Armored Core VI – Classic Mech Action Meets Elden Ring

Armored Core is back from a 10-year nap in the Bandai Namco vault and it’s looking like all that extra sleep paid off. With acclaimed developers FromSoftware back behind the wheel, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon promises to be a blazing fusion of classic mecha action and FromSoftware’s iconic Soulslike gameplay.

The Armored Core series might have a longer history than the Soulslike titles FromSoftware is famed for, but after the incredible reception to Elden Ring, they’re sure to take some of their learnings and apply them to their new title as they relaunch the franchise.

Let's take a look at what we can expect when Armored Core VI blasts down on August 25^th.

Surprisingly, Armored Core VI is not a full franchise reboot, instead, it acts as more of a ‘soft reboot’. This means that newcomers won't have to worry much about the events of previous Armored Core games, although diehard fans can still expect to find lots of easter eggs and references to the wider lore.

Armored Core VI takes place on the remote planet Rubicon 3, where half a century ago a mysterious source of energy was discovered. This invaluable new substance had the potential to advance humanity's technology but instead led to catastrophe, setting Rubicon 3 and neighbouring systems ablaze. Now as the energy source resurfaces, players take on the role of a mercenary caught between warring corporations vying for control of Rubicon 3.

Players will be able to make story choices that impact the terrain of Rubicon 3 and even the story’s ending. Having multiple endings has become a staple of FromSoftware games with Elden Ring’s six mind-bending endings still burned into our minds.

It’s pretty much an unwritten rule that if you have mechs as a central part of your game, you get to customize them. Fortunately, mecha customisation is a major feature of Armored Core VI, giving players access to a whole arsenal of firearms, armour, and melee weapons.

Those familiar with how customization works in Elden Ring will notice some similarities as weapons and armour all contribute to your mech's level of manoeuvrability. Looking for fast and scrappy gameplay with high evasion? Then you’ll want to equip fewer weapons and lighter armour. On the other hand, you can fortify your mech with heavy weapons and armour to turn it into a slow-moving but near-unstoppable tank.

FromSoftware is also taking a different approach to builds. Where Elden Ring rewarded players more for finding a playstyle and mostly sticking to it, Armored Core VI encourages experimentation by removing limitations on how often you can completely overhaul your mech's gear and stats. Finding the right combination of weapons and gear to deal with tricky areas or a tough boss will be vital to surviving the hostile environments of Rubicon.

Armored Core’s gameplay has shifted over the years between faster and slower-paced action. Gameplay in 2012’s Armored Core V was slower and more methodical, favouring positioning and terrain advantage, whereas 2006’s Armored Core 4[1] had much faster and more streamlined combat. Armored Core VI places emphasis on speed and aggression but being a true Soulslike, you’ll want to carefully time your attacks and look for openings in your opponent's attack patterns.

The reason speed and aggression are key is because of Armored Core VI’s ‘impact bar’ function. The impact bar sits separately above an enemy's health bar and damaging them fills it up. Once the bar reaches a certain threshold the player’s attack will do more damage for a short period. The impact bar works similarly in nature to the stagger system from Elden Ring, where foes could be momentarily stunned after taking enough ‘poise’ damage.

The world of Rubicon 3 is diverse with desert sub terrains and snowy biomes. Players explore these terrains in a mission-based level structure, a departure from the open-world nature of Elden Ring. Still, these levels are sizable with plenty to explore and uncover.

Mechs in Armored Core can also fly freely meaning there are plenty of new ways for FromSoftware to surprise us with hidden items and (more likely) dangers. We’ve all healed from our Elden Ring Fingercreeper trauma, right?

If there's one thing you can guarantee in a FromSoftware game is that the bosses will be both memorable and challenging, often pushing the envelope of what boss fights can be. The amount of memorable boss fights in Elden Ring – from Maliketh, the black blade to the ruthless Melenia, Blade of Miquella – could easily stand as its own article. So, it comes as very good news that From Software has confirmed that boss fights in Armored Core VI will be some of the best they’ve ever produced.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon borrows much of what made Elden Ring 2022’s Game Of The Year but twists it to perfectly encapsulate its more sc-if aesthetic and mech-focused combat. We’re eager to see everything that’s in store when Armored Core VI lands planet-side on August 25^th.