Another Century's Episode: Portable

Developer: From Software
Publisher(s): Banpresto, Namco-Bandai
Platform: PlayStation Portable
Genre: Action
Language: Japanese
Release Date: January 13, 2011

Upgrade your gundams

Perform combination attacks

00 Raiser (TransAm)

Strike Freedom (Full Burst)

List of featured Gundams on the game:

- Zeta (Gundam Zeta)

- RX-93 v (Gundam: Char's Counterattack)

- Zero Wing Custom (Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz)

- Double X (After War Gundam X)

- Turn A (Gundam Turn A)

- Strike Freedom (Gundam SEED Destiny)

- Destiny (Gundam Seed Destiny)

- Exia (Gundam 00)

- Exia Repair II (Gundam 00)

- 00 Raiser (Gundam 00)

- 0 (Gundam 00)

Review:

                This is the 5th installment to the ACE series and is probably the best mecha action-based game on the psp. In this game you will get the chance to pilot your favorite mecha coming from different popular mecha animes such as gundam, code geass, macross, eureka seven, etc. Each mecha is well detailed and has its own unique weapons as seen on the anime. The ACE series started on the ps2 and made a sequel on the ps3 last 2010 and now on the psp. There are many new units added to the portable version such as the Exia and 00 Raiser Gundam.

               Although the language is in japanese, the gameplay is easy to understand. All you have to do is embark on missions, destroy the enemies and protect your allies. After every mission you will acquire ace points which you will use to upgrade your mechas or buy new ones This will take a lot of time if you want to collect all the mechas. Other than doing missions, there's also a multiplayer that allows you to play with your friends.

                The story is pretty much the same like the other ACEs: the world is in trouble and the mechas have gathered to save it. When it comes down to graphics, I could say it's pretty good for a portable version. The background music is perfect. You will get different BGM depending on the mecha your using. But for me it would have been better if there's a vocal in it to add some more feeling. If your wondering on what's new on the portable version other than the mechas, well the only thing I noticed is that the map has been expanded. Some missions require you to go through different areas which makes the game more challenging. Other than that I didn't see any big changes in the series.

                 The flaws I saw on this game is that the animation were reduced and the mechas were also lessened compare to the past ACEs, especially the gundams. If it weren't for that, the ACE Portable could have been the best mecha game in the psp. It would have also been better if there were more gundams such as the Master, Justice, Akatsuki, etc. But still ACE Portable is a great addition to the ACE series. Overall, I highly recommend the ACE Portable. It's rare to see all the popular mechas in one game. This is a game you don't want to miss. I'm looking forward on how this series will turn out in the future. Hopefully the next title would have better graphics and more features.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5