Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
FromSoftware & Bandai Namco | 25 August | PS4 PS5 XBO XBXS PC
Famed Japanese developer FromSoftware - them of Dark Souls, Sekiro, and Elden Ring fame - are reviving one of their other legendary franchises - Armored Core.
The last Armored Core game was 2012s Armored Core V, and its 2013 Verdict Day expansion. Those were PS3 and XB360 days. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon launches on Friday (25 August) for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on August 25, 2023.
Based on the knowledge gained during joint development of their recent titles, Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware seek to deliver a new action game.
ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON combines FromSoftware’s longstanding expertise in mech games with their signature action gameplay to bring a brand-new, high octane experience to the series.
In ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON, players will assemble their mech from a wide variety of parts and weaponry to soar freely through mission locales that redefine three-dimensional mobility. Face down overwhelming opposition by outgunning and overrunning your enemies with dynamic movement that makes full use of ranged and melee combat. Players can experience frenetic and fast-paced action that can only be truly achieved with mechs.
Standard and Deluxe Editions now available
PlayStation | R1249 - R1429
Xbox | R1249 - R1369
PC - Steam | R899 - R1049
Armored Core 6 takes place on the planet of Rubicon 3, where a new energy source called Coral was found. Humanity tried to harness this new energy source but instead caused an apocalyptic event to occur, called the Fires of Ibis, setting the entire planet on fire. About 50 years later, Coral is rediscovered and various factions around Rubicon 3 try to gain control over it again.
You play as C4-621, a mercenary who takes on assignments from both large corporations and resistance groups as they continue to fight one another. Armored Core 6’s story feels more like a backdrop to justify ‌gameplay, which is primarily where its strengths are. The story won’t blow you away with deep character development or anything like that, but the premise is strong enough that it’s at least intriguing.
What also helps sell the story is the well-directed English voice acting. C4-621 works for an interstellar handler named Walter, whose stern voice grabs my attention whenever he goes through a story debrief right before a mission.
The gameplay is where Armored Core 6 really shines. The development team nailed the smooth gliding feeling that comes with driving your mech on the ground. It just feels flawless. Additionally, the amount of verticality the game has is seriously impressive, scaling large walls, buildings and forts effortlessly. Your mech has a boost meter to use in order to either fly straight up or turbo straight forward to close the distance on your opponent, which gives a different sense of adrenaline than what a Dark Souls game provides.
