Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core 6 Fires of Rubicon is a masterful return to form for the series that incorporates the modern design philosophies of From Software. It’s a dystopian world with a brutally gorgeous aesthetic and refined gameplay elevated by exceptional boss battles. Any fan of the series new or old will find something to love.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a challenging game and a must for all those who love FromSoftware's works. Incredible battles, a high degree of customization and brilliant bosses are some of its high points that place it among the best releases of the year.

Armored Core 6 is an unsympathetic and cold-blooded game. It's a cup of bitter, black coffee – and thankfully, that suits my palate perfectly. It's full of moments that make you feel very powerful – in both effortless and hard-fought ways – and moments that make you very, very small. In the face of it all, you're pushed to overcome the impossible. And you'll come out on the other end wearing an exhausted, wry smile.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is an utterly unforgettable experience with satisfyingly crunchy combat, a fascinating narrative with surprising twists, and deep customization for mech-heads. If this is the future of Armored Core, then the future is bright indeed.

FromSoftware did it again. Despite no following the soulslike formula and returning to an old franchise, la studio behind Elden Ring manages to deliver a epic, modern and very well design mecha game the definitely, is a GOTY contender.

FromSoftware returns with the Armored Core franchise and the sixth installment excels in almost every way. The customization is very deep, the game plays wonderfully, graphically it is a joy to look at, and so on. The game is very comprehensive which is worth multiple playthroughs and because it is all so well-crafted, this is by far the best Armored Core installment to date.

Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon has everything you could want in a mech game. The tight, responsive controls leave nothing to be desired. Every battlefield is a work of art. … This is the Armored Core you've been waiting more than a decade for, and it is absolutely worth it.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon emerges ablaze with FromSoftware’s best impulses. Demanding and rewarding combat is bolstered by series signature customisation and player-driven storytelling to form a masterclass in design philosophy and raw fun.

Armored Core VI is not just fan service. It's an incredible synthesis of a respected franchise and lessons learned over ten years of game design. For longtime players of Armored Core, the new game moves the series forward in a remarkably successful way. While it's an entirely different experience, gamers coming from Dark Souls will still recognize FromSoftware's core philosophy of challenge, persistence and reward. Armored Core VI is fast-paced, brutally difficult in places and extremely satisfying to play.

FromSoftware delivers yet another fantastic action adventure full of mechs, unforgettable bosses and masterfully designed missions.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is undoubtedly a departure amid FromSoftware’s recent output. But the developer once again proves they are up for nearly any task, including reinvigorating a dormant series that was known for its challenge. The fast-paced action and depth of customization in players’ ACs allows for diverse gameplay and intense boss fights that test any type of loadout. Pushing past the initial daunting hours and numerous mechanics serve to reveal a focused, engaging game with deep combat that few studios are capable of matching.

An outstanding action-packed ride with superb pacing and delightful gameplay. While it may occasionally torment, most of the time it simply captivates and fulfills. Above all, FromSoft has demonstrated its versatility with Armored Core VI, proving it a studio capable of transcending genre boundaries.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a delightful departure from the norm in a gaming world filled with sprawling open worlds and never-ending quests. It beckons you into a linear, mission-driven experience, respecting your time and offering a well-needed break from open-world fatigue. But don’t let its simplicity fool you; this game packs a punch. The hangar is your creative canvas for your playstyle, allowing you to craft a mech that suits your style and needs, demanding you create whatever build you need to overcome the obstacles you face.

Armored Core 6 has a true sense of speed and exhilaration, its robot design is everything a mech fan could wish for, and it even has an outstanding storyline. For fans of the series, some elements might feel lacking or different, but there is no doubt that this is the pinnacle of robot action.

A superb mech game that has loads to offer, centred around fast-paced and explosive combat. You'll figure out builds and refine your style through a sprightly set of missions, with simply oodles of customisation options.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is an incredibly dense mech action title. Every facet has multiple layers that force you to chip away piece by piece, making the game so rewarding when you put in the work. The gameplay is laced with adrenaline and wholly addictive, with a mission structure that only indulges it, making Armored Core VI hard to put down. With a plethora of modes to get lost in, extensive customisation and impeccable world-building, this is another incredible title by FromSoftware.

The Armored Core series has a long history dating back decades, and Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon feels like the start of an exciting new era for the series. There’s a strong sense that the team has learned a lot over the years, and they’ve expertly weaved those lessons throughout this game. Combat is smooth and satisfying with good controls, fun, diverse weapons, and a wide variety of missions. And customizing your AC is addictive with a ton of options at your disposal. It may take some time for newcomers to get acclimated, but once you sink your teeth into it, it becomes apparent that Armored Core VI is something special.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon isn't one for half measures. It's a game that knows exactly what it is and doesn't waste a single minute getting me into the cockpit and letting me live out the fantasy of piloting a giant Mech. The story may not leave its mark, but the customization system won't leave my mind any time soon, constantly inviting me to create a new solution to the game's missions and a new way of approaching combat.

A dream for any fan of mechs, with great visuals and spectacular fights. But the steep difficulty when challenging bosses might put off some players, specially those who aren't familiar with the Souls formula.

Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon proves that FromSoftware remains one of the top game studios of our time, undefeated and unstoppable. It's the mech game we've all dreamed of since our childhood, and the best part is, it packs that old-school, hardcore gaming challenge - a trademark of these brilliant Japanese minds. No doubt, it's one of the best games of the year and a great comeback.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is difficult and therefore a game for die-hards. It is also a real pleasure from start to finish. The pace is delightful, the story captivating, the combat is fantastic, customizing your mech is satisfying, and audiovisually, Armored Core 6 manages to impress. The game still has some balance issues at the time of writing. That is why the level of difficulty is erratic, but FromSoftware is expected to rectify that.

I had a fantastic time with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. The gameplay is genuinely addictive, and the storyline is structured in such a way that after each mission I immediately wanted to launch the next one to see what interesting the next stage holds. The "one more mission" syndrome works so strongly that the game gets stronger with each hour spent with it, so I had a serious problem to put the pad down. The fun has been looped in a way that works perfectly, and if you like a non-stop flow of fast-paced action, you should be delighted with the new creation from FromSoftware. There is no shortage of moments from which adrenaline almost buzzes in the veins.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a darn fine entry into the franchise. The buttery-smooth gameplay and incredibly cool combat make it an absolute delight to play. It's easily one of the best mecha action games, and only Gundam Breaker 3 has a more involved and enjoyable mech customization system. If you're looking for a really fun and well-crafted robot bashing experience, look no further than Armored Core VI, which is a delight to play.

Fires of Rubicon is the series at its peak as FromSoftware fires on all cylinders. The mech gunplay evolves far beyond mindless action to tell a story of the oppressed stripping bare the power of those they serve to better a dying world. It’s a story that will always be relevant, but now more than ever, its lesson of standing up to those in power who are tearing apart the world for personal gain is paramount.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is another step in the right direction for From Software as a developer. Top class combat and with great final bosses.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is a wonderful return to form for a franchise that has been dormant for a very long time. Its unique mission structure that encourages experimentation, coupled with an insane level of customization is one of the game’s major highlights, and while its story takes time to get started, no two missions ever really feel the same thanks to varied objectives and excellent encounter design.

Probably the best giant robot game ever made and an excellent companion piece to the likes of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, that matches both games in terms of spectacle and customisation.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is visually stunning, and the omni-directional combat and build assembly is tons of fun.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon might be a return to form for FromSoftware, but the series is brand new for players who only recently discovered them within the Souls-like genre. Armored Core VI has everything to stand on its own within the developer's current lineup of titles and the other entries of this series. It excels in fast-paced mecha action by providing an experience only Armored Core can deliver. Similar to the intricate ACs you'll surely create, this game is refined to its core offering highly challenging action with plenty of options to fit your playstyle. Armored Core VI is a must-play mecha action game, no matter your knowledge of the series.

If you're a glutton for punishment, yet unsure about your interest in a mech game, give Fires of Rubicon a shot. You may find, as I did, that the core philosophy of Miyazaki and FromSoftware is precisely what wins you over — that difficulty (and frequent deaths) deepen the stakes and the joy you'll feel when you finally prevail. Also, it's a blast to zip around in robot armor with shoulder cannons and laser guns.

Armored Core 6 is one of the best mech games I've experienced in years, and it's one I expect to play through at least two more times. The story of Rubicon, and how your decisions as a mercenary shape it, is my favorite story in gaming this year, up to and including all the big releases that have come out so far.

I’ve played a lot of good mech games, but few have ever given me the sheer depth of customization in both cosmetics and functionality that we have here. It’s like a dream come true.

Armored Core VI is not your typical action game. It’s a game about building robots, going into battle and verifying the effects of your engineering efforts. The enormous possibilities of modifying your mech, the undying joy of combat, and the hefty challenges you need to overcome greatly outweigh the little flaws on this diamond.

I was a bit skeptical that From Software would find a way to make Armored Core relevant again after a lengthy hiatus, but they figured it out.

Armored Core 6 is FromSoftware like we've never seen it, back on its mech beat with renewed vigor after 10 years away. It's an exhilarating game that lives up to the promise of action that only mechs can deliver, and it's a refreshingly short and easily replayed experience that still manages heaps of depth.

All in all, Armored Core 6 is an exceptional return for the series after such a long hiatus - keeping the core of the game true to its mechanical origins while integrating much of what has thrust FromSoftware into such overwhelming critical acclaim.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon offers a pulse-pounding and demanding gameplay experience, deep customization options and a desolate game world that looks like something straight out of a sci-fi painting. The influences of especially Sekiro and other soul likes are palpable, but Armored Core is really its own game. It's a must-play for fans of hardcore gaming experiences and manages to hit that chord flawlessly, save for some solvable balance issues.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon will amaze you from start to finish. Its combat system is challenging and requires learning to handle an Armored Core far from a perfect machine. The dramatic narrative goes hand in hand with the game's missions. Visually, it could be better. However, it must be a solid title that mecha fans should play.

The reboot of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a triumph. FromSoftware's vast experience shines through in the game, smoothly blending their past successes from Souls-like titles into Armored Core VI. It also stays true to the essence of mech games, maintaining the strong traditions of the series such as the highly customisable mech assembly. It retains the core fun that defines the franchise.

Intense, filled with verticality and combat styles, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is challenging and highly enjoyable, all while remaining demanding. It will please longtime fans and even win over new ones, but it's not likely to become mainstream.

Armored Core VI is a highly enjoyable game, especially for mecha heads and sci-fi fanatics. While I wish the story got a lot more attention, the game does a great job of reintroducing old fans while not alienating new players.

Strengthening boss battles, endless customization options and excellent gameplay make Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon a successful overall package for mech fans.

A dream for mech fans and a hot candidate for the most spectacular and best action game of 2023.

Armored Core returns with an excellent soft reboot. Its gameplay is the real star making us feel like a true pilot of a powerful mech, zooming through epic dystopic vistas and fighting highly challenging but satisfying bosses.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a return in style for the series of robots signed FromSoftware. Despite some frankly incomprehensible slip-ups, including the presence of invisible walls and stealth missions that seem to come from two or three generations ago, the Japanese studio's work manages to offer frenetic and deep combat, as well as heart-pounding boss battles and an incredibly diverse customization system.

With Armored Core 6, FromSoftware brilliantly shows that its know-how is not limited to Dark Souls or Elden Ring. The Japanese studio delivers here an action game with a rather irreproachable gameplay, at the same time tactical, demanding and ultra-dynamic, spearheading a frantic pace title... Do not be fooled by the supposedly old-school structure with individual assignments. Fires of Rubicon immerses you directly in the action, and knows how to draw when necessary linear, more open phases, bosses, not to mention still impressive panoramas. Despite a slight disappointment for the major enemies, in the 2nd part of the adventure, and a small lack of content, Armored Core 6 is an addictive title, which sticks to the skin. A great action game, even if you don't have a crush on mechas.

Fires of Rubicon offers a new frontier for the Armored Core series, demonstrating developer FromSoftware’s ability to weave its recent success and confidence back into familiar territory, while at the same time demonstrating that you can indeed teach an old hound new Tricks.

Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon is without a doubt one of From Software's most unique and polished experiences in the last decade. However, there's a certain expectation of AC Pilot skill getting into the cockpit that even making it through until the final chapter requires an established familiarity far above and beyond any Soulslike pedigree.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is an excellent starting point for the series, which after so many not very successful chapters had been missing from the scene for an entire decade. At first glance, the well above average difficulty rate may seem excessive, but the study of the opponent and the guessed tweaks that the FromSoftware guys have made to the playful formula, without neglecting the unparalleled level of customization that has always been offered by franchise, this time they know how to give a stimulating and revolutionary experience. However, the great replayability of the product is counterbalanced by a narrative framework that is anything but memorable and too conservative from a structural point of view. The future of the saga, whose return was by no means obvious, therefore appears promising and bright.

Armored Core VI is a solid return for one of From Software’s long-dormant franchises. It still carries many of the mech genre’s old contrivances, like its generic mission structure and predictable plot. However, it modernizes mech action meaningfully to introduce it to a new generation. While legacy fans may have some complaints about the “casualization” of Armored Core, I am ultimately glad the series is back and firing on all cylinders.

Fires of Rubicon is Armored Core as it should always have been: the new game delivers a great combat system and mobility, but unfortunately, it's hampered by a few shortcomings no longer excusable to a world-class studio such as From Software.

From’s mech series is purring better than ever, offering you a path to finesse like little else, though some parts here could still use a tune-up. [Issue#32, p.76]

Armored Core VI is a modern classic and quite literally: this is 'just' a rock-solid action game. No open world, no endless stream of side missions or other ballast, and that is very refreshing in 2023. Although there is a steep learning curve.

Armored Core 6 is a phenomenal game that breathes life into the long-forgotten genre of mecha action. Although it appears superficial, with brief missions and boss encounters that turn off many gamers, this game will pay off every dime you put in it if you give it a chance.

Armored Core 6 carefully synthesizes wanton destruction with a neatly-woven narrative that offers plenty of food for thought, despite being under-explored at points. Boasting a simple-yet-effective control scheme, and an expansive level of customization that never feels like it’s too much, FromSoftware has crafted a balanced experience that will definitely appeal to players, regardless of their experience with the mecha game genre.

As someone who had no prior exposure to Armored Core ahead of Fires of Rubicon, I am both surprised and delighted by how much I have enjoyed this game. Even when shifting to a slightly different genre, FromSoftware has once again asserted that it has a firm grasp on what it takes to make a thrilling and mechanically engaging action experience through and through. This might not be my own favorite FromSoftware game to date, but it's without a doubt worth checking out, regardless of how familiar you might be with Armored Core.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon definitely carries around some legacy issues. These and a couple of other annoyances aside, the game clearly shows how much From Software has grown over the past ten years. Because in its best moments, Fires of Rubicon is a furious action fest that requires skill, quick reactions and a spirited tactical approach.

A unique atmosphere, unhurried narrative and very challenging gameplay. This game draws you in, engages you and will not let you forget it.

Despite being a "minor" game, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is the best possible return for a franchise that has certainly been historic and that remained silent and quiet for many years, but that has still a lot to say.

Overall, Armored Core VI is a proper mecha action game. It’s not the best game in the series, but it is solidly done. The new target assist setup works fine and is also able to be turned off if need be. The story and localization are great, and very much inline with the Japanese dialogue for the first time in the series’ history. It’s also definitely a return to form for the Armored Core series, but the never-ending boss fights do take away from the decent mission structure and pacing, especially later in the game. However, for someone like me that’s been playing Armored Core games for over 25 years, it’s nice that this series is back and finally being given a proper chance to shine.

For mecha fans, Armored Core 6 is an absolutely phenomenal game that should fulfill all or most expectations. Without reinventing the genre, its content and gameplay are very solid and satisfying. You build your own machine piece by piece, choosing your own gameplay without getting too technical. Then it's off to intense, spectacular battles that demand a fairly high level of skill. You can redesign your machine for each battle, both solo and in the arena against other players. But it may well put off players who are not looking for such a special experience.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon’s stellar customization options feed into its excellent mecha combat, and the result is challenging combat puzzles that kept my attention all the way through its 15-hour campaign and beyond. It’s let down by a dull story, but lands direct hits where it counts.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon has excellent gameplay and with numerous possibilities to assemble your mecha and style of play. However, it is also a title that does not fulfill its potential with the story, with the online and it has a series of decisions that could make the experience more enjoyable. It's certainly a great game, but it could have reached a much higher level of excellence.

Armored Core VI manages to distinguish itself from all the Souls-dependance that FromSoftware has developed in recent years, and also does it while providing fun and challenging gameplay. Some boss battles will require players to tinker with their mechs, but luckily so, the incredible amount of possibilities and combinations that Armored Core VI displays will turn every hard battle into a 'mini puzzle' of sorts.

Armored Core 6 is a successful sequel, combining the regular series' formula with some huge inspirations especially from Sekiro. It is fast, intense and challenging, later on maybe a little bit too challenging for average gamers.

For those that don't mind that its story is passable, and that its difficulty wildly varies from mission to mission, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is likely to be a bit of a treat. It looks great, the action is lighting fast and always remains smooth, and there's genuine joy to be had in amassing a wide range of parts and then using them to create builds that allow you to much more effectively complete missions. This is a far cry from FromSoftware's popular output in recent years, but can be just as engrossing – providing you have an open mind.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is a fantastic return for a classic franchise, though it can feel a bit thin on the ground in terms of content. It’s in dire need of a .5 entry, like For Answer or Verdict Day. Don’t take that as a condemnation though – it needs a .5 entry because we need more Armored Core 6. This is a fantastic base for the future of Armored Core, and after playing this I need to see that future as soon as possible.

Armored Core 6 is a nice diversion from the Souls games for From Games. The return to modular mechs allows players to experiment with wildly different builds. Sadly, the game feels very unbalanced. It throws very hard bosses at you when you're unprepared and underpowered, while not challenging you enough when you finally reach enough freedom to build an AC to suit your style.

Armored Core VI is action packed and has great pacing yet the polishing is nowhere to be found. It’s basically a PS4 game with the same old mechanics of a PS3 era game. I love the atmosphere and story yet the visuals looks very old and characters are dull as hell. It’s a good comeback but not as grand as we expect from From Software standards.

The 6th installment of the Armored Core series returns stronger than ever, despite sometimes unnecessarily arbitrary balancing in terms of difficulty and a serious lack of outstanding Bosses, veterans of the license will find with the pleasure of unique driving sensations as exhilarating as they are spectacular but also sometimes completely unreadable, leaving more than ever casual players aside.

Certainly, it provides exhilarating depths for those willing and sufficiently talented to reach them, but the game's narrow and unforgiving constraints will repel far more than it entices. [Issue#389, p.102]

With Armored Core VI, FromSoftware has demonstrated, yet again, that it has few peers when it comes to intelligent and thought-provoking action. You’ll need to be faster on the draw and quicker with the reactions to survive this game’s bullet ballet-like approach, but you’ll also need to be smart and precise, and there’s elegance to complement with the visceral sound of metal rending. Sadly, that’s all FromSoftware has delivered this time around, and for a company that has mastered the ability to give truly memorable context to its worlds, characters, and battles, the shallow hollowness of this experience is truly disappointing.

Fires of Rubicon is big, bombastic fun, with a core gameplay loop that's a blast to play most of the time. The game does however falter in quite a few places, including its bland story, lacking visual variety, and an ever-present feeling of frustration when banging your head against some of the more bullet hell-like encounters.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon admirably weds satisfying combat with extensive mech customisation, with short missions letting you quickly experiment with new ideas and builds. However, once you've settled on an optimal loadout, it's those same quick-fire levels that begin to blunt the fun. The result is a game that can be just as enjoyable as it is frustrating. A littering of good boss fights and rock-solid performance on PS5 make it a worthwhile experience as a whole, but Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon won't go down as a classic in the same way other FromSoftware titles have for the past decade.