Armored Core: Nine Breaker

BonusStage

The level of customization that one can put into an AC is simply mind boggling and easily has months of replay value just attempting to find the best combination of parts that will result in the most powerful AC.

GamingTrend

Some of the more hardcore fans of the series may decry the lack of a plot in the game, but it really serves to get the player more involved and may also be a good draw for people who have never played the game before.

GameZone

Terrific graphical elements play against gameplay that is simple to jump into and get to the business of battle. This game is entertaining and challenging.

NTSC-uk

As a game, Ninebreaker is possibly the best in the series and it is because of this that the fact it lacks any online mode is verging on gaming sacrilege. [JPN Import]

Weekly Famitsu

7 / 7 / 8 / 7 - 29 [Oct 2004]

Game Chronicles

The only real complaint is that after more than a half dozen iterations, it’s about time that From Software stopped resting on its laurels with the game engine and upgrade the quality of the models with some visual panache.

Gamezilla!

There's a lot to play with here and the core of the game is strong, but if you're looking for a nice jumping off point into the Armored Core series, this is definitely not the game to start with.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

Technically solid throughout, the game provides a severe test for those dedicated enough to see it through.

VGPub

Sure the new single player experience is a nice change of pace, but there isn’t anything revolutionary added to the franchise that will make you ponder ‘why did I miss out on this one?’

GameSpot

For better or for worse, Nine Breaker is a pure arena combat game with absolutely no frills.

Game Informer

If you want to play something that feels like an expansion pack without an original game at its core, Nine Breaker is the perfect choice. [Sept 2005, p.102]

PSM Magazine

If, on the other hand, you truly do prefer meticulous tweaking, clunky controls, and no story to interfere with your mech combat, here you go. [Oct 2005, p.88]

DarkStation

This latest AC continues to cater for hardcore fans, as casual gamers will be turned off by the absence of a story and online multiplayer support.

Game Over Online

For those who already know what they are doing and what all the weird numbers signify this might be a ripping good time. Those who may be younger in age or looking for some sort of PS2 equivalent to MechAssault are going to be sorely disappointed.

IGN

Nine Breaker does not offer fresh content, nor does it deliver anything to accommodate new players. It's just kind of there.

Cheat Code Central

A catch-22 kind of game. If you're new to the series then you're going to be left out in the dark as there is nothing but the most basic of online assistance, and if you already know how to play the game, you've already played this one since it's not altogether different from Armored Core: Nexus.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

Its cold, sterile presentation and crazy list of components for the armored core itself make it, in reality, a game for veteran AC gearheads. [Nov 2005, p.101]

Eurogamer

Removing features from a sequel and replacing them with nothing of note is certainly an flamboyantly avant garde way to approach a franchise soon to enter its tenth year, but it doesn't exactly do wonders for your value for money.

Worth Playing

Nothing, and I mean nothing, could justify purchasing this game unless you have an extremely powerful need to wade through an assault of boring training missions so you can take down your friend in system-link.

Gaming Age

It’s like, “Here’s all the mech parts and a bunch of random mechs we’ve created to fight in an arena, have fun.” Uh, I don’t see how that makes for much of a game.

Games Master UK

A meagre, mostly unjustifiable package whose ambitions plough the soils. [June 2006, p.70]

G4 TV

An Armored Bore.

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

As accessible as a David Lynch film dubbed into Russian and probably about half as much fun, Nine Breaker might keep mech lovers happy, but it'll leave everyone else cold. [Apr 2006, p.98]

GameCritics

One-on-one battles were a great way in the past to offer quick diversions in the middle of a longer AC campaign, but they are not enough to sustain a game all by themselves. Toss in the fact that the game's graphics are still as bare-bones as they were five years ago, and that there's virtually no new content with much of the material being recycled from previous games, and you've got something that would be a $20 add-on at best.

RewiredMind

Armored Core: Nine Breaker was destined to be a poor game from the moment the developer said "I know, let’s take the story mode out!"