Another Century's Episode 2


Another Century's Episode 2, abbreviated as A.C.E. 2, is a third-person mecha action video game produced by Banpresto and developed by From Software. It is the sequel to the popular 2005 game Another Century's Episode. It was released for the PlayStation 2 on March 30, 2006.
On November 29, 2007, Banpresto released A.C.E. 2 Special Vocal Edition as a follow-up to the heels of ''A.C.E. 2s sequel, '. This version includes vocal theme songs for each of the featured animated series in the game.

Plot

A.C.E.2 is not a direct sequel to its predecessor, as it involves its own original plot, as well as covering events that already happened in A.C.E., albeit differently. This is not an unusual occurrence, as Banpresto has done this with most entries in the Super Robot Wars franchise; most of the games in that series are not connected by an established continuity, with remakes or updates abounding.
However, there are some links back to A.C.E. in the sequel. The Ark series, including the main character's Gunark, use as their power source the super-volatile substance E2, which was introduced in the first game. Additionally, most of the A.C.E. original enemies return, this time with a backstory, while in A.C.E. they were simply there to add to the challenge.

System changes

Like the previous game in the series, A.C.E. 2 features two different set-ups for the controller: shift and select type. However, unlike A.C.E., neither of these set-ups will be a "simple mode" for first-time players. Instead, the two different set-ups will simply represent different ways of using the many weapons available to the player.

Flight controls

The player can also choose to modify the controls for plane-type units, such as the Re-GZ, the Valkyrie's Fighter Mode and the transformations of machines like Layzner MK II and L-Gaim MK II. Flight Mode is the standard control system, where the player controls roll and pitch with the Left Analogue Stick, and can bank with the L1 and R1 buttons. Easy Mode has the analogue stick control both roll and pitch. Flight Reverse Mode reverses the natural set-up for altitude, so that tilting the analogue Stick down causes the machine to dive, while holding it up makes the machine climb.

Featured series

Six of the series from A.C.E. return in A.C.E. 2, joined by five new ones. Additionally, three EX Series are included, although their involvement in the game's story is not as significant as the other series. A grand total of 106 playable mecha from the fourteen anime represented, as well as the originals, are playable.
In addition to the fourteen series, A.C.E. 2 includes new original characters and mecha, designed by Takuya Saito and Junya Ishigaki, respectively. The heroes of the game are Tak Kepford and Marina Carson, and they pilot transforming mecha called Gun Arks.
The game's opening theme is "Glorious" by Rina Aiuchi; its ending theme, also performed by Aiuchi, is "Precious Place".
A.C.E. 2 follows the musical style of its predecessor, using remixes of themes from the featured anime along with several new songs composed for the game. However, A.C.E. 2 uses much more faithful remixes of the songs borrowed from anime, while A.C.E. used more rock and roll-styled remixes.
The theme songs for each series are:
The August 2007 issue of Famitsu announced a special vocal version of A.C.E. 2, which will be released on November 29, 2007. Like its sequel, A.C.E. 3, the theme songs of each respective series will be replaced by their original vocal themes.