AC New Player Guide

ARMORED CORE NEW PLAYER GUIDE FOR ZOOMERS AND BANDWAGONERS:

>Which game do I start with?
Most people will tell you Armored Core 1 and play them in order of release. This is recommended, but not "necessary". Below is a list of games that MUST be played in order for the purposes of data transfer (carrying parts and such over), you may skip between lines but don't jump into the middle of one:
>Armored Core > Project Phantasma > Master of Arena
>Armored Core 2 > Another Age
>Armored Core 3 > Silent Line
>Nexus (Evolution disc) > Ninebreaker (skippable) > Last Raven
>Armored Core 4 > For Answer
>Armored Core 5 > Verdict Day

FAQ:
>What about the story?
This doesn't account for story continuity, some of these lines technically take place in the same canon but separated by large swathes of time. In actuality this doesn't matter due to the time skips as at most you'll just get some Easter Eggs but if you care about that, start from the beginning.
>What about the Nexus Revolution disc?
Not required. It's a "for fun" disc containing remastered missions from previous games. If you're just looking to play through the games for story and such, you can skip it. If you thoroughly enjoyed Nexus Evolution though, absolutely give it a whirl before you move on to Ninebreaker or Last Raven.
>What about Formula Front?
Don't play Formula Front. It's canon to nothing and doesn't feature standard play at all. It's a shitty programming simulator with Armored Core battles framed as a sporting event. It's shit.
>I've heard the PS3 games are hard to emulate, is this true?
5 and VD cannot be emulated, 4 and FA emulate fine if your computer isn't a toaster.
>Is this game like Dark Souls?
No, it's far harder. Last Raven in particular makes every souls game look easy. These games play nothing like Souls, there are no i-frames. Every mission is a war of attrition where your ability to build a competent mech and properly utilize it will mean everything.