New To ‘Armored Core’? Here’s Where To Start

My rather comprehensive collection of Japanese 'Armored Core' games.

With the news of Armored Core VI on the way next year, a lot of people new to the series are curious about the older games and which ones are worth playing. So let's see if I can help with that.

Firstly, it's unlikely that you will need to play any prior Armored Core games in order to appreciate Armored Core VI. Most of the numbered entries in the series were functional soft reboots anyway and play quite differently from one another. Not to mention that the narrative between the games is separated out, something that was also confirmed for Armored Core VI in a recent interview.

Secondly, if you really want to dig into the older Armored Core games, you will need to toughen up when it comes to more complex controls. Compared to modern games, the Armored Core series has always had very technical controls, coupled with equally tough enemies. While the Soulsborne games are regarded as being difficult, the controls are fairly straightforward. Historically, that was never the case for Armored Core, so get ready for a steep learning curve.

However, if you really want to find out more about the Armored Core series and what makes it tick, then here is where you should start.

Armored Core 3 (PlayStation 2)

This is probably the safest and sanest place to start. The original PlayStation trilogy of games are great, but many might find those a bit too old school. Whereas Armored Core 2 and Armored Core 2 Another Age were more evolved than their PlayStation precursors, but had performance and balancing issues.

In that sense, Armored Core 3 is the most accessible and polished of the classic Armored Core games for newer players. It also doesn't require any prior knowledge or game saves to start playing. The balancing and performance are also much better than most of the other games from that era.

One of the best aspects of Armored Core 3 is that it dropped much of the stun attacks from the prior games. You also want to sort out a solid machine gun from the off, as that's one of best weapons for beginners.

The direct follow-on Armored Core 3 Silent Line is also an amazing game but if you are new to the series, I would strongly recommend starting with Armored Core 3 first.

I have also been asked which are my personal favorite games in the Armored Core series, and to answer that there are three in particular that I think exemplify each era of the franchise.

Apart from that, just jump in and see what Armored Core games appeal to you. As Hidetaka Miyazaki is obviously involved in Armored Core VI, you may also want to look at both Armored Core 4 and Armored Core For Answer as he directed both of those before moving onto Demon's Souls.

Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon will be released next year for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and do toy reviews over at hobbylink.tv.

Read my Forbes blog here.