Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon Review – A Well-Oiled Machine

Armored Core is a mech action game that hasn’t been in production for quite some time. The last entry in the series was a full 10 years ago, and since then, developer From Software’s other titles (Elden Ring, Bloodborne, etc.) From Software has been a household word. Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon is the latest action game from this studio, which has learned many things through its previous games. Armored Core VI doesn’t revolutionize the mech game formula but refines it to create one of the genre’s fastest, best-looking, and most approachable entries.

ACVI establishes yet another all-new universe for the series, but its narrative tropes are immediately obvious to anyone who’s played Armored Core before (or dystopian sci-fi in general). Players begin as a mysterious mercenary controlled by Handler Walter. Walter took the mercenary out to Rubicon’s frontier to search for the miraculous resource Coral. Coral was destroyed by an apocalyptic occurrence. The mercenary must also work for the militarized megacorporations that are after Coral to gather information and to pit them against one another.

While the main gameplay loop is still as enjoyable as before, combat and movement are what really stand out. Smooth, snappy controls have replaced the unwieldy buttons of older games to allow for faster gameplay. Combat becomes more exciting and dynamic as you dart and glide between massive structures and enemy to create large-scale damage. The different weapons and parts of the mechs also have their own unique abilities. This creates a wide range of playstyles.

Some might have expected From Software to change the Armored Core formula to resemble its recent titles, but ACVI sticks closely to the genre’s established conventions. That’s both to the benefit and detriment of the game; missions are mostly short skirmishes against cannon-fodder enemies that give you that sense of material superiority, but they’re also not very interesting.

In contrast, the major bosses are where From Software’s pedigree really shows. Each of the game’s five chapters contains an almost Souls-like superweapon that tests the limits of your current build and motivates you to experiment with other parts. ACVI’s spectacular fights highlight how smoothly it runs, and how beautiful the game looks.

ACVI is also the most approachable entry in the series and, indeed, one of From Software’s most forgiving games. No longer is it possible to fail missions or incur debts as in the previous titles. There’s no backtracking to fight bosses repeatedly, as checkpoints are generous. Auto-lock also simplifies battles against single targets, but eliminates the requirement to manually aim. The simplifications can have a negative impact, particularly on Armored Core veterans. It’s a From Software title where many would probably agree on the need for difficulty settings.

Armored Core VI is a solid return for one of From Software’s long-dormant franchises. It still carries many of the mech genre’s old contrivances, like its generic mission structure and predictable plot. The mech action is modernized to appeal to the newer generation. While legacy fans may have some complaints about the “casualization” of Armored Core, I am ultimately glad the series is back and firing on all cylinders.