Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon: New game from the Dark Souls creators

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon: New game from the Dark Souls creators

FromSoftware is famous for the Dark Souls series and other Souls-like games. However, most players don’t know that the studio has also run a franchise about powerful mechs. Its latest installment, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, will release in August.

• The series
• Gameplay
• Story
• Release date

The series

When we say FromSoftware, you’ll inevitably think of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or Elden Ring, not a vehicular combat game featuring giant mechs called Armored Cores. However, Armored Core is the studio’s second-oldest franchise, behind only King’s Field. The series debuted in 1997 and has spawned numerous sequels. Each incarnation has built upon the last, delivering more complex mechanics, intricate storylines, and expansive worlds for players to explore. 

Besides mech-oriented combat, the Armored Core series is also known for its economic side. Players earn money by completing mission objectives and then use those funds to buy upgrades and repair their Armor Cores. Yet, destroying valuable objects and failing assignments leads to a loss of money. Consequently, too many failures could drain the wallet, preventing the player’s progress. The most recent installments have introduced a new focus on online multiplayer. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon turns back from this path, returning to the franchise roots by focusing on single-player elements.

Gameplay

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is the 14th installment in the series. Like its predecessors, it puts emphasis on mech-based combat. Players assume the role of a pilot, assembling their steel giant from a wide variety of parts. The developers promise that complex customization options will allow for diverse builds offering significantly different maneuverability. As a result, players should be able to make a mech that closely matches their favorite playstyles.

The combat itself looks thrilling. It’s fast-paced and allows you to fight on foot or in the air, as the mechs can fly. Besides regular enemies, you will face bosses that test your skills and the machine’s abilities. We wonder if those duels will be as challenging as boss fights in Souls-like titles.

The most awaited premieres of 2023

The good news is that Armored Core VI gets rid of the debt system that makes your pilot lose gathered funds upon every failure. Moreover, you replay missions, which wasn’t so obvious in previous Armored Core games. It’s also worth mentioning that although Armored Core VI focuses on the solo campaign, it features a multiplayer mode, offering PvP battles.

Story

The plot of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon revolves around Coral. This mysterious substance, discovered on planet Rubicon 3, is seen as a potential energy source that may dramatically change the course of humanity’s future. Unfortunately, instead of a bright future, it has brought doom. A catastrophe called The Fires of Ibis set the planet and surrounding stars in flames, thus forming a Burning Star System.

Despite its destructive powers, Coral was too valuable to turn a blind eye to. Hence, about 50 years after The Fires of Ibis, numerous forces take the course on Rubicon 3 to fight for control over the precious substance. As a player, you step into the shoes of an independent mercenary who infiltrates the flame-consumed planet. Throughout the game, your mission is to secure the substance and navigate through power struggles and conflicts.

Release date

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon has been in development since 2016; however, FromSoftware officially announced it in December 2022 during The Game Awards. The game’s release date is Rubicon is August 25, 2023. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.