View source for Armored Core: Project Phantasma

{{Short description|1997 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Armored Core: Project Phantasma
| image = Armored Core Project Phantasma.jpg
| caption = North American cover art
| developer = [[FromSoftware]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|FromSoftware|NA|[[ASCII Entertainment]]}}
| producer = Yasuyoshi Karasawa
| artist = [[Shōji Kawamori]]
| programmer = Eiichi Hasegawa
| series = ''[[Armored Core]]''
| platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation Vita]]
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 4, 1997|NA|October 7, 1998}}
| genre = [[Third-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Armored Core: Project Phantasma''''' is a 1997 [[third-person shooter]] [[mecha]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[FromSoftware]] for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]. ''Project Phantasma'' is the second entry in the ''[[Armored Core]]'' series and a prequel to the original [[Armored Core (video game)|''Armored Core'']]. The game was not released in Europe.

The story is set two years before the original ''Armored Core'' and follows the player's investigation of the mysterious Amber Crown complex, a testing ground for the shadowy Doomsday Organization and their dangerous research codenamed Project Phantasma. The player encounters an escaped prisoner named Sumika, who guides the player as the two are targeted by a vicious rival named Stinger.

Gameplay is largely identical to ''Armored Core'' with the addition of new weapons and customization options available to the player. Players can import save files from the original game to continue their progress and use parts that are only present in the original's in-game shop. An Arena mode is included in the game, which would later be expanded in ''[[Armored Core: Master of Arena]]''.

On 3/18/2025, Armored Core Project Phantasma was released on the PlayStation Store for PS4/PS5, included with PS Plus Premium subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-18 |title=ARMORED CORE PROJECT PHANTASMA on PlayStation Store |url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0506-PPSA21308_00-ARMOREDCOREPP000}}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
{{See also|Armored Core (video game)}}

''Project Phantasma'' continues the core gameplay of ''Armored Core'', in which players choose missions to engage enemies and earn credits.<ref name="AllGAME" /> Levels remain open, and enemies can appear from any direction to attack the player. A majority of weapons and items from the original game appear with new additions that can be purchased by the player.<ref name=GSpot/>

An import feature allows players to bring their character from ''Armored Core'' into the game, retaining all of their customization and weapons from the original game. In order to do so, they would need a save file from the original game on their [[memory card]].<ref name=GSpot/> Players can instead create a new character, but in doing so lose the ability to bring certain exclusive weapons and items from the original game to ''Project Phantasma''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.angelfire.com/ny/armoredcore/phantasma.html |title=The Raven's Nest - Project Phantasma |website=AngelFire |accessdate=February 4, 2020}}</ref>

Unlike ''Armored Core'', ''Project Phantasma'' does not include a branching story line and instead focuses on a much more linear experience. Rather than the 50 missions of the original, ''Project Phantasma'' features 17, but have more variety and depth than the original game.<ref name=GSpot/>

''Project Phantasma'' introduces three new features: the Arena, Replay mode, and [[DualShock]] compatibility. In the Arena player is given the opportunity to face off against opponents of varying difficulty. The Arena is an optional feature, but allows players to earn more credits to unlock new weapons and items for their Armored Core. Replay mode allows players to watch an exact recreation of their last battle from multiple perspectives.<ref name=GSpot/> DualShock functionality allows for [[force feedback]] vibrations during explosions and strikes.<ref name="AllGAME" />

Returning from ''Armored Core'' is a [[Split screen (video games)|split screen]] multiplayer mode. This mode features 1-on-1 combat and allows players to bring their customized Armored Core via a memory card.<ref name=GI/> This mode retains the [[PlayStation Link Cable]] functionality introduced in the first game, allowing players to connect two [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] consoles together and fight each other on separate televisions.<ref name=IGN/>

== Plot ==
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.

== Release ==
''Project Phantasma'' was initially released in [[Japan]] for the [[Sony]] [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] on December 4, 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fromsoftware.jp/ww/detail.html?csm=005 |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma |website=[[FromSoftware]] |accessdate=February 3, 2020}}</ref> [[FromSoftware]] partnered with [[ASCII Entertainment]] and released a [[North America]]n version on October 7, 1998.<ref name=IGN/> A [[Europe]]an version was never released.

As a part of Sony's [[PSone Classics]] banner, ''Project Phantasma'' was re-released in Japan for the [[PlayStation 3]] (and later the [[PlayStation Vita]]) on September 27, 2007. It was never re-released in other territories.

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 74%<ref name=GR>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196636-armored-core-project-phantasma/index.html |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma for PlayStation |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501153912/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196636-armored-core-project-phantasma/index.html |archivedate=May 1, 2019 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 25, 2021}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=AllGAME>{{cite web |last=Sackenheim |first=Shawn |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14287&tab=review |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma - Review |website=[[AllGame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115183937/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14287&tab=review |archivedate=November 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=December 14, 2018}}</ref>
| EGM = 5.125/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=112 |date=November 1998}}</ref>
| Fam = 27/40<ref name=Fam>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=969 |title=アーマード・コア プロジェクトファンタズマ [PS] |language=ja |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |accessdate=December 14, 2018}}</ref>
| GI = 8.75/10<ref name=GI>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=nov98&doc=armor |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop|FuncoLand]] |issue=67 |date=November 1998 |page=79 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990930135919/http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=nov98&doc=armor |archive-date=September 30, 1999 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 14, 2018}}</ref>
| GSpot = 6.6/10<ref name=GSpot>{{cite web |last=Fielder |first=Joe |date=December 18, 1997 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/armored-core-project-phantasma-review/1900-2546603/ |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma Review [Import] |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |accessdate=December 14, 2018}}</ref>
| IGN = 7.8/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=October 19, 1998 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/10/20/armored-core-project-phantasma |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=December 14, 2018}}</ref>
| NGen = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="NGen">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_48/page/n127/mode/2up |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] |issue=48 |date=December 1998 |page=126 |accessdate=November 25, 2021}}</ref>
| OPM = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma |magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |volume=2 |issue=2 |date=November 1998}}</ref>
| PSM = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/PSM_Issue_15_November_1998/page/n41/mode/2up |title=Armored Core: Project Phantasma |magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine|PSM]] |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=15 |date=November 1998 |page=43 |accessdate=November 25, 2021}}</ref>
}}

The game received "average" reviews according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[GameRankings]].<ref name="GR" /> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of 27 out of 40.<ref name="Fam" />

''Project Phantasma''{{'}}s gameplay was well received and seen as an improvement over the original ''[[Armored Core (video game)|Armored Core]]''. ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Joe Fielder noted that the depth of the missions, despite being fewer in number, was a welcome addition, stating that they required "more thought than merely 'Destroy!'"<ref name=GSpot/> In a review for ''[[AllGame]]'', Shawn Sackenheim praised the Arena mode, summarizing the experience as able to keep players "busy for weeks".<ref name="AllGAME" /> ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Craig Harris was more reserved about the game, writing that it wasn't a "high-key PlayStation title", but was still "a fun action title".<ref name=IGN/> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' said, "Those who were really into the original ''Armored Core'' – and there were more than a few – should enjoy the greater number of missions and options in ''Project Phantasma''."<ref name="NGen" />

Reviewers, while generally agreeing that the game was mechanically an improvement over the original game, criticized the lack of content in ''Project Phantasma''. ''GameSpot''{{'}}s Fielder pointed out that "Armored Core: Project Phantasma can be beaten within the space of two or three days, meaning there simply isn't quite enough here to justify the cost of purchase".<ref name=GSpot/> ''AllGame''{{'}}s Sackenheim also commented that "the single player missions ended too quickly", but seemed to disagree on the Arena being that short.<ref name="AllGAME" /> ''[[GamePro]]'' said that the game "will give any mech partisan a good fight. But if this is your first time with robot combat, you'd do well to rent the game first instead of rushing into a battle that might never be won."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8f/GamePro_US_122.pdf |title=Armored Core II: [sic] Project Phantasma |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]] |issue=122 |date=November 1998 |page=174 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214062514/http://gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/293.shtml |archive-date=February 14, 2005 |url-status=live |accessdate=November 25, 2021}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the game 4/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 3/5 for control.}}

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.armoredcore.net/top/}} {{in lang|ja}}
* ''[https://www.fromsoftware.jp/jp/detail.html?csm=005 Armored Core: Project Phantasma]'' at [[FromSoftware]]
*{{moby game|id=/playstation/armored-core-project-phantasma}}

{{FromSoftware games}}

[[Category:1997 video games]]
[[Category:Armored Core]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console)-only games]]
[[Category:Third-person shooters]]
[[Category:Video game prequels]]
[[Category:Video games about mecha]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Keiichiro Segawa]]