The Cult of Armored Core

[Grizzmeister]

The SNES will forever be the fighting game and Super Mario Kart console for me but the PlayStation was and is my Armored Core console. Sure, I played tons of other games on my PS ranging from Ace Combat 2 to Wipeout XL but nothing held my attention like developer From Software's magnificent Mecha trinity of; Armored Core, Project Phantasma and Master of Arena.

I still remember the first time I read about Armored Core in Game Informer magazine. It was a little write-up telling how the game had sold 500,000 copies in Japan. It mentioned that many Japanese fans were even linking together 2 PSX's so that each player could have their own screen during versus matches. Needless to say I was intrigued.

The first time I actually played AC was at a PlayStation kiosk in Toys R Us in the town of New Carrolton, Maryland. Instead of having the demo setup for single-player mode performing missions, the creators of the demo wisely chose to exhibit PvP via split screen. I took to the game like a duck to water making short work of anybody and everybody who dared challenge me. Ultimately what gave me the edge was my ability to use the AC's vector thrusters effectively to take advantage of movement in the Z-axis. Whoever controlled the vertical space was often dominant and that gameplay mechanic was completely natural to me. From that point forward all other games seemed like child's play and I resigned myself to the fact that I had become - a Raven...

 

[Lore]

I actually got Verdict Day the other day, and I'm not entirely sure what to think of it. It's certainly fun, but I'm not a fan of only really being able to do team multiplayer and free battles. If you could just hook up with a bunch of randoms for the world map fights, that would be great.

Of course, I may just be missing a really obvious menu option.

 

[Grizzmeister]

Armored Core 4 is the game that caused me to give up on the Armored Core franchise. Check out this picture of my collection and you'll see that I don't have any of the games in the series that came after AC4.

 

[BBG|Scott-Spain]

Love this series, but it's been a long time since I've played it. I'm not sure what they could do to the series nowadays.

 

[Grizzmeister]

I wish that developer From Software would take the Armored Core franchise back to its roots with Armored Core 6. I'd love for the series to return to the sublime balance of arcade and sim that the first three AC games on the PS1 had.

Also, since neuroscience has made such huge leaps of advancement as of late, I'd like the story of "Human Plus" to be better fleshed out. Perhaps explaining how the best AC pilots have been genetically modified to allow them to more efficiently interact, via a neural interface, with their machine thus making it a true mobile suit.

Here's something related and super cool.

Scientists Hope To Debut Mind-Controlled Robotic Suit At World Cup

 

[finalark]

I had a friend who was super into this series. Frankly, I could never get past the awkward and complex controls but I certainly can appreciate the depth the series has.

AC3, good memories. My friend says AC5 is pretty bad, though.

 

[LivewiresXe]

I remember playing Silent Line because I thought having customization and the Arena thing was cool, but...it seemed weird and awkward to me and I admittedly haven't played one since.

 

[Grizzmeister]

I remember playing Silent Line because I thought having customization and the Arena thing was cool, but...it seemed weird and awkward to me and I admittedly haven't played one since.

I didn't like the way the focus of the PS2 era Armored Core games moved so heavily towards mech creation. The PS1 entries in the series also placed a strong emphasis on arena generalship and tactical use of the environment and not just mech creation.

Here are the first three PS1 era Armored Core games from both North America and Japan. Aren't the Japanese covers cool looking?

 

[Specs45]

I love this series although I started on AC2, and still playing Verdict Day occasionally. In my opinion, AC5 and Verdict Day could use some more customizing options than what it has. Seems so limited. I played the demo to the first one but never had the full game. I've seen gameplay of master of Arena and still fear Nine-ball Seraph from AC2:another age.

 

[Grizzmeister]

Watch this very impressive video to see that real live Armored Cores may not be that far off in the future.

 

[Grizzmeister]

Those of you who enjoy talking about Armored Core or just intellectual discussion in general should check out this site.

http://armoredcore.org/index.php?topic=207.0

I plan to make it my main hang out when I'm not here on Smash Boards.

 

[RespawningJesus]

I love Armored Core. Just wish that From Software would make more. Anyways, been playing AC since AC2, but I enjoy the newer installments much more, with 4 being one of my favorites.

 

[Grizzmeister]

Back around the Armored Core 3 days, fans in California gathered annually for the Master of California (MOC) tournament. It was a magnificent spectacle of hot mech on mech action from what I've heard.

I'd love for Armored Core 6 to return the franchise to its rightful position as the premiere tournament Mecha fighter. Hopefully the developer From Software of Dark Souls fame is listening.

 

[RespawningJesus]

Aw, too bad I wasn't really into competitive gaming at that time. Otherwise, that would have been cool to attend.

 

[Grizzmeister]

Every Armored Core fan should get chills when they watch this video.

Who says mechs aren't popular anymore?!

 

[radio silent]

I remember playing a lot of the original Armored Core when I was very small. It was probably responsible for my love of mechs now. I really need to go back and properly play through it, though.

 

[finalark]

Every Armored Core fan should get chills when they watch this video.

Who says mechs aren't popular anymore?!

Oh yeah, I remember this video. The mech with the ridiculously poorly thought out smile gun. I'm genuinely that it works so well, but I'm pretty sure its made for bloodthirsty killers since the only people who could successfully pilot it are those who wear a big goofy grin while they mow down enemy soldiers.

Although impressive, I don't think the line "Who says mechs aren't popular anymore" really applies here given that this video is three years old at this point.

 

[Grizzmeister]

This video shows that the futuristic themes of neuroscience hinted at in the Armored Core games are just around the corner and could possibly become reality within our lifetimes.

2045: A New Era for Humanity

We're talking about the seamless merging of man and machine just like "Human Plus" in Armored Core.

BTW, would those who post in this thread please tell me which Armored Core game is your favorite? Mine is Master of Arena.

 

[RespawningJesus]

Mechs haven't really been popular in the West for a good while now.

As for favorite AC game? AC4.

 

[Grizzmeister]

I actually got Verdict Day the other day, and I'm not entirely sure what to think of it. It's certainly fun, but I'm not a fan of only really being able to do team multiplayer and free battles. If you could just hook up with a bunch of randoms for the world map fights, that would be great.

Of course, I may just be missing a really obvious menu option.

Games like Sm4sh prove that regardless of the console people like having the option of going on-line to battle others 1-on-1.

The PS1 and early PS2 Armored Core games were fantastic tournament titles and I believe that's what contributed so heavily to their success. The franchise really started to suffer sales wise when it moved away from being a PvP experience.

 

[RespawningJesus]

AC4 had a decent PvP in my opinion. And AC5 song point was the multiplayer. Sure, it had more emphasis on team play, but it worked better that way.

 

[Grizzmeister]

I generally prefer the PS1 Armored Core games but I gotta admit that the AC3 intro is pretty snazzy.