Prepare for Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon with these essential entries! While FromSoftware is known for its Souls-like games, the Armored Core series is a long-running mecha action franchise spanning decades. This guide highlights the best games to play before diving into the latest installment.

The Armored Core series features intense mech combat in a post-apocalyptic world. Players take on the role of mercenaries completing missions for various clients, earning funds for mech maintenance and upgrades. Success hinges on skillful mission completion and strategic mech customization.

The series boasts 16 games across five numbered titles and various spin-offs. Armored Core 1 and 2 share a continuity, while 3, 4, and 5 have separate storylines. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, launching August 25th, 2023, will likely establish a new continuity.

To familiarize yourself with the series before Armored Core 6, Game8 recommends playing [list of recommended games - this section needs to be added based on Game8's recommendations. The original text did not provide this information].