Armored Core 6 PC: Everything We Know!

A decade after its last installment, Armored Core 6 marks the return of the ambitious and highly customized mech-fighting action series by FromSoftware. "Finally!" Cry the fans who made up the original cult following. I mean, 10 years is a long time to wait for a sequel, even if it is the 6th!

To be fair, the prolific publishers behind the brutal bot battles, have been pretty busy. Firstly, there were the incredibly intricate and immersive Soulsborne games to be developed. Then we had the far-from-obscure production of the multiple award-winning Elden Ring to be completed. Indeed, I think we can safely say that FromSoftware has used its time wisely. It has, after all, cemented its position as one of the top Studios in the world. And that is no mean feat.

But now it's time to wind back the clock and revisit one of the publisher's early endeavors. To take a look at where it all began, and shine a spotlight on what was somewhat of an overshadowed series back in the day. To bring back to life the strong design and deep array of parts associated with the series, and to revitalize the intense split-screen combat for a new generation of gamers.

Will it succeed? Only time will tell. For now, join us as we take a look at everything we know so far about what Armored Core 6 brings to the table.

READ MORE: Age of Wonders 4 Reviews: Everything a Day 1 Buyer Needs to Know

The Plot

If you've never played Armored Core before and are worried about showing up late for the party, have no fear. Featuring a completely new storyline without any major links to previous games, Armored Core 6 has been designed to open up the franchise to a whole new generation of gamers.

Set in a new location, the plot begins 50 years prior to the onset of your adventure, on the remote planet of Rubicon 3, where a mysterious substance has been discovered. A substance so powerful, it has the potential to drastically advance the technological capabilities of humanity.

As competing forces vie for control of the potent substance, a brutal war breaks out forming a "Burning Star System" of fiery storms. The consequences are disastrous as the once peaceful planet turns into a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Fast-forward 50 years, and the fighting is just as intense, with rebel groups and corporate armies battling it out to get their hands on the valuable yet destructive substance. This is where you enter the fray. As a sole mercenary who invades planet Rubicon 3, to embark on a mission to seize control of the coveted resource.

But of course, when we say "you", what we really mean is the customized mech you assemble. The mech you control to engage in the brutal warfare necessary to achieve your aims.

This is the mech-fighting Armored Core, after all.

The Gameplay

In a departure from the Soulsbourne style of play that characterizes more recent FromSoftware games, Armored Core 6 reverts back to what made the franchise special in the first place. Namely, the building and piloting of customized mech in intense battles, as you leap and dart your way through various arenas using ranged and melee attacks to wreak as much havoc as you can.

Now, for a word of warning. Your mech may be powerful but don't expect an easy ride. In fact, for those who found the Souls games challenging, you might want to psyche yourself up before embarking on this adventure.

Like with Souls, the boss battles are brutal, but I'm sorry to say that overall Armored Core ranks up the difficulty level to an even higher level. Indeed, Armored Core is considered the most arduous of the FromSoftware games. And that's saying something!

Mission Based Structure

Another example of how Armored Core 6 follows the footsteps of its predecessors, is the mission-based, as opposed to open-world, structure of its gameplay. According to FromSoftware President Hidetaka Miyazaki, this mission-based format allows players to customize their mech strategically in response to the particular challenges that lie ahead. In this way, decisions can be made on a mission-by-mission basis. This includes choosing how to control your mech to move across the map, as well as how these choices will affect your mech's capabilities once you've entered your next level (IGN interview).

Graphics

Perhaps one of the most rewarding things about revisiting old-school series' is the opportunity to revamp original gameplay with modern-day sound and visuals. Indeed, as one of the creators of the early Armored Core games, Miyazaki admits that he's jealous of the team who get to work on Armored Core 6 because of the technology they have at their disposal!

In this vein, Director Masaru Yamamura shares how excited he is about the enhanced graphics the creative team has been able to use to bring the enormous steel-plated mechs to life in this latest installment!(IGN interview).

Multiplayer?

Like the idea of going head-to-head/mech-to-mech with a buddy/soon-to-be-enemy in competitive 1v1 boss-style combat? Well, you'll be pleased to know that Armoured Core 6 is due to incorporate the PvP arena battles that caused many a heated argument among friends back in the day. And they are sure to be just as intense!

We're still unsure about whether or not there will be a team-based multiplayer mode like in Armoured Core 5, but we'll be sure to let you know when hear anything.

Release Date

Can't wait to test the capabilities of your customized mech? Well, you just have to make it through Spring first, as Armored Core 6 will be released on 24th August 2023.

Pre-order your copy of Armored Core 6 at 2Game today and save 16% off RRP! 

System Requirements

As is often the case with games a few months away from their release dates, we have some information about the system requirements for Armored Core 6 but we are still awaiting more details. With that in mind, the minimum specifications are as follows:

We will update you with the recommended system requirements when they are made available.

Stay Tuned!

It's interesting contemplating the release of Armored Core 6, as for most of us new to the series the draw stems not from a knowledge of the franchise itself, but from what came after. That is to say, we assume it will be good because the Souls games are so good. We wonder if it could be exceptional because Elden Ring is exceptional. And yet the publishers are at pains to tell us that Armored Core 6 isn't at all like the newer blockbusters.

Instead, they tell us that Armored Core 6 is like...well...the other Armored Core games! Only with a new storyline and enhanced graphics. Of course, ardent fans of the series will assure us that this is a good thing. It's what they've been waiting a decade for!

Certainly, with the quality of the FromSoftware games that followed, interest is piqued by what came before. And if anyone can take an old-school formula and revamp it to produce a game that meets the standards of the modern era, you'd put money on an award-winning studio like From Software coming up with the goods.

Indeed, with customized mechs, intense combat, challenging gameplay, and a cult audience, I'm certainly up for giving this one a go.

CHECK OUT: Age of Wonders 4 DLC Plans: What Have They Got In Store?

Pre-order your copy of Armored Core 6 at 2Game today and save 16% off RRP! 

 

A decade after its last installment, Armored Core 6 marks the return of the ambitious and highly customized mech-fighting action series by FromSoftware. “Finally!” Cry the fans who made up the original cult following. I mean, 10 years is a long time to wait for a sequel, even if it is the 6th! To be fair, […]