The 6th game in the Armored Core series and the official sequel to Armored Core 2, Armored Core 3 is FromSoftware’s 2002 mech-action game for the PlayStation 2. Arriving just 2 years after AC2 (and just one year after that game’s Another Age expansion), AC3 sees the series return to the setting of the original PS1 trilogy, with the game’s story taking place on a post-apocalyptic Earth following AC2‘s Mars colonization plot. While the core gameplay elements of AC3 remain identical to the rest of the series, the title is notable for the ways it updates the controls and visuals.
Unlike the first 5 games in the series, Armored Core 3 is the first title in the franchise to modernize the control scheme. The original Armored Core games’ control scheme relies on using the shoulder buttons to control actions that would normally be relegated to a right analog stick, and only forward and backward movement result from using the D-Pad. Conversely, AC3 is the first game in the series to allow players to use the PS2’s DualShock controller to their advantage. Players can now use the L1 and R1 buttons to strafe, but all other movements and aiming are controlled by the dual analog sticks.
The updates to the controls would be a welcome change for the franchise, with AC3 quickly becoming one of the most beloved entries in the franchise. Additionally, Armored Core 3 would become the best-selling game in the franchise. It would remain the series’ all-time best-selling game until the release of 2023’s Armored Core VI. While the title has a fairly average critical score, diehard AC fans consider AC3 one of the series’s best games.
Armored Core 3 Premise
The world of Armored Core is one in which the surface of Earth has been destroyed following a massive military conflict, forcing humanity to live underground. In this new dystopian future, corporations vie for control of the population rather than governments. In the employ of these various corporations are mercenary groups who pilot large, modular mecha — the titular Armored Cores. After a brief narrative detour to the surface of Mars in AC2, and the corporations competing for influence over humanity’s future on the red planet, AC3 sees the story return to Earth. Once again, players take on the role of a new pilot in the Ravens mercenary group as they work their way through a series of increasingly challenging missions.
The cornerstone of the AC franchise is the titular Cores, a modular mecha that players can customize and improve throughout the main story. As players complete missions, they will earn large sums of Credits that they can then exchange for better parts and weapons in the Garage. Each Core has a weight limit and energy restrictions that require players to be strategic about their loadouts. Players can have their Cores equipped with heavy armor and powerful weapons at the cost of speed and maneuverability, or vice versa. Changing up the Core to suit the mission at hand is both a priority and a key component of the Armored Core series’ fun and strategization.
In addition to the single-player story missions, AC3 also sees the return of the Arena. In the Arena, players can compete against combatant Cores for supremacy, with many of the game’s best unlockable parts and bonuses hidden behind certain encounters. AC3 also features a local multiplayer mode that supports up to 4 players compared to AC2‘s 2-player maximum.
Armored Core 3 Main Characters
The story of Armored Core 3 takes place within the last remaining human civilization, The Layered. The Layered is a massive subterranean complex that humans would build following a terrible, planet-destroying conflict centuries prior. Ruling over The Layered is a highly intelligent AI known as The Controller, with various Corporations battling for supremacy and influence over The Controller and, by extension, humanity. Corporations do not have armies of their own but instead rely on the might of mercenary groups, with the player assuming the role of a new mercenary joining the Ravens. Main characters in AC3 include:
Corporations
- Crest: Crest is a former bioengineering corporation that would shift its priorities toward AC design and development to compete with Mirage. They are one of Mirage’s largest competitors and are opposed to the idea of disrupting The Controller’s current maintenance of The Layered and humanity’s continued survival.
- Global Cortex: The Global Cortex is a neutral entity that acts as an intermediary between corporations and the mercenary groups they hire. Though they have an interest in hiring out mercenaries to corporations, they do not side with any one particular group.
- Kisaragi: Kisaragi maintains a distant third place behind its larger competitors Crest and Mirage, and uses this position to its advantage to make less noticeable power plays.
- Mirage: Mirage is the largest corporation in AC3 and is hoping to seize control of The Controller for its own ends. The only thing stopping Mirage are the other corporations it is in direct competition with and the fear of The Controller’s reprisal for their attempts to control it.
- Union: The Union is a small resistance group made of humans who wish to dismantle The Controller and return control of human civilization back to mankind.
Groups & Entities
- The Controller: A sentient AI that controls all life in The Layered. The Controller oversees all aspects of humanity in the last remaining civilization. Fears over The Controller’s possible malfunction lead to various groups vying for control over the intelligence.
- Ravens: The Ravens are the preeminent mercenary group hired out to corporations by Global Cortex. The player is one of many AC pilots in the employ of the Ravens.
- Laine Meyers: Laine Meyers is the player’s liaison and a manager within Global Cortex. She delivers players their missions and informs the player of the events unfolding around them.
Games in the Armored Core Series
FromSoftware’s Armored Core continues to be one of the more popular mech shooters available, with a dedicated fanbase dating back to the series’ debut on the PS1 in 1997. The most recent entry in the series, 2023’s Armored Core VI, would prove to be a massive success. To date, the most recent AC game is the best-selling title in the franchise by a large margin, proving that the future of the franchise is bright. Many newcomers to the franchise are likely arriving as a result of FromSoftware’s growing popularity thanks to the Dark Souls franchise and the success of Elden Ring. Games in the Armored Core series include:
- Armored Core (PS1, 1997)
- Armored Core: Project Phantasma (PS1, 1997)
- Armored Core: Master of Arena (PS1, 1999)
- Armored Core 2 (PS2, 2000)
- Armored Core 2: Another Age (PS2, 2001)
- Armored Core 3 (PS2, 2002)
- Armored Core 3: Silent Line (PS2, 2003)
- Armored Core: Nexus (PS2, 2004)
- Armored Core: Nine Breaker (PS2, 2004)
- Armored Core: Formula Front (PSP, 2004)
- Armored Core: Last Raven (PS2, 2005)
- Armored Core 4 (PS3, Xbox 360, 2006)
- Armored Core: For Answer (PS3, Xbox 360, 2008)
- Armored Core V (PS3, Xbox 360, 2012)
- Armored Core: Verdict Day (PS3, Xbox 360, 2013)
- Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series X/S, 2023)
Armored Core 3 Cheats & Cheat Codes
In addition to several in-game cheats players can use, Armored Core 3 has several Game Shark codes. Further, there are also several parts and bonus features players can unlock in Armored Core 3. The Human PLUS enhancements from previous games are no longer available in AC3 and are instead replaced with Optional Parts as part of the OP-INTENSIFY system.
Armored Core 3 Cheats & Secrets
Acquire Emblems From Arena Opponents
Players can obtain the Emblems of opponents they defeat in the Arena using a simple code. After defeating another AC in the arena, select the opponent from the list of defeated combatants and press Start + Select to acquire their Emblem.
Drop Parts From Core
Use any of the following button combinations to jettison parts from your Core during gameplay.
Code | Parts Dropped |
---|---|
L1+L2+R1+R2+Circle | Drop Left Arm Weapons |
L1+L2+R1+R2+Triangle | Drop Right Arm Weapons, Back Unit, and Inside Parts |
L1+L2+R1+R2+L3 | Drop Extension Parts |
OP-INTENSIFY Parts
OP-INTENSIFY is similar to Human PLUS from previous Armored Core games in that it grants players a massive advantage. However, to obtain the OP-I part, players must complete all story missions in AC3. Though buying and equipping the OP-I part takes up all of your Core’s option slots, it is a special part that gains new abilities by completing challenges. Complete each of the following challenges after equipping the OP-INTENSIFY part to earn the ability.
Location | Mission | Challenge | Ability |
---|---|---|---|
Arena | N/A | Defeat D-1 Thunder House | Radar Function |
Arena | N/A | Defeat A-2 Ace | Enhance Booster Performance |
Arena | N/A | Defeat E-32 Exile | Increase Blade Range |
1st Layer, Nature Area | Destroy Massive MT | Destroy both parts of MT and complete the mission | Enhance Cannon Operation Performance (fire back weapons without kneeling) |
1st Layer, Nature Area | Destroy Massive MT | Successfully complete the mission | Enhance Cooling Performance |
1st Layer, Nature Area | Defend Water Processors | Defeat enemy AC and successfully complete the mission | Enhance Missile Interception |
1st Layer, Nature Area | Destroy Massive Weapon | Successfully complete the mission | Blade Wave |
1st Layer, Special Research | Defend Ruglen Laboratory | Defeat enemy AC and successfully complete the mission | Improve Targeting Accuracy |
3rd Layer, City Sector 513 | Eliminate Intruders | Defeat enemy AC and successfully complete the mission | Additional Sensors |
2nd Layer, Smelting Facility | Bomb Disarmament | Defeat enemy AC and successfully complete the mission | Improve Turning Ability |
Unlockable AC Parts
Complete any of the following requirements to unlock special AC parts that are otherwise unavailable.
Part | Ability | How to Unlock |
---|---|---|
KWG-HZL30 | Left Arm Weapon, Spread Shot | Destroy two or more Monorails in the “Destroy Naire Bridge” mission |
KWM-AD-50 | Increases Ammo Storage Capacity by 50% | Complete the “MT Training Exercise” mission without getting hit once |
MLH-MX/VOLAR | Bipedal Leg Part, highly stable | Earn a rank of A or higher in the “AC Test 1” mission |
MLB-MOONLIGHT | Powerful Beam Sword | Complete “Destroy Massive MT” mission without the aid of a Consort |
MWG-XCB/75 | Right Arm Weapon, Laser Rifle | Destroy the AC in the “Defend Ruglen Laboratory” mission |
RMR-ICICLE | Incredibly stable Radiator (superior Cooling) | Complete the “Escort Personnel Convoy” mission without any casualties |
Extra Arena
Players will unlock the Extra Arena after defeating Ace and reaching rank A-1. The new Arena is accessible from the menu next to the original Arena. In this arena, players fight against two enemy ACs with a partner.
Armored Core 3 Game Shark Codes
Players with both a PlayStation 2 and a PS2 Game Shark can use any of the following cheats in Armored Core 3. Alternatively, all the codes below will work in an emulator. To use these codes when playing Armored Core 3 via emulation, simply enter them into the emulator’s “Cheat” menu.
General Cheats
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Master Code (Must Be On) | 0E3C7DF2 1853E59E EE97BFC2 BCD7EE5A |
Max Money | DE431EAE C19E7B82 |
Infinite AP | CE4FAE1A BCA937BE |
Infinite Power | CE4FAE26 BCA937BE |
Infinite Right Ammo | CE4FA576 BCA99E6A |
Infinite Left Ammo | CE4E7D86 BCA99BE6 |
Infinite Back Ammo | CE4FA5F6 BCA99BE6 CE4FA476 BCA99BE6 |
Infinite Inside Ammo | CE4FA4F6 BCA99BE6 |
Infinite Extension Ammo | CE4F9B76 BCA99BE6 |
Weak Opp 1 Arena | DE4F7F5A BCA99B88 |
Parts Cheats
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
All Heads | DE43DE9E BDAA9C83 DE43DE9A BDAA9C84 DE43DEA6 BDAA9C84 DE43DEA2 BCA99B84 |
All Cores | DE43DE5E BDAA9C83 DE43DE5A BCAA9C84 |
All Arms | DE43DE1E BDAA9C83 DE43DE1A BDAA9C84 DE43DE26 BDAA9C84 DE43DE22 BDAA9C84 DE43DE23 BDAA9C84 DE43DE2A BCAA9C84 |
All Legs | DE43DEDE BDAA9C83 DE43DEDA BDAA9C84 DE43DEE6 BDAA9C84 DE43DEE2 BDAA9C84 DE43DEEE BDAA9C84 DE43DEEA BDAA9C84 DE43DEF6 BDAA9C84 DE43DEF2 BDAA9C84 DE43DDFE BCAA9C84 |
All Boosters | DE43DD9E BDAA9C83 DE43DD9A BDAA9C84 |
All FCS | DE43DD5E BDAA9C83 DE43DD5A BDAA9C84 DE43DD66 BCAA9C84 |
All Generators | DE43DD1E BDAA9C83 DE43DD1A BDAA9C84 |
All Radiators | DE43DDDE BDAA9C83 DE43DDDA BDAA9C84 |
All Inside Parts | DE43DC9E BDAA9C83 DE43DC9A BDAA9C84 DE43DCA6 BDAA9C84 DE43DCA2 BCAA9C84 |
All Extensions | DE43DC5E BDAA9C83 DE43DC5A BDAA9C84 DE43DC66 BDAA9C84 DE43DC62 BDAA9C84 DE43DC6E BCA99C84 |
Armored Core 3 Cheat FAQs
How do you get Human PLUS in Armored Core 3?
The Human PLUS enhancements are helpful boosts that give players a fighting edge in Armored Core and Armored Core 2. In order to unlock this feature, players would need to be at least 50,000 credits in debt and fail a mission. The game would restart player progress, bringing them back to the beginning with all purchased parts intact and new helpful bonuses that make the game easier. Armored Core 3 is the first game in the series to do away with Human PLUS in favor of the new OP-INTENSIFY system. Similar to Human PLUS, the OP (Optional Parts) grants helpful bonuses to struggling players.
How long to beat Armored Core 3?
While the length of an AC game is dependent on player skill and the need to replay failed missions, most playthroughs of AC3 take roughly 12 hours on average. To achieve 100% completion in Armored Core 3, players can expect to spend about 18 hours.
What is the best laser blade in Armored Core 3?
A common item that reappears throughout most FromSoftware games, the Moonlight Sword is also a key item in most Armored Core games. AC3‘s version of the iconic weapon, the MLB-MOONLIGHT, is the most powerful laser blade in the game. Accordingly, players must complete a very difficult task (beating the “Destroy Massive MT” mission without a consort) to unlock it.
What does radar do in Armored Core 3?
The Radar can be an important piece of equipment for any Core in AC3 thanks to the advantages it provides. It gives players more range for being able to detect enemies (meaning they can prepare for threats from farther away) and has a faster refresh rate to indicate enemy positions.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©CheatCC/Matt Karoglou.