In an exciting development for fans of the franchise, the groundbreaking Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is now readily available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. However, the vast majority of the previous 15 titles in the Armored Core series remain elusive, either absent from digital storefronts or incompatible with contemporary systems. That’s about to change as the original Armored Core, along with its two expansion packs, has recently launched for digital purchase. PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers on PS4 and PS5 can even snag them for free!

Despite being nearly 30 years old, the original Armored Core still impresses. Its unconventional control scheme and blistering mecha gameplay have forged a loyal fanbase. The vibrant, retro polygonal graphics shine brightly on high-definition televisions, and the heart of the experience—customizing your own Armored Core—is as captivating as ever. It also offers a unique glimpse into the creative minds of FromSoftware, showcasing inventive features from back in the day, like the novel "New Game Plus" mode that required players to go into debt.

This intriguing mechanic, known as “Human PLUS,” played into the game's dystopian science-fiction narrative. Players accumulated in-game credits by completing missions, yet a portion of their earnings was deducted for repairs and ammunition for their Armored Core. To enhance their arsenal, players needed to spend their hard-earned credits wisely, but failing missions resulted in financial losses too. Venturing into a debt of at least 50,000 credits triggered the Human PLUS feature, which restarted the game while enhancing the character by integrating them with their Armored Core on a cybernetic level. While this upgrade came at the cost of losing some humanity, it significantly boosted players' weapon performance!

The benefits of these upgrades were profound, easing the path to completing the game. Players could also import their save files into the sequels, Project Phantasma and Master of Arena, carrying over their hard-earned parts and Human PLUS enhancements, which previously elevated their gameplay experience on the original PlayStation. Unfortunately, the current titles available in the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog do not support save file imports from one game to another.

According to reports from Forbes, Implicit Conversions, the developer behind these ports, is aware of the save import issue and is expected to release a patch soon. Some exclusive items that should normally be accessed via save imports in Project Phantasma have even been spotted in the in-game shop, suggesting that the developer recognized the accessibility problem. Nevertheless, not all special items are available for purchase, and critical Human PLUS upgrades remain inaccessible in Project Phantasma and Master of Arena.

Despite these hiccups, Armored Core is undoubtedly a must-play for any gamers exploring the depths of the PlayStation Plus library! Let’s cross our fingers for quicker releases of the other 12 titles in the iconic franchise—there’s no telling what classic gems fans could reunite with next! Don’t miss out on this thrilling journey back into the world of high-octane mech battles!