Developer FromSoftware has made a name for itself with its Dark Souls games and other titles that include lore-rich worlds, imaginative enemy designs, and challenging gameplay. At the 2022 Game Awards, they usurped everyone’s expectations by reviving its long-dormant Armored Core franchise with the announcement of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon.
The Armored Core series focuses on deep mecha customization and futuristic combat. While the latest entry is scheduled for release in 2023, those who cannot wait have multiple game options with which to fill that void. These titles are accessible to gamers of multiple levels, from longtime fans of the franchise to those looking for a place to get their feet wet in the subgenre of custom robot games.
Updated on August 31, 2023, by Terrence Smith: FromSoftware fans have eagerly awaited the return of the Armored Core franchise since the developer announced Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. With its release, the franchise is back with a vengeance. The sixth mainline entry in the franchise is receiving great reviews from critics for its fast, flashy action, and its deep customization options. Upon completion, Armored Core fans may be itching for other games with a similar premise. Thankfully, a number of titles implement elements of the franchise to varying degrees, on both a large and small scale. These mechanics appear in sometimes surprising places and in underrated gems.
10 Transformers
The Transformers have had many iterations over the course of its history. Every fan has that one version that made them fall in love with the franchise in the first place. For many, their first exposure was the anime-inspired Transformers: Armada.
The Atari-published Transformers game, inspired by Transformers: Armada and developed by Melbourne House, is a must-play for fans of both Transformers and Armored Core. The controls capture the weight and momentum of the Autobots. The addition of human-sized Transformers known as Mini-Cons also provides additional weapons and tools for the chosen Autobot. Each level may require a different Mini-Con loadout to tackle different scenarios.
9 Star Wars: DroidWorks
Lucas Learning was the edutainment software company founded by George Lucas. Their first game, Star Wars: DroidWorks, tasks young players with constructing droids to navigate various challenges.
This title can essentially be called a “child’s first Armored Core.” Droids can be customized with different parts and colors. They can be bipedal droids like C-3PO, or they can be tread-based, such as R2-type astromechs. Another factor to consider is how much battery power each build drains, forcing aspiring droid engineers to use their heads.
8 Custom Robo
Nintendo’s Custom Robo franchise has had a storied history on its consoles, but only a handful of entries have reached U.S. Shores. These are Custom Robo for the Nintendo GameCube, and Custom Robo Arena for the Nintendo DS. The franchise continues to be underappreciated in the United States.
These games follow the standard JRPG format of roaming an overworld and interacting with NPCs. Battles are waged with tiny, customized robots, whose parts and weapons can be swapped out. Combat is real-time, in 3D, top-down arenas in which the robots zip around. While mecha customization is not as deep here as it is in the Armored Core franchise, there are plenty of options with which to experiment.
7 Shogo: Mobile Armor Division
Shogo: Mobile Armor Division is a title that likely not many remember today. It came out around the time when anime was just getting popular in the United States, and American entertainment companies were taking notice and adapting. Such was the case with this game from Titan Computer, Monolith Productions, and Hyperion Entertainment.
Shogo is a first-person shooter that is divided into missions on foot as the game’s protagonist and in massive armored suits. Stomping around in a mecha is always good fun, and weapon effects are bright and bombastic. It is available on Steam and GOG, but it will take some tinkering to get it to work on modern hardware.
6 Into The Breach
Into the Breach is for anyone who likes robot combat games with more strategy. A squad of soldiers is sent from the future to hold back the tide of the invading insect-like Vek.
Into the Breach has a set of units that are each moved on the battlefield, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. When enemies are attacked, they can be pushed into other units. Elements in the game levels like water can play a crucial role in the tide of combat as well. Each unit is also upgradeable.
5 Brigador: Up-Armored Edition
For those who are less concerned with an in-depth simulation, and care more about sheer destruction, Brigador: Up-Armored Edition is the way to go. The game puts aspiring mecha pilots in the role of a mercenary in a totalitarian dystopian future, accepting contracts to take out targets in isometric environments.
While Brigador is not the deepest game, it still has plenty to satiate the appetite of Armored Core fans. Dozens of robots and vehicles are available to purchase, each with their own stats. Also available are multiple primary and secondary weapons, opening up hundreds of combinations to suit anyone’s preferences.
4 Xenoblade Chronicles X
Xenoblade Chronicles has been a hit franchise for Nintendo’s systems, and it almost wasn’t ported to the West in the first place. The RPG series is known for its sprawling open worlds, epic stories, and real-time combat.
Xenoblade Chronicles X is a spinoff developed for the Wii U, which follows a survivor of a human colony on an alien world. Characters navigate the vast environment via mecha suits called Skells. They can be customized with a number of weapons, are capable of flying, and have alternate vehicle modes for greater mobility.
3 TerraTech
TerraTech is centered on exploring the frontiers of space and mining resources for corporate contractors. Vehicle designs start out simple, and new part options are unlocked as the miner takes on assignments.
The lighthearted visual appearance of this game should not fool any Armored Core fan. The physics are immensely detailed, as each block has its own weight. Vehicles can be constructed for travel on land or air, and have variations in speed or durability. The parts of defeated rivals can be collected for even more construction options. The near-infinite number of possibilities in craft design will appeal to any mecha fan.
2 Kerbal Space Program
Kerbal Space Program might be what one gets when they allow the Minions from Despicable Me to run NASA. The cute creatures must be guided in creating vehicles to take them to the stars.
While Kerbal Space Program is not Armored Core, it is possible to create some impressive machines with the game’s varied tools and parts. The challenge is that they would be bound to realistic physics. A bipedal robot, for example, might be easier to build than to actually make walk.
1 Daemon X Machina
Daemon X Machina started life as a Nintendo Switch game and then was later ported to the PC. It takes place in a future Earth where a chunk of the moon crashed into the planet, and sentient AI roam the landscapes. This takes the “core” formula of Armored Core and gives it an anime coat of paint.
The mecha designs strongly echo the basic appearance of the suits from the franchise. They function in much the same way as Armored Core's machines as well, including ranged weapons, a boost ability, and melee options. This is an ideal starting point for anyone who wants an Armored Core-type experience to start off.
Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.