Armored Core Pre-Fires of Rubicon Essentials Revealed

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon's impending release has many wondering about the series' other entries. This guide highlights the best Armored Core games to play before diving into the newest installment.

The Armored Core Franchise

FromSoftware, renowned for its Souls-like games, boasts a rich history with Armored Core, a mecha-focused franchise spanning several decades and numerous titles (up to the early 2010s). Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players assume the role of mercenaries piloting Armored Cores, powerful mechs, to complete missions for various clients.

Your role as a mercenary centers on client satisfaction. Missions range from eliminating enemy combatants and scouting enemy strongholds to securing high-value targets like trains or cargo. Successful missions yield funds crucial for mech maintenance and upgrades. Effective mission completion unlocks superior parts and ensures combat dominance, while failure results in mission termination.

The Armored Core series includes five main numbered entries (as of 2013), along with numerous spin-offs, bringing the total to sixteen games. The first two games share a continuity, while Armored Core 3, 4, and 5 each exist within their own separate timelines. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, launching August 25, 2023, is poised to establish a new continuity. To prepare for this latest entry, Game8 presents a curated selection of the best Armored Core games to play beforehand.