Armored Core 2 Was A Massive Step Forward For The Franchise... 

There is a hidden arena fight. During the campaign you kill several AC pilots. As you kill them, new pilots join the bottom ranks. At the bottom ranking you will see Mathias. He is far more difficult than Ares.

2:35 Have to note that Armored Core 2 was a PS2 launch title, so besides just making a generational leap for their game, FromSoft had the task of providing that wow factor to prospective PS2 owners, so they definitely put something extra into the development of this title. After this, and excluding the PSP/mobile games, AC was now always in buttery-smooth 60 FPS. Great video!

AC2 was my intro into the series ( best discount bin purchase ever ). I like the AC3 era better, but AC2 will always have a soft spot for me.

Armored Core 2 was my introduction to the franchise back when the PS2 first launched. Now, I've mastered it to absolute completion both with _and_ without Human PLUS. Ares is actually surprisingly easy to cheese on the Malea Base map if you jet into the base itself and use vertical and support missiles. For whatever reason, his AI breaks and he continues to try and boost towards you despite the base being in the way.

I played this religiously in my early teenage years. It along with 4 and For Answer are my top 2. It was such a great game.

The intro of AC2 is one of my favorites. The sound, the music, the hype!!! Can't help but rewatch just the intro, so damn good even today.

AC2 was my introduction to the series. My friend bought a PS2 at launch and got this game. Though AC2:AA was technically the first one I ever owned myself. I believe AC2 is still technically the best-selling Armored Core to date... at 1/40th of the sales of Elden Ring lmao That makes me so excited for AC6, though: you know they aren't doing it out of some commercial obligation. If FromSoftware were in it for the money, they'd have the team working on Sekiro 2 or something. But they aren't. They really love Armored Core and they're producing what looks like a truly awesome game.

AC 2's mirrored missions actually have a thematic reason for them. Leos deliberately sets up a mirror of Master of Arena's final mission. (Many doors, opening...) But given how influential he was, who is to say he didn't contrive to make some other parallels?

Armored Core 2 is quite a bit of fun. I think it's one of the more overlooked old gen games, but that's because in many ways, it feels like the prototype for gen 3. However, I love the Mars setting and I'm glad that sixth gen is trying to bring the series away from Earth again.

I loved this game so much. I was obsessed with Arena. Everything felt so alive and deeply simulated. Glad you enjoyed it :)

AC2 was my introduction into the series and boy it left a mark on me lol. Granted as a kid at the time a lot of stuff went over my head, understood it when I got back to it around high school. Really like the Mars setting and it has two arena fights that have still left scars on me to this day. Ares and Mathias are hands down the most terrifying arena opponents out of all the Armored Core games I've played.

Watching my friend play the first mission of AC2 blew my mind as a kid. Later i got AC2 Another Age and i played it none stop. Still it on my PS2

Coming from a new player of only a couple weeks, the game is challenging yet delightfully rewarding when you get the hang of it. The rite of passage is the steep learning curve of the controls. Once that barrier is passed, you're in and it just doesn't let you out 😅

I think you didn't mention the secondary arena entries and Matthias. He gave me more trouble than the entire game combined, Ares included. Go back and check out the arena now that you've beaten the game and scroll to the bottom. New entries have replaced those who died. And one of them has what it takes to be the best. The Disorder units needing a bio sensors was my first experience with having to really look at my AC design on a technical, mechanical level and trying to plan ahead. Something Another Age HEAVILY reinforces. Leos being easy was a big let down, and it doesn't help that you get healed and ammo restocked before both stages. That being said his second stage consistently gets me to low health. I think if they hadn't of included the heals and doubled the health of his first stage (and given it some actual AMS), it'd of been a much more fulfilling fight. That being said, they were trying to sell PS2's using this game, so maybe a Nineball Seraph "LOL SURPRISE BITCH!" boss fight would have been too much. Ares and Matthias do a pretty good job challenging the player and you aren't suddenly ambushed by them like you are Seraph, so no one can feel bad or blind sided by those experiences. Probably a good move on FROM's part.. but I do still wish that fight were harder.

Ammo was tracked in the previous games. Ironically, after this game, they fixed a bug with the missions that was making ACs really weak compared to what they would be like if the player built them, because they couldn't implement enemy defense points, weapon impact, or heat (so their armor is paper-thin, but they can't be stunned, and they can't be overheated). They also had infinite ammo. AC2: Another Age fixed all this, and enemy ACs actually can run out of ammo, get stunned, and get overheated, but their armor is considerably higher-grade. This game also had a glitch with the boost power scaling, causing the two boosters that were supposed to be the fastest (ZBT-ZI/ARTERE) and second-fastest (ZBT-GEX/3000, a hidden part) to actually go slower than the booster designed to be the third fastest (ZBT-H4/T), but a very close third, with the charge drain on the other two boosters going up considerably from each other, as they were intended to be similarly faster. With the scaling glitch, however, the GEX wound up being the second fastest, but behind (rather than ahead of) the H4/T, while the ARTERE wound up going the slowest of the three. They fixed this in Another Age , where the H4/T is actually the third fastest, the GEX second fastest above them, and the ARTERE the fastest. Speaking of boosters, regular boosters don't heat you up at all in this game. Not even overboosting, though this changes in Another Age. There was supposed to be ambient temperature, but they didn't get it working until Another Age. It wouldn't be until Nexus that regular boosters would actually heat you up. There is also a strong argument to be made for a couple of weapon models in AC1 being swapped at some point in development, perhaps by accident, as the models would be much more believable with each other's stats. There is a similar case with this game, where a machinegun looks like a shotgun, and vice versa, as well as some interesting oddities with a few of the missile launchers. Anyway, good job, apart from the couple of goofs. Glad you're enjoying the series so far.

I've never personally played the Gen 2 games, but watching this was a blast. I'm looking forward to your journey throughout the Gen 3 games, which are the games where I first dived into the Armored Core series.

Getting a mail from Strung telling me far I've come through the arena was just as wholesome as a father/son moment, until that moment of betrayal when we accepted a mission from him only for hin to ambush us.

AC2 was my introduction to the series and the only game I played. Being a mecha fan from chidlhood (thanks to games like Shattered Steel, Earthsiege 2, Mechwarriors 2:Mercenaries & G-Nome) Armored Core got me pretty enthusiastic! At that time I wasn’t as knowledgeable in English as I am now so I didn’t understand much of the plot. I remember I *LOVED* the intro mission song with Strung telling me « you know the drill », I’ve been listening to it on repeat for years like many AC songs (Repeat from Another Age is the best)! The game was pretty difficult, especially the submarine mission, and also the Arena. But I managed to beat it all thanks to my beloved weapon: the machine gun! I even beat Ares in one try at some point and remember he could send different emails depending on whether you lose or win. Brings back memories!

These videos and your insights are great! Really excited to see the rest of your journey through this series from fresh eyes. These games (with some exceptions) usually just get better as you go along. The jump to 4th gen in particular will be super interesting to see

Great video! I think this is one of the few episodes I didn't beat same for 2AA, on the PS2 I started from 3 and regretted it to this day.

Armored core 2 was a aolid experience, but i feel armored core 3 was the apex of the series for the ps2 era

Ontrol sticks weren't technically unused; pressing down on the left stick activates/turns off overboost, and pressing down on the right stick turns your extension parts on/off

Just subscribed. As a mecha fan, I've always loved the concept of being able to customize my own giant robot and go shoot at other giant robots............... but the AC games were always incredibly difficult for me. I get a few missions into the story and the game is beyond my abilities. So I'm going to live vicariously through you now.

This was my first entry to Armored Core and ps2 for Xmas and I’ve never looked back ❤

I'm going through the playlist since I missed these earlier vids in the series, and I'm actually hugely surprised by the graphical leap from gen 1 to gen 2. I had never really noticed it, but going straight from the master of arena vid to this one it really stuck out to me

The best controls setup I have is all moving binded to the d pad, looking up and down binded to the circle and square buttons, shooting to triggers, and looking left and right to the bumpers, makes the game super easy to control

if this got a *spoilers* 7.2 Then I cant wait until chole plays nexus or last raven

I love these videos so much

The goofiest part about FromSoftware moving from PS1 to the PS2 is they didnt fully embrace the Dual Analog control until Shadow Tower Abyss, which was Japan only, but even then it wasnt the default control scheme

Nice video. AC2 was my first and holds a special place in my heart as my favorite in the franchise. The soundtrack to AC2 and AA are the best in my opinion. There are some misconceptions here which I think every new player has as the game barely explains anything and the stats aren't that clear. The radiator actually does basically nothing from AC2 to AC Silent Line. There are some exceptions where it's not the case but you actually never need to buy a better radiator than the lightest one. The other big secret in AC2 is the missile arms. Missiles in 2nd gen are the most powerful they get in the series and the arms are ridiculously overpowered in battles against ACs, even if they have anti missile extensions. Based on your footage from fighting Klein you probably figured out how OP missiles are but I recommend trying them out in Another Age as well. The same arm part re-appears in later games and is still pretty viable for clearing the arena.

Armored Core 2 was one the BEST games I have played. The controls were everything! It was so easy to do what you wanted the mech to do and the weapons were great! One of my favorite Armored Core games too! I have to give it a 10 for its time. I have AC4 and it just doesn't do it for my yet. Now there is AC 6 for the PS5 and that looks very promising.

As a teen in the 90,s and early 2000’s (I graduated 2001), AC2 was my favorite PS2 title. Back when video stores were still around, I used to rent a PS2 console with the game. Also, AC2 was PS2’s launch title.

I had the same idea to play through all the games before I jumped into 6. Running through 2AA right now, its been fun watching these videos for each game

There is another arena challenger that appears after the game is over I believe called Mathias. By far the hardest pilot in any of the games. Dudes Ai was off the chain

I actually have a bit of a fan Theory that's my own personal headcanon that since it was also hinted at that Klein was human Plus and that human Plus in of itself was part of nine balls plan terrific Humanity a part of nine ball may had survived within Klein and it somewhat corrupted him to start the coup against the government and since we actually don't know the exact origins of the nine-ball AI part of my theory is that it's somewhat connected with the old ancient Mars civilization and that's how Klein was able to have access to these ancient relics while everyone else struggled to get them to work and only after you beat Klein at the end he's able to break from his somewhat corruption and with his last shred of humanity tells you how to stop Phobos

Armored Core 2 is where I started my Fromsoft experience.

Considering that it's been decades it makes sense that Leos is rusty, still exceptionally skilled to the point of being able to use alien technologically, but rusty all the same.

Count One's arms are giant 11s.

also fun fact, one of the ideas that was cut from the game was the ability to have ACs transform into jets, they couldn't get it to work here unfortunately. (this was stated in an interview from an issue of the playstation magezine)

I'm still wondering if I'm the only person that's noticed that it sounded like they paid homage to the AC2 intro song with the little repeating midi keys part, and put a bit of it in Armored Core 6 in the C Weapon "CEL 240" 2nd phase song. Instantly recognized the first time I heard it, and it instantly made it my favorite boss fight + song in the game.

2:05 There's a romhack of the game that adds trad dual analog controls. For the first armored core game, I just modified the emulator's control settings to mimic a dual analog setup and it worked well enough.

My entry point and all time favorite after 23 years

Glad you're enjoying AC. It gets better!

I really hope an update adds the pvp recorder in AC6 it's really cool watching two ACs fight from a distance like that

This is also my favorite armored core game and actually love the references previous missions from the gen 1 games.

“Randomly found the karasawa“ sure man

Nobody really talks about AC2, even AA. Really good games

Loved 2 when it came out. I was very much a fan of the hover legs.

AC2 remains one of my favorite games ever, and one of my favorite AC games.

Those classic controls make you feel like you’re piloting a highly complex war machine with legs. Hmm, it’s like It was intended that way.

I absolutely loved AC2. It might be my second favorite AC game, actually, behind Silent Line.

You can Overboost on all the gens after gen 1 (a.k.a. gen 2-byond), just to let you know

2:58 Earth does become more habitable on the surface, but the government now controls it and stops conflict there. The reason now on mars is indeed for the terraforming project, but also this is now the Raven's Nest company's best environment to get work since the company that were once prominent on Earth moved to Mars and cause turmoil there.

Ahhh, the good old days before the energy recovery being equal to your energy drain, man what a wacky experience that was...

I played this as a kid and NEVER knew about human plus until AC6 came out. Which is just wild to me. Means that I never got deep into debt in this game somehow

Pretty good video on AC2. I am flip flopping between the PS1 and PS2 games while being closed to done with the PS3/360 games. Yea, I'm weird. So on a note on the story, I don't mind elaborating. So Earth sorta did recovered from the pollution from the Great Destruction. One thing that happened after Master of Arena is that the civilians finally got a government running too. And held Murakumo and Chrome accountable for their actions. However, they all heard that at some point during Project Phantasm or the first game, some of the corporations sent drones to terraform Mars secret. Probably as a back up plan in case things go south for them or something. Ans hearing that Mars is terraform and habitable, Zio Matrix, I believe a subsidiary to Chrome, arrived there first and held a monopoly. With a few more following a pursuit. Mostly to have power away fron the Earth Government. The Earth Government, yes a civilian government somehow got in contact with the rest and form a buffer UN, had to deal with the drama back home. But they still feel the corporations will try to revert how things were in the first game. So they sent some Ravens to try and exert influence from Earth to the Red Planet. With your Raven being sent there.

they are not unused and the controls are perfect.

I hope you enjoy AC3!

I think during this time, the twin stick controls used in today's FPS/TPS games weren't the standard yet.

What I liked about Armored Core 2 was the story. Its the only numbered game from Armored Core series that isnt a reboot, but a continuation. It takes place on Mars, not Earth which makes it unique. The Arena of AC-2 is the best of the series. Its relatively easy and you can get it out of the way immediately after the tutorial mission. What I dont like: It nerfed weapons compared to the Armored Core 1. Many weapons have half as much ammunition of AC-1, like an 80round bazooka being changed to 40rounds, a Pulse Cannon changed from 100shots to 44shots with its weight multiplied, or pulse rifles having their firepower, ammunition, and especially range reduced. Also I don't know if you can get a perfect score. To get 100% completion you have to collect a hidden part. Getting that part requires you fail a mission. You either have 99% and no losses, or 100% and 1 loss, so pick your poison.

I accidentally stumbled upon AC2. I tried buying a used game from GameStop, was supposed to be something else (couldn't remember what I originally bought), and in the case was actually AC2 and behind it, AC3. It was like the clerk knew I'd like these more. I was initially upset that I didn't get my original game I wanted, but man these were way more fun anyway.

In master of arena enemies can run out of ammo, and it is some strat beside luring them to cross edge of map

Ain’t no way is eight ball 🎱 and it’s pilot hustler two lol 😅

My favorite ac game hands down!

Armored Core 2 was my first AC experience. It's what sucked me into the rest of the franchise.

They can run out of ammo in earlier titles, it's actually how i beat some of the guys i had trouble with. I would make the fattest tank possible and then just focus on dodging until they were empty.

Number 4 and 2 gave me the most headaches. So I just decided to bring in a tank. A literal tank with grenade launchers instead of arms. You use OP guns on me - I use twice as much OP guns on you. Ares didn't survive this encounter. Funny thing, if you scroll back to bottom, there are new competitors. And Tomboy (the gal pilot trying to make money for the family) made it up to being number 40, me proud of her.

I hate to break it to you but the controls stay like that for another 3 games. Nexus is the first game that has dual analog support so....yeah 😅

I told you, you'd enjoy AC2 didnt I?

I don’t know if you did it, but to get full human + you need to get into debt 7 times (6 in ac1) in order to unlock all of its features. I’m guessing you only did this once, so you just got an enhanced radar

So I'm actually going to disagree with the point you make around 9:47-ish about there being no Parking Garage map equivalent in the Arena of AC2, and the irony is that the stage in the footage you're playing while mentioning this is exactly the stage I'm thinking of. So most of the stages of the AC2 arena are actually pretty varied in terms of terrain, and often include some form of cover, be it buildings, stalactites, sand dunes or just a big ol' space ship. They're also pretty open, with even the Cave with its strict ceiling limitations having a lot of room to maneuver in. Most of the Arena's AC's are actually pretty good at utilizing these features to their advantage, flying high, striking from far away, ducking in and out of cover, etc. The Battle Arena negates most of these advantages by having the AC's fight in an enclosed area with a pretty low ceiling and no cover, a lot like the Parking Garage. Pair this with a fairly chunky AC, a weapon that either does reliable stagger damage from a distance that prevents the enemy from moving (for instance, a rifle) or a weapon that causes high heat build up (machine gun arms) paired a wide-range FCS because the range does not matter and you can basically circle-strafe to death almost any rival AC in the arena with very little effort.

AC4, and especially ACfA are the best

You don't seem to be aware that you get only one upgrade at a time for H+. You need to be in debt 6 times (or maybe 8, I don't clearly recall but I think there are 2 times where you actually get nothing lol) to get full H+. Same in AC1.

also just holding down fire like you dont know when your loosing lock. xD

If you had managed to play Armored Core 6 before the recent nerf, you would curse and swear at the boss known as _Balteus._ Imagine Nine Breaker, but worst.

Now, try fighting Ares without human plus :)

is this on a emulator??? this looks so clean ... ps2 was amazing... I dont know why this just reminded me of timesplitters 2 for somereason

You have to die with -50k like 8 times to get every H+ upgrade

I recally enjoying Another Age more than AC 2 but AC3 was the best ps2 game.

I will say the clunky control scheme is at least justifiable, considering it was a launch title, and a lot of early PS2 games have the same problem with not using the analog sticks, but I'm not going to say it isn't stupid. And beyond this game, I would say other than it's expansion, it is unjustifiable to stick to the clunky controls.

No matter how I would design the mech I would always run out of ammo at some point on single player and get destroyed and get stuck. It ruined the game for me. I later found out that you have to design your mech in a certain way. I shouldn't have to study something for an hour just to play a game.

the classic controls are the only controls. think about how long it takes to turn thats an entire thing you have to manage when you can turn with your mouse as fast as you can move it, it removes an element of what made the game more of a dogfight thats why the new games dont slap as hard because this is removed and instead we just have the camera jerking around really fast and big explosions and npc's constantly chatting in your ear telling you that youre doing a gOoD jOb

?Wheres that matthias footage?

Honestly the game is pretty cool but the controllers are absolute dogshit

but wait, Earth is fine in armored core 2??? your story summary is weird???