Summary
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconwas released this week, nearly a decade after the series' most recent entry,Armored Core: Verdict Day. The title was released to critical and commercial acclaim, with many citing thatArmored Core 6’s evolved gameplay made for an exhilarating return.Armored Corewas one of FromSoftware’s earliest break-out hits, and the series return has proven especially meaningful to older gamers. However, FromSoftware’s fanbase has grown substantially inArmored Core’s absence, thanks to the developers' modern titles giving rise to the Soulsborne genre. While fans of both eras will certainly enjoy the modern vehicular-combat ofArmored Core 6, one feature may prove divisive among fans.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicontakes the fan-favorite series to new heights, evolving the series' already superb gameplay for a modern audience. The series' wide range of customization options returns, allowing fans to tailor their approach to complement their personal play style. Additionally,Armored Core 6features a way for pilots to heal themselves, called Repair Kits, as well as an Impact mechanic, which allows player and enemy ACs to be staggered. Unlike most FromSoftware games,Armored Core 6adds a touch of assistance for new players, allowing pilots to use aim-assist in combat and reconfigure their build before reloading a checkpoint.
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Armored Core 6’s Mission Briefings Cut Straight to the Point
Since its very beginning,Armored Corehas been a series where gameplay and customization take a high priority. InArmored Core6, that priority remains, as the title expands both features to great effect. While the title’s gameplay differs from that of previous titles, includingArmored Core 6dropping the debt system, its storytelling is nearly identical. The title’s early trailers and developer footage presented degrees of cinematic storytelling, but the bulk ofArmored Core 6’s narrative beats and choices are made in minimalistic mission briefings.
Each ofArmored Core 6’s main chaptersconsists of various missions, which the player undertakes for different corporations and military forces. Because of this, the majority of each chapter’s narrative is told through mission briefings, in which the players' handler or employer shares the details of each operation. Rather than provide the player with an overview of the map, cinematic sequence, or animated loading screen,Armored Core 6’s briefings consist of an audio visualizer, overlaid on the Sortie Menu background, and silhouette-like images, in rare instances. While this approach may seem outdated, it carries on a tradition from previousArmored Coretitles, in which missions begin and end with narrative-progressing mission briefings.
Armored Core 6’s Briefings May Prove Divisive
Armored Core 6’s first real mission briefing takes place after a rather daunting and spectacular tutorial boss fight. While long-time fans of theArmored Coreseries will likely go unfazed by this briefing’s style, players brought in byFromSoftware’s other propertiesmay be caught off-guard by its simple and concise nature. FromSoftware’s modern properties are revered for their mixture of cinematic and gameplay cutscenes, which emphasize the properties' narratives and boss encounters.Armored Core 6’s frenetic gameplay and amoral narrative allow for neither, as the game’s story and boss encounters are introduced as means to a paycheck, before shifting focus toward the highly valuable substance, Coral.
Armored Core 6’s mission briefingsmay prove to be one of the title’s more controversial features, dividing FromSoftware’s veteran and modern fanbases. The feature has already proven divisive among online reviewers. Some reviewers citeArmored Core 6’s briefings as the title’s weakest element, while others recognize them as a commitment to the series' identity. Regardless of player opinion,Armored Core 6has something to offer fans of all kinds. The title’s narrative style may be simple, butArmored Core 6features a compelling, decision-based story and genre-defining vehicular combat that players won’t want to miss.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconis currently for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
