History VideoGame / ArmoredCoreForAnswer

''Armored Core: For Answer'' (2008) is the 13th installment of the [[MechaGame mecha combat game]] series ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore''. It is a direct sequel to ''Armored Core 4'' developed by Creator/FromSoftware and published on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 and UsefulNotes/Xbox360 by itself (in Japan) and Creator/{{Ubisoft}} (North America and Europe). The game utilize the same game engine as ''4'', but with a new storyline and many customization options to play with.

* KillSat: [[spoiler:Earth is surrounded by a large number of these. They're designed to target anything that tries to leave Earth and were originally placed there by the old corporations to ensure that no one would be able to exploit the untapped resources of outerspace, which also has yhe unfortunate side effect of leaving humanity stranded on a dying world]].

* SoLastSeason: If you choose to remain independent at the start of the game, your starting NEXT will be an 03-AALIYAH from the [[PosthumousCharacter now-defunct]] Rayleonard. In ''VideoGame/ArmoredCore4'' the AALIYAH was DifficultButAwesome with its high-speed, energy-intensive combat style, but in this game it faces stiff competition from other cores like LAHIRE (which you can also start with), and with no ability to tune for extra energy capacity, using the AALIYAH as a new pilot might be more trouble than it's worth.

''Armored Core: For Answer'' (2008) is the 13th installment of the [[MechaGame mecha combat game]] series ''[[VideoGame/ArmoredCore Armored Core]]''. It is a direct sequel to ''Armored Core 4'' developed by [[Creator/FromSoftware From Software]] and published on the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 and UsefulNotes/Xbox360 by itself (in Japan) and Creator/{{Ubisoft}} (North America and Europe). The game utilize the old game engines, but with a new storyline and many customization options to play with.

* DarkerAndEdgier: In comparison to the ORCA and League story routes, which function on the series' GrayAndGrayMorality, the Destruction Path is perhaps one of the darkest routes and ending ''[=FromSoftware=]'' ever made. [[spoiler:Whereas in the other two routes where you're fighting to protect "humanity's best interest" (be it maintaining the status quo or opening the way for humanity to take to the stars), you go on to become ''the worst mass murderer in human history'' after you've started the Destruction Path by felling Cradle 03 and racking up a '''hundred million''' bodycount entirely consisting of civilians, including women and children.]]

* GuideDangIt: Its not immediately apparent how you access the ORCA and Destruction paths. You have to play through the game once, then [[spoiler: You have to play through the game as you would until chapter 2, where you can take the "Defend Megalis" to unlock the Line Ark/ORCA path. In chapter 3, you either make the choice to join ORCA by taking the "Destroy Arteria Ulna" mission, or wait until Chapter 4 and take "Destroy Cradle 03" to start the destruction path.]]

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Two of the [=CEOs=] of the mega corporations are also high-ranking [=Lynxes=]. You can even hire one of them (Takafumi Arisawa) to be your wingman; apparently he doesn't mind putting his life in constant danger in exchange for being a walking advertisement for his company's products. Japanese fans have nicknamed the enormous cannon mounted on his AC the "CEO Cannon".

* EarnYourBadEnding: While the [[spoiler:Destruction Path is the shortest, consisting only of two missions, the final mission has you fight against four (or five in Hard mode) NEXTs, with little support from Old King, making it an extremely difficult fight.]]

* BlackAndGrayMorality: The way the storyline diverges. [[spoiler:You have to choose between the wholesale massacre of 100 million people as a true rebel, sacrificing the Cradle population in order to open the way to space and covering Omer's actions which led to the situation in the first place, or allowing humanity to die as the pollution on the surface spreads up to the Cradles. [[KillEmAll Then there's the third option...]]]]

** Destruction Path: [[spoiler:You take up Old King's invitation and [[KillEmAll kill absolutely everyone]]; The League, ORCA, your (former) operator, the Cradle populations... The only consolation is that those who were responsible for this radiation-addled mess in the first place finally got their due justice.]]

Still, something is always moving on the surface. The League of Ruling Companies has left their Lynx behind. Now answering to League-run organization Collared, they use almighty [[HumongousMecha NEXTs]] to secure resources for Cradle. The mercenaries, alongside corporations' gigantic [[BaseOnWheels Arms Forts]], maintain corporate grip and crush any remaining dissidents on the surface. Such is the status quo that [[PlayerCharacter you are the weapon arms of]]. Still, such a condition wouldn't last long. And all it takes is for someone to ask a right question...

** Destruction Path: [[spoiler:You take up Old King's invitation and [[KillEmAll kill absolutely everyone]]; The League, ORCA, your (former) operator, the Cradle populations... The only consolation is that those who were responsible for this radiation-addled mess finally got their due justice.]]

** Destruction Path: [[spoiler:You take up Old King's invitation and [[KillEmAll kill absolutely everyone]]; The League, ORCA, your (former) operator, the Cradle populations... The only consolation is that those who were responsible for this mess finally got their due justice.]]

-->'''--[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwq1n6vsXU Opening cinematic]]'''