Customer Reviews

Armored Core: Project : Phantasma The Official Survival Guide

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some of the information is good (like the section on the first Armored Core which details how to find those hidden AC parts, if a bit sketchy), some questionable (use missiles against somebody in the arena and you end up dead), and some of it is dead out wrong (in the arena oppoonents section the writer frequently misnames the weapon, getting confused when it comes to the difference between a Gatling gun, the quadruple-rifle machine gun, and the chain gun).

I'd finished Project Phantasma before I got my hands on the book, so Keith Kolmos' points on that game weren't so much useful as novel to me. He didn't seem to nail the best ways to complete certain missions. For example, if you use the 3000-shot "Finger" machine gun on Phantasma, or one of the dual cannons on the arm, or even the 50- or 70-shot rockets with a heavily armored machine, you wouldn't need any luck at all. Why he doesn't make mention of two of the most powerful weapons ("Finger" machine gun and LS-99 Moonlight, which you get in the "Kill Struggle Leader" mission in the first Armored Core) of the game is baffling.

I enjoy this book, but didn't use it much except when it came to the first Armored Core and finding the hidden AC parts of which I'd only found two until reading the book. Interesting, but not essential.

Even with its small size this book is loaded with content. It is divided into three main sections, which cover the central missions, the arena mode, and the parts shop.

At first glance, the missions section may seem like it skimps on the details in order to give you only the simplest of walkthroughs. But this is deceiving as there really isn't that much more one can say about the missions. Sure, they COULD have given you a strategy for beating each and every enemy you meet, but the fact is you'd spend more effort reading about how to defeat them than it would actually take to do it. As it is, the book gives you the lowdown on what your objectives are and a walkthrough that highlights the important sections without bogging you down with a lot of text. Maps are provided for the stages that require them, and the color photos provide you with visual representations of what is being described. It's also nice to have the mission briefings and E-Mail debriefings written down for easy reference.

The arena mode section is also short and to the point, but still provides you with enough hints to help destroy the tougher A.C.s. The section starts out with a concise list of basic tips for fighting in the arena and continues by listing all 49 of the opponents you will face. Included in every description is a copy of the information provided by the game (for easy reference), a complete listing of all the parts each A.C. is comprised of and a short, one paragraph strategy for defeating them. If defeating a certain enemy nets you a special part, that is listed as well. By having each enemy A.C.'s parts listed, not only can you anticipate how your enemy will behave in a battle, but you can also use them as blueprints for building a similar machine of your own. The author even encourages this by telling you how to build his personal favorite A.C.

Finally, we have the parts shop section. This is probably the most useful section in the book, since the format makes the process of comparing parts much easier than using the game itself. Every part is listed under its respective catagory and is charted so that every detail and statistic is neatly arranged into rows and columns. But what I really like is the fact there aren't any fancy fonts or blazing backgrounds being used. Many other companies like to put graphical flair over user friendliness when making their strategy guides, but this one seems to understand that less is more and image is nothing.

User friendliness seems to be a major theme in this book. Not only is it easy to find the information you need, but there are various bonus sections that push the guide above and beyond what would normally be expected. These include a mission flow chart, a codes section, and last but not least, an entire unauthorized chapter that revisits each and every mission of the original Armored Core.

But as good as this guide is, there are still a few mistakes to be found. The Arms and Arm Weapons in the parts shop section were put under the wrong catagories, certain parts were omitted altogether, the reward for defeating Roach isn't listed, etc.

I would've also liked to have seen the parts from the original Armored Core listed in the shop section, since they can be transferred into the Project Phantasma universe via a memory card. It was frustrating not having a "complete" listing of all the parts I could use to build my machine. The unauthorized section should've also included the locations of ALL the hidden A.C. parts rather than just some of them. However, such omissions are understandable as the focus of the guide was intended to be on AC:PP, and not on its predecessor.

Overall, though, these are minor errors in an otherwise well written and well organized strategy guide. I would recommend this not only to the introductory A.C. player as an informative walkthrough, but also to the veteran as a handy reference guide. Gook work!

At first glance, the book looks kind of thin, but inside is awealth of screen shots and information. The book includes a walk-thruof all 17 missions, a guide to the arena, an almost complete listing of all of the parts found in Project Phantasma, and a bonus mini-guide for the original Armored Core. There are also some cool pictures of some of the ACs from the intro sequences.

The first section contains an overview. One minor note is that the author recommends a controller with a turbo button. I find this to be wholly wrong.

The bottom line is that this strategy guide is well worth the $12.95. I have some minor nit-picks and "wishes", but the material that's in the guide is well done. Play Armored Core: Project Phantasma. Get the Guide. Have fun! END

I'm kind of a Armored Core nut so when this book came out on Amazon.com I had to get it. The book is well writter and concise. I did not have to swim through an ocean of pictures to get the info I needed. I also found the author's AC suggestions well suited to the mission's tasks. (When I buy a $70 game I want to be able to beat it!!) With that in mind I really enjoyed the bonus Armored Core 1 chapter, it's small, But it does the job! As I stated before, I good book for a good game I look forward to reading another book by the author in the future.

ASCII made one helluva tough game, but rest assured that this book will get you through it's toughest spots with minimal consequences. Inside is not a mere listing of the missions. Instead, as all books of this type should have, are comprehensive mission STRATEGIES that are clearly written, and which make references to clear, full-color screenshots so you'll know exactly what is being talked about. Steps are provided to learn how to battle defensively and to make use of all your limited resources. Accurate directions lead you to find many a hidden gadget in the missions, and believe me, you'll need 'em! You'll also be able to carefully plan ahead when it comes to customizing your AC with the easy-to-read charts that compare price and functionality, based on your preferences. Basically, if it's in the game, it's in the book--the author really knows what he's talking about (so you don't get the feeling like you do with other books that he wrote his strategies based on magazine screenshots and playing for a few minutes...). As the name suggests, this guide will help an Armored Core player survive. All I would've liked to see done a little differently would've been the last section--the mission walkthrough of the first game. Some of the later missions were left out, and since the second game is really an add-on to the first (and the first one was never covered in detail in any publication) it would have seemed more complete with extra details, or none at all. But the book still gets five stars, as it was primarily written for the sequel. Great job. You won't be disappointed or jipped with this.