With rumors circulating around developer FromSoftware's next game, player speculation may be put to rest at last after it seems that the studio's next project will be Armored Core 6. Although not officially confirmed, the rumor that FromSoftware will be stepping away from the fantasy focus of its recent games and return to its sci-fi shooter franchise has intrigued the gaming community.
Some fans might have been left wondering what a return to the Armored Core franchise means, and what they might be able to expect from the game. Over the past few years, FromSoftware has been known for its punishingly challenging Souls series, as well as games in a similar vein with unique settings like Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Although Armored Core is a long-running series in the studio's history, it could seem like a departure from its usual fare if players haven't played Armored Core before. With 14 installments in the series to date, there is a lot to catch up on when it comes to Armored Core.
Introducing Armored Core
First released in 1997, Armored Core is a third-person shooter mech game developed for PlayStation by FromSoftware. The "Armored Core" refers to the mech robots that feature centrally in the series, which can be controlled and used in combat against other mechs and enemies in a similar fashion to games like Titanfall. In keeping with many other sci-fi stories, mega-corporations have risen to power after the destabilization of society. In the first Armored Core game, the vast majority of Earth's population have been wiped out by an all-encompassing war and have been driven underground in order to survive.
In Armored Core 2, the fourth installment in the series, the story moves to Mars after humans have colonized the planet. Similar to its predecessors, Armored Core 2 featured local multiplayer and a variety of missions where players control the titular combat mechs. Armored Core 3, the franchise's sixth installment, served as a reboot and returns the action to a post-apocalyptic Earth. In the subsequent games, mankind moves back up to reclaim the surface, as the mechs become entangled in the tumultuous landscape of power struggles between corporations.
The core gameplay mechanics remained relatively unchanged over the course of the games, with players undertaking missions while piloting the mechs and earning money to customize them. Some of the titles featured Arena modes alongside the singleplayer gameplay, where players could battle it out against other mechs. Armored Core: Nine Breaker removed story missions and focused purely on navigating the levels of the Arena, a similar mode made popular with online games like Apex Legends. However, story missions returned in Armored Core: Last Raven which followed on directly from the story established in Armored Core 3.
With the conclusion of the story arc established in Armored Core 3, Armored Core: Last Raven was followed by Armored Core 4 which served as another reboot for the series. As well as a new storyline, new mechanics were introduced that allowed players to engage in online multiplayer, while series staples like piloting mechs and customization remained. Armored Core V was the last game that FromSoftware released in the series, and is the 14th installment and 5th main installment. It's an indirect sequel to the previous two games, and returns to the classic gameplay mechanics of the series.
What's Known About Armored Core 6 So Far
With all of the previous Armored Core games featuring post-apocalyptic sci-fi settings with corporations vying for control, it seems like a safe bet that Armored Core 6 will follow a similar storyline. No doubt the core mechanics of piloting a mech that can be customized after earning credits through missions will return, but not much else is known about FromSoftware's upcoming Armored Core game. After its runaway successes like the Souls series and the hugely anticipated Elden Ring coming later this year, FromSoftware has built up a vast number of loyal fans who might be willing to give Armored Core 6 a try after its polarizing predecessor.
ResetEra member Red Liquorice posted a claim that they had completed a survey about a new Armored Core game that featured descriptions, screenshots, and even gameplay footage of the mysterious new title. Allegedly, the game looks like it will follow the format established by the series' previous installments with third-person shooter gameplay with the addition of a blade and shield for close-quarters combat. A soulslike take on the sci-fi shooter could be a refreshing step for the Armored Core franchise, and would combine many of the elements that have made FromSoftware such a formidable talent in the development space over the last decade.
Armored Core 6 is rumored to be in development.