For many years, From Software etched its name into the gaming landscape with their mech-action titles, with Armored Core standing out as their crowning achievement. The game first emerged on the original PlayStation and has maintained a loyal fan base for over two decades.
The announcement of Armored Core (1997), Armored Core: Project Phantasma, and Armored Core: Master of Arena being added to the PlayStation Plus Classics lineup offers the perfect opportunity to dive back into this classic series.
Armored Core | PlayStation | 1997
Armored Core’s inception was born from a collaboration between From Software and Shoji Kawamori, a renowned anime mechanical designer. In the early days of the original PlayStation, they envisioned a game centered around player-customizable mechs. This concept burgeoned into a universe where players could attach various modular parts to a central base unit—the Armored Core. The game unfolds in a dystopian Earth, ravaged by the Great Destruction and ruled by corporations, with mercenary pilots called Ravens seeking fortune amidst the chaos.
Debuting in Japan and North America in 1997, and later in Europe in 1998, the game was praised for its intricate customization options, the challenge of managing resources, and a mission-focused progression system. Its immersive control mechanics made players feel as though they were truly piloting their personalized mechs. With branching story paths based on mission choices, Armored Core encouraged players to experience multiple playthroughs.
Starting March 18, Armored Core will make its way to PlayStation Plus Premium.
Armored Core: Project Phantasma | PlayStation | 1998
Fans of the original Armored Core were soon treated to expansion installments, the first being Project Phantasma. This prequel put a stronger emphasis on narrative while introducing the beloved Arena mode, where players could climb a competitive ladder by dueling other mechs and earning fantastic rewards.
For those eager to revisit or experience this title for the first time, Armored Core: Project Phantasma will also be available on PlayStation Plus Premium beginning March 18.
Armored Core: Master of Arena | PlayStation | 1999
Master of Arena, as the name suggests, centered around the Arena mode, making it the main feature of the game. Continuing the narrative from Project Phantasma, this sequel allowed players to carry over their progress from earlier games in the series, preserving the customizations and weapons they earned. These early Armored Core games set foundational elements that continue to define the series, and Shoji Kawamori’s distinctive mech designs elevated the franchise’s visual identity.
Fans can look forward to adding Armored Core: Master of Arena to their collection through PlayStation Plus Premium on March 18.
Armored Core 2 | PlayStation 2 | 2000
From Software was quick to embrace the capabilities of PlayStation 2, marking the occasion with a sequel that also launched alongside the console in North America in 2000. Set on Mars, Armored Core 2 propelled players into a future where civil strife tears through the recently terraformed planet. The game’s enhancements included better graphics and the introduction of the Overboost feature, letting mechs zip around at high speed, albeit at a great energy cost.
Following this, Armored Core 2: Another Age brought the adventure back to Earth, layered with over 100 new missions and one of the earliest forays into online play on the PS2.
Armored Core 3 | PlayStation 2 | 2002
Armored Core 3 continued its legacy on PS2 with a fresh narrative while echoing familiar themes — humans surviving in underground layers overseen by a mysterious AI known as The Controller. This iteration introduced allies known as Consorts, a more strategic loadout system allowing players to drop weapons mid-mission to boost performance, and the return of Arena mode, absent from AC2AA.
Building on this success, titles like Armored Core 3: Silent Line and 2004’s Armored Core: Nexus further explored Earth’s perilous surface and its evolving threats. Notably, the series saw several PSP ports, expanding its reach further.
Armored Core 4 | PlayStation 3 | 2006
When Armored Core 4 landed on the PS3, it ushered in high-definition mech combat, rebooting the storyline with familiar themes of humanity overshadowed by corporate influence. The introduction of NEXTs, advanced Armored Cores equipped with the Primal Armor and powered by the Lynx pilots’ psychic capabilities, marked a new era. The game refined its control system, ushering in more intuitive mechanics and removing heat management in favor of quick, tactical movements, revolutionizing gameplay dynamics.
A direct sequel, Armored Core for Answer, expanded on this further, depicting humanity’s struggle against corporate greed within the floating cities.
Armored Core V | PlayStation 3 | 2012
Launching on PS3 in 2012, Armored Core V took a dramatic shift towards tactical gameplay, reminiscent of its PlayStation roots. With the Armored Cores scaled down in size, players were encouraged to use the environment creatively, embracing cover-based strategies and strategic ambushes. A robust multiplayer aspect allowed teams to work together, guiding squads through missions with an Operator’s steady hand.
Armored Core: Verdict Day, released in 2013, built on this concept a century later, introducing new factions battling over mysterious Towers.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon | PlayStation 5 | 2023
After a decade, Armored Core fans finally embraced the next chapter, Fires of Rubicon. The game reignited interest worldwide among longtime admirers and newcomers enthralled by its dynamic mech-based action. With the triumphant return of this beloved franchise, the stage is set for even more incredible adventures. Fans eagerly await From Software’s next move in this storied series.
