A whopping 16 essential Armored Core video games have launched since 1997, however solely 2023’s sensible Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is formally accessible on PC. Till now, that’s: a second Armored Core sport simply launched on Steam courtesy of Japanese writer G-Mode, and it is going for the discount value of $11.
Alas, Armored Core: Cell 3 isn’t probably an instalment the lots will embrace. It was initially launched for flip telephones in 2007, and additional complicating issues, it was a Japanese unique. Whereas that is not precisely the case now—you’ll be able to simply go and purchase Armored Core: Mobile 3 on Steam proper now—few can have the endurance to play it with out English subs. Certainly, no main efforts have been made to modernize this historical artefact, although it does seem to have controller help.
If that is not sufficient to discourage you, it is fairly cool to have this curio made accessible once more. It takes place between Armored Core Nexus and Armored Core Final Raven, each of which had been offshoots of Armored Core 3. They launched for PlayStation 2 in 2004 and 2005 respectively (PS2 house owners ate properly: an enormous seven Armored Core video games launched for the platform).
The format is just about similar to the principle Armored Core video games: gamers customise their mech, all the higher to finish a sequence of discrete missions “throughout numerous situations, together with assaults and defenses in city areas and open wastelands”.
Why this cell port as an alternative of the extra palatable console instalments? It is by no means been formally addressed, however the publishing historical past of the Armored Core sequence is a tangled net, with stakeholders together with Sega, Sony, Ubisoft, the now-defunct Agetec, in addition to present custodians Bandai Namco. Given how voluminous the sequence is, that is a whole lot of admin work for one thing that in all probability will not ever obtain the extent of success of a Darkish Souls or Elden Ring.
In the event you’re curious to see how the port performs, YouTuber Cleric Armored Core recorded this stream just lately:
