Let me preface that this is not a review of the pvp mode, as it's not something that I've explored. Many of my points in this review probably do not hold up in the online modes. Also, it's probably worth stating that this is my first Armored Core game (although it will most likely not be the last), so I can't really compare the gameplay of this game to previous entries in the series.

The biggest flaw of this game is that once you figure it out, it almost never forces you to reinvent your strategy/switch your assembly up in major ways. You can figure out different ways to approach a mission (and it can actually be a lot of fun to push yourself out of the comfort zone of your current build), but it's hard to find a reason to when a lightweight frame, two guns and a decent understanding of the game's mechanics will get you through the entire story pretty easily.
Testing out builds is fun, the story and characters are memorable and kept me interested during all three of my playthroughs but once you've mastered your controls, it's far too easy to turn your brain off and get through the game in autopilot.

Despite these issues, I loved Armored Core 6, every play session left me craving for more of its high-octane gameplay and its complex world full of lore I'm now really curious to find out more about. This might even be my game of the year, but it is not without flaw.