As one of Dark Souls developer FromSoftware's earliest titles, the Armored Core series has fallen dormant in recent years. The long-running mecha shooter franchise that started in the late 1990s hasn't seen a new title in nearly 10 years and was completely absent from the PS4/Xbox One console generation. However, with recent leaks suggesting that FromSoftware may be eyeing a return to the storied franchise with consumer surveys about an upcoming game apparently being sent around, more images from the game have recently surfaced relating to the series' long-awaited comeback.
Armored Core was one of FromSoftware's original games from the Souls developer's beginnings in the 1990s with the first Armored Core releasing in 1997 for the PlayStation. The intense action of the mecha shooter saw critical acclaim from fans and critics alike and spawned a franchise that would consistently churn out games over the next decade and a half. However, Armored Core has somewhat faded into obscurity in recent years with the series' last new entry being 2013's Armored Core: Verdict Day. Now, From Software is seemingly looking to revive one of its original properties with a new game in development.
Following a previous post in the ResetEra forums leaking the consumer surveys for a new Armored Core game, forum user Red Liquorice shared several screenshots that were included within the same surveys. The surveys looking to get public feedback for the upcoming game reportedly included a text description, several screenshots, and short gameplay footage showcasing a boss fight and in-game world footage. The text description gives a brief blurb about the new game's story as well as many of the franchise's staple mechanics, like swapping between melee and ranged combat and the high degree of customization. Click here to see the images.
The return of the Armored Core franchise would be a stark contrast to many of FromSoftware's most recent releases with the overwhelming success of the Dark Souls franchise shifting many of the company's newest games into the Souls mold. Dark Souls has received two new entries into the notoriously difficult series since the release of the last Armored Core game and the franchise has debuted new successful IPs in the Souls mold in 2015's Bloodborne and 2019's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
The success of both Armored Core and the Souls franchise have propelled From Software into its status as one of the leading names in the modern games industry. The developer has become a household name among hardcore fans and its next title, Elden Ring, has seen significant levels of excitement from fans, winning multiple awards before it has even released. While the announcement of a new Armored Core game may not excite many of the studio's fans to that same degree, the mecha shooter's return will look to be a breath of fresh air for its waiting fans.
Armored Core 6 is rumored to be in development.
