For many years, From Software was best recognized for its thrilling mech action games, with the Armored Core series being the standout star. This franchise has captivated a devoted audience ever since it first launched on the original PlayStation more than 20 years ago.
Now, with the exciting news that the original three games—Armored Core from 1997, Armored Core: Project Phantasma, and Armored Core: Master of Arena—are all making their way onto PlayStation Plus Classics, it’s a prime opportunity to delve deep into the legacy of this groundbreaking series.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane:
In 1997, the original Armored Core was born from a collaboration between the renowned From Software and Shoji Kawamori, a top-tier mechanical visionary from the anime world. As the PlayStation was just beginning to make waves, this partnership gave life to a game with customizable mechs, where players could modify a core unit with a range of parts. The game carved out a futuristic storyline where players roamed a post-catastrophe Earth plagued by corporate tyrannies and the elite mercenaries known as Ravens who navigate this bleak world, driven by money. Not only was the narrative exciting, but the game made waves due to its detailed customization options, intricate resource management, and a unique control scheme that immersed players in the mech-pilot experience. The branching storyline, based on mission routes, encouraged enthusiasts to play the game multiple times for varying outcomes.
Gamers will be delighted to know that Armored Core (1997), along with Project Phantasma, will be accessible on PlayStation Plus Premium starting March 18.
Following closely on Armored Core’s heels was the release of Project Phantasma in 1998. This was more than just a game; it was a narrative-rich prequel that introduced one of the series’ standout features – the Arena mode, a fighting ring where mechs could duel head-to-head to climb to the top and win impressive rewards.
Come March 18, PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers will gain access to Armored Core: Project Phantasma to experience where the much-loved Arena mode all began.
As we turn the pages to 1999, we find Armored Core: Master of Arena, a title aptly named for honing in on the Arena mode. This game seamlessly picked up where Project Phantasma left off by integrating save data from its predecessors. This continuity allowed gamers to transfer all their hard-earned upgrades and weapon customizations. As pillars of the initial PlayStation era, these games laid the groundwork for the enduring characteristics we see in the Armored Core series today. Notably, Shoji Kawamori continued to play an integral role in shaping the unique aesthetic that sets this series apart, enhancing the distinct appeal of the mechs.
Now, it’s thrilling news for Armored Core aficionados: starting March 18, Armored Core: Master of Arena will be accessible via PlayStation Plus Premium.
Fast forward to the dawn of a new console generation, and From Software was quick to make a mark on the PlayStation 2 with Armored Core 2. Released as a launch title in North America in 2000, AC2 continued the story decades after the originals, shifting the setting to a barren, war-ravaged Mars where power struggles reign supreme. This new installment unveiled smoother graphics and innovative gameplay mechanics, including the Overboost feature to make your mechs zip through battles at exhilarating speeds, albeit at a high energy cost. Players could also enjoy more customization choices, with new additions like Radiator, Extension, and Inside parts for their mechs.
The world of Armored Core expanded further with the sequel, Armored Core 2: Another Age, which arrived shortly after. It revisited Earth, continuing the saga with over 100 fresh missions. Launching in 2001 in Japan, Another Age was among the pioneering PlayStation 2 games that supported online play with the PS2’s Network Adaptor.
Not ready to rest on its laurels, From Software continued the legacy with Armored Core 3 in 2002. While it explored a brand-new storyline, it retained the familiar backdrop—a desolate Earth with humanity huddling in subterranean cities known as Layered, all under the wary watch of The Controller, a potentially sinister AI. New gameplay twists included the addition of Consorts, friendly units that join missions to assist you, and the ability to ditch weapons mid-mission to lighten your mech for better performance. Fans were excited to see the return of the Arena mode, a favorite feature that made a comeback in this installment.
Creating a rich narrative through its unique gameplay, Armored Core 3 gave birth to a follow-up, Silent Line, which introduced ‘The Silent Line’—a new and daunting threat emerging on the Earth’s surface. This storyline extended into Armored Core: Nexus in 2004, although changes in gameplay and weaponry meant no data transfer possibility from earlier AC3 games. This arc eventually concluded with Nine Breaker and Last Raven, which wrapped up the narrative. Several titles in this saga were also adapted for the PSP, ensuring fans could continue the mech mayhem on the go.
Finally, we arrive at Armored Core 4, which made a dramatic debut on the PlayStation 3 in 2006. Bringing high-definition mech battles into gamers’ living rooms, this installment rebooted the narrative once again, placing players in a world where corporations wield tremendous power, employing mercenaries for their dirty work. The cutting-edge Armored Cores, named NEXTs, boasted advanced technologies like Primal Armor, various Boost abilities, and an innovative Allegorical Manipulation System, usable only by a specially gifted group known as Lynx.
AC4 also revamped its control scheme, offering a more intuitive experience for both franchise veterans and newcomers. The introduction of the Quick Boost movement and the removal of the heat management system significantly altered mech mobility and combat tactics. The PS3’s graphical power brought an incredible level of detail to the environments, where every move you make changes the world around you. The gripping saga continued with Armored Core for Answer in 2008, fast-forwarding a decade from AC4’s narrative and diving into a fresh conflict between humans, mega-corporations holed up in airborne sanctuaries called Cradles, and the ground-based rebel group, ORCA, opposing their influence.
In a thrilling resurgence this year, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon reignited the passion of its fan base after a decade since Armored Core: Verdict Day. Released in 2023, this eagerly anticipated chapter not only thrilled longtime devotees but also attracted a new generation of mech warriors. With its booming success and praise, Armored Core VI feels like the dawn of a whole new era for the series. Fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next chapter From Software will craft for Armored Core.
