Armored Core VI Fires Of Rubicon: FromSoftware Delivers Once Again

 Armored Core VI Fires Of Rubicon Review

Written By Alex Greenbaum

2023 is one of the biggest years for video games that I can recall. Big enough that a brand new FromSoftware title is about to be buried by the presence of Starfield, Baldur's Gate 3 and the continued influx of major titles in September. Armored Core VI Fires Of Rubicon is a frenetic blast of energy that rarely lets up. Yes, it's challenging, and a few of its boss fights can be frustrating, but the number of intricate mech customizations here is incredible, making the battles more engaging as you tinker with your various builds. Want to change your legs so you can manage bigger shoulder weapons? You can do that. Want to run with duel shotguns and two missile launchers as a tank build? You can do that as well. 

You play as 621, a mercenary dragged into a war between a handful of fighting factions over a powerful resource called Coral. Many players may be disappointed by its outdated plot design, as most of its story beats are delivered with that Metal Gear Solid-esque voice-over, with a few cut scenes intersected into the gameplay. After a while, my engagement dwindled, and my investment in characters such as Handler Walter, who guides 621 through most of his adventure, dissipated. 

And that's where this sixth entry falters. If it was updated with a modern menu system, a more captivating story, and multiplayer featuring a matchmaking system, this would easily be my game of the year rather than somewhere in my top ten. But at times, it feels like a game stuck in the past, more focused on its brilliant gameplay and seemingly endless customization.

Albeit, this portion of the game is so impressive it carries the whole experience. Many will be able to beat Fires of Rubicon in about 20 hours, and it includes a new game plus and 1v1 arena fights that I recommend for new players to initially play through since they give you unique perks on top of currency. There's a decent amount of content packed in, but at times it feels like opportunities were left on the table, e.g. horde mode or co-op. 

Playing on PS5 at a smooth 60 frames is a joy and is highlighted by some surprisingly huge set pieces. Each mission lasts around 10 minutes (more or less, depending on difficulty), which sounds like a short amount of time but remained perfect for my first playthrough. A game that appreciates a player's time is rare in today's climate of bloated open worlds and nonlinear gameplay. So it came as a breath of fresh air that the developers masterfully managed to keep the mission structure bite-sized while I also creating a sizable campaign to boot. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Armored Core VI and look forward to discovering more as I explore the new game plus. I can't imagine the multiplayer being anything more than a curiosity for many, but it might be an entertaining distraction for a few hours. Besides a lackluster story and some antiquated game design, the sixth entry in the long-running Armored Core series is a can't miss title for those looking to get their FromSoftware fill. 

3 Stars Out Of 4