Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is the mecha-action game we all want and need
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is set to launch on August 25 and is available for pre-order now
Armored Core fans can eagerly anticipate the revival of the long-inactive series, as FromSoftware has finally revealed that Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon will be released on August 25. Additionally, a new trailer and updated story and gameplay information provide further insight into the forthcoming mech-centric game.
Unveiled at The Game Awards 2022, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is the first main installment in the franchise in over ten years. Following the highly praised Elden Ring, FromSoftware has described the new game as a reboot that leverages the developer's increased resources to create the Armored Core experience they always envisioned, while respecting the series' 26-year history, as stated by president Hidetaka Miyazaki. Game director Masaru Yamamura told Xbox Wire that the goal with AC6 is to craft "a new mech action game as a product of what the current day FromSoftware can output."
The story of Armored Core VI takes place on the planet Rubicon, where a valuable but perilous substance known as Coral is found. Once devastated by a catastrophic event due to Coral, Rubicon is a world of "hollowed-out industrial ruins" barely hidden beneath a corporate façade of cutting-edge mining structures surrounding the planet. This engaging premise offers ample opportunity for impressive set pieces, as seen in the trailer, and contemporary allegories with real-world significance.
New gameplay elements include Assault Boost, a button-activated ability that enables players to instantly switch between long-range shooting and melee combat. Yamamura explained that "Assault Boost is an offensive action that helps close the gap between enemies and lets you quickly go from long distance to close range," allowing for a seamless transition between various combat styles.
The developers are also enhancing and refining the series' signature customization. Yamamura emphasized that customization in AC6 should not just be about numerical adjustments but also about influencing the game's feel and action. For instance, different mech parts, such as leg components, will alter the mech's basic behavior, and weapons will vary in firing methods, recoil, and projectile behavior, all of which contribute to the distinctiveness of individual builds.
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is set to launch on August 25 and is available for pre-order now at Bandai Namco's e-store for PlayStation 5/4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.
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