Classic titles being ported to or refined for current-gen platforms do not always work out how we’d all like, especially on the PSP.  On the one hand, I don’t want the majority of my PSP game library to just be cheap ports of old PS2 games. On the other hand there are some great PS2 (and PS1) titles that I would do all sorts of questionably moral things for if it meant I could play them on my PSP.

Is Armored Core 3 Portable just a cheap port or reinvigorated gem? Find out after the jump!

The Armored Core series is one of the oldest on Playstation platforms, and like a lot of the older, big names that have come out of the Far East, its been bled for all its worth with numerous “in-between” sequels/versions and more “ok” titles than “great” titles to its credit.  Sort of like Street Fighter with all the “Alpha,” “VS.” and “Turbo” versions.  Basically if you see an Armored Core with a number after it, you’re playing a good AC title. If you see anything that looks like “Nine Breaker” or “Last Raven” (TBA?!)  in the title, burn it and make a pact with everyone who knows you owned it that the secret will go with you all to the grave.

So, at least From Software chose one of the good AC titles to port over, what could possibly go wrong?

Armored Core 3 Portable is just what it sounds like, a port of the original Armored Core 3 for the PS2.  “Port” is a bit of misleading term in this case however, since it implies that if AC3 Portable is not better than the original, it is at least of equal value and quality. Alas, that is not the case. Not even mucking close!

I loved the first AC from the 90′s and stuck by the series over the last decade; even going so far as to play For Answer for longer than I care to admit. AC3 may not rank as high for me as the MechWarrior and Heavy Gear games, but it still had a great customization setup and lots of gameplay mayhem. AC3 Portable has an impressive intro cinematic and customization setup…but the graphics and gameplay are less than mayhem-ish.

Maybe I am going blind, but the graphics in the Portable version of AC3 don’t even look as good as they did on the PS2, and after the brilliant carnage featured in the intro cinematic, the repetitive environments, basic textures and severely limited draw distances REALLY stand out.  Think of it as the only naked woman on a nude beach in Spain…you can’t help but notice immediately.

If it was just the graphics being lackluster (other PS2 to PSP games can be polished, but not this 6 year old title?!) I could deal, but the core of Armored Core (heh) has ALWAYS been the gameplay, and the gameplay in AC3 Portable just does not work.  Like girls making their bf’s take them to see “New Moon”, no matter what you do, playing AC3 Portable just does not feel right.

Even though the AC series has been around for over a decade, you’d think there would at least be some sort of tutorial or basic directions in the game when you start. If this was a PS3 game it would not have been such a big deal, but on the already control handicapped PSP, a quick explanation would have been nice. Even then, the PSP itself is AC3 Portable’s biggest enemy.

The thumbstick is used to move front and back, as well as to look side to side. The shoulder buttons let you strafe and the circle and triangle buttons adjust the camera vertically. The D-pad and remaining buttons allow for weapon and ability selection.  The end result is a clunky, hard to control game that will frustrate the hell out of you as you try to charge, jump and shoot…only to realize your now looking the wrong way.  Without that second analog stick, playing AC3 Portable, a game that should be all about control, precision and maneuverability, turns into a broken version of Rock’em Sock’em Robots.

The mech customization options that the Armored Core games have always been famous for work great.  It takes a bit of trial and error, but building your own custom death machine is just as fun as ever.  It would be nice if most of your cash did not go towards re-arming and repairing after each mission.  If your in-game character has kids, he must be feeding them SPAM, because he sure as hell is not buying groceries with the money he makes as a mech jock.  The storyline is “aight” but will probably be ignored by most people as it is told almost entirely through the in-game emails sent to you from other characters.

It’s hard to recommend this game to anyone, even die hard Armored Core fans. I figured that after From Software hit a home run developing Demon’s Souls that they would make magic happen with AC3 Portable. A long hard look at the control scheme options on the PSP is needed before anyone tries to bring another AC game to the PSP. In the end AC3 Portable is much less than the PS2 original thanks to its bad controls and lack of even an attempt at adding a “6 years later”  layer of polish.

I’ve never wanted a new MechWarrior game so badly!