Armored Core 6: Unleashing a Revolutionary Era for FromSoftware

Highlights

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is a highly anticipated sequel that brings the beloved third-person mech shooter franchise back after a decade hiatus.

The game features a curated sequence of missions, appealing to fans seeking a more organized and less daunting gameplay. This release could signify a new phase for FromSoftware, as they strive to consistently cater to fans by alternating between linear and open-world game experiences.

Releasing in a matter of days, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is a highly anticipated sequel that has been a decade in the making. Fans of the franchise are eagerly awaiting the chance to finally play it. Before the success of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, FromSoftware was primarily known for its third-person mech shooter franchise Armored Core, which first debuted on the PS1 in 1997. While Armored Core took a break for a long period, it has returned and is now better than ever. However, new fans of FromSoftware should not rush into it immediately.

According to numerous previews, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is expected to be an outstanding AAA release, adding to the already impressive lineup of games this year. It takes the beloved essence of the original series and gives it a modern twist. Nevertheless, it is important to note that Armored Core 6 is not another Dark Souls or Elden Ring, nor does it need to be. The game follows a more traditional design approach from FromSoftware and could potentially mark a new chapter for the renowned developer.

Armored Core 6 Could Begin a New Cycle for FromSoftware

FromSoftware has predominantly focused on developing open-world games over the past decade. Although the studio has a history of incorporating open-world elements, it fully embraced this format after the success of Dark Souls in 2011. Unlike Demon's Souls, which featured a central hub to access different areas, Dark Souls introduced a large interconnected world that was accessible through tunnels, pathways, and gates.

FromSoftware has gradually expanded on their open-world design, leading up to Elden Ring, released last year. Elden Ring marked the studio's first game to fully adopt a truly open-world format. Taking inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Elden Ring places a strong emphasis on non-linear exploration, surpassing any previous FromSoftware games in this regard. While many fans consider Elden Ring's open-world as the epitome of FromSoftware's game design, it may not suit the preferences of every fan.

Not all players are attracted to open-world games. Some find the vastness and freedom of an open-world design overwhelming, preferring a more structured and linear experience. Armored Core 6 addresses this preference by embracing a linear structure, offering a predetermined number of missions with hand-crafted elements such as enemies, obstacles, and bosses. While still providing replayability through diverse mech customization options, players will generally have a shared experience.

Armored Core 6's linear structure may be perceived as a step back by some FromSoftware fans, especially after the impressive open-world approach of Elden Ring. However, for other fans, it can be seen as a return to a preferred gameplay formula. Moving forward, FromSoftware could consider catering to both types of fans more consistently. They could establish a trend where they release a linear game like Armored Core, followed by an open-ended game like Dark Souls or Elden Ring, and then return to a linear title. This cyclic approach would ensure that all players have the opportunity to enjoy a game they prefer, with a hope of maintaining a consistent release schedule.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon will be available on August 25, 2023, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.