Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

A solid entry into a long running series that has been dormant for nearly ten years.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon brings a more fast paced hard hitting style of gameplay to the series that wasn't seen in past titles. There's several quality of life changes that series veterans will love, repair kits keep you in the action longer and checkpoints make challenging missions fun instead of frustrating. If you fail a mission you have the ability to swap parts and weapons and begin again from a checkpoint meaning you won't have to wade though cannon fodder enemies just to get back to a boss fight you failed.

Quality visuals and sounds mean every weapon, booster, lazer sword and explosion looks and sounds unique.

As with past entries, the game features tons of customization options both functional and cosmetic. A custom emblem editor and decal feature means you can truly make your AC you're very own.

Some negatives; The story is passable but it's really secondary to the action, very stereotypically sci-fi story that won't leave you disappointed but won't have much impact either.

Missions are hit and miss, most will have you cutting down the same looking mechs in bland environments while others are fantastic grandiose set pieces that make you feel like you're watching an anime.

All in all Armored Core VI is a fantastic entry into the AC series that features updated gameplay, gorgeous visuals and a solid experience for both returning fans and newcomers alike.

I loved Fromsoft and came to know them through Dark Souls, Demon Souls, Sekiro, Elden Ring, and Bloodborne. Never played an Armored Core game until Fires of Rubicon. And let me just say WOW! I am blown away by this game.

Let me give you a short list of likes and dislikes!

Positives

• Gameplay: I have played most the big games of 2023 and I think on a gameplay level nothing comes close to this. From the movement to the shooting and also the speed and verticality. No game feels this good to play.

• Graphics: FromSoft isn't known for fidelity they are known for art style and this game is beautiful. When cutscenes started I immediately moved my finger to the screen shot button. Some shots in this game are just straight up paintings. Art direction and style > fidelity every day of the week.

• Scale and Scope: this game nails scale and scope in the same way Gareth Edwards nailed scale with his Godzilla movie and Rogue One. Bosses feel huge, locations gigantic in a way that is hard to describe. How they nail huge bosses and keep the gameplay fast is beyond me but it looks great and feels big.

• Story: this is easily a 20 hour game with multiple endings to encourage replay. The story is good the world and world building rock. Cutscenes are dope. Still has the FromSoft ambiguous flare too.

• customization: the builds you can make in this game are so varied. You can make so many types of acs that move and fight very differently! Super deep and fun.

Flaws

• UI in the garage can be a but much and vague.

• some level design that is so punishing that it reminds me of swamps in souls games.

Stuff to know

• Not dark souls with mechs. If you play it like that you will be mad.

• linear mission based story, not open world.

• nice 20 hour game with a lot of replay-ability

Tips

• if you get stuck on a boss change your build.

• plasma guns lower shields faster.

• explosives and kinetic weapons do heavy damage to the enemy especially when they are staggered.

• Know when a boss should be fought close and fast or long range and patient.

• Use the tank core if you struggle to evade or block.

• replay missions to make money.

• upgrade your os abilities that increase your damage resistance, healing, and damage output first!

Armored Core is finally back 10 years after Verdict Day.

You are playing as C4-621, an enhanced AC pilot, sent to Rubicon 3 by Handler Walter. You crash land on the planet and obtain a name you'll be using for the rest of the game from a destroyed AC: Raven. Guided by Walter, you have to fight for your life through the battlefields while dealing with the militaristic corporations, the local militia, and a governing body, all fighting to take control of Coral, a powerful energy source which nearly decimated the planet at one point. You'll meet other AC pilots with different goals and ideals. You will also start hearing voices of a girl calling herself Ayre, a Rubiconian. Meanwhile, a mysterious and powerful force is lurking in the shadows...

Let's get to work, Raven.