Unleash the Mecha Madness: A Must-Watch 2014 Film for Armored Core Enthusiasts

Very few fictional societies develop advanced mechanical creations capable of wielding devastating weapons due to their prosperous state. The mecha subgenre seamlessly merges with various schools of science fiction while maintaining its distinct identity. A dystopian future that gives rise to robotic beings shares many similarities with other examples. Although Appleseed Alpha only showcases robots of regular size, it coexists in the same realm as Armored Core.

After a ten-year absence from the franchise, FromSoftware is ready to unveil Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon to an enthusiastic audience. Hidetaka Miyazaki, the president of the company, has stepped aside from the director's role and appointed Masaru Yamamura, the lead game designer of Sekiro, to spearhead the project. Existing fans are elated to witness the return of the series, while newcomers may struggle to grasp its unique narrative style.

What is Appleseed Alpha about?

Appleseed Alpha is set in a bleak near-future, focusing on the aftermath of a devastating World War. The story revolves around Deunan Knute and Briareos Hecatonchires, two war veterans burdened by a crippling debt owed to a cruel crime lord named Two Horns. Briareos, having endured significant cybernetic enhancements due to wartime injuries, experiences malfunctions in his mechanized body. As a result, Deunan and Briareos are forced to remain in the employ of Two Horns in order to cover the costs of necessary repairs. Utilizing their unique skills, they confront lethal drones and encounter a young girl and a group of cyborg soldiers. These newfound allies unveil the truth, exposing Two Horns' treachery and his true intentions to keep them under his control.

During their missions, Deunan and Briareos capture the attention of another malevolent cyborg named Talos. While Two Horns seeks to exploit the wasteland for personal gain, Talos desires to reshape the remnants of New York according to his own vision. Eventually, Deunan and Briareos find themselves aligning with the criminals who have exploited them, as they face a greater threat. The tension escalates when Talos unveils a devastating weapon capable of eradicating the remaining survivors and completing the devastation initiated by World War III. Through its gritty cyberpunk aesthetic and endearing characters, Appleseed Alpha offers a gripping tale of action.

How does Appleseed Alpha relate to Armored Core?

FromSoftware is infamous for their dark and harrowing narratives, and the Dark Souls series exemplifies this with its nightmarish realms crawling with monstrous creatures. Similarly, Armored Core captures a comparable atmosphere, albeit set in a more grounded location. In the first Armored Core game, the Earth has been ravaged by a global conflict known as the "Great Destruction," resulting in the decimation of a majority of humanity. The scars of battle mar the surface, forcing the remaining survivors to eke out an existence underground. This grim era provides an opportunity for powerful conglomerates to seize control of the world, with two corporations competing for dominance through violent military encounters. Amidst this turmoil, the story focuses on the enigmatic Ravens, a mercenary group motivated solely by financial gain. The subsequent sequels gradually expand upon the narrative, although the overall quality rarely improves.

Similarly to Armored Core, Appleseed Alpha revolves around skilled soldiers who accept morally questionable assignments from corrupt employers. Both stories are set in a future where advanced technology coexists with a primitive society. The underlying message of these narratives is the unsettling reality that arises when groundbreaking scientific advancements predominantly serve military purposes. While the presence of mechanized suits and combat androids is undeniably awe-inspiring, they symbolize the perpetuation of violence, rather than its resolution. Protagonists such as the Ravens, Deunan, and Briareos are warriors navigating a world that exploits their abilities, concealing their humanity behind cybernetic enhancements, colossal robots, or cutting-edge weaponry. Although their lives may appear superior to others', they only sustain their meager existence by leaving behind a trail of mass graves. However, it is worth noting that the action depicted in both narratives is undeniably thrilling.

Are there other Appleseed movies?

Appleseed Alpha is the latest adaptation of Masamune Shirow's 1985 manga series, known for his other popular cyberpunk classic, Ghost in the Shell. There are three other feature films based on Appleseed, with the first two released in 1988 and 2004, both telling the same story as the manga. In 2007, a sequel titled Appleseed Ex Machina was released, followed by a 13-episode retelling called Appleseed XIII in 2011. Alpha serves as a prequel to the manga but deviates from its original canon. Despite a near-decade of silence, fans remain hopeful for future iterations.

Appleseed Alpha delves into the life of a wasteland-wandering mercenary, showcasing the highs and lows of their experiences. While the well-designed cyborg action is a major draw, there is much more to discover beneath the surface. Similar to Armored Core, there is a gritty realism that brings the mechanized characters to life. FromSoft fans will recognize their love for incorporating anime elements into their games, and Appleseed Alpha shares this connection through its captivating robot designs.