Software:Armored Core: Project Phantasma

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Short description: 1997 video game

Armored Core: Project Phantasma
North American cover art
Developer(s)FromSoftware
Publisher(s)
  • JP: FromSoftware
  • NA: ASCII Entertainment
Producer(s)Yasuyoshi Karasawa
Programmer(s)Eiichi Hasegawa
Artist(s)Shōji Kawamori
SeriesArmored Core
Platform(s)PlayStation, PlayStation 3
ReleasePlayStation
  • JP: December 4, 1997
  • NA: October 7, 1998
PlayStation 3
  • JP: September 27, 2007
Genre(s)Third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Armored Core: Project Phantasma is a 1997 third-person shooter mecha video game developed and published by FromSoftware for the PlayStation. Project Phantasma is the second entry in the Armored Core series and a prequel to the original 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 Software:Armored Core: Master of Arena.

Gameplay

See also: Software:Armored Core (video game)

Project Phantasma continues the core gameplay of Armored Core, in which players choose missions to engage enemies and earn credits.[1] 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.[2]

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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[2]

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.[2] DualShock functionality allows for force feedback vibrations during explosions and strikes.[1]

Returning from Armored Core is a split screen multiplayer mode. This mode features 1-on-1 combat and allows players to bring their customized Armored Core via a memory card.[4] This mode retains the PlayStation Link Cable functionality introduced in the first game, allowing players to connect two PlayStation consoles together and fight each other on separate televisions.[5]

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 on December 4, 1997.[6] FromSoftware partnered with ASCII Entertainment and released a North American version on October 7, 1998.[5] A European 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.

On March 18, 2025, the game was released on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, included with a PS Plus Premium subscription.[7]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings74%[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarStarHalf star[1]
EGM5.125/10[9]
Famitsu27/40[10]
Game Informer8.75/10[4]
GameSpot6.6/10[2]
IGN7.8/10[5]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[11]
OPM (US)StarStarStarStarHalf star[12]
PSMStarStarStar[13]

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[8] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40.[10]

Project Phantasma's gameplay was well received and seen as an improvement over the original 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!'"[2] In a review for AllGame, Shawn Sackenheim praised the Arena mode, summarizing the experience as able to keep players "busy for weeks".[1] 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".[5] 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."[11]

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".[2] AllGame's Sackenheim also commented that "the single player missions ended too quickly", but seemed to disagree on the Arena being that short.[1] 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."[14][lower-alpha 1]

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the game 4/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 3/5 for control.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Sackenheim, Shawn. "Armored Core: Project Phantasma - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115183937/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14287&tab=review. Retrieved December 14, 2018. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Fielder, Joe (December 18, 1997). "Armored Core: Project Phantasma Review [Import"]. Red Ventures. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/armored-core-project-phantasma-review/1900-2546603/. Retrieved December 14, 2018. 
  3. ↑ "The Raven's Nest - Project Phantasma". https://www.angelfire.com/ny/armoredcore/phantasma.html. Retrieved February 4, 2020. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Armored Core: Project Phantasma". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (67): 79. November 1998. http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=nov98&doc=armor. Retrieved December 14, 2018. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Harris, Craig (October 19, 1998). "Armored Core: Project Phantasma". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/10/20/armored-core-project-phantasma. Retrieved December 14, 2018. 
  6. ↑ "Armored Core: Project Phantasma". https://www.fromsoftware.jp/ww/detail.html?csm=005. Retrieved February 3, 2020. 
  7. ↑ "ARMORED CORE PROJECT PHANTASMA on PlayStation Store". 2025-03-18. https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP0506-PPSA21308_00-ARMOREDCOREPP000. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Armored Core: Project Phantasma for PlayStation". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501153912/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196636-armored-core-project-phantasma/index.html. Retrieved November 25, 2021. 
  9. ↑ EGM staff (November 1998). "Armored Core: Project Phantasma". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (112). 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "アーマード・コア プロジェクトファンタズマ [PS"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=969. Retrieved December 14, 2018. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Armored Core: Project Phantasma". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (48): 126. December 1998. https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_48/page/n127/mode/2up. Retrieved November 25, 2021. 
  12. ↑ "Armored Core: Project Phantasma". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) 2 (2). November 1998. 
  13. ↑ "Armored Core: Project Phantasma". PSM (Imagine Media) (15): 43. November 1998. https://archive.org/details/PSM_Issue_15_November_1998/page/n41/mode/2up. Retrieved November 25, 2021. 
  14. ↑ Air Hendrix (November 1998). "Armored Core II: [sic Project Phantasma"]. GamePro (IDG Entertainment) (122): 174. https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8f/GamePro_US_122.pdf. Retrieved November 25, 2021. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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