Unveiling the Epic Connection: How Armored Core 6 and Elden Ring Collide

FromSoftware fans have much to look forward to as they anticipate the release of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. This upcoming addition, along with the potential release of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion for Elden Ring in 2024, signifies a golden age for fans of FromSoftware, demonstrating the company's ability to consistently deliver content year after year. After spending a considerable amount of time in silent development, Elden Ring's emergence is highly anticipated, making the return of the Armored Core franchise even more significant.

Armored Core 6 already displays distinct elements of the Souls series, showcasing its influence on the game. However, it is important to note that Armored Core focuses heavily on mecha action and places even greater emphasis on customization compared to other build-heavy titles by FromSoftware. The timeless appeal of the Armored Core franchise, which has spanned over a decade of Soulslikes, cannot be underestimated.

Taking a closer look at the level design and the way enemy animations are highlighted in the preview footage, it becomes evident that Armored Core 6 retains strong connections to the Souls games. Given the immense success of Elden Ring and FromSoftware's penchant for referencing their past works, it is clear that Armored Core 6 will pay homage to its predecessors.

Patches Is Too Popular To Miss Armored Core 6

Armored Core 6 and Elden Ring have similarities in their post-apocalyptic worlds and morally ambiguous protagonists. Both games also share a fascination with fire, although Elden Ring emphasizes it more than Armored Core 6. Despite these thematic and visual similarities, players might not expect Armored Core 6 to be connected to the open-world fantasy game Elden Ring. However, there is already a precedent for the two games acknowledging each other.

One recurring character in FromSoftware's titles is Patch the Good Luck, also known as Lucky Patches. This balding and untrustworthy character has been present in previous games, such as Shadow Tower Abyss. Patch first appeared as a minor pilot in Armored Core: For Answer, which was Hidetaka Miyazaki's second directing role. A unique aspect of Patch's character is that he surrenders and runs away if he outlives his teammates.

Patches is known as an iconic figure in the titles directed by Miyazaki, such as Demon's Souls, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 3, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring. Despite his tendency to betray players, keen explorers will discover that he actually leads them towards valuable treasures and offers unique items afterward.

However, Patches' involvement in Armored Core 6 is uncertain due to the inclusion of another director in the early stages of development, Masaru Yamamura. Yamamura, who was previously the lead game designer for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, did not include Patches despite Miyazaki's co-direction. Nonetheless, FromSoftware understands Patches' popularity, and fans may still have the chance to encounter him in a side mission or the Arena. Whether he appears as part of a team, employing long-range strategies, or bending the rules a bit, Patches would undoubtedly be a memorable and captivating addition to the dark world of Armored Core 6.

Other Possible Ties Between Armored Core 6 And Elden Ring

Armored Core and its Soulslike counterparts share a direct connection. FromSoftware had already incorporated a significant element called the "Sword of Moonlight" in their games long before Patch and others. This concept was highly flexible, allowing Armored Core to feature numerous laser blades with the name Moonlight. Although it appeared regularly in King's Field and Armored Core, it was the Souls games that truly popularized this weapon.

In recent roles, the sword has assumed a more fixed form, typically appearing as a wide blade emitting a vibrant blue glow and firing projectiles of the same color. Obtaining the Moonlight Greatsword in Elden Ring requires completing Ranni's extensive quest, but it is undeniably formidable for players who choose to wield it.

In Armored Core 6, not only can players expect to see the Moonlight blade, but the game's expanded melee system will allow them to wield the blade just like in Elden Ring. Trailers have already depicted a mech impaling another with a laser lance, indicating that the Moonlight's size and projectile abilities will remain intact.

While finding direct connections between Elden Ring and Armored Core 6 may be challenging, given the differences in formatting between the two games and the existing similarities between Armored Core and Dark Souls, potential commonalities may lie deep within each game. Both titles place emphasis on multiple endings, with Elden Ring encouraging players to explore different NPCs' ideologies, and based on previous entries, AC6 may gradually introduce similar branching paths.

The number of endings for Armored Core 6's initial release is unclear, but more endings have been confirmed for subsequent playthroughs, each with their own mission paths. The likelihood of an ending where the player triggers a Coral-fueled catastrophe, engulfing Rubicon-3 in flames, is high and reminiscent of Elden Ring's Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.

Additionally, players may have the option to align with the natives of Rubicon 3 and fend off the invading alien corporations, similar to the ending granted by Ranni's quest line. Both Elden Ring and Armored Core 6 will provide ample opportunities for players to leave their mark on the game world, and fans of FromSoftware should eagerly anticipate unlocking them all.

Armored Core 6 will be released on August 25 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.