Editing Armored Core (section)

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Armored Core PS1 capture.png|thumb|left|''Armored Core'''s missions can involve multiple objectives and pit the player against computer controlled opponents.]]
Within the core games of the franchise, the gameplay is generally focused on the player taking the role of a [[Mecha|mech]]-piloting mercenary, taking on missions for various clients and gaining currency from completing them.<ref name="AllGame" /> Missions can involve multiple objectives and pit the player against computer controlled opponents, some of which pilot mechs as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14287&tab=review|title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma - Review|last=Sackenheim|first=Shawn|website=AllGame|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115183937/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14287&tab=review|archive-date=November 15, 2014|access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref> Upon completion of a mission, the operating costs of the mech, such as repairs and ammunition, are deducted from the total earnings of the player, as well as compensation for destroying valuable objects within the mission area. Likewise, if the player loses a mission, those same deductions occur from the player's direct balance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/10/23/armored-core|title=Armored Core|last=Douglas|first=Adam|date=October 22, 1997|website=IGN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026134701/http://www.ign.com/articles/1997/10/23/armored-core|archive-date=October 26, 2012}}</ref>

The game's mechs, called Armored Cores (or ACs for short), are highly customizable with hundreds of parts and weapons that can be purchased from an in-game shop or by fulfilling certain requirements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19719.htm|title=Armored Core 3 Review - PlayStation 2|last=Parotta|first=Dylan|date=September 17, 2002|website=GameZone|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006081028/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19719.htm|archive-date=October 6, 2008|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> Different parts can provide gameplay advantages in certain terrains or against certain enemies, which forces the player to put thought into how to approach the construction of their mech as each sortie often has different obstacles and hazards to overcome.<ref name="AllGame" /> The customization of Armored Cores is strictly limited by multiple factors such as the maximum weight load of their leg parts carrying the overall weight of every equipped part attached to it, and the energy output of their generators supplying power to all equipped parts of the AC. As such, an Armored Core's performance varies depending on the parts that compose it, as an over-equipped AC becomes overburdened and performs slower in combat, while a lightweight AC yields faster speed and quicker responses to enemy fire at the cost of defensive and offensive counter-measures.

Many of the franchise's games feature a branching storyline where taking on certain missions can block off others, with consequences of a player's decision in a mission being relayed to them at the end of a mission. Certain games require [[New Game Plus|multiple playthroughs]] to access additional contents, such as missions inaccessible during the initial playthrough, and even different endings that add additional lore and context to the games.<ref name="NGen31">{{cite magazine|date=July 1997|title=NG Alphas: Armored Core|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_31/page/n79|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|issue=31|pages=78–79}}</ref>

An Arena mode introduced in ''[[Armored Core: Project Phantasma]]'' gave players the opportunity to fight opponents outside of missions for additional rewards. ''Project Phantasma'' also introduced the import feature, allowing players to retain their progress from a previous entry when starting a new one.<ref name=":2" /> This import feature would become a mainstay of the franchise, with "expansion" titles like ''Silent Line: Armored Core'' allowing for importing saved data.<ref name=":32" />

=== Multiplayer ===
Since its first release, the ''Armored Core'' games have featured multiplayer options in some form. In the original PlayStation era, local split-screen multiplayer modes were the primary method, generally featuring head-to-head battles.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=August 1997|title=Armored Core|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|issue=107|page=60}}</ref> A [[PlayStation Link Cable]] feature, allowing for the connection of two PlayStation consoles, was included in all three original ''Armored Core'' titles.<ref name="EGM99">{{cite magazine|date=October 1997|title=Armored Core: Some Hardcore Mechanized Action|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=99|page=172}}</ref>

With the PlayStation 2, split-screen and console linking continue to be the primary source of multiplayer. 2004's ''Armored Core: Nexus'' introduced the LAN multiplayer mode, in addition to connecting through their internet service and allowed up to 4 players to fight in matches together.<ref name=":3" />

Online multiplayer was first introduced in the Japanese release of ''Armored Core 2: Another Age'', but was removed in other regions due to the PlayStation Network Adapter not being ready in time.<ref name=":5" /> No PlayStation 2-era game after this release would include online play either, with the first game to do so being ''Armored Core 4''.<ref name="Armored Core 4 Review"/>