Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon bursts onto the scene with high-octane energy, immediate palpability, and astonishing speed. The initial moments unfold with a cold opening featuring 621, guided by the uninviting Walter – voiced by the incomparable Patrick Seitz. Walter directs you in your inaugural infiltration of the contaminated Rubicon 3, a sprawling territory infested with enemy mechs. This dystopian post-war metropolis lies in ruins, its central point of resentment being ‘Coral’, an alien substance once hailed by scientists as the key to technological advancement. Regrettably, this very substance triggered the catastrophic Fires of Ibis.
The aftermath rendered the planet uninhabitable, scorching the surrounding solar system while leaving behind a deadly contaminant. Despite initial beliefs that the Coral was eradicated in the explosion, it resurfaced five decades later, prompting different corporate mech fleets to vie for its control. Our protagonist, identified only as “C4-621”, is a cybernetic mercenary under Walter’s control, taking on missions in a mechanized form. Upon arrival on Rubicon, 621 adopts the identity of a deceased mech pilot known as “Raven”. Exploring various biomes, they uncover loot crates containing upgrades and weapons, valuable for both minor skirmishes and formidable boss battles. This is where FromSoftware’s signature challenging gameplay akin to the Souls series comes into play. Each battle, from the initial boss encounter to the climax of the campaign, escalates exponentially in difficulty, occasionally leading to what might feel like an unending grind.
Triumphing in missions yields credits for players to spend. Fortunately, ACVI does away with one of Armored Core’s most frustrating features – the debit system. This change liberates players to experience the campaign without the looming dread of financial penalties. The deduction cost was notoriously burdensome, and its removal now incentivizes players to replay the game without the stress of economic repercussions. As for ACVI’s aesthetics, it undeniably ranks among the year’s most visually stunning titles. The franchise’s characteristic industrial aesthetic takes on a new dimension through desolate and bleak settings. Whether exploring the remains of a fallen metropolis or a rust-covered fortress on a solitary Archipelago, the visual design perfectly sets the somber tone.
While the later stages of the game can feel somewhat repetitive, there’s a consistent influx of new discoveries, collectibles, and upgrades that make revisiting and replaying enjoyable. However, the game does suffer from certain quality-of-life issues. The user interface is challenging to navigate, with small fonts, scattered options, and a flurry of toggles that become difficult to decipher, especially amid the in-game action. This issue compounds when interacting with the game’s selection screens. Despite these blemishes, the fluid and exhilarating combat compensates, allowing players to engage in rapid hack-and-slash and unleash a barrage of bullets upon opponents. Yet, this combat dynamic can wear thin over time, and crucial system upgrades only exacerbate the difficulties posed by the intricate UI.
Fires of Rubicon excels in its presentation, which sustains the campaign even when the narrative falls short. Over time, my attachment to the storyline waned, while my focus shifted more towards the dynamic action as the game progressed. While the climax was indeed impressive, a significant portion of the narrative proved forgettable, contributing little impact beyond elucidating ACVI’s lore. Complementing the presentation is the game’s impressive performance, running smoothly at 4K/60FPS on the PlayStation 5, with minimal hiccups, nonexistent loading times, and no texture pop-in. Despite the absence of a noteworthy soundtrack, the game’s limited use of background music and ambient sounds effectively heightens suspense during cinematics and boss fights.
Overall, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon stands as a remarkable revival for the franchise, spotlighting FromSoftware’s earlier accomplishments preceding their lauded Souls series. If you’re new to Armored Core and intrigued by mech-action, this entry serves as the definitive gateway into the modernized series. Fires of Rubicon boasts a finely tuned gameplay loop, visually stunning landscapes, and a robust engine that powers the game without hindrance. Although it might not be the most narrative-driven experience that immerses players in its lore, the action itself captivates with its engaging flair as you navigate the perilous landscapes of Rubicon in the pursuit of survival.
