Editing Armored Core (section)

=== ''Armored Core 3'' ===
{{Main|Armored Core 3|Silent Line: Armored Core|Armored Core: Nexus|Armored Core: Last Raven}}
''[[Armored Core 3]]'' was released on April 4, 2002, and served as a reboot for the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fromsoftware.jp/jp/detail.html?csm=020|title=Armored Core 3 {{!}} FromSoftware - フロム・ソフトウェア|website=www.fromsoftware.jp|access-date=2020-02-09}}</ref> The story returned to a post-apocalyptic setting and retained the core concept of corporate warfare and mercenary mission structure. Very little gameplay was changed from the earlier PlayStation 2 titles, instead focusing on incremental improvements and minor features like USB mice, computer-controlled allies, and surround sound.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/armored-core-3-review/1900-2880000/|title=Armored Core 3 Review|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|date=September 11, 2002|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=December 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/09/armored-core-3|title=Armored Core 3|last=Smith|first=David|date=September 9, 2002|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=December 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/26142.shtml|title=Armored Core 3 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com|author=Star Dingo|date=September 9, 2002|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212135016/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/26142.shtml|archive-date=February 12, 2005|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref> Due to its nature as a reboot, players could not import save data from ''Armored Core 2'' or ''Another Age''.

A stand-alone expansion, ''[[Silent Line: Armored Core]]'', was released on January 23, 2003, and was a direct sequel to ''Armored Core 3''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fromsoftware.jp/jp/detail.html?csm=024|title=Silent Line: Armored Core {{!}} FromSoftware - フロム・ソフトウェア|website=www.fromsoftware.jp|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> Like other expansions in the franchise, players could import their progress from ''Armored Core 3'' into ''Silent Line'', retaining their parts and credits from the earlier game.<ref name=":32">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/silent-line-armored-core-review/1900-6071819/|title=Silent Line: Armored Core Review|author=Giancarlo Varanini|date=August 18, 2003|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref> ''Silent Line'' introduced new gameplay mechanics, including computer-controlled companions and a first person mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/silent-line-armored-core/6101p1.html|title=Silent Line: Armored Core|author=Barnholt|first=Ray|date=August 19, 2003|website=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=December 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=August 2003|title=Review: Silent Line: Armored Core|magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine|PSM]]|publisher=[[Future US]]|page=27}}</ref>

''[[Armored Core: Nexus]]'' was released on March 18, 2004, as a direct sequel to ''Silent Line''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fromsoftware.jp/jp/detail.html?csm=031|title=Armored Core: Nexus {{!}} FromSoftware - フロム・ソフトウェア|website=www.fromsoftware.jp|access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> Unlike its predecessor, ''Nexus'' was treated as a core entry rather than an expansion and did not allow for save data import.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/4EA19324-FEC0-4639-9C59-BDD6960157BE.htm|title=Game Informer|last=Miller|first=Matt|date=2008-09-21|magazine=Game Informer|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921135118/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/4EA19324-FEC0-4639-9C59-BDD6960157BE.htm|archive-date=September 21, 2008|access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref> While carrying over parts from ''3'' and ''Silent Line'', mechanics changed significantly compared to past expansions. The heat mechanic introduced in ''Armored Core 2'' was made much more influential, especially with the introduction of booster heat. All part stats were also totally redistributed. The game was the first in the franchise to include support for dual analog sticks. It also introduced a new LAN multiplayer mode that allowed up to 4 players to participate in matches against each other.<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/38411.shtml|title=Armored Core: Nexus Review for PS2|last=Burner|first=Rice|date=2005-02-04|magazine=GamePro|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204171034/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/38411.shtml|archive-date=February 4, 2005|access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref>

''[[Armored Core: Last Raven]]'' was released on August 4, 2005, and served as the conclusion to ''Armored Core 3''{{'}}s story arc.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fromsoftware.jp/ww/detail.html?csm=081|title=Armored Core: Last Raven Portable {{!}} FromSoftware|website=www.fromsoftware.jp|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref> The game is structured around a 24-hour clock that moves forward as missions progress. At the end of the 24-hour period, choices made by the player can alter the outcome of the plot.<ref name="1up">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/armored-core-raven|title=Armored Core: Last Raven|author=Patrick Joynt|date=June 15, 2006|website=[[1UP.com]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022181830/http://www.1up.com/reviews/armored-core-raven|archive-date=October 22, 2012|access-date=December 20, 2018}}</ref> The game introduced a component damage system, allowing for individual parts to be broken in combat.<ref name="gz">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/armored_core_last_raven_ps2_review/|title=Armored Core: Last Raven - PS2 - Review|author=Louis Bedigian|date=June 14, 2006|website=GameZone|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004030159/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r28419.htm|archive-date=October 4, 2008|access-date=December 20, 2018}}</ref>