PlayStation Plushas a plethora of surprising hidden gems that are absolutely worth checking out, buried among all the more predictable and well-known titles. Some of the greatest games can fall under the radar just because of how many titles are on the service, and the way its tiers work. That’s a great shame, especially when there are instant classics just waiting for the right audience to come along and bring them into the spotlight.

That is absolutely the case with one forgotten FromSoftware masterpiece. It has not been available digitally for quite some time, making it a rare find for FromSoftware fans. That’s why now is the perfect time to finally try it out and see what all the fuss is about. After all, it is easily one of thebest PS Plus Premium gamesavailable andwell worth checking out, regardless of whether you’re a fan of FromSoft’s Souls gamesor just curious about its back catalog of cult classic titles.

Three mechs from Armored Core 2 in a row.

Armored Core Is Free On PS Plus

The Original Is A Cult Classic For A Reason

The very firstArmored Coregame was finally made available digitally, alongside its two tie-in games,Project PhantasmaandMaster of Arena. They are available for purchase, but also, more importantly, completely free via the PlayStation Plus Premium tier.Armored Coreis the predecessor to what is arguably one of thebest mech gamesof all time,Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, and still holds up after all of these years.

Armored Corewas way ahead of its time and undeniably deserving of more recognition than it currently receives.

mixcollage-02-feb-2025-08-18-am-4925.jpg

While it isn’t as visually impressive as its successors - it was released in 1997 for the PlayStation 1 - the foundational gameplay loop and endless customization that makeArmored Core VIso beloved are still absolutely present. It truly is one of thebest FromSoftware gamesand a testament to the developer’s immense creativity and talent.Armored Corewas way ahead of its time and undeniably deserving of more recognitionthan it currently receives.

Armored Core Deserves More Recognition

It Birthed A Truly Iconic Series

The firstArmored Coregame really paved the way for such limitless customization in similar games. The sheer number of combinations present, as well as the impressive arsenal of weapons at your disposal,makesArmored Corea truly customizable experience unlike any other before it or really after it. Others have attempted to ape its approach to mech design, but few have truly achieved the dynamic build variety that it offers.

While it wasn’t the first mech game, it did a lot for the genre and FromSoft’s design philosophy in general. The revolutionary aspect of its gameplay mechanics, coupled with its nostalgic PS1 visuals, makes for a surprisingly modern experience, one that feels as if it were an indie aping the visual style of the time while keeping the gameplay up to date.Armored Corehas aged exceptionally well, and I highly encourage any FromSoft, mech, or video game fan to check it out before it is inevitably pulled fromPS Plus.

armored-core-in-game-screenshot-1.jpg

armored-core-in-game-screenshot-2.jpg

armored-core-in-game-screenshot-3.jpg

armored-core-in-game-screenshot-4.jpg

armored-core-in-game-screenshot-5.jpg

armored-core-in-game-screenshot-6.jpg