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Armored Core 3

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Armored Core 3
Armored Core 3
Developer(s)From Software
Publisher(s)Agetec
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
ReleaseSeptember 10, 2002
Genre(s)Action, Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single player, Multiplayer

Armored Core 3 is a mecha video game in the Armored Core series.

Description

Storyline

Set in a post-apocalyptic future, Armored Core 3 depicts a subterranean society called "Layered". Layered is ruled by an AI simply known as "The Controller", and it dictates nearly everything that goes on in this world. The two major corporations, Mirage and Crest Industries, vie for dominance and control over Layered's land and assets. All is not right with The Controller however, and odd things are happening that might even go so far as to suggest that the logic system is failing...

Background

  • The Controller - An omnipresent artificial intelligence in charge of maintaining all aspects of mankind's underground refuge, Layered. The Controller's influence is so pervasive, so tightly interwoven into even the smallest facets of everyday life, that its existence is rarely given a second thought. The lives of all who dwell in Layered are inextricably tied to The Controller. Referred to as 'Dove' in the Japanese release.
  • Mirage - Originally an industrial machine manufacturer, Mirage has matured into one of the era's leading AC development houses. The company hopes to further strengthen its position by gaining access to The Controller and administering its power to benefit Mirage's agenda. However, this plan has yet to be carried out due to fear of The Controller's reprisals should they attempt to act and fail.
  • Crest - Mirage's main competitor, Crest initially rose to power as a bioengineering concern before redirecting its efforts into the field of AC part development. Crest is just as eager to expand its interests as Mirage but is reluctant to achieve this end by manipulating The Controller, because in Crest's opinion, the current system is the best anyone can hope for. This difference in perception places Crest and Mirage at odds.
  • Kisaragi - Like any corporate entity, Kisaragi strives to grow both its product line and market share, but given its size, only pushes the envelope when a clear advantage exists. Kisaragi's aspirations for power center mainly on surpassing their corporate rivals and they take a very middle-of-the-road approach with regards to The Controller. Kisaragi broke into the AC development field after a successful stint as a computer manufacturer.
  • Union - An underground rebel group whose core members consist of intellectuals vehemently opposed to The Controller's uncontested rule of Layered. Because of this stance, Crest regards Union as Layered's most serious threat. Meanwhile, Union remains convinced that something is amiss in Layered and has gone so far as to claim that The Controller is malfunctioning.
  • Ravens - These are the mercenaries affiliated with the Ravens' Nest. Once one registers as a Raven with the Ravens' Nest, their private computer network is used to dispatch missions, buy or sell AC parts and the like. This affiliation to the Nest, however, places no restrictions on the Ravens.
  • Global Cortex - A unique organization, Global Cortex is the intermediary between corporate clients and mercenaries for hire. These mercenaries, more commonly referred to as Ravens, are pilots who operate the massive mechanized units known as Armored Cores. Though Global Cortex works closely with all of Layered's corporations, it maintains a strict level of neutrality and does not side with any of them.
  • Laine Meyers - Global Cortex liaison manager responsible for the player’s mission assignments and communications support.

Gameplay

Like Armored Core and Armored Core 2, you are given a trial mission to see if you are talented enough to join the mercenary group dubbed Global Cortex. New features within Armored Core 3 include consorts (additional allies that can be obtained to assist you in a mission), detachable weapons (thereby lessening your total weight and increasing speed), and a new Core classification; Exceed Orbit (EO) which sacrifices the power of Overboost and allows you to deploy a built-in, autonomous weapon on your Core.

Setting

Many players were confused with the nature of Armored Core 3's storyline in relation to previous AC games. At the end of Another Age, the AC world appeared to be getting back on its feet after the conflicts of the subterranean era (Armored Core, Project Phantasma, Master of Arena) and the Mars crisis (Armored Core 2). However, when Armored Core 3 begins mankind is back in a subterranean city hiding from the effects of a catastrophic global nuclear war.

Two prominent theories have arisen to explain away this discrepancy. Either the game is set in the same world as the previous games and the world experienced a second "Great Destruction", or Armored Core 3 reboots the series' storyline and starts all over again from a similar starting point as the original Armored Core. Another possibility is that Layered is an isolated subterranean city, where the inhabitants have not yet been made aware that the surface world is once again habitable. This would explain the significance of the ending movie, which shows the tunnels connecting to the surface opening for the first time. The only backstory given for the game states that mankind has existed under the yoke of the Controller for centuries. No other reference is made to the game's history beyond that.

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