Hey everyone here is my review for Armored Core 6. It's my YouTube script so bare with me.
If you'd rather watch the video click this link > https://youtu.be/Y_59Y4NEzUA
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Spoiler Review | Unveiling the Mech Warfare Saga!
"Hey, mech enthusiasts! I'm Andrew, your host, and today, we're delving into the action-packed world of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. Whether you're a seasoned pilot or just strapping into the cockpit for the first time, I'm thrilled to have you with us. To kick things off, we'll start by summarizing the story so far, giving you a glimpse into the narrative landscape.
After that, we'll throttle into a detailed review, breaking down the game's highs and lows. If you're steering clear of spoilers, no worries—just skip ahead to chapter 2. So, let's power up those mechs and get ready for an adventure in the Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon!
In 2023, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment brought us Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, a thrilling mecha-based vehicular combat game. This installment marks a reboot for the franchise, breaking the silence since the release of Armored Core: Verdict Day in 2013.
Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, the game has received widespread acclaim for its revitalization of the series.
Armored Core VI has not only garnered favorable reviews but has also achieved remarkable commercial success, with 1.3 million copies sold on the Windows platform alone. In September of 2016, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the president of FromSoftware, hinted at the early stages of development for a new installment in the Armored Core series. Fast forward to January 2022, and the development of a potential new Armored Core series entry came to light, thanks to details leaked during a focus test.
The official announcement of the game took center stage at The Game Awards 2022 in December, revealing Armored Core VI to the eager gaming community.
Heading the project as director for his debut in this role was Masaru Yamamura, previously a lead game designer on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Yamamura assumed the directorial mantle from Miyazaki, who initially spearheaded the development. The role of the game's producer fell to Yasunori Ogura, overseeing the intricate details of bringing Armored Core VI to life. Despite the collective eagerness of many FromSoftware staff members to embark on a new Armored Core venture, resource allocation considerations prompted a delay in the project's initiation. Finally, in 2018, the game transitioned into the prototyping phase, with Yamamura stepping into the directorial position once the gameplay foundations were firmly established.
Taking charge of the game's auditory landscape was Kota Hoshino, serving as the lead composer. Throughout the development process, Yamamura provided Hoshino with keywords to shape the game's atmosphere, aiming to evoke a distinct "sense of loneliness and nostalgia." Hoshino enjoyed creative freedom in composing tracks, adapting them to align seamlessly with the game's evolving narrative flow. Complementing Hoshino's contributions, additional music for Armored Core VI was crafted by Takashi Onodera and Shoi Miyazawa.
Armored Core VI unfolds in a distant future where humanity has expanded its reach into the cosmos. The stage is set on the frontier planet of Rubicon 3, where the remarkable substance known as Coral has been unearthed. This versatile material serves dual purposes, acting both as a potent energy source and a conduit for data transmission. Initially celebrated as the catalyst for technological progress, Coral takes an unforeseen turn, triggering the catastrophic Fires of Ibis. This calamity engulfs Rubicon 3 and its neighboring star system in relentless flames, leaving behind a perilous contaminant.
In the aftermath, Coral, presumed to be entirely consumed by the disaster, reemerges on Rubicon 3 half a century later. The renewed presence of Coral sparks a frenzied rush among corporations eager to exploit its potential, regardless of the consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. Mercenaries, drawn by the promise of lucrative opportunities in the ensuing conflict, descend upon Rubicon 3. At the center of this tumultuous narrative is the player, an augmented human bearing the designation "C4-621." Bound in servitude to the enigmatic handler Walter, the player operates as an Armored Core pilot, undertaking mercenary assignments with the hope of securing a new life.
The journey kicks off with C4-621's illicit landing on Rubicon 3, a bold move that sets the stage for the character's identity shift. In a daring act, C4-621 appropriates the license of a deceased mercenary, adopting the call sign "Raven." This pivotal decision thrusts the player into a complex web of corporate greed, conflict, and personal evolution against the backdrop of a planet scarred by the devastating legacy of Coral.
The core focus of gameplay in Armored Core VI centers around immersive mecha-based vehicular combat. Players step into the shoes of skilled pilots, commanding formidable mechs known as Armored Cores. The game's standout feature lies in the extensive customization options, allowing players to fine-tune and augment their mechs using a diverse array of parts, thereby refining their capabilities.
A notable element of the game is the freedom granted to players in arming their mechs. With slots available on each arm and two on the mech's back, players can equip a variety of weaponry, offering strategic flexibility during combat engagements. The vast arsenal at players' disposal adds depth to the gameplay experience.
Continuing the tradition of its predecessors, Armored Core VI retains the arena concept through a "combat aptitude evaluation program." This mode enables players to showcase their skills, competing against others and earning "OS Tuning" chips, unlocking specific abilities and upgrades.
The in-game currency, credits, is a reward for successful mission completion. The amount earned is influenced by achieving mission objectives, with potential deductions for unmet goals.
A departure from earlier games in the series, Armored Core VI discards the debt system. Unlike its predecessors, where failed tasks resulted in monetary losses, players now have the freedom to attempt missions repeatedly without the fear of losing currency. This change adds a refreshing layer of flexibility to the overall gaming experience.
In Armored Core 6, The augmented mercenary, known by the callsign C4-621, infiltrates the war-torn landscape of Rubicon with the guidance of Handler Walter, a broker, assuming the identity of the deceased mercenary "Raven." Amidst the conflict involving megacorporations Balam Industries and Arquebus Corp, the anti-corporation Rubicon Liberation Front (RLF), and the Planetary Closure Administration (PCA), all vying for control of the mysterious Coral, Raven befriends elite AC pilot V.IV Rusty and RaD leader "Cinder" Carla. During battles, Raven makes contact with an entity named Ayre, establishing a direct mental link.
Following a Coral surge detected by Walter, Raven investigates the Central Ice Field, drawing Balam and Arquebus into the fray. The PCA, alarmed by the convergence of Coral, deploys military forces and superweapons to suppress the corporations. In response to the PCA threat, Balam and Arquebus form an alliance, tasking Raven with weakening the PCA. After dismantling the PCA's Ice Worm, Ayre reveals the sentience of Coral, divulging her own identity as a Coral-based entity.
As the PCA withdraws, the alliance between Balam and Arquebus shatters, reigniting the three-way war. Walter directs Raven to explore Institute City, unearthing the Coral deposit and the Vascular Plant designed to extract and send Coral into space. Captured by Arquebus forces, Raven escapes with Carla's help, discovering their shared affiliation with Overseer, a group determined to eradicate Coral. Carla plans to use the Xylem, a colony ship, to destroy the Vascular Plant, while Ayre opposes the destruction.
If Raven sides with Carla, Ayre severs ties, and a series of confrontations ensue. Raven battles Rusty, confronts Ayre, and ultimately faces the apocalyptic outcome of the Fires of Raven. In the aftermath, Rubicon is left barren, and Raven's fate is uncertain.
Choosing to side with Ayre, Raven eliminates Carla, triggers the failsafe on the Xylem, and collaborates with the RLF to overthrow Arquebus. A confrontation with Walter ensues, leading to Raven's escape and the prevention of a catastrophic collision. Ayre expresses gratitude for protecting Coral and Rubicon, envisioning a coexistent future for Coral and humanity.
In a New Game Plus, Raven embarks on RLF missions and battles AI-controlled ACs. In a subsequent New Game Plus campaign, Ayre discovers classified data while ALLMIND recruits Raven into the Coral Release Project. Assignments from ALLMIND progress the Release Project, culminating in a mission aboard the Xylem to seize control. Raven and Ayre thwart ALLMIND, initiating the Coral Release, spreading Coral across the universe, and ushering in a new era.
Transitioning from the intricate plot of Armored Core 6 to the realm of gameplay evaluation, the game's narrative complexity intertwines with its interactive facets. As Raven embarks on New Game Plus scenarios, the gameplay evolves, presenting fresh challenges and opportunities for exploration. Now, let's shift gears from the engrossing storyline to dissecting the gameplay intricacies of Armored Core 6, exploring how its narrative choices impact the player's experience in this high-stakes world of mechanized warfare.
In the wake of FromSoftware's illustrious journey from Souls to Sekiro and Elden Ring, Armored Core 6 marks a triumphant resurgence, proving that the decade-long hiatus was indeed well worth the wait. This latest installment is a "we're back on our bullshit" slam dunk, showcasing a bold departure from the expansive open worlds dominating the gaming landscape in 2023.
Amidst the sea of sprawling 100-hour RPGs and the unprecedented success of Elden Ring, Armored Core 6 stands as a stark contrast. Eschewing the vast, open environments, the game beckons players to select missions from a menu, delivering concise briefings before deploying their mechs into intense, fast-paced battles. Whether hurling players into frenzied encounters or punctuating larger environments with snack-sized combat encounters, each mission culminates in thrilling 1v1 showdowns against other ACs or colossal bosses. The post-mission return to the menu, allowing for mech tinkering and part acquisition, provides a well-deserved moment of respite.
The simplicity in construction and the sheer thrill in action evoke childhood fantasies of orchestrating epic clashes with favorite action figures. Armored Core 6 transforms these dreams into reality, enabling players to assemble their ultimate mechs and materialize vibrant, neon-hued death machines that rain lasers and hellfire, capturing the essence of pure coolness.
In a nod to anime enthusiasts raised on Mobile Suit Gundam, Armored Core 6 is likened to Top Gun: Maverick, with meticulous attention to detail in mech articulation. The subtle thruster movements, the play of flames turning to steam, and the vibrant bloom of a plasma blade slicing through mechs or battleships contribute to the game's joyous experience.
The emphasis on sound effects, such as the impactful DUN-DUN of the Songbirds shoulder-mounted cannon, becomes a pivotal element, delivering explosive impact and staggering opponents.
Noteworthy is Armored Core 6's distinction as FromSoftware's first PC game supporting frame rates over 60 fps. While lacking some modern PC gaming features, the game performs splendidly, even on the Steam Deck with lowered settings, maintaining playability while sacrificing some image quality.
A standout design choice is the deliberate accentuation of the killing blow in every mission with a slow-motion explosion, stretching that instant into 10 seconds of glory. This decision plays a crucial role in the overall game design, underlining the meticulous craftsmanship that defines Armored Core 6.
Narratively, the game offers more explicit storytelling than FromSoftware's RPGs, exploring a corporate dystopia with leaders of Rubicon's mercenary squads providing voice messages after each sortie. The branching narrative, influenced by mission choices and character eliminations, adds depth and encourages replayability, revealing new narrative paths with each playthrough.
While praising the game's ruthlessly maintained tone and the absence of lives outside mechs, the review acknowledges minor disappointments. The environments, though stunning snapshots of a crumbling techno dystopia, lack interactivity beyond hidden chests and lore-laden wrecked mechs. Despite this, AC6's lean and focused nature is celebrated as a strength, providing an immersive experience.
In summary, Armored Core 6 emerges as a rare gem in 2023, embracing its identity with audacity and delivering an action-packed experience that captivates players with its fast-paced missions, empowering arsenal, and nostalgic mech fantasies. After a decade-long hiatus, FromSoftware's return to the world of mechs showcases a triumphant resurgence in their distinctive style, reaffirming the timeless appeal of Armored Core.
Thank you for joining me for this in-depth review of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content. Stay tuned for more reviews and discussions on your favorite games, tv shows and movies. Until next time, I’m Andrew, signing off. Catch you in the next one!
If you'd rather watch the video click this link > https://youtu.be/Y_59Y4NEzUA
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Spoiler Review | Unveiling the Mech Warfare Saga!
"Hey, mech enthusiasts! I'm Andrew, your host, and today, we're delving into the action-packed world of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. Whether you're a seasoned pilot or just strapping into the cockpit for the first time, I'm thrilled to have you with us. To kick things off, we'll start by summarizing the story so far, giving you a glimpse into the narrative landscape.
After that, we'll throttle into a detailed review, breaking down the game's highs and lows. If you're steering clear of spoilers, no worries—just skip ahead to chapter 2. So, let's power up those mechs and get ready for an adventure in the Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon!
In 2023, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco Entertainment brought us Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, a thrilling mecha-based vehicular combat game. This installment marks a reboot for the franchise, breaking the silence since the release of Armored Core: Verdict Day in 2013.
Available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, the game has received widespread acclaim for its revitalization of the series.
Armored Core VI has not only garnered favorable reviews but has also achieved remarkable commercial success, with 1.3 million copies sold on the Windows platform alone. In September of 2016, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the president of FromSoftware, hinted at the early stages of development for a new installment in the Armored Core series. Fast forward to January 2022, and the development of a potential new Armored Core series entry came to light, thanks to details leaked during a focus test.
The official announcement of the game took center stage at The Game Awards 2022 in December, revealing Armored Core VI to the eager gaming community.
Heading the project as director for his debut in this role was Masaru Yamamura, previously a lead game designer on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Yamamura assumed the directorial mantle from Miyazaki, who initially spearheaded the development. The role of the game's producer fell to Yasunori Ogura, overseeing the intricate details of bringing Armored Core VI to life. Despite the collective eagerness of many FromSoftware staff members to embark on a new Armored Core venture, resource allocation considerations prompted a delay in the project's initiation. Finally, in 2018, the game transitioned into the prototyping phase, with Yamamura stepping into the directorial position once the gameplay foundations were firmly established.
Taking charge of the game's auditory landscape was Kota Hoshino, serving as the lead composer. Throughout the development process, Yamamura provided Hoshino with keywords to shape the game's atmosphere, aiming to evoke a distinct "sense of loneliness and nostalgia." Hoshino enjoyed creative freedom in composing tracks, adapting them to align seamlessly with the game's evolving narrative flow. Complementing Hoshino's contributions, additional music for Armored Core VI was crafted by Takashi Onodera and Shoi Miyazawa.
Armored Core VI unfolds in a distant future where humanity has expanded its reach into the cosmos. The stage is set on the frontier planet of Rubicon 3, where the remarkable substance known as Coral has been unearthed. This versatile material serves dual purposes, acting both as a potent energy source and a conduit for data transmission. Initially celebrated as the catalyst for technological progress, Coral takes an unforeseen turn, triggering the catastrophic Fires of Ibis. This calamity engulfs Rubicon 3 and its neighboring star system in relentless flames, leaving behind a perilous contaminant.
In the aftermath, Coral, presumed to be entirely consumed by the disaster, reemerges on Rubicon 3 half a century later. The renewed presence of Coral sparks a frenzied rush among corporations eager to exploit its potential, regardless of the consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. Mercenaries, drawn by the promise of lucrative opportunities in the ensuing conflict, descend upon Rubicon 3. At the center of this tumultuous narrative is the player, an augmented human bearing the designation "C4-621." Bound in servitude to the enigmatic handler Walter, the player operates as an Armored Core pilot, undertaking mercenary assignments with the hope of securing a new life.
The journey kicks off with C4-621's illicit landing on Rubicon 3, a bold move that sets the stage for the character's identity shift. In a daring act, C4-621 appropriates the license of a deceased mercenary, adopting the call sign "Raven." This pivotal decision thrusts the player into a complex web of corporate greed, conflict, and personal evolution against the backdrop of a planet scarred by the devastating legacy of Coral.
The core focus of gameplay in Armored Core VI centers around immersive mecha-based vehicular combat. Players step into the shoes of skilled pilots, commanding formidable mechs known as Armored Cores. The game's standout feature lies in the extensive customization options, allowing players to fine-tune and augment their mechs using a diverse array of parts, thereby refining their capabilities.
A notable element of the game is the freedom granted to players in arming their mechs. With slots available on each arm and two on the mech's back, players can equip a variety of weaponry, offering strategic flexibility during combat engagements. The vast arsenal at players' disposal adds depth to the gameplay experience.
Continuing the tradition of its predecessors, Armored Core VI retains the arena concept through a "combat aptitude evaluation program." This mode enables players to showcase their skills, competing against others and earning "OS Tuning" chips, unlocking specific abilities and upgrades.
The in-game currency, credits, is a reward for successful mission completion. The amount earned is influenced by achieving mission objectives, with potential deductions for unmet goals.
A departure from earlier games in the series, Armored Core VI discards the debt system. Unlike its predecessors, where failed tasks resulted in monetary losses, players now have the freedom to attempt missions repeatedly without the fear of losing currency. This change adds a refreshing layer of flexibility to the overall gaming experience.
In Armored Core 6, The augmented mercenary, known by the callsign C4-621, infiltrates the war-torn landscape of Rubicon with the guidance of Handler Walter, a broker, assuming the identity of the deceased mercenary "Raven." Amidst the conflict involving megacorporations Balam Industries and Arquebus Corp, the anti-corporation Rubicon Liberation Front (RLF), and the Planetary Closure Administration (PCA), all vying for control of the mysterious Coral, Raven befriends elite AC pilot V.IV Rusty and RaD leader "Cinder" Carla. During battles, Raven makes contact with an entity named Ayre, establishing a direct mental link.
Following a Coral surge detected by Walter, Raven investigates the Central Ice Field, drawing Balam and Arquebus into the fray. The PCA, alarmed by the convergence of Coral, deploys military forces and superweapons to suppress the corporations. In response to the PCA threat, Balam and Arquebus form an alliance, tasking Raven with weakening the PCA. After dismantling the PCA's Ice Worm, Ayre reveals the sentience of Coral, divulging her own identity as a Coral-based entity.
As the PCA withdraws, the alliance between Balam and Arquebus shatters, reigniting the three-way war. Walter directs Raven to explore Institute City, unearthing the Coral deposit and the Vascular Plant designed to extract and send Coral into space. Captured by Arquebus forces, Raven escapes with Carla's help, discovering their shared affiliation with Overseer, a group determined to eradicate Coral. Carla plans to use the Xylem, a colony ship, to destroy the Vascular Plant, while Ayre opposes the destruction.
If Raven sides with Carla, Ayre severs ties, and a series of confrontations ensue. Raven battles Rusty, confronts Ayre, and ultimately faces the apocalyptic outcome of the Fires of Raven. In the aftermath, Rubicon is left barren, and Raven's fate is uncertain.
Choosing to side with Ayre, Raven eliminates Carla, triggers the failsafe on the Xylem, and collaborates with the RLF to overthrow Arquebus. A confrontation with Walter ensues, leading to Raven's escape and the prevention of a catastrophic collision. Ayre expresses gratitude for protecting Coral and Rubicon, envisioning a coexistent future for Coral and humanity.
In a New Game Plus, Raven embarks on RLF missions and battles AI-controlled ACs. In a subsequent New Game Plus campaign, Ayre discovers classified data while ALLMIND recruits Raven into the Coral Release Project. Assignments from ALLMIND progress the Release Project, culminating in a mission aboard the Xylem to seize control. Raven and Ayre thwart ALLMIND, initiating the Coral Release, spreading Coral across the universe, and ushering in a new era.
Transitioning from the intricate plot of Armored Core 6 to the realm of gameplay evaluation, the game's narrative complexity intertwines with its interactive facets. As Raven embarks on New Game Plus scenarios, the gameplay evolves, presenting fresh challenges and opportunities for exploration. Now, let's shift gears from the engrossing storyline to dissecting the gameplay intricacies of Armored Core 6, exploring how its narrative choices impact the player's experience in this high-stakes world of mechanized warfare.
In the wake of FromSoftware's illustrious journey from Souls to Sekiro and Elden Ring, Armored Core 6 marks a triumphant resurgence, proving that the decade-long hiatus was indeed well worth the wait. This latest installment is a "we're back on our bullshit" slam dunk, showcasing a bold departure from the expansive open worlds dominating the gaming landscape in 2023.
Amidst the sea of sprawling 100-hour RPGs and the unprecedented success of Elden Ring, Armored Core 6 stands as a stark contrast. Eschewing the vast, open environments, the game beckons players to select missions from a menu, delivering concise briefings before deploying their mechs into intense, fast-paced battles. Whether hurling players into frenzied encounters or punctuating larger environments with snack-sized combat encounters, each mission culminates in thrilling 1v1 showdowns against other ACs or colossal bosses. The post-mission return to the menu, allowing for mech tinkering and part acquisition, provides a well-deserved moment of respite.
The simplicity in construction and the sheer thrill in action evoke childhood fantasies of orchestrating epic clashes with favorite action figures. Armored Core 6 transforms these dreams into reality, enabling players to assemble their ultimate mechs and materialize vibrant, neon-hued death machines that rain lasers and hellfire, capturing the essence of pure coolness.
In a nod to anime enthusiasts raised on Mobile Suit Gundam, Armored Core 6 is likened to Top Gun: Maverick, with meticulous attention to detail in mech articulation. The subtle thruster movements, the play of flames turning to steam, and the vibrant bloom of a plasma blade slicing through mechs or battleships contribute to the game's joyous experience.
The emphasis on sound effects, such as the impactful DUN-DUN of the Songbirds shoulder-mounted cannon, becomes a pivotal element, delivering explosive impact and staggering opponents.
Noteworthy is Armored Core 6's distinction as FromSoftware's first PC game supporting frame rates over 60 fps. While lacking some modern PC gaming features, the game performs splendidly, even on the Steam Deck with lowered settings, maintaining playability while sacrificing some image quality.
A standout design choice is the deliberate accentuation of the killing blow in every mission with a slow-motion explosion, stretching that instant into 10 seconds of glory. This decision plays a crucial role in the overall game design, underlining the meticulous craftsmanship that defines Armored Core 6.
Narratively, the game offers more explicit storytelling than FromSoftware's RPGs, exploring a corporate dystopia with leaders of Rubicon's mercenary squads providing voice messages after each sortie. The branching narrative, influenced by mission choices and character eliminations, adds depth and encourages replayability, revealing new narrative paths with each playthrough.
While praising the game's ruthlessly maintained tone and the absence of lives outside mechs, the review acknowledges minor disappointments. The environments, though stunning snapshots of a crumbling techno dystopia, lack interactivity beyond hidden chests and lore-laden wrecked mechs. Despite this, AC6's lean and focused nature is celebrated as a strength, providing an immersive experience.
In summary, Armored Core 6 emerges as a rare gem in 2023, embracing its identity with audacity and delivering an action-packed experience that captivates players with its fast-paced missions, empowering arsenal, and nostalgic mech fantasies. After a decade-long hiatus, FromSoftware's return to the world of mechs showcases a triumphant resurgence in their distinctive style, reaffirming the timeless appeal of Armored Core.
Thank you for joining me for this in-depth review of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content. Stay tuned for more reviews and discussions on your favorite games, tv shows and movies. Until next time, I’m Andrew, signing off. Catch you in the next one!