Armored Core Intro
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Armored Core is a 1997 third-person shooter mecha video game developed by FromSoftware and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It was originally released in Japan by FromSoftware in July 1997 and in North America in October 1997 and Europe in 1998 by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game is the first entry in the Armored Core series. A digital port was released in 2007 in Japan and 2015 in North America on the PlayStation Network as a part of the PSone Classics line of games.
The story introduces many elements that are commonly found in later games in the series, such as corporatocracies and mech robots known as "Armored Cores". The game takes place in a future Earth that has been wiped out by a cataclysm and forced humanity underground, a theme which would continue until Armored Core 4.
Gameplay involves controlling Armored Cores in combat scenarios against other Cores and vehicles. Cores are highly modular, allowing players a great deal of customization over them, such as swapping out different leg units to gain speed advantages. As players complete more missions, they gain credits to purchase different items and parts for their Core.
The game was favorably received by critics, who were especially impressed with its customization and multiplayer.
The vast majority of Earth's population is wiped out by a cataclysmic war known as the "Great Destruction". The harsh conditions that result force the few remaining survivors to live underground for fifty years, during which time corporations come to power. The two largest corporations, Chrome and Murakumo Millennium, constantly battle each other for supremacy, causing significant strife among the populace. However, the competition provides endless opportunities for mercenaries called Ravens, who exist independently of the corporations. The player is a Raven and pilots an Armored Core, powerful mecha robots that fight for the highest bidder.
The robot designs were created by renowned mecha designer Shōji Kawamori. Kawamori was approached before the PlayStation's launch and during this time, the concept of a player-designed modular mecha was one of the game's only set ideas. Kawamori thought that too much player freedom would hinder the team's ability to form a unique visual identity for the game, so he proposed the concept of "armored cores," a system in which the modularity revolved around changes around a core block containing the cockpit, engine, and joint connectors for the limbs and so on. FromSoftware adopted this as the official concept for the mecha and the name of the game.
Armored Core was initially released in Japan for the Sony PlayStation on July 10, 1997. FromSoftware partnered with Sony Computer Entertainment and released a North American version on October 25 the same year, while a European version was released on June 1, 1998.
As a part of Sony's PSone Classics banner, Armored Core was re-released in Japan for the PlayStation 3 (and later the PlayStation Vita) on July 26, 2007. In North America, the game was re-released on March 24, 2015 for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Vita.
Armored Core became a title for the Japanese release of the PlayStation Classic on December 3, 2018. The game has not been released on PlayStation Classic consoles in other regions.