Bring the Thunder: Robots in Gaming

Written by: Adam "ManKorn" Korenman, CC2K Video Games Editor

3)  Armored Core

This looks both stylish AND practical. Well, it looks stylish.

Like Shogo, Armored Core uses Japanime-style robots fighting against each other for some undetermined reason. As a nameless pilot, the player accept mercenary missions across the globe, dealing death and destruction with the help of six-story tall robots called armored cores (because that sounded better than robot). These mechs are very well armed and incredibly versatile, able to move quickly and engage multiple foes at once. 

Compared to the Shogo, armored cores are small. However, what they lack in size they more than make up for with firepower. Shogo use a mix of lasers and ballistic weaponry to down a foe. Armored core pack laser swords, plasma cannons and heavy artillery. They are devastating on the battlefield, able to match any opponent. Pilots must posses quick reflexes and strong tactical sense to survive, but the machine will do the heavy lifting. 

Although only pilots know when to pose for the hero shot

One of the most unique aspects of Armored Core was the ability to swap entire sections of your mech in order to build the best possible variation. Ingenuity was limited by resources and heat management, but still allowed players the chance to design their own personalized core.

While armored cores possess the necessary fire power to earn the middle spot on this list, they still trend more toward the fantasy than reality. There is one mech, though, that manages to rise above.