Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is a dynamic, deep and brutal game. Its presentation is unique in the industry and everything it does, it does well.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a unique experience all about learning to accept failure in order to find solutions to new challenges. Accepting the fact that some runs need to end in defeat in order to learn more about how to tackle the encounter can take a while, but once you settle into the groove it feels so rewarding.

Armored Core 6 serves up the series' signature mech action and deep customisation gameplay in the slickest and most exciting entry in this long-running franchise thus far. This is easily the best mech shooter we've played, an immediately engaging, complex and highly replayable game that gives you all the tools required to build the machines you'll need to overcome some fantastically challenging boss encounters. Yes, there are one or two niggles with the camera and some flaky lock-on here and there, but the core action here, alongside a surprisingly engaging narrative and multiple endings to experience, make for a game we highly recommend digging into. FromSoftware's hot streak continues.

After laying dormant for a while, Armored Core has returned to light up the stage on hardware that makes the most of its grandeur. Fires of Rubicon feels exciting to play, it looks superb, it’s fast and furious, it’s devastating and badass, it’s all you could imagine a modern Armored Core game to be. Sure, humans are absent and all the codenames and straightforward characters make it rather unrelatable, but when you’re caught up in thrilling tussles with all manner of mechanised robots, nothing else will matter. If Fires of Rubicon is a glimpse at what the future holds for Armored Core, it’s a very exciting one indeed.

A cracking dose of fast-paced action, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a triumphant return for FromSoftware's mecha series after a decade, which proves both sternly challenging and deliciously rewarding in equal measure.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon marks the grand return of a saga that had been missing for way too long. A faithful episode to its predecessors but, at the same time, more modern and accessible, even if some difficulty balancing problems can make it frustrating for newbies. It remains, however, recommended both to historical fans and to those who want to approach the series for the first time.

From Software has always strived to develop quality games that not only are some of the most challenging around, but also some of the most rewarding. While the learning curve is steep, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon delivers a remarkably in-depth mech customization game that is less mindless combat and shooting and more tactics, strategy and adapting to hostile situations in order to survive. Every challenging moment will leave you on the edge of your seat, and should you persevere and succeed in your mission, Armored Core VI will deliver a euphoric sense of accomplishment and skill rarely found in gaming today. Think you have what it takes to take your mech combat skills to the next level? Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon awaits you. See you on the field of battle.

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.

A great mech combat game that boasts a surprisingly moody atmosphere while offering one of the most rewarding customisation components in all of gaming. So, definitely play it if you love tough combat and plenty of explosions.

From Software has done a fantastic job with Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. In addition to keeping the essence practically intact, it has managed to add certain elements to make it more accessible to those who want to get started in the franchise, but without leaving aside the studio's typical hallmarks of quality.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon offers an uneven challenge.

Armored Core 6 manages to refresh a dated gameplay loop and make it feel like something entirely new. It excels in both its high-octane gameplay and dizzying variety of customisation options. Whether opting for speed or brute force — or something that notches its own point on the spectrum — AC6 offers personalised action gameplay the likes of which has seldom been seen before. Don't go in expecting a Souls-like, and it will surely be a satisfying time.

Years and several Soulslike games later, FromSoftware revisits another of its iconic franchises and mostly soars with awesome visuals and combat. While difficulty is always going to be a factor in these games, the sudden challenge spikes will alienate those who lack the patience for finding the right build.

Armored Core VI delivers superlative visuals and uncompromising challenge that will delight hardcore fans but risks alienating newcomers with its steep learning curve.

Personally, I wouldn't say I liked Armored Core 6 since I was still high on the Elden Ring rush. As a rare mech game, it does a really good job at making you feel like you’re riding a powerful mech but it has little substance. Armoured Core 6 feels like a boss rush game with detail in mech customization, but the story lacks depth and engagement. Environments, granted very beautiful at times, are vast and vertical but feel like shallow backdrops or cardboard arenas you’d see in Power Rangers mech fights. AC6 will please many AC fans, but I don’t think it’s as strong as the other From Software titles.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is an odd return to what has been a mostly mediocre series. It fixes multiple issues, mainly control-wise from the past titles, without adding much else. It isn’t great to look at, and while it can be fun to play, its poor balance as you progress kills any joy to be found after not too long.

While Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon has exciting combat, it also has a shallow story, not a whole lot of extra content after the main campaign and a difficulty level that is not rewarding at all. While it may be the dream of mecha enthusiasts all around, it doesn't do much to draw in new players or introduce them to a new world.