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Armored Core 6‘s release is a rousing success, and with it, FromSoftware has achieved something thought to be impossible. They have managed to make a mech game a mainstream hit. While that doesn’t sound like all that impressive of a feat, consider how many mech games have come out throughout the years yet only succeed in Japanese markets. Mechs are ingrained in Japan’s gaming culture and media, as countless anime franchises feature pilotable robots. For whatever reason, the allure of autonomous or self-piloted, bi-pedal war machines has never managed to resonate with the West.
How Did FromSoftware Create a Hit Mech Game?
Armored Core 6‘s release almost feels like an experiment by FromSoftware to ascertain whether elements of its signature game design could translate to different franchises. Given our glowing review, we’re certain that has been proved the case. FromSoftware’s Souls philosophy isn’t so much felt in combat but its atmosphere boss fights, and unforgiving nature. In addition, from what we’ve seen in Steam user reviews, it appears fans of the series are vibing with this new formula too. It’s been fun watching AC and Souls enjoyers connect over the franchises’ new direction and their experiences playing. Presumably, that’s likely to create a mega fanbase that will guarantee the longevity of this once-niche genre and franchise. After all, given the massive development time of Elden Ring and the intrigue surrounding its release, people barely knew this one was in development before its surprise announcement at Gamescom 2022.
In fact, Armored Core 6 has been in development for almost five years, which is understandable given the massive amount of content they have prepared. Putting that much time into a game for an incredibly niche genre was a considerable risk for FromSoftware, which, till this point, hasn’t missed with their “SoulsBornRing” games. Mech games do not sell well. Titanfall 2 was an amazing game, but despite that, it was released at the wrong time, and it doesn’t seem like it will ever get the proper sequel it deserves. When you consider the last major mech game was MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, which, for very different reasons, hardly set the gaming world on fire, either.
Is Armored Core 6 Enough to Change the Gaming Industry?
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is that game. It’s a massive 50-hour experience, and yet it’s not a sandbox game, which I appreciate for reminding us that not every hit game needs to be an open-world, cinematic flourish to be good. With Armored Core 6, we’ve got a mission-based structure that offers a huge amount of content, and plenty of replayability. It’s good to see FromSoftware break the mould with AC6, showcasing again it can create a thrilling and gritty world without leaning on an enormous, bloated open-world map.
Along with that world comes a gripping combat system that feels hyper-focused in its execution. In AC6, swapping between your four weapons while concentrating on cooldowns, ammo pools, and the oncoming bullet hell is mesmerizing to watch unfold and provides some of the best thrills of this wild gaming summer. The unique blend that FromSoftware has managed to make has revived a genre that used to be active in the PS2 era but has been dormant over the years.
Notably, while AC6 may feel new to many fans of FromSoftware, the old guard should feel right at home. The mission structure has been a signature of the franchise, and it’s once again replete with amazing customization. It doesn’t reinvent the game in the way that, say, God of War reinvented itself but instead restores a formula that was thought to be extinct. Taking what they’ve learned with their previous games, FromSoftware has made one of the toughest titles in the series to date while staying true to the series name throughout.
We already know that countless game companies are trying their hands at becoming the next Elden Ring, with the very promising Lords of the Fallen releasing in October. So, is the same thing likely to occur with Armored Core 6? That’s a tough question. Mech games are still niche, and although it’s the cool thing to do to copy everything FromSoftware does, it remains to be seen if the same will happen here. Are mech action games going to start dropping left and right? Probably not, but Armored Core 6’s success might show other developers that it’s not about the genre but the care and skill behind the game that makes it great. We’ve had enough Souls-like games in the past decade to last a lifetime; let’s see some other genres get back in the fold.
Armored Core 6 is far from a perfect game, of course. Its story could have been more robust, for starters, and we could’ve used some more varied environments to keep the 50-hour experience fresh. It makes up for those shortcomings in so many ways, and most importantly, it brings to life a genre that has been missing in the games industry for so long. The mech game has many forms, and lately, most of them have been in RPG form. That’s great for some, but Armored Core 6 shows that this genre demands a fast-paced action game with tons of customization and enough mechanics to support official competitive play if it becomes popular enough.
As mentioned above, FromSoftware was testing the waters with Armored Core 6′s release, and the experiment worked. Many had their doubts, but Fires of Rubicon is a seemingly impossible resurrection of a long-gone series and a brilliant action game with endless replayability. Thanks to AC6, interest in the mech genre has regained its spark. If FromSoftware one day can implement a Souls-like combat system combined with fast-paced mech action, fans on both sides will undoubtedly be there for it.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is available now for Xbox, Playstation, and PC.
