Armored Core 6: Explosive Delight - An Unparalleled Review

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon excels in various aspects right from the beginning. It boasts stunning graphics and explosive visuals, along with a moderately intricate robot building system that avoids unnecessary complexity. The gameplay loop, centered around vehicular combat, remains engaging throughout the game. FromSoftware has consistently delivered impressive games in recent years, and Armored Core 6 is likely to join the ranks of their most highly regarded titles. However, this does not mean that the game is flawless, and players unfamiliar with previous Armored Core games may struggle to fully enjoy the experience due to a limited range of minor issues. Nevertheless, the game is undeniably enjoyable in almost every aspect.

One particular challenge may not be attributed to the game itself, but rather stems from similarities with FromSoftware's recent releases. Having initially launched the original Armored Core in 1997, long-time fans of the series are unlikely to experience the slight feeling of confinement that newer fans might encounter after immersing themselves in the expansive open worlds of titles such as Elden Ring and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The linear, sectioned-off gameplay areas, enclosed by striking neon-red borders, may come as a rude awakening for players who anticipate roaming freely across the vast lands of Rubicon in their massive mechanized vehicles, akin to the protagonists of the previously mentioned games. However, Armored Core 6, like its predecessors, adopts a different game style, making it intriguing to observe the reactions of new players to this setup. The gameplay loop itself is relatively straightforward: players first select their mech's loadout, choosing weapons and body parts, then embark on and complete missions before returning to the mission select menu. Although the loop may seem simple and basic, the game consistently avoids wasting the player's time, with the exception of a few instances where missions feature repetitive locations, though such occurrences are infrequent.

Progressing through multiple missions in a single play session feels remarkably seamless. Although the story initially unfolds at a slow pace and lacks a defining moment to captivate users' attention, it still manages to hold players' interest, making it difficult to put the game down. While the story is solid yet average, the game excels in its ability to engage players through enjoyable gameplay. It is worth noting that certain missions stand out more than others, creating lasting memories.

The chapter-ending missions in Armored Core 6 are the highlights of the game. They offer a diverse range of action sequences and advance the storyline effectively. Some of these missions start with unexpected twists, adding to the excitement. Additionally, there is a good mix of mission types, although most of them involve destroying enemies. Some missions involve one-on-one battles, while others require players to explore underground caves or attack fortified bases. Armored Core 6 provides a variety of activities, though the focus remains on causing enemy devastation.

The developers made a smart decision by allowing players to replay completed missions for cash. This enables players to upgrade their weapons and armor, preventing them from feeling stuck when facing seemingly impossible missions. By farming older missions, players can accumulate enough money to purchase necessary upgrades.

In terms of environmental destruction, Armored Core 6 has some hits and misses. While smaller obstacles such as light poles, railings, and cars can be easily destroyed by running into them, larger objects like gas tanks require shooting to explode. However, most buildings, regardless of their size, cannot be destroyed. This limitation is understandable from a gameplay perspective, as cover is often necessary to complete missions successfully. Nevertheless, it can be disappointing not to have complete destruction, especially when controlling a powerful mechanical robot. Despite this drawback, the game offers some remarkable elements. The explosions, whether from destroying small tanks or defeating powerful bosses, are visually stunning. Even the trails of smoke from missiles or the afterimages from grenade launchers and sniper rifles add to the overall appeal. Players seeking visually impressive combat will find Armored Core 6 to be a captivating experience.

Having said that, while the difficulty of making snow and mud visually engaging should not be overlooked, some of the terrain visuals appear somewhat basic. It is important to note, however, that they are not necessarily subpar. However, their impact may not be as awe-inspiring as the explosive and combat graphics. Admittedly, most players might not even notice the lackluster nature of the locations in Rubicon, but a few individuals might be disheartened by the simplicity of the game's terrain. Fortunately, the game intelligently does not prioritize the terrain as the primary focus at any given time since the true stars of a game involving enormous mechanical robots battling each other are, in fact, the enormous mechanical robots themselves.

FromSoftware has truly dedicated themselves to designing an array of awe-inspiring mech variations. Divided into distinct components - head, torso, legs, arms, and weapons - each can be mixed and matched to a certain extent. With each brand boasting its own unique style, ranging from robust and blocky to sleek and pointed, there are advantages and disadvantages when it comes to weight and numerous other statistics. While there are limitations based on overall weight and the mech's internal systems, players still have considerable freedom to craft their own colossal machines. Whether it's creating a long-range sniper platform on tank treads that excels in taking out enemies from a distance, or a swift and nimble melee unit equipped with a variety of saws and energy blades for close-quarters combat, the possibilities are vast.

Armored Core 6 prioritizes player choice, albeit with certain missions leaning more towards a specific direction in terms of the players' priorities for success. There are a handful of missions that may feel nearly impossible to complete with a melee-focused build, as damage can accumulate rapidly if players aren't cautious. However, these restrictions can be overcome through practice, perseverance, or by modifying the mech's assembly at the mission restart screen. This grants players the ability to reposition components and alter their gear and weapons with those they have already acquired. This valuable feature allows for extensive trial and error without the need to repeat significant portions of missions.

A wide array of weapons awaits players in the game. From the conventional machine guns and grenade launchers to powerful rockets, cannons, and electrical-based guns, there is something for every player's taste. These visually impressive armaments deliver outstanding effects, enhancing the thrill of vehicular combat. However, the enjoyment factor takes a slight step sideways as players unlock improved weaponry throughout their progress. This means bidding farewell to beloved weapons that may have provided a satisfying sound or enjoyable shooting experience, especially in situations requiring swift and substantial damage. The issue becomes more pronounced when it comes to replacing mech parts. Certain components offer increased health and defense, compelling players to part ways with their cherished aesthetics. Thankfully, when new armor or weapons are installed, paint jobs and decals are automatically applied, ensuring a fresh and potentially even more visually appealing look.

This upgrade system also blurs the difficulty levels of the game. Throughout the review playthrough, the majority of the game felt easy, with the challenging parts mostly being the end-of-chapter bosses, particularly in the first few chapters. It almost didn't feel like a typical FromSoftware game during the easier sections, but the developers made sure to remind players of their boss design skills and the ability to increase the difficulty when necessary. Initially, it can be overwhelming to go from effortlessly progressing through missions to suddenly encountering an insurmountable obstacle that abruptly stops and defeats the player. How one perceives these challenges will greatly impact their overall enjoyment of the game.

If nothing else, Armored Core VI rewards perseverance. Similar to other FromSoftware games, there is a unique and satisfying feeling when overcoming something that initially seemed impossible after numerous attempts. This is a brilliant aspect of many FromSoftware games: providing players with the tools to conquer adversity through repetition and strategic adjustments, allowing them to overcome obstacles and emerge with a sense of accomplishment, both internally and visually.

In addition to the main storyline, players will have the opportunity to engage in 1 vs. 1 battles with virtual versions of both enemy and friendly non-playable characters they encounter during the game. These battles take place in an arena mode. Each opponent is assigned a letter ranking, and players are challenged to climb the ranks in order to obtain their opponent's emblems and OST chips. These chips can then be used to directly enhance various aspects of the player's stats, such as increasing explosive damage or activating different types of armor with a key press. This choice also affects the player's weapon selection, as focusing on specific damage types influences the most effective arsenal for battle. While an optimal set of choices will eventually emerge, at the beginning, prioritizing damage increase seemed to be the best option. This feature adds an additional layer of complexity to the game without becoming overwhelming or unnecessarily complicating other aspects of gameplay.

All the choices listed can be brought into the multiplayer arena, where a maximum of nine players can join a single room. Currently, there are two formats available: the 1v1 Single mode or the 3v3 Battle mode. In the Battle mode, players go up against both AI and human opponents. The host has the power to decide whether the winners or losers sit out the next match, allowing others to take their place. The intense chaos that arises from battling human opponents is truly mesmerizing.

Although the enemy AI in the game is formidable, the thrill and awe of facing real players is incomparable. The combination of different weapons, mech designs, and the resulting chaos is highly addictive. Players can even upload and share their load-outs online with friends and foes, either for judgment or imitation. This feature serves as a great starting point for users who need inspiration or guidance in building their own mech. While the lack of diverse multiplayer game modes may hinder its prominence, players will undoubtedly demand more options in the months following the game's release.

FromSoftware has crafted an outstanding vehicular combat game that stays true to the franchise's essence while delivering an awe-inspiring experience for newcomers. The game's high-speed action, extensive customization options, and enjoyable gameplay loop are sure to captivate fans worldwide, as they engage in intense battles and obliterate their adversaries. The single-player campaign showcases FromSoftware's mastery as storytellers, immersing players in a rich narrative. Additionally, the multiplayer mode, although relatively minimalistic, showcases the exhilaration and fun of competing against other players. Armored Core VI: The Fires of Rubicon will undoubtedly become the top choice for vehicular combat enthusiasts, and many pilots will find it hard to tear themselves away from their mechs and end their gaming sessions.

Introducing Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled spectacle with Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, the newest addition to the renowned Armored Core series. Immerse yourself in the thrilling world of mechanized warfare, where colossal machines take center stage and fierce battles for mech supremacy ensue. Developed by From Software and published by Bandai Namco, this highly anticipated release promises non-stop action and intense gameplay.

Armored Core VI: The Fires of Rubicon is currently available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X. Game Rant was provided a PC code for this review.