Highlights
- Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon has the best controlling mechs in the series, providing a smooth and immersive gameplay experience.
- The game features stunning visuals with HDR and Ray Tracing turned on, contributing to a visually appealing and aesthetically pleasing environment.
- The tutorials in the game are clear and helpful, making it accessible for beginners, and VR missions allow players to experiment and test out mechs before battles.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon starts with players rocketing toward the Earth from a giant space station. They land in a dilapidated factory and end up in the ruins of a giant city, littered with rogue mechs wandering around. The goal is to get a new ID so that your handler, Walker, will have an easier time getting you missions.
The player's codename in this entry is Raven, which is a callback to the series. Like most FromSoftware games, the story is light, so that is the general setup. Unlike most FromSoftware games though, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is the most accessible entry in the series yet for the following reasons.
8 Best Controlling
Piloting a mech in a game can be thrilling but it can also be cumbersome. Mechs are the equivalent of tanks in real life and tanks are not easy to drive. That’s why a lot of developers give a lot of heft to their mechs in games as that is seen as more realistic. While past entries in this series in particular went back and forth on this clunky aesthetic, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon’s mechs soar like eagles. They control better than they ever have in the past.
7 A Good Frame Rate And Visually Stunning
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon might be one of the best-looking games FromSoftware has ever made and that is taking Elden Ring into account. With full HDR and Ray Tracing turned on, it looks brilliant despite a lot of repetition in the environments. Good visuals also translate to solid frame rates which also helps make the mechs move so smoothly. The tight controls and visual wizardry combine to create an immersive mech experience like no other.
6 Plenty Of Tutorials
FromSoftware has not always been good about tutorials in their games and this includes the Soulslikes along with Armored Core. The tutorials in Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon could not be any clearer and there is a guide that can be referred to whenever players need it.
That fact is not that miraculous as a lot of titles tend to have in-game equivalents to manuals now. The truly great accessible thing in this game is the VR missions to test out mechs before battle. It helps encourage experimentation for players which is good for unsure beginners.
5 Bosses Are Hard But Manageable
Bosses are the bread and butter of FromSoftware titles and Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is no different. The great thing about this game is that every boss has a trick to defeating them. Players aren’t going to receive new powers akin to Mega Man to defeat bosses with specials. Instead, different loadouts can help provide a new way to look at a bad situation. If players die, they can tweak their mech parts on the Game Over screen. Again, it’s another example of the game allowing players to experiment and never give up.
4 Photo Mode To Pause Strategically
FromSoftware is seemingly not a fan of Photo Modes and there is a good reason why. Games like Dark Souls are always online, meaning that any way to pause the game would wreck the experience. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is different though because it’s not always online in the same way. Not only can players take amazing screenshots with this option, but they can also use it strategically. Using Photo Mode in a boss fight can allow players to examine the duration at hand to look for weaknesses. This is also the first time an entry in this series has received this cool feature.
3 Plenty Of Customization Options
This game is going to allow the mech fans out there to go wild with their customization fantasies. They can adjust colors for their arms, weapons, or entire mechs. So many options can be daunting, but thanks to the testing grounds it doesn’t have to be.
Don’t be afraid to overload your unit with gear. If it is too heavy then things can be taken off. That’s the majesty of customization in a game like this although money can get tight, so it is best not to go too hog wild.
2 OS Tuning Gives It An RPG Edge
At first, players are only going to feel that RPG reward of increasing numbers through the parts shop. Eventually, the Arena will unlock along with the OS Tuning shop. Defeating enemies in the Arena will earn players Chips which can then be used to unlock upgrades in the OS Tuning shop. For example, three Chips can increase the potency of Repair Kits. This should help those struggling with the game even though the allotment for Chips is low.
1 Replaying Missions And Earning Money
Those hoping Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is an open-world game like Elden Ring or a Metroidvania connected world like Bloodborne will be disappointed. This series has always been about completing individual missions in long or short bursts. Missions will reward players primarily with money and replaying missions is the best way to grind for that sweet sweet dough. How much players can earn has been adjusted to a good level in this sequel compared to the past entries which often made things feel like a true grind.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon was released on August 25, 2023 and is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
