Armored Core V is an action game where the player controls a mech, a big combat robot. The story is more of a reboot and has no direct connection to the predecessors. The protagonist gets caught up in a war between two corporations: Alloy Gate City's faction led by "Father", the dictator, and the resistance.
The gameplay focuses on moving forward and blasting enemy mechs and buildings. This earns money which can be used to upgrade the mech. Mech customization is comprehensive and allows for many changes and parts to be changed.
The single-player content is interwoven with the multiplayer component: clan fights over a persistent map. The player can found a new clan or join an existing one, and every action earns team points. These are required to challenge another clan for their territory.