Tuning and Parts

[nadoP]

Game is pretty fun so far, all I have left to do is S-rank everything and acquire every part. I don't have too many complaints, but tuning is definitely one of the main ones. The way "OS Tuning" was implemented this time around is just...lazy and uninteresting and not very interactive.

Tuning your AC has never ever EVER been about getting bog standard RPG-style permanent/universal stat boosts. I don't want or need my reward for winning arena fights to be "congrats, you now deal 5% more physical damage in PvE."

The more I play around with the end/post-game, the more I find myself missing the tuning systems from Last Raven and for Answer. That, to me, is what tuning is about--specially engineering a razor's-edge optimized AC that wouldn't even function in its stock configuration. Cheating my leg load limit by a couple tons, not just magically gaining the ability to sortie overburdened no matter what. Squeezing a couple extra megawatts out of generator to barely correct my EN deficiencies, not being forced to pick a core that might not even fit the rest of the build.

Not to mention the way EN acts more like a stamina bar now than a proper AC EN gauge. No more EN neutral builds? Coral generators that actively reward people for what would, in the past, be considered poor energy management? It's such a bizzarro world where the players who are the most reckless with their EN are rewarded with the infinite flight builds, not the players with the tuning and building expertise to craft a precision flying machine.

And I'm sure it's been said already, but the assembly process in AC6 is also extremely barebones and basic, compared to what veterans may remember. No radiators, no internal weapons, no hanger weapons, no shoulder extensions, no EO or OB cores (granted, those functions have been implemented in a different way), no booster suite selection... Hell, I'd love to just hear my system voice change with my Core selection, or the boosters each having their own unique flare shape/color. I can see the reasoning behind tying booster color to generators, given that gennies are such a central part of the build in AC6, but I still think it's a cosmetically poor decision that ultimately doesn't really contribute to anyone's ability to visually size up their opponent's build.

Anyway, like I said. None of this makes AC6 an inherently bad game, nor does it make it Not An Armored Core. The modern treatment of the combat loop while retaining the best of gen 3 boost hopping and gen 4 QB shenanigans is pretty well done, and I honestly don't mind the stagger system all too much. It's not the fault of the stagger system itself that a couple standout weapons have broken it. But I do think it was a big mistake to dumb down the assembly and tuning process, especially if it was purposely done so as not to scare away potential first-timers. The build depth is what kept people playing AC's of old long after the PvE content was exhausted--not S-ranks or battle logs or other run-of-the-mill modern post-game filler. Build depth is what I most fondly remember about AC as a franchise, and I'm sad to see it sacrificed in this title.

[魔装機神 Psybuster]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I wanted to be able to tweak and tune individual parts so much. Customizing the mech is the most fun part of the game for me.

[ImHelping]

As a 100% tuning points unlocked AC4 lover, you don't know what pointless tuning points filler is if you are complaining about the AC6 OS system.

[nadoP]

Originally posted by ImHelping:

As a 100% tuning points unlocked AC4 lover, you don't know what pointless tuning points filler is if you are complaining about the AC6 OS system.

I'm sorry, I don't follow? I enjoyed the tuning system in 4/fA--not as much as Nexus/LR's, which I think is the cleanest implementation to date. Did you misread my post and think that my main complaint was having to do Arena to get OS points? That's not what this about at all.

I don't like the tuning rewards themselves, and how they're no longer there to optimize specific AC's, but rather RPG-style player-based buffs for PvE. There's no thought involved anymore in ACTUALLY tuning each AC, it's just a one-and-done skill tree that you upgrade and forget about. THAT's what I dislike.

[ImHelping]

Originally posted by RamenReliant(笑):

Originally posted by ImHelping:

As a 100% tuning points unlocked AC4 lover, you don't know what pointless tuning points filler is if you are complaining about the AC6 OS system.

I'm sorry, I don't follow? I enjoyed the tuning system in 4/fA--not as much as Nexus/LR's, which I think is the cleanest implementation to date. Did you misread my post and think that my main complaint was having to do Arena to get OS points? That's not what this about at all.

I don't like the tuning rewards themselves, and how they're no longer there to optimize specific AC's, but rather RPG-style player-based buffs for PvE. There's no thought involved anymore in ACTUALLY tuning each AC, it's just a one-and-done skill tree that you upgrade and forget about. THAT's what I dislike.

The fact it is one and done tangible upgrades instead of lying to yourself that AC4 "and eventually once I S rank everything-" leave it set as your like forever is any different except for the grind on microadjustments, is why AC6 is an improvement.

Actual choices on which unlocks you prefer in fresh NG. Pile on the rest in NG+, just enough to make a difference instead of being filler.

Though too many people crying about shotguns and missiles to probably notice the nuance of "100% weapon output reactor with no OS upgrades and giant double barrel laser rifle. 99% damage to a mid grade PCA MT. with OS upgrades, double tap kill"

Then again, there are still people who defend balancer fins from the 4 era. Which rate below radiator "Would you like to pay extra to not get stunlocked as much yes/no?" people act like was a deep decision too.

[nadoP]

Originally posted by ImHelping:

Originally posted by RamenReliant(笑):

I'm sorry, I don't follow? I enjoyed the tuning system in 4/fA--not as much as Nexus/LR's, which I think is the cleanest implementation to date. Did you misread my post and think that my main complaint was having to do Arena to get OS points? That's not what this about at all.

I don't like the tuning rewards themselves, and how they're no longer there to optimize specific AC's, but rather RPG-style player-based buffs for PvE. There's no thought involved anymore in ACTUALLY tuning each AC, it's just a one-and-done skill tree that you upgrade and forget about. THAT's what I dislike.

The fact it is one and done tangible upgrades instead of lying to yourself that AC4 "and eventually once I S rank everything-" leave it set as your like forever is any different except for the grind on microadjustments, is why AC6 is an improvement.

Actual choices on which unlocks you prefer in fresh NG. Pile on the rest in NG+, just enough to make a difference instead of being filler.

Though too many people crying about shotguns and missiles to probably notice the nuance of "100% weapon output reactor with no OS upgrades and giant double barrel laser rifle. 99% damage to a mid grade PCA MT. with OS upgrades, double tap kill"

Then again, there are still people who defend balancer fins from the 4 era. Which rate below radiator "Would you like to pay extra to not get stunlocked as much yes/no?" people act like was a deep decision too.

LOL nvm it was me who misunderstood you. We just fundamentally disagree then, if you're a fan of the new upgrade system. I want to tune specific parts on specific AC builds, not to magically have my bullets permanently do 15% more damage.