For many years, From Software carved its niche as a studio largely recognized for producing mech-action games, with the standout series being Armored Core. First launched for the original PlayStation, this iconic series has maintained a passionate following for over twenty years.
The buzz around PlayStation Plus Classics now hosting Armored Core (1997), Armored Core: Project Phantasma, and Armored Core: Master of Arena has stirred interest in revisiting this legendary series.
### A Journey Back to Armored Core on PlayStation
Collaborating with the renowned mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori, From Software envisioned a game centered around player-customizable mechs at the dawn of the original PlayStation era. This concept blossomed into Armored Core, centering on Earth ravaged by the Great Destruction, leading to a corporate dystopia and featuring the Ravens—mercenary pilots with loyalties driven purely by profit.
Launched in 1997 in Japan and North America (and Europe in 1998), Armored Core captured players with its deep customization options, strategic resource management, and mission-based gameplay. The control scheme gave players an authentic cockpit experience, and the storyline offered varied paths based on mission choices, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
From March 18, Armored Core will be accessible via PlayStation Plus Premium.
### The Expansion with Project Phantasma
Buoyed by positive player feedback, From Software swiftly released Project Phantasma, an engaging prequel to Armored Core. It brought a stronger narrative focus and introduced the Arena mode, where players could duel against other mechs to rise in rank and earn coveted rewards.
This expansion will also be available for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers beginning March 18.
### Continuing the Legacy with Master of Arena
Master of Arena capitalized on the success of the Arena mode by making it central to gameplay. As a sequel to Project Phantasma, it allowed players to carry over saved data, retaining the weapons and customizations they had worked hard to earn. This continuity laid the groundwork for future titles, with Kawamori’s distinctive mech designs continuing to influence the series’ unique aesthetic.
Starting March 18, you can dive back into Master of Arena with PlayStation Plus Premium.
### Armored Core 2 and the Leap to PlayStation 2
As early adopters of the PlayStation 2’s capabilities, From Software released Armored Core 2 to coincide with the console’s North American launch in 2000. Set decades after the initial series, it transported the action to a conflict-ridden Mars with a terraformed surface. Beyond a striking graphical enhancement, this installment pioneered features like Overboost for increased speed at the cost of energy. It introduced new parts, expanding mech customization possibilities further.
Armored Core 2: Another Age soon followed, broadening the storyline back on Earth. Notably, its Japanese version was among the first PlayStation 2 titles to incorporate online play capabilities with its Network Adaptor.
### Exploring New Depths in Armored Core 3
Arriving in 2002, Armored Core 3 continued on the PS2, offering fans a fresh yet nostalgically familiar setting involving underground enclaves governed by an enigmatic AI. New gameplay elements such as Consorts—aiding allies in missions—and the ability to discard weapons for improved agility came into play. The beloved Arena mode returned, which the sequel Silent Line, Nexus, Nine Breaker, and Last Raven built upon, extending this saga’s scope. Some titles even found a new home on the PSP platform.
### High-Definition Armored Core 4 on PlayStation 3
With Armored Core 4, releasing on the PlayStation 3 in 2006, the franchise entered the realm of high-definition graphics, offering vibrant detail and a refreshed storyline. Corporations continued to control Earth’s remnants, enabling mercenary-led campaigns with enhanced NEXTs mechs. The game transformed controls to accommodate both new and returning players, introducing Quick Boost for improved mobility—a harbinger of the detailed environments you affected in combat. Its sequel, Armored Core for Answer, furthered the narrative into a future of floating refuge cities and surface-based resistance.
### The Strategic Shift in Armored Core V
Launched in 2012 on PS3, Armored Core V ventured into more strategic gameplay, where diminishing resources meant leveraging environmental advantages. The Roman numeral title signaled a significant shift—emphasizing smaller mechs for tactical maneuvers. Players could form teams, operate in squads, and utilize new modes like Scan Mode for resource management.
2013’s Armored Core: Verdict Day continued the story, set a century later, demanding players navigate a war for control over mysterious technological Towers. Offering team-focused encounters, it integrated AI-driven UNACs to enrich the combat experience.
### The New Horizon with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
And here we are, with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. A decade after the last installment, fans eagerly awaited this new entry, eagerly diving back into the thrilling robotic warfare the series has always promised. With its release in 2023, the game has not only revitalized its massive fanbase but has also drawn fresh enthusiasts to the genre. Given its success, the future appears brighter than ever for the Armored Core saga. Who knows where From Software will take us next?
