Engage in Fast-Paced Mech Combat in Armored Core VI

Although it was announced relatively recently, at The Game Awards in late December 2022, the time has neared for the latest Armored Core release date, and it is set for August 25th 2023. Coming from Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware.Inc this new mech-combat action game has definitely caught the eye of fans in just under a year, making it a much anticipated title for the second half of the year! We decided to have a more detailed look at what makes the Armored Core series stand out and tick so well!

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is going to be released for the PC, PS4 / PS5 and Xbox One as well as the Xbox series X/S, so let’s make sure to get properly prepared for this intense, fast-paced and battle-driven mech adventure.

A brand-new storyline in the already vast and established universe of the Armored Core series.

Dating all the way back to 1997, the series has been collectively around for more than two decades, and even after a lengthy hiatus between the years of 2014 – 2022, it clearly seems there’s more to be discovered in the far reaches of the title’s vast and established universe.

Even though each previous part up to now has had its own expansions and the stories are not typically that deeply intertwined there are some connections in a few main timelines and the upcoming title is promised to also remain true to the formula with a self-contained campaign. This way the Armored Core gameplay would not require players to go through the previous entries in order to get a good understanding of the story up to now, making it a more easily-immersive experience.

The plot would once again revolve around a nameless mercenary-for-hire silent protagonist and to make it easier for both newcomers and seasoned players the studio has decided to deliver a brand new storyline in which interstellar travel is very accessible. It all takes place in a fictional distant future on a planet belonging to the Rubicon III Solar system.

During a mysterious event from nearly half a century ago a rare substance named CORAL was discovered and ever since then disasters have been numerous for the ill-fated world, the latest of which is a full-blown alien invasion that seeks control over the precious resource. Battles encompass all over much of the lands and destruction has taken over the planet quite quickly. It has transformed into an unwelcoming world, roamed by mechanical beasts that only leave devastation in their path.

Highly customizable Armored Core system for a better personalization of the adventure.

The Armored Core VI experience is going to be delivered through a dynamic 3D environment with a wide variety of terrains and obstacles that would stand on your way. As a mercenary for hire you should pick your commissions well and attain enough resources to enhance your mech to its full potential.

You would have to design and create your own Armored Core (AC) and pilot it through all the designated areas and maps, where you would face against other mech suit pilots, as well as some gigantic and monstrous mechanical creations that are more than ready to crush you into little pieces.

Make sure to not only make your AC stylish looking, but to include powerful boosters, weapons and a sturdy frame so that it is able to withhold against your opponents in both aerial and ground battles. The customization system is promised to be very accessible and flexible as per usual of the Armored Core series, so classic AC fans would surely be happy with it. It is not only about the statistics though, aesthetics and visual differences are also positioned as important factors by the development team and each change would affect your experience in some manner.

The combat style in the game would presume your AC is quick enough and able to dash away when necessary and that would be probably be quite frequent as you would need to evade deadly barrages and blows all the time. You would have to react to multiple threats at the same time and choose the best approach to proceed in your tactics.

You can choose between various frames, chases and builds of your AC and it could go on foot or wheels depending on your preference, but you should also consider its flight capabilities too! Another major thing to have in mind is the weaponry as it would also have a high degree of customization options and elements such as the recoil, trajectories and power levels of the missile projectiles are going to present you with the opportunity to dominate the battlefield in your own manner. Unlock gear, visuals and moves to integrate into your AC and make a custom combination that fits your playstyle over time.

There is also a training simulator that would provide new coming players to test out setups before going into action, the onboarding tutorials are going to transition through with easily and seamlessly in order to build you up from scratch.

Element migration from other titles and inspirations to expand on the Armored Core gameplay.

Key members of the team admit that previous titles the studio has worked on definitely gave valuable experience and lessons to apply to the newest entry in the Armored Core franchise. Just like in the Souls games FromSoftware have placed emphasis on enemy movement and the ability of the player to react accordingly and in a creatively enough manner.

The different phases of the combat design and mechanics are not solely focused on range-shooting, but this time melee clashes are a much more crucial part of battles, so in addition to rifles, launchers and bombs there are going to be multiple options for close encounters too. As seen in some Armored Core gameplay trailers you can potentially choose from the many unconventional types such as an electric whip, laser lance, chainsaw, drills and even shockwave modules.

When in the omni-directional battle environment you could mix combos between firearms and the more mechanical weapons at your disposal, making for clashes of epic proportions every time you dive into action. Think in combinations that would complement each other well-enough. While in the air you can launch your rockets first, get close enough and then dash in suddenly to deliver the final blow on your enemy! After all, it is up to you to survive in this mechanically overrun world and perhaps your skills would even help to actually save it! The Armored Core gameplay loop is designed in such a manner that you may want to build strategies to weaken your opponents, otherwise they just might tear you to bits quite quickly.

Not just a single player campaign, but also a multiplayer PVP mode!

Although the main component of the Armored Core VI gameplay is the single player campaign with missions, it is not going to be the only option, there are going to be matchmaking battles in PVP mode, where players go against each other in the custom build ACs.

There is no information for a coop mode in any form and it seems that only the versus mode is going to allow the player base to interact among each other for now.

Armored Core release options, pre-order and soundtrack

Want to get more than just the base game? Armored Core comes in a few different offers and some of them include the OST that probably deserves a release of its own. In any case, if you decide to pre-order the title you get the MELANDER C3 13 Special Customization “TENDERFOOT” pack that also looks really cool in concept!

The announced Armored core steam releases include:
A Standard edition of the game.

A Deluxe edition that adds the following perks besides the main game:
- Armored Core Digital Artbook
- Armored Core VI Original Soundtrack

A Collector’s edition that has even more in it apart from the game:
- Armored Core Digital Artbook
- Armored Core Exclusive Steelbook
- A set of 4 Armored Core Pinbadges
- Armored Core VI Original Soundtrack
- Different AC stickers
- 19 cm. Mech Figurine

With its gripping and intense action gameplay Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon has become a target and primary objective for us in this year’s calendar! What about you? Is the Armored Core steam release something that you are looking forward to as well? Perhaps we would meet on the battle arena in our very own custom AC builds, until then we would keep you regularly posted about upcoming hot titles and everything new in the gaming world, so be sure to check our YUPPLAY Blog often enough all throughout the summer!