is a

mecha In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...

action Action may refer to: * Action (narrative), a literary mode * Action fiction, a type of genre fiction * Action game, a genre of video game Film * Action film, a genre of film * ''Action'' (1921 film), a film by John Ford * ''Action'' (1980 fil ...

video game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...

developed by

FromSoftware FromSoftware, Inc. is a Japanese video game development and publishing company based in Tokyo. Founded by Naotoshi Zin in November 1986, the company developed business software before releasing their first video game, ''King's Field (video game) ...

and published by

Namco Bandai Games is a Japanese multinational video game publisher headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Entertainment America and Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, are respectively headquartered in Irvine, California and ...

. It was released for the

PlayStation Portable The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in PAL regions on September 1, 2005, ...

on January 13, 2011.

Gameplay

''Another Centurys Episode Portable'' is a

third-person shooter Third-person shooter (TPS) is a subgenre of 3D shooter games in which the gameplay consists primarily of shooting. It is closely related to first-person shooters, but with the player character visible on-screen during play. While 2D shoot 'em ...

video game. Players pilot a

from one of 20 different anime series, each posing their own unique weapon load-outs and attack styles. Represented series include ''

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is a Japanese anime television series, the eleventh installment in Sunrise studio's long-running ''Gundam'' franchise comprising two seasons. The series is set on a futuristic Earth and is centered on the exploits of the fictional paramilita ...

'', '' Macross F'', and ''

Aura Battler Dunbine is an anime television series created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by Sotsu and Sunrise. ''Dunbine'' is set in Byston Well, a parallel world that resembles the countryside of medieval Europe with kingdoms ruled by monarchs in castles, ...

'', in addition to original mechas created specifically for the game. Players use these mechas to complete various mission objectives, which increase in difficulty as the player progresses. Objectives range from destroying waves of enemy mechas to protecting a specified target from opposing forces. An

online multiplayer A multiplayer video game is a video game in which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time, either locally on the same computing system (couch co-op), on different computing systems via a local area network, or ...

mode allows multiple players to complete these missions together. ''Portable'' is presented in a more linear format than previous installments, focusing on completing missions as efficiently as possible and lacking a plot. Mechas can boost, or "dash", themselves forward. Dashing allows players to avoid being hit by enemy projectiles and obstacles, though this drains the gauge meter and must recharge before it can be used again. Mechas can carry a variety of weapons, such as machine guns, lock-on missiles, and other firearms, with them into battle. Most of these weapons have ammo that depletes when used, which can be reloaded by moving over resupply points placed throughout each mission. Locking onto enemies allows players to perform a "combination" attack that deals heavy damage to opponents. Combination attacks can also be used to summon additional mechas and activating a

bullet time Bullet time (also known as frozen moment, dead time, flow motion or time slice) is a visual effect or visual impression of detaching the time and space of a camera (or viewer) from those of its visible subject. It is a depth enhanced simulation of ...

effect that deals additional damage for a short while. By destroying powerful enemy grunts and completing missions, players are rewarded with chips that can be used to increase the player's weapons, abilities, and strength.

Reception

On release, ''

Famitsu formerly ''Famicom Tsūshin'', is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly formats as well as in the fo ...

'' magazine scored the game a 31 out of 40. Cacophanus from Mecha Damashii ranked the game 7 out of 10, praising the game's visuals but comments its lack of environments and draw distance. In the week of its release, the game sold 70,217 units and ranked first in sales for any game released that week.

Notes

References

{{FromSoftware games 2011 video games Action video games Banpresto games Crossover video games FromSoftware games Japan-exclusive video games Video games about mecha PlayStation Portable games PlayStation Portable-only games Video games developed in Japan