For years, From Software built its name around mech-based action games, with Armored Core standing as their crowning achievement. This iconic series, which made its debut on the original PlayStation back in 1997, still captivates a dedicated fanbase who passionately follows its evolution even more than two decades later.
The excitement surrounding Armored Core doesn’t seem to be waning anytime soon, especially with the exciting update that the original Armored Core (1997), along with Armored Core: Project Phantasma and Armored Core: Master of Arena, will be available for PlayStation Plus Classics subscribers. This marks an ideal opportunity to dive deep into the history that shaped this intriguing series.
Armored Core first emerged from a creative collaboration between From Software and renowned anime mech designer Shoji Kawamori. Their shared vision at the dawn of the PlayStation era was to develop a game offering players the ability to customize their own mechs. This idea developed into an engaging narrative set on an earth struggling to recover from a cataclysmic event, where powerful corporations rule, and mercenaries known as Ravens sell their skills to the highest bidder.
Debuting in Japan and North America in 1997, and making its way to Europe in 1998, Armored Core stood out with its in-depth mechanics. Players were captivated by its extensive customization options, strategic resource management challenges, and mission-focused progression system. The game’s control scheme, while complex, was praised for the authentic cockpit experience it delivered. Various mission paths offered a wide array of outcomes, encouraging players to revisit the game to explore all possibilities.
Fans rejoiced when the series received its first two expansions, following the roaring success of Armored Core. Project Phantasma, released in 1998, acts as a narrative precursor, continuing to explore the desolate world but focusing more on storytelling. It also introduced the much-loved Arena mode, where players could engage in combat with fellow pilots to ascend through the ranks and win coveted prizes.
The sequel, Armored Core: Master of Arena, launched in 1999 and, true to its name, made the Arena the main event. As a direct successor to Project Phantasma, it allowed players to carry over previously earned weapons and customizations, embedding a sense of progression across games. The designs that became a hallmark of the series were still under the creative eye of Shoji Kawamori, ensuring the mechs remained unique and stylized.
Fast forward to the year 2000, and From Software is one of the pioneers in leveraging the technological prowess of the PlayStation 2. Armored Core 2 not only served as a launch title for the PS2 in North America but also introduced players to a war-torn terraformed Mars with an ongoing civil war decades after the earlier titles. The game came with a visual upgrade, the introduction of the Overboost feature for quick maneuvers at the cost of energy, and new customization options like Radiator, Extension, and Inside parts.
Distinct from its predecessor, Armored Core 3, launched in 2002, didn’t pick up where its ancestors left off but offered a fresh storyline set in a devastated world. Here, humans strive to outwit a controlling artificial intelligence known as The Controller while surviving in underground habitats called Layered. The game introduced Consorts—AI allies—to help players in their campaigns and allowed shedding weapon weight mid-mission.
Armored Core’s legacy is set to continue with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, slated for release on PlayStation 5 in 2023. This anticipated title brings fresh energy to the series, marking what many believe to be a new chapter for From Software. With an updated storyline that takes players back to a turbulent Earth, fans are on the edge of their seats to see how this series, beloved for its riveting mech battles and intricate mechanics, will continue to evolve. And of course, we’re all eager to see what From Software has in store for us next.
