Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon – PS5 Review

Everything that receives the touch of the current FromSoftware turns to gold. Since their inception in 2009, they initiated a playable trend that would deeply influence half of the industry for years to come. Led by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the studio has continually evolved with each new release. Starting from Demon's Souls, progressing through the Dark Souls trilogy and its epic conclusion, to the intense Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the visceral Bloodborne, and the acclaimed masterpiece Elden Ring, From Software has consistently delivered. Now, the team returns to one of their cherished series with an entry that lives up to their exceptional standards.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon encompasses the defining elements of the franchise. It's a game where combat takes precedence above all else, while RPG components revolve around your customizable mecha. This mechanical behemoth is fully modifiable with a plethora of stats, resulting in diverse build possibilities. What sets it apart from its predecessors is its approach and control mechanics. A detailed exploration follows in this analysis, but our initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. From Software seizes a pivotal opportunity to introduce the brand to a new audience, extending beyond its existing devoted community.

The structure of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is organized into chapters composed of missions selected from a menu. No interconnection links the levels or expansive game areas. Once you engage a mission, you're transported to a designated game zone, with durations of around 10 to 15 minutes, contingent on the objective. Distinctions between main and secondary tasks are absent: all must be fulfilled to advance through the chapter, typically culminating in a boss confrontation.

Objectives encompass tasks like obliterating targets on stage, eliminating a specific number of foes—a seemingly trivial yet pivotal challenge. The studio has adeptly balanced and streamlined these moments, preventing them from feeling inconsequential. Chaining missions becomes enthralling. Upon completion, you're rewarded with currency for garage investments and unlocking new robot parts. Engaging in combat is intrinsically rewarding.

The level design contributes to the creation of potent combat arenas that could be described as organic. Taking cover in the shadow of a skyscraper to avoid a laser beam feels instinctual. Within a short span, you'll utilize everyday elements as strategic cover. Buildings, mountains—every stage element can be employed to your advantage in the heat of battle. Playing Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon immerses you in a relentless survival struggle from the outset. Exploration and dawdling are discarded in favor of annihilating your adversary before they do the same to you. However, this design approach does conflict with some final missions that introduce more intricate elements, such as impossible descents dodging lasers or nearly pure platforming sections. Perhaps this foreshadows the saga's next evolutionary step.

Battles against final bosses are both spectacular and demanding. Energy depletes during dodges (square button), evasive impulses in any direction. Activating maximum rocket thrust (movement stick press) consumes energy, propelling you forward akin to iconic anime mechs. Quick jabs to the stick prompt nimble dodges, useful for swiftly closing the gap. Jumping and propelling yourself upward also expends energy, maintaining gliding momentum as you gradually recharge. Brief ground contact immediately replenishes energy—remember, the ground is akin to lava.

FromSoftware skillfully simulates a mecha's movement through inertia and weight. Weight significantly impacts various internal aspects, rendering you slower but more durable with sturdy chassis components. All mechs can wield dual weapons—one per arm—with melee weapons typically positioned on the left.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice players will recognize the SCA charge mechanics. A stun meter hovers above your health, reaching its limit incapacitates you momentarily. In this state, your mecha is exceptionally vulnerable, sustaining full damage without defense mitigation. It's a moment demanding your all-out offense.

Initially overwhelming, the controls gradually become second nature as you refine your skills. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon intertwines you with your mecha, fostering an intuitive bond. Precise knowledge of your build, and how minor garage modifications affect your performance in specific scenarios, is key. The game is undoubtedly challenging. Battles against final bosses, especially in later segments, are grueling. The myriad combinations, tactics, and actions required challenge your controller prowess. Though encounters with mechs akin to your own could be more distinctive, combat becomes tense when confronting larger adversaries. Unlike Soulslike games, missions feature checkpoints; dying against a boss lets you respawn before it, fully replenished and capable of modifying your parts before resuming the duel—allowing moments of respite.

A diverse array of parts accommodates various play styles. Speed-focused or damage-resistant, these components cater to your preferences. Mission design occasionally pits you against a playstyle contrary to your current build. This encourages switching mechs to better suit the mission's demands—defeat, adapt, and retry. The store's inventory isn't always comprehensive, but you can discover special gear in chests throughout levels and receive parts from completing training sequences.

The version we reviewed was the PlayStation 5 version, boasting seamless 60 frames-per-second performance even in intense scenes. Visuals remain sharp with vivid backgrounds characteristic of FromSoftware's craftsmanship. Although the visual style initially seems overly industrial, later chapters reveal more depth and variety—a delightful surprise.

However, narrative coherence is a minor concern. Numerous corporations are introduced with unclear origins and motivations. While the central theme of Rubicon-3's energy source is evident, the story occasionally feels unclear. Nevertheless, this issue pales in significance compared to the gameplay's strength.

Completing Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon took us around 22 hours, including all Arena duels. Multiple endings await, determined by choices in critical missions. Several mission options influence your position in the Rubicon-3 conflict, yielding distinct experiences and conclusions. This encourages multiple playthroughs to witness every outcome.

Engaging New Game+ cycles promptly follows each completion, but difficulty remains static. Surprises involving the Arena are worth discovering, in addition to the various endings. Your progress and customization persist across cycles. During the first round, the Nest—a player-versus-player combat simulator—becomes accessible.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon reaffirms FromSoftware's prowess. Hidetaka Miyazaki's leadership results in a sixth installment transcending the technical limitations of its predecessors. Implementing a decade's worth of lessons, this release is a triumph for both fans and newcomers. Exemplifying meticulous attention to detail, the mecha's precise control ensures gameplay remains engaging. With its customizable garage and strategic depth, it is a must for genre enthusiasts and offers a gateway into the franchise's challenging and creatively rich world. The combat's intensity and the interplay between player and mech are remarkably immersive. A formidable challenge awaits, with final boss battles—especially in the concluding segments—profoundly demanding. A range of builds accommodates different play styles, ensuring the garage plays a crucial role. Existing on both technical and narrative fronts, the game thrives, with minor narrative ambiguity outweighed by its gameplay strengths.

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