The Best Armored Core Games to Play Before Fires of Rubicon Comes Out

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is on the horizon, but what about the rest of the Armored Core series? This guide highlights the best entries to play before diving into the newest installment.

The Armored Core Franchise

FromSoftware's legacy extends beyond Souls-like games. The Armored Core franchise, spanning decades and numerous titles until the early 2010s, showcases the developer's earlier work with mech combat. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, players take on the role of mercenaries, completing contracts for the highest bidder.

Missions range from eliminating rebel forces and scouting enemy territories to high-stakes pursuits of valuable cargo. Successful missions yield funds crucial for mech maintenance and upgrades. Strategic gameplay is key; excel, and you'll dominate the battlefield; fail, and it's game over.

By 2013, the series boasted five main entries and numerous spin-offs, totaling sixteen games. Armored Core 1 and 2 share a continuity, while 3, 4, and 5 exist in separate timelines. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon (releasing August 25, 2023) will likely establish a new continuity. This guide helps you select the best Armored Core games to experience before the launch of AC6.