You would think that it would be impossible to miss a giant mech the size of a skyscraper, but that's exactly what happened. While I was busy looking at those Koei strategy games on Nintendo Switch Online, I completely missed that three Armored Core games from the PlayStation-era were uploaded to PS Plus. I'm talking about the 1997 original, Project Phantasma and Master of Arena. That is genuinely cool news, but are any of these games worth playing? To answer that question, I decided to flip through the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Game Fan, Incite Video Gaming and more classic magazines to see what the critics said back when these games first came out. Strap in, because this is going to be a slow and lumbering episode of PlayStation Plus Review Crew.


Long before From Software was known for Dark Souls and Elden Ring, they were the company that gave us Armored Core. While not the first mech game to hit home consoles, this long-running franchise was many people's first taste of building and fighting with giant robots. The CD space and 32-bit technology allowed gamers to customize every inch of their mech, and the various multiplayer modes (which included a very novel use of the link cable) were a big hit with fans. While not quite as fast or exciting as Sega's Virtual On, Armored Core had the depth and lengthy campaign that kept gamers coming back for more. But what did the critics say?

Let's kick things off with Electronic Gaming Monthly, who really liked Armored Core. In fact, this first installment is their favorite game in the entire series. Dan concluded that “Armored Core may be the best mech game to date. It takes Virtual On's classic formula and pushes it one step further by giving you missions and the ability to buy parts for, and customize, your mech. Giant robot combat is simply that much more fun if you're earning money and buying more powerful gear. The game could've been that much better had it supported dual-analog control (for “authentic” mech control).” Joe agreed, arguing that Armored Core is the happy median between “the too simple Virtual On and too complex titles like MechWarrior II and Carnage Heart. It takes arcade-style gameplay and deepens it with strategic elements, as you attempt mission after mission, configuring your mech with different parts and weapons. This is not one to miss.” With all four editors giving it high scores, Armored Core averages a score of 8.25 out of 10 from EGM.

As is so often the case, this lands right in the middle of the pack. Next Generation gave it nearly the same score, rounding down to a 4 out of 5. That's the exact same score we saw in GamePro in their first issue of 1998. The truth is, the lowest score is a 3.5 out of 5, which isn't too far off of the overall average. That score comes from the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine, which makes the argument that the rich graphics may have come at the expense of the controls: “They do seem a bit sluggish at times, but that may have been an intentional side effect of the mechs' enormous weight. Analog support could have made the controls more responsive, but this is unfortunately absent. And the two-player mode, although fun, is held in arenas large enough to get lost in; time can run out without you ever seeing your opponent. Perhaps a longer-range radar would have helped. Still, Armored Core is an above-average title in a largely mediocre genre. Good work.”

Moving back up the list, we see PSM give Armored Core a much more positive score of 4.5 out of 5. That would be the top score, if not for Die Hard Game Fan, who went all the way up to a 91%. Substance said that “Mech fans should be in heaven with Armored Core. With literally thousands of unique mechs that can be assembled from the diverse selection of parts, Armored Core allows you the thrill of designing your own awesome mechs and taking on a friend in either link-up or split screen mode. While this is where the majority of the fun in Armored Core resides, the one player, mission-based game also provides a fair share of fun and action. The graphics are solid and extra features such as the ability to custom color your mech and even design little emblems for them take Armored Core from good to great.” Hambleton liked the game even more, summing it up this way: “I'm frankly really rather excited, not to mention frothing at the opportunity to waffle praise for the most mighty of mech simulations. Not only are the levels immense, but the actual feeling of being strapped into a huge clanking hyper dreadnaught is more than adequately simulated. Not only does this look pretty, but it plays frighteningly well, with each mission more exciting than the last.”

With an overall average of 82% from all of the magazines, it's safe to say that the Armored Core series was off to a solid start. Let's see if these good vibes continue with Project Phantasma.

One year after introducing the world to their style of mech fighting, From Software returned with Project Phantasma, a follow-up that also acts as a prequel to the original Armored Core. While some fans had hoped for a more significant sequel that improved the graphics and gameplay, this 1998 entry is more of an add-on expansion pack, essentially recycling many elements, while scaling back the story. This left fans divided, but what did the critics say?

Normally, Electronic Gaming Monthly sits somewhere in the middle of the pack. That's not the case when it comes to Project Phantasma. With an average score of 5.25 out of 10, EGM is actually at the very bottom. John explains the lower score: “If you played the original Armored Core ... well, here it is again, with new bits. In the grand scheme of big robot games, this is certainly one of the best, but you've got to really dig the genre for it to really give you the horn. While I can appreciate the myriad of features, the game doesn't really do it for me. The missions are suitably varied, and the combat is OK, but I'd have liked to see analog support to bolster the ropy controls.” Dan agreed, arguing that Armored Core was “pretty good” when it first came out, “but it isn't such a high-caliber game that it needed a sequel, especially when the sequel is only providing new and more difficult missions. Needless to say, if you want more of the same, then Project Phantasma is an alright buy. Just don't expect the game to feel like a true sequel.”

Moving up the list, we see PSM give the follow-up a score of 3 out of 5. For what it's worth, that's the same score we saw from Next Generation, down a full point from the first game. “What's rather disappointing about the game is the dated graphics. Other PlayStation games have progressed, graphics-wise, where Armored Core 2 seems to have stagnated. Plus, the game requires a lot of trial and error and resource management, so if you're looking for action, or just aren't the patient sort, you're not likely to enjoy the game. But those who were really into the original Armored Core – and there were more than a few – should enjoy the greater number of missions and options in Project Phantasma.”

GamePro liked it a bit more than Next Generation, but not as much as the original. They gave it a 3.5 out of 5, down half a point from the first game. Game Informer liked it a lot more than that, going as high as an 8.75 out of 10. “Fans of the original Armored Core have mucho more to rejoice about. With many new missions, as well as new weapons, cores, and other accessories, Armored Core: Project Phantasma is definitely a treat. Don't buy this game if you aren't willing to log in some serious time to tweak and prepare your Armored Core for battle. The somewhat arduous preparations are essential. With tons of missions and more AC variations than could ever be used, this is a great game for mecha, as well as Battletech, enthusiasts.”

After a strong debut, the critics largely soured on Project Phantasma. The overall average dropped from an impressive 82% all the way down to 66%. A big drop. We'll see if Master of Arena can rally support after this brief message.

Another year, another Armored Core add-on. Master of Arena is the third and final PlayStation entry before getting Armored Core 2 on the PlayStation 2 later that same year. Much like Project Phantasma, this recycles the gameplay and graphics the first game, all while building onto the arena mode that was introduced in the previous entry. There is a story that runs concurrently with the original Armored Core, setting things up for the more ambitious sequel. Yet again, fans were divided, depending on what they ultimately wanted out of the series. Multiplayer fans got the most out of it, including a second disc that added additional parts and focused heavily on the one-on-one combat. Let's see if the critics liked the direction From took this follow-up.

Once again, Electronic Gaming Monthly finds itself dead last, giving Master of Arena a score of 5.5 out of 10. This time around they didn't even bother letting all four critics have a stab at it, instead letting an uncredited critic give the sole take. “Armored Core's going on almost four years now and it still holds up very well. Sure, the graphics are dated, but the gameplay has drawn such a fundamentally die-hard crowd that From Software has felt no need to change it. It's been a long time since we busted out the link cable, but Armored Core almost demands it. Split-screen head-to-head is fun, but ultimately a limiting experience. There's an extra disc that contains a bunch of extra mech parts and deathmatch arenas, too. The question is: do we need another add-on pack for Armored Core?”

While a 5.5 is low, it's not that far off from Next Generation, who once again gave an Armored Core game a score of 3 out of 5. That's the same score you saw over at Incite Video Gaming, who explained that “success in Master of Arena depends more on your adeptness at constructing an Armored Core unit rather than your battle skills. The available parts options are simply mind-boggling, with practically everything open to upgrade. A mission-based scenario mode lets you earn money to enhance your mech for the head-to-head arena mode. The combat action can get monotonous, but if you're anal retentive and mechanically inclined, you'll be happy trying to build the perfect robot.”

Moving on from Incite, we see GamePro give Master of Arena the same score they gave Project Phantasma – 3.5 out of 5. That's the same score PSM gave the game, down a full point from the 4.5 out of 5 they gave the first game. And then there's Game Fan, who averaged a score of 81%. That may sound pretty good, but the number doesn't tell the full story. Eggo, for example, gave the game a low 65%, explaining that “every time a new Armored Core game comes out, I play it and try to like it, and every time, I come away frustrated, with a bad taste in my mouth. The mission mode in Master of Arena is a perfect example. What is this? Armored Raider? Wander around till you find the right outpost to blow up and unlock the door so I can proceed with my boring adventure? No thanks.” Cerberus ended up liking the game way more than Eggo, giving it a 90%. “Mechs and missiles – you won't hear me complaining. I've been a huge Armored Core fan from day one, and Master of Arena isn't much different. The game keeps getting better with each addition. Solid, well-designed missions and massive robot mods guarantee much diversity. I don't like that the control remains strictly digital, but that's From for you. Master of Arena is the perfect time killer.”

The good news is that the overall score is right in line with Project Phantasma, with both games earning a 66%. While there are a few champions of all three entries, it's clear that most critics preferred the first game and were disappointed with each additional installment. You should check them out on PlayStation Plus and see if you agree.