Armored Core

Armored Core
Logo utilized in the first Armored Core.
Genres Third-person shooter
Developer(s) FromSoftware
Publisher(s) FromSoftware
Platforms PlayStation
PlayStation 2
PlayStation Portable
PlayStation 3
PlayStation Vita
Xbox 360
mobile phone
Platform of origin PlayStation
Year of inception 1997

Armored Core is a mecha-based video game series developed by the firm FromSoftware for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and mobile phone platforms. Armored Core games are third-person shooters in which the player pilots a large mechanical unit that is itself called an "Armored Core". Armored Core: Verdict Day is the fifteenth and latest title in the series, being released worldwide on September 2013. The series' initial game came out in 1997.

Common elements

Story elements vary widely throughout the series but gameplay is generally focused on the player's character as a silent protagonist, acting as a mercenary, completing missions assigned by various in-game corporations and individuals. The player's character pilots his or her mecha (armored core) to perform duties such as destroying enemy units/facilities or protecting a designated element from the attack by the opposing forces.

The game places a heavy emphasis on customization; the structure of the mecha the player uses in combat is standardized and modular, consisting of a number of interchangeable parts. The mecha is composed from parts the player obtains by finding them in missions, fulfilling certain requirements, or by buying them from an in-game shop. Money is earned by finishing missions; typically each mission has a set reward for its completion from which deductions are made based on damage taken, amount of ammunition used, and completion time. Certain missions also offer bonuses for completing optional objectives.

Certain games in the series offer additional part categories but the following are shared among all games:

  • Head (different heads feature different cameras that work in conjunction with the FCS)
  • Arms (used to hold various weapons, though full weapon-types exist as well)
  • Legs (five types exist: Quad legs, reverse-joint bipedal legs, hover types, tank types, and standard bipedal types)
  • Core (the mecha's 'torso' where the generator, radiator and cockpit are situated)
  • Generator (the unit's power supply)
  • Boosters (increases mecha speed and enables flight when engaged)
  • FCS (Fire Control System; controls weapon targeting)
  • Arm and back weapons/units (ultimate weapon added in only Armored Core V acted as a back unit)
  • Arm shields/swords

Armored Core games

Between 1997 and 2006, PlayStation games enjoyed a yearly release schedule. As of 2013, fifteen games have been released.

Overview over titles in the series
Title Release PS PS2 PS3 360 PSP Vita Mobile Notes
Armored Core 1997 Yes No Yes No Yes Yes No The game has been re-released as part of Sony's PS one Classics line of games
Armored Core: Project Phantasma 1997 Yes No Yes No No Yes No The game has been re-released as part of Sony's PS one Classics line of games
Armored Core: Master of Arena 1999 Yes No Yes No No Yes No The game has been re-released as part of Sony's PS one Classics line of games
Armored Core 2 2000 No Yes No No No No No
Armored Core 2: Another Age 2001 No Yes No No No No No
Armored Core 3 2002 No Yes No No Yes Yes No The PSP version is titled Armored Core 3 Portable and was released in 2009
Silent Line: Armored Core 2003 No Yes No No Yes Yes No The PSP version is titled Armored Core: Silent Line Portable and was released in 2009
Armored Core: Nexus 2004 No Yes No No No No No
Armored Core: Formula Front 2004 No Yes No No Yes Yes No Titled Armored Core: Formula Front Extreme Battle (USA) and re-released as Armored Core: Formula Front International (Japan)
Armored Core: Nine Breaker 2004 No Yes No No No No No
Armored Core: Last Raven 2005 No Yes No No Yes Yes No The PSP version is titled Armored Core: Last Raven Portable and was released in 2010
Armored Core: Mobile Online 2005[1] No No No No No No Yes Never released outside Japan
Armored Core: Mobile Mission 2006[2] No No No No No No Yes Never released outside Japan
Armored Core: Mobile 2 2006[3] No No No No No No Yes Never released outside Japan
Armored Core 4 2006 No No Yes Yes No No No
Armored Core: Mobile 3 2007[4] No No No No No No Yes Never released outside Japan
Armored Core: Mobile 4 2008[5] No No No No No No Yes Never released outside Japan
Armored Core: For Answer 2008 No No Yes Yes No No No
Armored Core V 2012 No No Yes Yes No No No
Armored Core: Verdict Day 2013 No No Yes Yes No No No

Other media

Armored Core: Tower City Blade is a manga by Fujimi Shobo based on the game. It was serialized in Dragon Age Pure between March 14 and April 14, 2007. A project called Armored Core: Fort Tower Song was to consist of a book and an anime also released in 2007. The book was completed but the anime was not.[6] From Software announced in 2011 that the anime had been canceled due to View Works shutting down.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Armored Core: Mobile Online".
  2. ↑ "Armored Core: Mobile Mission".
  3. ↑ "Armored Core: Mobile 2".
  4. ↑ "FROMCAPSULE :: FROM SOFTWARE Mobile".
  5. ↑ "ARMORED CORE MOBILE 4".
  6. ↑ http://www.armoredcore.net/top/goods/novel/ Archived October 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ "ARMORED CORE オリジナル･サウンドトラックシリーズ".
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