*Update on Another Century Episode: Portable

Terada confirmed via the series' official blog today that the just announced Another Century's Episode Portable was developed simultaneously with the recently released Another Century's Episode R.

It looks like we can expect P to be a largely similar experience to R. Wrote Terada, "The fundamental systems are the same, but there are differences in the fine details (separate from the differences that arise from the hardware). Years back, when we decided to revive the Another Century's Episode franchise, we decided that in order to explore new directions with the series, we'd have R and Portable's fundamentals be the same while also showing some differences."

The biggest change, said Terada, is in the area of progression. There's no scenario in Portable. Instead, players progress through the game by freely selecting and clearing missions.

The reason they took this direction with Portable, explained Terada, is because they wanted to make something that could be played casually, owing to the PSP being a portable system.

However, it's possible that the scenario-free nature of P could have been the direction of the full series. Terada revealed that he was originally a bit unsure about putting a scenario in the series from the start, as he thought it might be good to have ACE just be an action game that can be enjoyed casually.

PSP owners shouldn't be completely heart broken about the lack of story, though. Terada actually hinted that there may be a bit of story in the game.

One element does carry over from pace ACE games. In ACE P, you head out on missions with two CPU-controlled mechs at your side. New for the PSP, those two accompanying mechs will be controllable by other players.

When player clear missions, he/she will gain Ace Points. These can be exchanged for new machines to use in battle.

The ACE P official site lists the game's multiplayer support as ad-hoc-based co-op. It does not mention a competitive component.

Here's a list of mecha that will be appearing in ACE P:

• Blue Comet SPT Layzner
• Brain Powerd
• The Wings of Rean
• Overman King Gainer
• Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion
• Nadesico The Prince of Darkness
• Aura Battler Dunbine
• Heavy Metal L-Gaim
• Metal Armor Dragonar
• Z Gundam
• After War Gundam X
• Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
• Gundam Char's Counterattack
• Gundam Seed Destiny
• Gundam OO
• Turn A Gundam
• VS Knight Lamune & 40 Fire
• Macross Plus
• Macross F
• Eureka Seven: Pocket Full of Rainbows

Of these, Gundam OO, VS Knight and Eureka Seven are new to the series.



www.ace-game.jp