Eto
|engine = 
|series = ''[[Armored Core]]''
|released = '''PSP'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|December 12, 2004|NA|December 15, 2005|AU|February 9, 2006<ref>{{cite web |last=Jastrzab |first=Jeremy |date=December 19, 2005 |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3603 |title=Updated Australian Release List 19/12/05 |website=PALGN |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112165500/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3603 |archivedate=January 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |accessdate=December 21, 2018}}</ref>|EU|March 3, 2006}}'''PlayStation 2'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|March 3, 2005}}
|genre = [[Action game|Action]], [[third-person shooter]]
|modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
|platforms = [[PlayStation Portable]], [[PlayStation 2]]
}}

'''''Armored Core: Formula Front''''' is a [[mecha]] video game developed by [[FromSoftware]] and published by [[Agetec]]. It was a [[launch title]] for the [[PlayStation Portable]] in Japan, the 10th main installment in the ''[[Armored Core]]'' series.

==Gameplay==
The player assumes the role of an Architect. An Architect is a person who builds, programs and battles with a modified Armored Core known as a u/AC or an Unmanned Armored Core. u/ACs are AI controlled Armored Cores which compete exclusively in battling tournaments. u/ACs battle independent of the Architect's control, so the Architect must influence how the u/AC fights by customizing various part combinations and loading various program functions into the u/AC's AI. The North American version of the PSP game has since been modified to allow players the option of actually piloting their u/AC in battle instead of letting the AI fight. In the game, this is called a N-u/AC (N standing for Naked) and is supposedly notoriously hard to control.

''Armored Core: Formula Front'' allows the player to build their own robot using 480 different parts. These part come in several categories. These categories are head, core, arms, legs, generator, fire control system, booster, radiator, extension, inside, right arm weapon, left arm weapon, back left weapon, back right weapon, right hangar unit, left hangar unit, and optional parts. Several different part types can also be available. For instance, there are three types of cores (OB, EO, and Standard). Other types of customization include paint, AI tune, Parts Tune, Repository, Sortie Order, Name Entry, Sample Emblem, and Edit Emblem.

==Story==

=== Setting ===
In the game's story, ''Formula Front'' is a worldwide competition in which unmanned, AI-controlled ACs [u-ACs] are pitted against one another in fiercely contested arena battles. The game takes place twenty-five years after Formula Front arena warfare was introduced. It is now the world's most popular form of entertainment. At the heart of Formula Front's success are the architects. These are the individuals responsible for assembling and programming the u-ACs entered into league matches.

===Plot===
As the player fights their way into the Regular League, they are confronted by a new team, BT Wyvern, and its architect, Linus. After two matches against BT Wyvern, Linus sends a message that he meet the player again. Rank after rank, the player again confronts a formidable opponent, Team Ogre, and its architect, Diablo. Though Ogre usually wins through harsh tactics, their battle against BT Wyvern was horrible. Fortunately, the player defeated Diablo. As the player gets nearer through the top ranks, they are again confronted by BT Wyvern with a new AC model, Force Wing X. Afterwards, Diablo confronts the player again with an AC similar to Linus' AC and has installed with a mysterious data in Diablo's AC. The player manages to defeat Diablo and Team Ogre was temporarily banned due to being accused of stealing the 'Master Data'.

After defeating the second rank Team ''Neonia'' and its architect, Raving, the player has the right to challenge Team Testarossa Artigiana ('Arti' for short) and FFA's top architect, Bren. After the player defeats Bren, they become the new top architect.

==Release==
''Formula Front'' is the first ''Armored Core'' game to be released on multiple platforms, originally on the PlayStation Portable and later on the PlayStation 2. In Japan it was released simply as ''Armored Core: Formula Front''. In North America, the game was modified and released on December 15, 2005 as '''''Armored Core: Formula Front Extreme Battle''''', often mislabeled as ''Armored Core: Formula Front Special Edition'';<ref name=GI/> however, the PlayStation 2 version was not released in North America. The then-upcoming American version of the game was re-released on November 17, 2005 in Japan entitled {{nihongo|'''''Armored Core: Formula Front International'''''|アーマード・コア フォーミュラフロント インターナショナル|Āmādo Koa Fōmyura Furonto Intānashonaru}}; this re-released edition is considered to be the ultimate edition as it also contains a large amount of additional battles not found in the American version of the game, and includes both Japanese and English text options (except for the tutorial videos which are only in Japanese).{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} Later released fan-made patch addressed the issue, translating the videos.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 66/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/armored-core-formula-front-extreme-battle/critic-reviews/?platform=psp |title=Armored Core: Formula Front - Extreme Battle for PSP Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=December 20, 2018 |archive-date=March 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310212057/https://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/armored-core-formula-front |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1UP = B+<ref>{{cite web |author=1UP staff |date=January 5, 2006 |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3146731&did=1 |title=Armored Core Formula Front [Extreme Battle] |website=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105222508/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3146731&did=1 |archivedate=January 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |accessdate=December 21, 2018}}</ref>
| EuroG = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Dan |date=March 22, 2006 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_armoredcore_psp |title=Armored Core: Formula Front |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |accessdate=December 21, 2018 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032401/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_armoredcore_psp |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Fam = (PSP) 30/40<ref name=FamPSP>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-10645.html |title=Famitsu review scores - with PSP scores |website=The Magic Box |publisher=Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. |date=December 10, 2004 |accessdate=December 20, 2018 |archive-date=May 26, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050526035524/http://www.the-magicbox.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-10645.html |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(PS2) 28/40<ref name=FamPS2>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=963 |title=アーマード・コア フォーミュラフロント [PS2] |language=Japanese |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |accessdate=December 20, 2018}}</ref>
| GI = 3.75/10<ref name=GI>{{cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |title=Armored Core: Formula Front Special Edition [sic] |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |issue=151 |date=November 2005 |page=180}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Mueller |first=Greg |date=December 16, 2005 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/armored-core-formula-front-review/1900-6141418/ |title=Armored Core: Formula Front [Extreme Battle] Review [date mislabeled as "December 17, 2005"] |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=December 20, 2018 |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813090250/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/armored-core-formula-front-review/1900-6141418/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=VanOrd |first=Kevin |date=January 4, 2006 |url=http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/armored-core-psp/678025p1.html |title=GameSpy: Armored Core Formula Front - Extreme Battle |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |accessdate=December 21, 2018 |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812074549/http://psp.gamespy.com/playstation-portable/armored-core-psp/678025p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameZone = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bedigian |first=Louis |date=December 20, 2005 |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/armored_core_formula_front_extreme_battle_psp_review/ |title=Armored Core: Formula Front Extreme Battle - PSP - Review |website=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007024147/http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r24550.htm |archivedate=October 7, 2008 |url-status=live |accessdate=December 21, 2018}}</ref>
| IGN = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Roper |first=Chris |date=December 19, 2005 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/12/19/armored-core-formula-front-extreme-battle |title=Armored Core: Formula Front - Extreme Battle |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=December 20, 2018 |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517003247/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/12/19/armored-core-formula-front-extreme-battle |url-status=live }}</ref>
| OPM = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Armored Core: Formula Front - Extreme Battle |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=March 2006 |page=96}}</ref>
| PALGN = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=van Leuveren |first=Luke |date=February 21, 2006 |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3940&sid=264925394f279eaccc557b1d25dbe09a |title=Armored Core: Formula Front Review |website=PALGN |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216020020/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3940&sid=264925394f279eaccc557b1d25dbe09a |archivedate=December 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=December 21, 2018}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2|4}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoeger |first=Justin |date=January 29, 2006 |url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060129/ENT06/601290320/1044 |title='Armored Core: Formula Front -- Extreme Battle' |newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]] ([[The Sacramento Bee]]) |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902103334/http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060129%2FENT06%2F601290320%2F1044 |archivedate=2006-09-02 |url-status=dead |accessdate=December 20, 2018 }}</ref>
}}

The PSP version received "average" reviews according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MC/> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the game a score of 30 out of 40 (8/7/8/7) for the PSP version,<ref name=FamPSP/> and 28 out of 40 for the PlayStation 2 version.<ref name=FamPS2/>

{{clear}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* ''[[Armored_Core:_Verdict_Day#Gameplay|Armored Core: Verdict Day]]'', featuring UNACs, AI controlled Armored Cores which players can create and customize
* ''[[Artdink#Games|BASIC STUDIO Powerful Game Koubou]]'', a 2001 PS2 [[Game_creation_system|game creation title]] by Artdink featuring a sample game based on their title ''[[Carnage Heart]]''
* ''[[List_of_Famicom_Disk_System_games#B|Breeder]]'', a 1986 Famicom algorithm-based simulation combat game by SoftPro
* ''[[ChipWits]]''
* ''[[Technosoft#Releases|COMSIGHT]]'', a 1987 PC88, X1 , and X68000 algorithm-based simulation combat game by Technosoft
* ''[[MindRover]]''
* ''[[Omega (video game)]]''
* ''[[List_of_PlayStation_games_(M–Z)#P|Pandora Project: The Logic Master]]'', a 1996 PS1 algorithm-based simulation combat game by Team Bughouse very similar to ''Carnage Heart''
* ''[[Robot Odyssey]]''
* ''[[List_of_PlayStation_games_(M–Z)#R|Robot X Robot]]'', a 1999 PS1 algorithm-based simulation combat game by Nemesys
* ''[[RoboSport]]''
* [[Logic simulation]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official|https://web.archive.org/web/20070605161117/http://www.armoredcore.net/acff/}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{moby game|id=/armored-core-formula-front-extreme-battle}}

{{FromSoftware games}}

[[Category:2004 video games]]
[[Category:505 Games games]]
[[Category:Agetec games]]
[[Category:Armored Core]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Portable games]]
[[Category:Red Ant Enterprises games]]
[[Category:Third-person shooters]]
[[Category:Video games about mecha]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]