Geek Preview: ‘Armored Core VI’ Shows FromSoftware Can Do No Wrong

With the announcement of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon back at The Game Awards 2022, it caught many of FromSoftware fans by surprise, especially those that have gotten used to the likes of the Souls series and Elden Ring. After all, it’s been more than a decade since giant mechs were the studio’s calling card, so it makes sense that many are curious about what the new game will bring.

Thankfully, FromSoftware provided the media with an opportunity to have a closer look at the game as part of Summer Game Fest 2023, as Lead Producer Yasunori Ogura was on hand to illustrate just what awaits players in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon when it releases on 25 August.

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What is Armored Core?

First off, it is necessary to set the stage for those that are unfamiliar with what the franchise is at its core. Ogura described it as “a mecha game series that dates back to FromSoftware’s earliest days” in which players utilise a “robust assembly system” that “allows for a large number of possible playstyles” in the different missions.

That is not changing in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, but what FromSoftware will be doing for this new entry is tapping on their renowned expertise in the action genre. In addition to the wide customisation systems, the game will be enhanced by smooth controls for the mechs, expansive and dynamic maps that contain various scenarios for gameplay and progression, as well as original, unique, and challenging battle design.

Sounds familiar? It should, but now players will be enjoying all of that in giant, hulking mechs made for destruction on a much larger scale.

Core Pillars of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

While the abovementioned direction is already sitting well with us, Ogura further elaborated on the core design pillars of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. It can largely be broken down into three distinct areas that will excite fans and new players alike:

Massive & Three-dimensional Level Design

When FromSoftware talks scale, they mean it, as a later part of a hands-off demo will show. Levels will be vast and intricate at the same time, and allow the mobility of mechs to truly shine. Players will have a new level of freedom when it comes to movement, and exploration will be even more enjoyable thanks to the mechs.

Deserts filled with ruins, hillside structures covered in snow, and much more await, with both exterior and interior environments ensuring that there’s always a good mix of man-made and natural terrain to keep things interesting.

Tactical Combat System Further Expanded by Parts Assembly

It cannot be stressed enough that the countless combinations of mech parts in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon truly mean players will experience gameplay differently based on their choices. Furthermore, the dynamic battle experience is delivered with unique FromSoftware pacing, where attack and defence are always precariously balanced.

Overcoming Challenging Situations & Earning Hard-won Victories

That all leads to the ultimate satisfaction when victory is attained. Learning to read enemies, avoid attacks, and take advantage of situations is the only way of survival in the battles of mechs.

While the various parts may give players much to choose from to tailor their approach, the system can also be vital to defeating particularly tough enemies in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon that require more nuance and strategy. Sure sounds like a modern FromSoftware game, indeed.

Grid 086 Mission Demo

With all of the pertinent information out of the way, it was time to witness Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon in action. Ogura made it a point that the team sees this new entry as a reboot of the entire series, which is why the starting of each mission will follow the traditional flow. That means a mission briefing with important information, some snippets of the environment, and the type of resistance that lie ahead.

Right off the bat, the sheer scale of the environment is a sight to behold, with even the mech that was being used looking small compared to the structures. The use of a boost function allows the mech to cover ground both vertically and horizontally and will be the most-used way to traverse these giant playgrounds or to catch enemies by surprise. Other movement elements like catapults are also there to help cover more ground.

The Scan ability in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon will also give players a better idea of the route ahead, allowing for more detailed planning and tactical decisions to be made. Routes to an objective come in a variety, and it is up to the player to choose how they want to approach any given situation. Going in all guns blazing might be a way, but so is careful manoeuvring to get a better vantage point. Either way, combat will be part of the offering, and in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, that is often a crowded affair.

Players will have to be vigilant on offence and defence, prioritising targets to cut the numbers and prevent the danger from becoming overwhelming. The likes of missiles and explosive attacks will help, as will the more risky melee attacks. In a pinch, shields can be put up to negate damage in tight spaces, but that isn’t something that will last forever.

Certain enemies will have more protection against some attacks, so that machinegun barrage isn’t something that can be used throughout a mission. This is where the option of Assembly comes into play. Whenever players meet their demise in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, they have the option to restart the mission or from a checkpoint, but also to go into Assembly to modify their mech on the fly.

From what was shown, each mech can equip up to four weapons, while the frame benefits from head, core, arms, and legs parts. There are also the booster, generator and FCS parts to take care of. Freely changing the different parts of the mech will bestow the mech with new capabilities and characteristics, and, hopefully, make the next fight just a little easier.

Players must also learn to leverage the elements of Impact and Stagger in Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. Any attack will have a level of impact on an enemy, and dealing enough damage will cause a Stagger effect, during which all attacks deal significantly more damage.

With the dust settled, it is time to take stock. Any damage sustained can be repaired using the limited number of Repair Kits, which can then be replenished alongside ammo at supply points that may appear in a mission. It is never wrong to be overprepared, especially when there is a boss battle coming up.

The demo culminates in a titanic bout against the heavy SMART Cleaner, which is much bigger and certainly more dangerous than the player’s mech. Dangerous melee attacks, AoE effects, and threatening ranged attacks are all part of the danger here, and players will have to tap on all of their knowledge and skills to survive. While we didn’t get to see a win here, the entire demo definitely made clear that Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a FromSoftware game through and through, and we have never been more excited.

As Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon marches towards its 25 August release date, it is likely we will hear more from the team about its new take on a beloved franchise. At this stage, we are more than satisfied with what we have seen, and hopefully, it will all pay off when we finally get our hands behind the controls of huge mechs later this year.