Can you visually change your mech?

[Maxagaze]

I know that you can chance it's arsenal but can you change its limbs? Arms? Legs? Make it look completely custom?

[Silver Nightbane]

Yes. But only arms can be done individually, with legs, it's always a pair.

[Syllabus]

The customization is admittedly quite lacking for anyone who remembers the old Armored Core series. But since there hasn't been a really satisfying mech-build game in the last decade, it's still pretty good in comparison.

Armored Core used to allow totally different builds from scratch, with very many customizable parts and variations. Compared to that, DXM is more like giving you a certain 'Arsenal template' and allowing changes in chunks -- so there are many combinations, but all the mechs still have the same fundamental base design.

[EndgameOnyx]

It depends on what you mean. If you're okay changing your Arsenal's stats/behavior, then yes. Everything about your Arsenal can be changed, from the structure/shape, to the coloring/patterns/emblems.

However, if you're referring to being able to change the structure *without* effecting the stats/behavior, you'll be limited to only the patterns and coloring, with the exception of the cosmetic "skins" that change the entire Mech's appearance, but don't allow further customization.

[Sabi The Worst Player Ever]

I wouldnt go as far as calling customization lacking compared to Armored Core games. Sure, it have less "slots" - with head, core, arms x2, legs and CPU options, as opposed of having separate booster, cooling system, generator, FCS and support but looking logically, all those stats are still there, just incorporated into existing parts. And for a good reason - lets be honest, people were using one or two models of generator and cooling system in PS2 era, the most optimal ones (in AC3 and SL - actually just one, the heaviest). FCS sits in head now, air booster and generator in core, ground boost in legs. Weight restrictions were replaced with memory restrictions (covered by core). Cooling system were removed with PS3 AC anyway, much like making lock box covering entire screen. Likewise, there is no point in other legs than bipedal since game heavy focus on hybrid ground/air combat - tanks have no place here, just like quads or hover. I thought that weapons are lacking but they too cover basically everything, except rockets and sholder chainguns.

There is still space for optimizing statistics.

[Maxagaze]

I am aware that you can change your arsenal and its weapons which is obvious ofc. I just asked if you can tweak its torso - legs - arms -head in order to make it look unique.

If ofc making these changes (about arms - legs - torso - head) you are also changing the stats and its more than a visual change, is something that i welcome.

[Maxagaze]

Don't mind. Game answered it itself. Thanks everyone

[Syllabus]

Originally posted by Sabi The Worst Player Ever:

I wouldnt go as far as calling customization lacking compared to Armored Core games. Sure, it have less "slots" - with head, core, arms x2, legs and CPU options, as opposed of having separate booster, cooling system, generator, FCS and support but looking logically, all those stats are still there, just incorporated into existing parts. And for a good reason - lets be honest, people were using one or two models of generator and cooling system in PS2 era, the most optimal ones (in AC3 and SL - actually just one, the heaviest). FCS sits in head now, air booster and generator in core, ground boost in legs. Weight restrictions were replaced with memory restrictions (covered by core). Cooling system were removed with PS3 AC anyway, much like making lock box covering entire screen. Likewise, there is no point in other legs than bipedal since game heavy focus on hybrid ground/air combat - tanks have no place here, just like quads or hover. I thought that weapons are lacking but they too cover basically everything, except rockets and sholder chainguns.

There is still space for optimizing statistics.

Even if taking into consideration that the old AC series weren't exactly the shining examples of best balanced of games, it still gave you a choice --- No such choice in DXM.

Frankly, some fans would argue it's a design choice, but I'd argue it's simply pandering to the casual audience to dumb the game down and make development/balancing easier with fewer variables to consider.

Like, back in the AC days people with different tastes really had "different designs" and "different design philosophies" and it was fun just watching how people built things differently. But with DXM, I see in places like reddit where people upload the pics of "their" Arsenals ... except basically, it's all the same thing. The only difference being colors and patterns.

...

If this is not "lacking" what else would anyone call it?

Like said, it's still the only game that even remotely reminds me of AC, as well as some of the old design team being involved, so I am still satisfied with it as a game. But compared to some of the great predecessors this genre of game had, DXM just doesn't compare.

[Sabi The Worst Player Ever]

You never had that choice you talk about - only illusion of it. Having inflated number of parts that is not followed by actual changes is simply meaningless. It borders "Ivory Tower" design and is plain bad. Variety is still there, even more important than it used to be, stats are still there if you want them. The fact that many players stick to single builds (and complain about boredom) doesnt change the fact that situation is still better than it used to be in PS2 AC where you had even less viable strategies out there.

Its not casualized, its optimized.