I’ve been taking part in Armored Core on and off for the reason that very first recreation within the collection – and now I’ve devoured Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. Over 20 years later, FromSoftware is now a family title in gaming they usually’re writing their very own checks with their Souls video games. All of this success had me, a giant mecha fan, nonetheless asking “when are we getting a brand new Armored Core recreation?” Thankfully, FromSoftware heard my plea (and lots of others) and never lengthy after its reveal, Armored Core VI is lastly right here. How does the sixth numbered recreation within the collection maintain up? Is it what followers have been ready for? Read our Armored Core VI overview to seek out out!
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Developer: FromSoftware
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S (Reviewed), PlayStation 5
Release Date: August 25, 2023
Price: $59.99 USD
Growing up within the 8-bit period you discovered tips on how to overcome ruthlessly difficult video games. As graphics and gameplay advanced, video games seemingly acquired prettier but simpler, an strategy meant to draw extra prospects. People at all times neglect video video games are merchandise – so naturally any firm will wish to promote extra merchandise. Some video games refused to pander, as an alternative, opted to get extra hardcore and area of interest.
Armored Core was one in all these video games, its problem and complexity acquired dinged by western gaming journalists – lots of preferring “press X to superior” video games. As the collection advanced and acquired prettier, it acquired extra advanced and added extra parts, generally eradicating issues. Armored Core VI appears like an amazing mixture of previous video games, all polished to a razer blade.
Now that “soulslike” video games have turn out to be a drug for the plenty – the previous and drained excuse that Armored Core was too tough is gone. Armored Core VI remains to be positively difficult and has filtered fairly numerous customers, however it’s good to grasp a giant false impression right here. Armored Core VI shouldn’t be a soulslike recreation in any form or type, so many FromSoftware followers leaping in anticipating that shall be sorely disenchanted.
One of the most important adjustments in Armored Core VI is the brand new “goal help” performance – combining a extra automated lock on system from different mecha video games with the handbook focusing on seen in earlier Armored Core video games. This is the place individuals get confused: older Armored Core video games had you manually purpose at enemies so your FCS (fireplace management system) would lock on. Now, “goal help” does a little bit of each.
For you purists on the market, you may nonetheless flip astray help and manually whip your digital camera round to lock on. Doing this, nevertheless, required me to show digital camera flip speeds as much as 8/10, in any other case it’s simply not quick sufficient to maintain up with how fast a number of the fights get. As anticipated, the previous handbook focusing on offers you higher accuracy – however provided that you may preserve in your goal’s ass.
Another level on how Armored Core VI shouldn’t be a soulslike recreation is its story construction, the previous model missions are again and the trial-and-error gear is a giant focus. The strong single participant marketing campaign spans 5 chapters and may have you continuously retrying missions with totally different loadouts. All informed you’re in all probability no less than 15-20 hours for simply the primary story mode, and there’s extra after that too.
A brand new and recent gameplay change within the recreation is “OS Tuning,” which helps you to use acquired “OS Chips” to unlock everlasting upgrades and talents in your AC’s working system. These vary from getting the flexibility to kick whereas dashing (superior) to getting everlasting harm buffs for numerous weapons (additionally superior). OS Chips are unlocked within the story mode and the Arena.
Yes, the Arena is again and it’s numerous enjoyable in Armored Core VI. As you progress your enemy AC opponents get more durable and extra outfitted than ever, and it’s a pleasant break from a number of the extra grueling story missions and boss fights. The on-line multiplayer is mainly just like the Arena however with two participant AC’s duking it out – so anticipate plenty of customizing and experimentation.
Previous Armored Core video games would infer gameplay mechanics a bit extra however now with Armored Core VI you generally get narration or on-screen suggestions actually telling you tips on how to beat powerful enemies or bosses. It type of will get you scratching your head when individuals demand tips on how to beat the helicopter boss, the chapter 1 boss, and so forth.
I’ll say that fight in Armored Core VI is a pleasant mixture of ranged dogfights and brutal, unrelenting shut encounters that may have you ever urgent 3 to six buttons continuously. Missions really feel distinctive and various with a superb mixture of places however boss fights get extra frequent later within the recreation. Bosses are likely to really feel like a mixture of sample memorizing and DPS bursts, however what motion recreation isn’t like this?
It positively appears like Armored Core VI has extra bosses than any of the earlier video games, and if the deal with staggering enemies and breaking their shields doesn’t filter gamers, the large harm bosses will. A whole lot of the sport is discovering the best construct to brush by way of areas mowing down lesser foes – however having sufficient combined firepower to stagger the boss after which laser sword its face.
Graphics in Armored Core VI are a sight to behold as the sport runs like a dream on current-gen {hardware}. The mecha designs out of your arm weapons all the way down to the boosters in your again all look nice, and the environments really feel actual sufficient. Big firefights and most notably boss fights are the place the sport actually shines with mecha zipping round whereas unloading bullets, missiles, and lasers.
The story in Armored Core VI is paying homage to previous video games in that you just’re a anonymous merc that adopts the callsign “Raven.” Your deployment is a planet named Rubicon 3 that’s seemingly the one identified supply of a robust substance named “Coral.” Everyone is combating over it, and there’s sprinkles of transhumanism and intrigue all through the wonderful story mode.
In between missions you’ll normally get voice messages out of your handler and supervisor, in addition to firms that rent you for sorties. The voice performing is improbable and is introduced with a grainy really feel so it feels like an precise comms system squeaking by way of to you. It’s unclear how related to earlier video games Armored Core VI is however it actually appears like a direct sequel.
Music in Armored Core VI is a pleasant contact, the overall background and ambiance heard whereas exploring missions is nice however the boss battle themes are fairly spectacular. Kota Hoshino should be counseled on his banger soundtrack, most particularly the haunting boss themes that had me on the sting of my seat.
There are minor gripes as talked about above with Armored Core VI like what number of bosses there are in comparison with missions, with plenty of them popping up later within the recreation. There might have additionally been a bit extra selection with bosses in that many felt like DPS competitions and I’d have preferred extra deal with patterns and phases in fight.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a correct return to type for one of the crucial beloved mecha recreation collection. Everything within the recreation has been rigorously checked out, designed, and wonderful tuned to appease each longtime followers like myself and newcomer pilots as effectively. I couldn’t put the sport down, each little bit of the sport is enjoyable – Armored Core VI is a love letter to mecha motion.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon was reviewed on Xbox Series X with a duplicate bought by Niche Gamer. Additional details about Niche Gamer’s overview/ethics coverage might be discovered right here. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is now obtainable worldwide throughout Windows PC (by way of Steam), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
