Japanese cover art of the original Armored Core
Armored Core is a mecha-based media franchise by From Software. It has games on Microsoft and Sony consoles as well as Steam, along with other merchandise including books, clothing, and collectibles.
Overview[]
The player often takes on the role of a mercenary piloting one of the titular Armored Core (AC) units. By completing missions from different requesters, which may be corporations or individuals, the player earns money for upkeep, such as repairs and ammunition, as well as access to new parts. The series emphasizes the mercenary lifestyle, with betrayal in one form or another a constant across the series.
History[]
- Armored Core - Released in 1997. Per Armored Core 10 Works Complete File, this is the first of a story continuity that ends with Armored Core 2: Another Age.
- Armored Core: Project Phantasma - Released in 1997
- Armored Core: Master of Arena - Released in 1999
- Armored Core 2 - Released in 2000. It features a new setting linked to the previous games.
- Armored Core 2: Another Age - Released in 2001
- Armored Core 3 - Released in 2002. Per the previously mentioned book, this the first of a second story continuity that ends with Armored Core: Last Raven.
- Silent Line: Armored Core - Released in 2003
- Armored Core: Nexus - Released in 2004
- Armored Core: Formula Front - Released in 2004. Not included in the second continuity.
- Armored Core: Nine Breaker - Released in 2004. Not included in the second continuity.
- Armored Core: Last Raven - Released in 2005. The story takes place six months after the ending of Armored Core: Nexus.
- Armored Core 4 - Released in 2006. It features a new setting with no official links to previous games.
- Armored Core: For Answer - Released in 2008. The story takes place a decade after the previous title.
- Armored Core V - Released in 2012. It features a new setting linked to the previous two games.
- Armored Core: Verdict Day - Released in 2013. The story takes place several years after Armored Core V.
- ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON - Released in 2023. It features a new setting not linked to the previous games.
Gameplay[]
Although the specifics of gameplay vary across the series, a few constants remain. In every game, the player is able to customize their AC using parts made by a variety of manufacturers, change the paint scheme, and design their own emblem.
Combat focuses on carrying the correct loadout for the given assignment, as well as proper fire discipline and use of evasion and cover to minimize ammunition and repair costs. Missions vary from AC-on-AC combat and elimination of all enemies to object retrieval, sometimes involving navigation of hazardous environments under a time limit.
Many of the games also include an arena feature, where the player can fight against other ACs to advance in rank and without any cost considerations.