After FromSoftware’s massive success last year with Elden Ring, the studio is back again in 2023. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon launches August 25th on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Series X|S, and PC. A new trailer launched today showcasing the fast-paced gameplay, teasing epic boss battles, and gameplay that seems unfamiliar to Souls fans. It’s an exciting time to be a gamer as this year continues to be stacked. There’s no reason to doubt that their critical and commercial success won’t continue. FromSoftware released hit after hit starting way back in 2009 with PS3’s Demon’s Souls. Famed director Hidetaka Miyazaki is not serving as the game’s director. However, the reigns are being passed to Masaru Yamamura. Miyazaki served as the initial game director at the early stages of development to define the early concept.
Speed Ahead
Armored Core has predated all their recent successes and launched way back in 1997. This is the first new entry in 10 years. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon takes place on the planet Rubicon. Moreover, the planet had a previous disaster due to an energy source called “Coral”. The game has players piloting a customizable mech in expansive environments that have incredible scale. The gameplay looks to speed up the combat as players zip around the environment at a lightning-fast pace. With the ability to customize one’s mech with up to four weapon slots, one in each hand and two on the player’s back. This will give players a lot of options for the challenges ahead. Custom paint jobs will also be included, meaning fashion souls will continue in mech form!
Big Bosses, Big Customization
Big Boss encounters are teased in the trailer which should get Souls fans excited. Different playstyles were also confirmed. Assault Boosts allow the player to switch between long-range and melee attacks. Long-range weapons include bazookas, gatling guns, split missiles, plasma rifles, and more. Melee weapons include cluster bomb throwers, chainsaws, pulse blades, lances, and more. The game seems to be allowing players a lot of choices to mix and match their weapons to take on a dangerous world. Armored Core 6 will follow previous entries and have a mission-based progression structure. Missions will have players fighting across sweeping battlefields. This is different than the studio’s recent entries that players are more familiar with. Player’s expectations should be met with an understanding of this is going to be quite different than the Soul’s formula we are used to.
Armored Core 6 on the Horizon
This year for games has been great already between the remakes of Dead Space and Resident Evil 4, to Star War: Jedi Survivor releasing tomorrow and Redfall next week, players have plenty to sink their teeth into, until the release in August. As a huge fan of FromSoftware since Dark Souls was released in September 2011, I’m eager to see what they are bringing to the table with a new Armored Core. Between the new Armored Core and the recent announcement of an expansion to Elden Ring, there’s a lot to look forward to from the developer. Armored Core 6 is available for pre-order now.
