Armored Core

This article is about the video game series. For the game of the same name, see Armored Core (video game).

Armored Core
Genres	Third-person shooter
Developers	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 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 mecha called an Armored Core. Armored Core: Verdict Day is the fifteenth and latest title in the series; it was released worldwide on September 2013.

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	No	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	No	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	No	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	No	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	No	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 4	2006	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
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
Armored Core: Mobile Online	2005	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Never released outside of Japan
Armored Core: Mobile Mission	2006	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Never released outside of Japan
Armored Core: Mobile 2	2006	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Never released outside of Japan
Armored Core: Mobile 3	2007	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Never released outside of Japan
Armored Core: Mobile 4	2008	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Never released outside of Japan

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. From Software announced in 2011 that the anime had been canceled due to View Works shutting down.

External links

• Official website (Japanese)