Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon has more than just Armored Core fans to please. While it is the latest entry in the franchise, FromSoftware hasn't worked on an Armored Core game since 2013's Armored Core: Verdict Day. In fact, the development studio is more widely known for its work on the Dark Souls franchise, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and last year's Elden Ring. There has always been some connections between the games, such as items and characters, but it's the gimmick of Patches Armored Core 6 may struggle with.
Because of its success in creating dark, atmospheric RPGs, FromSoftware will no doubt also be catering Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon to its more recent fans. Mainstays like the Moonlight Greatsword have a high chance of appearing in this new mech game as some of them have already appeared in past Armored Core titles. Patches is a good bet too, but his gimmick is another question.
Patches Has Been In Almost Every Recent FromSoftware Game
A recurring character in FromSoftware's games, Patches usually takes on the form of a sly NPC. As a spider in Bloodborne, for instance, he makes multiple appearances wherein he gives players questionable advice in different areas. His most recent appearance in Elden Ring has him take on the form of a boss and merchant in Murkwater Cave. After taking him down to half health, he will cease to be hostile and players can take part in his questline.
Patches even makes an appearance in 2008's Armored Core: For Answer as a Lynx. A mercenary by trade, Patch the Good Luck uses his unique reverse-legged mech to snipe foes from afar and in hidden areas. After he discovers that his fellow allies have lost and he is currently losing, Patch swiftly surrenders and begs for mercy. Every iteration of Patches is a coward, but it's his cowardly trick many fans have come to know him by.
Patches' Iconic Gimmick May Not Work As Well In A Mecha Game
Save for a few instances, players almost always find Patches through a similar scenario. Upon meeting him, Patches commonly lures players to a specific spot under the guise of finding something interesting (usually some sort of treasure). When players get close to investigating the area in question, a cutscene plays wherein Patches pushes them into a hole or off a ledge into a precarious position. Players must then fight and traverse their way back to high ground where Patches awaits only to beg for forgiveness.
Though Patches makes an appearance in Armored Core: For Answer, his iconic encounter made famous through FromSoftware RPGs like Dark Souls and Bloodborne isn't utilized. This is for the obvious reason that Armored Core games allow players to outfit their robots with technology that allows them to easily traverse vertical spaces. With this feature, players can easily escape Patches' traps and confront him in a matter of seconds.
While it is highly likely that Patches won't have any vertical-based traps in Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon, he could still impede progress in other ways. He could make use of an Armored Core that disables abilities before tossing his opponents into a pit. Patches would also be a nuisance if he were to attack players during one of the game's many boss fights. There are many ways FromSoftware can implement the iconic NPC into its newest game, but it may be a challenge and not what fans expect. He may not use the method most familiar to players, but Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon gives Patches multiple chances to pull different tricks out of his bag.
Armored Core 6: Fire of Rubicon releases on August 25 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
