FromSoftware has really hit its stride recently, with a major release every year since 2022’s Elden Ring. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and, in 2025, Elden Ring Nightreign have kept the Japanese studio’s name in the news, and Armored Core 6 even got an episode in Amazon Prime’s Secret Level show to close out 2024. It’s not FromSoftware’s PS1 and PS2 output, but it’s a lot closer to it than many developers can claim nowadays, and shows signs of growing franchise diversity that has also become rare in the AAA space.
In the spirit of that, especially since it’s unclear how many more games Elden Ring will get after Nightreign, the Armored Core franchise should see more love. Armored Core 6 has sold over 3 million units in its first year, setting a new record for the series, and hopefully cementing Armored Core’s return as one of FromSoftware’s star franchises. FromSoftware allegedly has multiple projects in development right now, and Armored Core should be one of them, if for no other reason than to ride the coattails of Elden Ring Nightreign with a co-op spin-off of its own.
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If Elden Ring Gets Spin-Offs, Another FromSoftware Game Should Follow Close Behind
If Elden Ring does get spin-offs in the future, as recent comments from its director seem to suggest, then hopefully another FromSoft game will, too.
Armored Core 6 Is Primed For A Spin-Off
The Armored Core franchise has observed several traditions over its lifetime, like many FromSoftware IPs, but one that Armored Core 6 hasn’t brought back yet is side games. Each generation of Armored Core has one or two additional games associated with it, building on the gameplay, mech part content, and sometimes even the story of the initial numbered title. Because of how consistent this has been, fans have been wondering about AC6 getting its own Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for a while now. The jury’s still out on that, but there are other ways to keep the sixth generation going.
Cooperative Multiplayer Is Lacking In Armored Core’s Sixth Generation
Right now, the only form of multiplayer in Armored Core 6 is online PvP, but the series has done more in the past. Armored Core 4, AC For Answer, AC5, and AC Verdict Day all have two-player campaign co-op, with the fifth generation even boasting special bosses that larger PvP teams can sometimes fight. It’s not exactly Elden Ring Nightreign’s multiplayer roguelike setup, but these games still demonstrate that co-op has a place in the Armored Core franchise. By expanding on what they started, a new title could be to Armored Core 6 what Nightreign is to Elden Ring.
Nightreign’s Example Would Serve Armored Core Well
How Armored Core Can Bring Co-Op Back
Following in the footsteps of Nightreign, this hypothetical co-op Armored Core title could be a spin-off of AC6, recycling many of its assets and features in the process. It doesn’t need to be another roguelike, even if the emphasis on parts and mobility in Armored Core does lend itself to Nightreign‘s format. What this title would prioritize instead is the co-op experience itself, with the return of campaign co-op that now supports full trios as well as the previous duos, alongside special missions designed around multiplayer. Single-player would still be an option, like in Nightreign and past Armored Core titles, but there are ways to frame multiplayer as the dominant experience.
AI companions were already a common sight in AC6, so portraying a squadron of mercenary protagonists should be a good framing device for this game’s story. It could even be a prequel focused on Handler Walter’s previous pilots, or show the past exploits of a group containing the Raven callsign. There are plenty of directions AC6’s story and setting can take in another game, and this spin-off’s co-op could potentially return in future Armored Core titles. FromSoftware spent the years between Verdict Day and Armored Core 6 honing its co-op multiplayer, and it’s time for the studio’s first multiplayer franchise to reap the benefits.
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August 25, 2023
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