Right now, interest in the Armored Core series is at an all-time high. The mech-piloting franchise exploded back onto the scene at the 2022 Game Awards, being revealed as Dark Souls and Elden Ring developer FromSoftware's next project. While that pedigree alone has put a lot of hype behind Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, many more viewers were confused by the game's appearance. The Armored Core franchise only had a cult following in North America, and has been absent for almost a decade. It isn't unreasonable to never have even heard of Armored Core before AC6's leaks or announcement.
At any rate, a new Armored Core is on the way, and many fresh eyes have fallen on the franchise. FromSoftware is a powerful name in the gaming industry right now, with Elden Ring taking home plenty of awards. Even if a mecha game isn't going to drive the same interest and sales as a new Souls-like, people are going to want to get their hands on it regardless. With this line of thinking, it's not hard to imagine that prospective buyers will want to prepare themselves with earlier AC games. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done, and there are a lot of factors to consider when one wishes to play older Armored Core titles in modern times.
The Cost of Entering Armored Core Now
Discussing the worth of past Armored Core games can't be done without first covering the literal cost of acquiring them. Almost every Armored Core did not see many physical English copies printed, so prices were already high before Armored Core 6 was announced. Now, prospective fans would be hard-pressed to find these games on sale for less than 100 US dollars. Some prices can even stretch beyond $200, which isn't worth paying when one just wants to check if the franchise is for them. Owning the right old console for a given title is also a prerequisite. The only silver lining here is that Armored Core: Verdict Day can be purchased digitally on the Xbox 360 for around $20.
With no re-releases of any Armored Core on modern platforms, this situation will remain for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, the excitement behind Armored Core 6 can prompt some remasters or ports. In the meantime, players can take solace in the fact that almost every Armored Core game was released on older PlayStation hardware, all of which have emulators. The experience may not always be console-perfect, but everything besides Armored Core 5 and Verdict Day should be stable on a gaming PC. Netplay is in development for some emulators, so players interested in Armored Core PvP can also get an early taste in certain games.
Which Armored Core Games Are Essential
If one is willing to emulate or invest in Armored Core, then one should choose their investments wisely. Fortunately, it's easy to recommend good starting points. Those willing to go back to a slower PS1 game with unwieldy controls could try the original PS1 Armored Core. It immediately established most of the series' hallmarks, and should quickly demonstrate why no other mecha game on the market is quite like Armored Core. Every numbered AC also makes for a solid place to start, with Verdict Day's strict superiority to 5 being the only exception. Those looking for some of the best that classic Armored Core can offer may want to try Armored Core 3 and Silent Line: Armored Core, the latter of which can import the former's save data.
The first title to switch from the original archaic control scheme to dual analog controls was Armored Core: Last Raven, which is held in high regard by many fans. It was also Dark Souls director Hidetaka Miyazaki's first project at FromSoftware, with his directorial debut being Armored Core 4 and For Answer. Last Raven is meant to be the hardest entry in the series, so newcomers should hold off until they’re able to appreciate the game's branching story and tight balance. Those looking for different styles of Armored Core gameplay can try AC4, For Answer, or Verdict Day. While Verdict Day may not share the fourth generation’s blazing-fast boosting, it does share a penchant for giant boss encounters, a feature that may return in Armored Core 6.
Will Past Armored Core Games Be Relevant to AC6?
Those later games might be worth prioritizing, as Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon could draw the most gameplay elements from them. The Primal Armor forcefield introduced in Armored Core 4 has already been seen in AC6's trailer, and its Steam page mentions high 3D maneuverability that brings to mind the primarily airborne fourth generation. However, the skill ceiling in Armored Core 4 and For Answer is even higher than normal Armored Core, and FromSoftware may not want that in a franchise reboot. AC5 and Verdict Day are comparatively known for exaggerating the series' clunkiness, so a faster mech from a PS2 Armored Core might represent AC6 best.
That's not to say players need to experience old Armored Core titles to get into the upcoming game. After all, with releases on most modern platforms, this will be the most accessible Armored Core title by virtue of availability. Familiarizing oneself with the legacy systems and design trends is always useful for a FromSoftware title, but much like Elden Ring, AC6 will try to teach players through experience. There are supposed to be no story connections to prior games, and the gameplay style could change significantly once again. Ultimately, it's up to interested players how much they want to invest in Armored Core before Armored Core 6 comes out.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon will be released in 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
