Armored Core: Project Phantasma (1997)

Armored Core: Project Phantasma is a standalone expansion to the original Armored Core, released for the PlayStation in 1997. It focuses on arena-based combat, introducing ranked one-on-one battles against rival pilots Players customise a humanoid mech using interchangeable parts that affect mobility, firepower, and energy use. The game places less emphasis on mission variety and more on mechanical optimisation and combat skill. Its structure and mechanics helped define competitive elements that became central to later entries in the series.

Storyline

The Raven (protagonist) receives an unusual request. The cryptic message tells the player to infiltrate a mysterious underground complex called Amber Crown with a promise of an extremely lucrative monetary reward. Once in Amber Crown, the player encounters Sumika Juutilainen, an escapee from the enigmatic Doomsday Organization (Wednesday Organization in Japan), the shadow group that has been operating in the complex. Sumika becomes the player's primary client and partner during the mission in Amber Crown. As the player completes more missions, he develops a rivalry with an Armored Core pilot named Stinger, who is in the employ of the Doomsday Organization. Stinger becomes a more dangerous presence as the mystery in Amber Crown is uncovered, culminating in the revelation of Project Phantasma. A top-secret development project by the Doomsday Organization, Project Phantasma is a weapon system that would tip the balance of power. Sumika and Stinger were test subjects for the project. Stinger, desiring the strength of the Phantasma weapon, attempts to use it against the player. The player's continued success drives Stinger to merge with Phantasma and challenge the player to a final fight. The player defeats Stinger and destroys the Phantasma project, leading to the dissolution of the Doomsday Organization.