For years, the gaming landscape knew From Software mainly for their action-packed mech franchises, with Armored Core being the crown jewel among them. Launched on the original PlayStation back in 1997, this series has managed to amass a loyal fan base that still thrives more than two decades after its inception.
As PlayStation Plus Classics announces the return of the original Armored Core (1997), as well as Armored Core: Project Phantasma and Armored Core: Master of Arena, it seems like an ideal moment to take a nostalgic journey back through the history of this legendary series.
The journey of Armored Core began with a partnership between From Software and the acclaimed anime mechanical designer, Shoji Kawamori. Their collaboration blossomed into a groundbreaking concept for a game featuring customizable mechs, thus birthing Armored Core. Originally released to Japanese and North American audiences in 1997 and a year later in Europe, the game immediately captured attention with its depth. The ability to individually customize mechs, manage resources, and make story-altering decisions based on mission choices set this title apart. Pilots, also known as Ravens, navigate a post-apocalyptic Earth dominated by corporate interests—introducing players to a dystopian universe where loyalty is bought and sold.
Starting March 18, PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers can relive these exciting early chapters of gaming history.
Hot on the heels of its success, Armored Core expanded with Project Phantasma in 1998, a prequel to the original. The game introduced a stronger storyline and an exciting new Arena mode, allowing players to engage in mech-to-mech combat and climb the ranks for enticing rewards.
Come March 18, Armored Core: Project Phantasma will be available with PlayStation Plus Premium, continuing the legacy of this thrilling series.
The tale goes on with Armored Core: Master of Arena, released the following year in 1999. As its title implies, this sequel emphasized Arena mode, integral to the series. Players loved the ability to transfer their earned gear and weapons from one game to the next, a feature both this and Project Phantasma had. The original PlayStation titles helped set a strong foundation for what the Armored Core series would develop into. Furthermore, the unique mech designs that make these games stand out were greatly influenced by Shoji Kawamori’s consistent collaboration throughout the series.
Exciting news for fans: Armored Core: Master of Arena is coming to PlayStation Plus Premium starting March 18. Gear up for a thrilling revisit!
In 2000, with the launch of the PlayStation 2, From Software quickly leveraged the console’s enhanced capabilities, introducing players to Armored Core 2. This sequel jumps forward in time several decades from where the initial PlayStation entries left off, relocating the battle-scarred Ravens to a Martian battlefield torn by civil unrest. The game didn’t just deliver a visual makeover, thanks to the PS2’s advanced graphics; it also brought fresh dynamics like the Overboost feature for swift movement at the cost of energy. Additionally, new parts such as radiators, extensions, and inside components gave players even more freedom when customizing their mechs.
It wasn’t long before the release of Armored Core 2: Another Age arrived. This installment brought players back to Earth for more intense missions and was notably among the early PS2 games that supported online play via the PS2’s Network Adaptor.
The legacy of Armored Core further advanced with the launch of Armored Core 3 on the PlayStation 2 in 2002. While this installment offered a new narrative distinct from its predecessors, the game returned to a familiar habitat: a devastated Earth where humans take refuge in underground enclaves managed by the enigmatic Controller AI. Fresh gameplay elements were introduced, like the addition of Consorts, allied units that provide mission support. Moreover, the game allowed players to discard weapons mid-mission to boost performance. AC3 also saw the much-loved Arena mode make a comeback—a feature that was notably absent in AC2: Another Age.
Subsequently, Armored Core 3 received a continuation with Silent Line, which explored the aftermath of its storyline. The saga proceeded with Armored Core: Nexus in 2004, although numerous gameplay alterations—including significant changes to weapons—precluded the import of data from previous AC3 games. This phase of the series eventually concluded with Nine Breaker and Last Raven, while some titles found new life as PSP ports.
Mark your calendars for March 18, as the esteemed Armored Core titles await your return on PlayStation Plus Premium. Dive back into the legendary world of customizable mechs and epic mech combat. It’s a thrilling nostalgia trip that fans old and new won’t want to miss!
