Armored Core 6 Fires of Rubicon looks like a sped-up Elden Ring

The success of Elden RingFromSoftware’s Armored Core series has a reputation as a creator of dark fantasy settings. This action mech series paired third-person shooter mechanics with an emphasis on customizing mechs to suit the player’s combat needs. Over time, the series has faded into the annals of FromSoftware’s history, but that will change soon.

FromSoftware is releasing a new game this summer. Rubicon Fires Armored 6 Core. Yasunori Okura, the director of Summer Game Fest’s hands-off demo at Polygon, showed more footage of the game. During the demo, we got to see FromSoftware’s new mechs in action, more of the game’s machine customization options, and learn more about the developer’s vision for the game. We saw a sleek action combat game which combines the agility of mechs and the precision that we’ve come to expect from FromSoftware.

Armored Core 6.It is an action mech game combining third-person shooter with close-range battles. Ogura had previously stated that this game would not be a simple shooter. Elden Ring with mechs, it will bring the studio’s characteristic emphasis on overcoming tough combat. Ogura’s presentation emphasized three important aspects: 3D design of levels, with an overall sense of scale. Assembly in battle (customizing the mechs) and feeling a sense accomplishment by overcoming challenges.

FromSoftware/Bandai Namco

“Our aim is to create a new mech action by the current FromSoftware, which combines the fundamental fan aspect of the [Armored Core] series with the design philosophy of recent FromSoftware games,” Ogura said via a translator.

A mission was shown that required players to capture a Grid 086 facility. The mission began with an overview of the maps and objectives. We were welcomed by a sprawling, towering facility filled with hostile machines as the mission began. The camera eventually settled on the mech that the player controls.

Jetpacks are a faster way to move around the mech than wheels. The vast gap between the mission’s starting point and a looming structure closed quickly as the mech glided along the jagged industrial terrain, soared across gaps, and used a vertical catapult to fling it up through the air. Ogura described this boost mechanic as being “core” to the action of the game, both for combat and traversal. We saw that the first battle began, with players using jetpacks as they dashed sideways, up and down, to dodge attacks and switch between close-range and mid-range fighting fluidly.

FromSoftware/Bandai Namco

In order to defeat the enemy, players can use a wide range of close and mid-range weaponry, such as multi-lock energy swords or spray bullets. While a barrage of bullets may be sufficient to defeat a smaller foe, stronger enemies have impact gauges that require players to accumulate damage to stagger and ultimately take them down.

Developers say what they want Armored Core 6. It is a difficult game and the players are equipped with a number of different tools. You can use the search feature to find a difficult enemy and create a strategy. Knowing the location of an enemy might not provide you with the advantage you need. The menu appears when the player returns to the checkpoint after dying.

“Players need to think about which weapon to use to aim to stagger the enemy, and which weapon to damage it with. Assembly is a place where they can enjoy experimenting with their own unique coordinated effects,” Ogura said.

FromSoftware/Bandai Namco

Ogura added that players will be able to choose parts for the mechs’ arms and legs, as well as internal parts that influence weapons and power. A total of four weapons can be equipped on each hand and shoulder, but Ogura focused on the legs specifically, saying that “the characteristics of the leg parts vary greatly depending on the type, and it changes action in the game dramatically.”

We saw the demo progress through the levels, and we witnessed combat both in large open areas and tight-packed rooms filled with twisted machines and damaged machinery. Eventually, the player completed the mission by fighting a giant “smart cleaner,” which essentially looked like a massive lava Roomba of death.

Rubicon Armored Core 6, FiresThe game is set to be released on August 25th for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows PC via Steam, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.