Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon Brings Mech Remixing to a New Level of Scale
Many ways Armored Core V Fires of RubiconThis is more of a return to the series than a remake. Since then, 11 years have passed. Armored Core vFromSoftware is no longer a niche developer, but one that has become a focal point of gaming culture. Its latest title feels as if it’s trying to steer newer gamers towards the original series. As such, if you’re already a fans of From’s high-complexity mech combat games, much of what it has to offer will feel familiar – albeit much, much shinier than before.
It’s still about taking your own customized war machine into enemy-filled arenas. You will be able to dominate a mix of small, robot enemies, bosses and similarly kitted out mechs. Collecting the money and materials needed to add new weapons, internals and limbs as you progress.
But the first thing I notice in a hands-off look at gameplay isn’t the industrial-chic mech being launched from a high speed elevator – hard as it is to miss – but the world around it. At least to me, the real difference is in a feeling of scale. The world may not be as open and free-spirited as the one in Elden RingBut AC6 doesn’t lack for that game’s sense of wonder.
It appears that the objective is to try and infiltrate an enemy group called RaD who has taken over the vast Grid 086 industrial facility. It’s a marvel to look at, an enormous factory built over tens of storeys, without an invisible wall apparent to stop you exploring. It doesn’t appear to be a one-off – a montage of other levels shows me scorched deserts, ice caves, and entire cities. It seems that the focus is on making standalone levels huge spaces where you can dole out justice mechanically.
This should have a knock-on effect on gameplay too – where Armored Core missions of the past were more focused on getting you from objective to objective, there’s an element of choice involved here. Grid 086 doesn’t have a single entrance; instead, you’re given a choice of how to proceed. If you want to take on the robotic guards at the entrance, then head straight to it. Or, use your thrusters and reach an even higher secret entry. These are the examples we’re given, but I’m positive there are more means of ingress to find.
This choice expands the overall level of strategic play. The core of, well, Armored Core has always been in building a mech that meets your specifications – nimble, melee focused pursuers, walking artillery batteries, missile launcher-encrusted monsters, and more. The ability to choose your level approach is a great way to make your brand of mech shine.
The customization is both good and bad. Where From’s Souls games are often built on a relentless search for perfection, challenging you to build a character and then get better at using their specific strengths over the course of a whole game, Armored Core 6 It’s time to demand a little bit more flexibility. Our demo player is beaten by a more powerful enemy, who uses a series of melee attacks to take down the sword-and rifle combination. Our demoist, instead of reloading a checkpoint and returning to combat, heads over to the Assembly Menu and builds a brand new machine. They swap the legs out for an efficient dash attack and replace a missile launcher on their shoulder with a cannon designed to stagger enemy more effectively.
Heading back in, they cripple the once-victorious enemy by preventing it from moving as much as possible, and avoiding those dangerous, close-range attacks with dashes when they can’t immobilize it. It’s a little bit of design philosophy made tangible – in Armored Core 6, it’s not a case of “try, try again”, it’s more like a chemistry experiment, asking you to keep tinkering with the ingredients until you find the right mixture to take down your opponent.
I’m left very hopeful for what we have to come from Armored Core V Fires of Rubicon – as a fan of the series, this is already feeling like a deft mix of the Armored Core fundamentals I’ve been missing, and new ideas to flesh them out for modern machines.
Armored Core V Fires of RubiconXbox Series X|S and Xbox One on August 25.
ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™ – Deluxe Edition
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
$69.99
Order now and receive this bonus:
MELANDER C3 G13 Special Customization “TENDERFOOT”
• MELANDER C3 parts set (early unlock)*
• Emblem (early unlock)*
• Exclusive AC Decal
* Early Unlock: The parts set and the emblem can also be obtained by progressing through the game.
Includes:
• Full game
• Exclusive Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
Players can view concept art as well as listen to the in-game soundtrack.
Combining FromSoftware’s longstanding expertise in mech games with their signature action gameplay, ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON brings a brand-new action experience to the series.
Multi-dimensional, dynamic battles
Players will pilot their mech in fast-paced, omni-directional battles, taking advantage of massive stages and their mech’s mobility on land and in the air to ensure victory.
Customized parts for individual battle styles
Armored Core components can be tailored to suit many different styles of gameplay. Selecting different parts not only changes the mech’s attacks, but also directly affects its movement and battle style, so each mission can be approached with a unique mech strategy.
Thrilling battles with bosses
Use a variety of defensive and offensive tactics to defeat powerful enemies.
ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
$59.99
Order now and receive this bonus:
MELANDER C3 G13 Special Customization “TENDERFOOT”
• MELANDER C3 parts set (early unlock)*
• Emblem (early unlock)*
• Exclusive AC Decal
* Early Unlock: The parts set and the emblem can also be obtained by progressing through the game.
Combining FromSoftware’s longstanding expertise in mech games with their signature action gameplay, ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON brings a brand-new action experience to the series.
Multi-directional, dynamic battles
Players will pilot their mech in fast-paced, omni-directional battles, taking advantage of massive stages and their mech’s mobility on land and in the air to ensure victory.
Customized parts for individual battle styles
Armored Core components can be tailored to suit many different styles of gameplay. Selecting different parts not only changes the mech’s attacks, but also directly affects its movement and battle style, so each mission can be approached with a unique mech strategy.
Thrilling boss battles
Use a variety of defensive and offensive tactics to defeat powerful enemies.
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