Preview: Armored Core 6 Unleashes Mech Madness for Avid Fans

Reviving the Mech Battle: Get Ready for Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

After a long hiatus, FromSoftware is finally bringing back the beloved Armored Core series with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. While the studio has been busy with other successful titles like the Souls series, it’s exciting to see them return to mech action.

We recently had the opportunity to witness a hands-off demo of a stage in Armored Core VI, where the player takes on the role of a mercenary infiltrating enemy territory to seize control of a catapult. The gameplay still maintains that classic Armored Core feel, starting with a briefing packed with intel and screens before diving into the intense action.

A New Experience with Familiar Roots

It’s natural to draw comparisons between Armored Core and the Souls series. With a decade-long gap between Armored Core releases and the immense popularity of Souls games, there will undoubtedly be newcomers to Armored Core VI with different expectations.

The reassuring news is that Armored Core VI has the potential to bridge that gap. While you’ll be piloting a mech instead of controlling a swordsman or mage, the weight and movement mechanics still capture that signature Armored Core essence.

The sense of scale and movement in Armored Core VI is truly remarkable. Boost options, including a powerful forward charge maneuver, provide a thrilling experience. The mech’s small jets allow for versatile omnidirectional movement, a feature that the studio emphasized during our briefing. The moment the rockets fire, you can feel the thrust and take-off, and when the mech lands, a satisfying thud and skid follow, especially at high speeds. It’s clear that even though the mech may appear normal-sized on-screen, it exudes a hulking and heavy presence in the game world.

Intense Battles and Customization

The weapons in Armored Core VI also maintain a tangible feel. Missiles emit hefty plumes of smoke and detonate with a resonating impact. Gunfire results in empty shell casings spraying to the side, and you can witness the ammo count depleting as the mission progresses.

Despite the weighty mechanics, the gameplay still maintains a swift pace. In our demo, the player was boosting around, dodging attacks, and performing sword attacks head-on. At one point, they even launched an enemy off an edge to exploit the force of gravity. Additionally, a stagger meter can build up over time, creating opportunities for devastating damage against susceptible opponents.

The mission layout in Armored Core VI will be familiar to fans of the series, as the mech delves deeper into the complex. A taunting voice over the radio accompanies the player, remarking on the extraordinary mercenary who has made an appearance. This culminates in a thrilling boss battle against a cleaner unit—a Roomba-like tank armed with colossal arms. It’s an awe-inspiring spectacle that captures the imagination. While we didn’t witness much of it, the concept of an “armored Doom-Roomba with grinder arms” is undeniably intriguing.

A Playground of Customization

The real excitement lies within the menus. Customization has always been a core appeal of Armored Core, reminiscent of the depth found in games like Gran Turismo. As we observed the demo player navigate the menu, we discovered a plethora of options, ranging from parts and weapons to aesthetics. The mech garage provides accessibility, allowing players to tinker with configurations and return to a checkpoint after facing defeat.

What makes Armored Core VI even more enticing for newcomers is the extensive range of choices available. Both fans of the build-crafting aspect of Souls games and players captivated by the innovative mechanics of Tears of the Kingdom are primed and ready for this level of customization.

As someone who dedicated significant time to Armored Core during its PS2 era, I’m thrilled to see the series evolve. While it’s challenging to fully grasp the gameplay experience from a hands-off demo, witnessing Armored Core VI in action felt like encountering a polished and modernized version of the mech battles I dreamed of as a child. The garage filled with parts and customization options, allowing for the perfect mech tailored for any situation, is akin to a bucket of limitless possibilities.

Suffice it to say, I’m eagerly anticipating the release of Armored Core VI and believe this is the ideal opportunity for FromSoftware to combine the success of the Souls series with the revival of a beloved, dormant franchise. Even if this becomes a labor of love exclusively for the loyal Armored Core fanbase, I’m elated to see the game come to fruition with such finesse.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon will be available on August 25, 2023, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

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