Armored Core: Verdict Day

Verdict Day suffers many obvious weaknesses: The graphics border on embarrassing. Too many missions feel repetitive and empty. The menus can be extremely aggravating. Still, there’s a special kind of magic here that most games would never even attempt. Verdict Day is deeply tactical and requires both planning and performance. It’s unforgiving and unapologetic, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

For anyone already ingrained in the series, the opportunity to build your own team and take them online will be irresistible.

Verdict Day is more than just a marked improvement over Armored Core 5. It offers more parts, more maps and new missions while expanding the already tight mechanics with an AI crafting system and an overhauled online mode that encapsulate what Armored Core does best: options, creativity, strategy and teamwork. It's unashamedly hardcore - and all the better for it.