| Sketchley's Translations Main Index | Macross Portal |
| By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) | Ver 1.0 2018.08.18 |
| Goods 07: Macross Ace Frontier |
|---|
Macross Ace Frontier
"Macross Ace Frontier" is the first Macross related game that takes several series as its theme. It implements contests from each Macross production, from "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross" to "Macross F (Frontier)"—the latest production.
The Intensity Of The Itano Circus Is Recreated On The PSP
The Macross series console games have continued to be released on the game consoles that were mainstream in each era. However, a title that included several productions didn't appear in that long history of games. But, at last a game that concentrates the series appears in 2008, when the TV broadcast of "Macross F (Frontier)" -the latest production- began. "Macross Ace Frontier"—this game for the PSP enables the use of more than 80 mecha based on themes from the various productions, such as the TV and OVA series and movies, and is a 3D action game that is surely appropriate for the 25th anniversary of Macross.
To start with, the point that one should notice in this game is -as expected- the skillful incorporation of the three great themes of the Macross series: "Variable Fighters", "songs", and "love triangles". The "Variable Fighters" that become the mecha the player uses are produced in 3D modelling, and faithfully reproduces their transformation. "Songs" aren't only a collection of music with vocals, but are also used in the "Song System" that causes enemies to lose their fighting spirit due to the songs. And finally, "love triangles" are represented in the "degree of character friendship"—the character's dependability and degree of affection are indicated in a graph. Furthermore -as expected- when one speaks of Macross related games, one is curious about how the "Itano Circus" is going to be reproduced. Concerning that pronoun for the combat scenes in the Macross series, because the development staff took a course about the production method from animator and parent of the Itano Circus Itano Ichirō himself, its characteristics are splendidly presented in the game. Also, Director Kawamori also advised the staff from the beginning of planning on the game, and was considered to be extremely pleased at the game's degree of perfection at the prototype check level.
Also, by making the PSP the game's platform, the PSP's portability certainly also has the result of favouring the user base. As might be expected from the Macross series, which has an extensive age-range of fans, they chose the PSP as it is thick with that same user base. Also, one can't overlook the possibility of cooperative play and competitive play by using the PSP's transmission functions. It's possible to say that the play value of "Macross Ace Frontier" -which amply includes the charms of the Macross series- is exceedingly high.
Related Matter: Console Games In The 2000's
In the beginning of the 2000's, Macross related games were released on such consoles as the Dreamcast and the PlayStation 2—the main consoles at the time. The representative of those games is the PlayStation 2 "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross", which was introduced in 2003 for the 20th anniversary of Macross. In 3D action shooting where the player could operate a Valkyrie at will, this game surely had content that one could say is the royal road of Macross games: the reproduction of such things as the "Itano Circus", and the "3-stage transformation".
Left: Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
Price: ¥6,800
Release Date: 23 Oct., 2003
Genre: 3D flight shooting
Platform: PS2
Release: Sega (Sega-AM2)
Sales Agency: Bandai
Caption: The player is able to select either the TV version or the movie version of the story. The player operates a Valkyrie, and clears the missions.
※ Information is current as of Sept. 2008.
Included Works:
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
The TV series that amounts to the origin of the Macross series. In the game, the player can use not only each Valkyrie in the VF-1 series, but also the SDF-1 Macross.
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross Do You Remember Love?
The movie that was released in 1984 because of the popularity of the TV series. Such Variable Fighters as the Strike Parts-equipped-Valkyrie and Hikaru's VF-1A appear in it.
Macross Plus
An OVA production that depicts the incident concerning the next main Variable Fighter competition. The Pinpoint Barrier equipped YF-19 and YF-21 take part in the competition.
Macross 7 The second Macross TV series. The VF-19 Kai -operated by the protagonist Basara Nekki- doesn't use weapons, and battles with "songs".
Macross Zero
The OVA production that depicts the history prior to the "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross". Regarding this series, only the Valkyries are guest participants [in the game].
Macross F (Frontier)
The Macross 25th anniversary production and the most recent TV series. The state-of-the-art Valkyries, such as the VF-25 and VF-27, take part in the game.
Pickup Points
"Songs", "Love Triangles", and "Variable Fighters" -the three big themes of the Macross series- are properly incorporated into this game.
Songs
A large number of songs with vocals are also included in the game. The many famous songs reproduce the appearance of the Macross world.
Caption: Depending on the Valkyrie, players can make free use of not only weapons but also "songs" to make enemies withdrawal.
Love Triangles
The "love triangle" component is also reproduced in this game. The characters' degree of friendship is also profoundly concerned with the game.
Caption: The love triangle balance changes due to such things as the trustworthiness level and the degree of affection.
Variable Fighters
In the game, the player can transform into the three forms of Fighter, GERWALK, and Battroid by operating the analogue stick [on the controller]. Choosing the form that matches the situation is also the key to conquering each mission.