is a

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

action Action may refer to: * Action (philosophy), something which is done by a person * Action principles the heart of fundamental physics * Action (narrative), a literary mode * Action fiction, a type of genre fiction * Action game, a genre of video gam ...

video game A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...

developed by

FromSoftware FromSoftware, Inc. is a Japanese video game developer and publisher. Founded by Naotoshi Zin on November 1, 1986 as a business software developer, the company released their first video game, '' King's Field'', for the PlayStation in 1994. Its s ...

and published by

Namco Bandai Games is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational video game video game publisher, publisher, and the video game branch of the wider Bandai Namco Holdings group. Founded in 2006 as it is the successor to Namco's home and arcade video game ...

. It was released for the

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

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 paramilit ...

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

Aura Battler Dunbine is an anime television series created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by Sotsu and Sunrise. Forty-nine episodes aired on Nagoya TV from February 5, 1983, to January 21, 1984. A three-episode anime OVA sequel entitled ''New Story of Aura ...

'', 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 that 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 , is a line of Japanese Video game journalism, video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation, Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly f ...

'' 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 games Banpresto games Crossover video games FromSoftware games Japan-exclusive video games Multiplayer and single-player video games PlayStation Portable games PlayStation Portable-only games Video games about mecha Video games developed in Japan