Armored Core 6 Review | Full Review
We will take a look at Armored Core 6, the revamped release from FromSoftware and Bandai Namco to the Armored Core series. Do you think Armored Core 6 is worth playing? Does it resemble Souls? Which changes has Armored Core 6 made? There are still a lot of topics we need to cover! Let’s discuss them all together!
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Table of Contents
Armored Core 6 Review
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Shooter
- Developed by: FromSoftware Inc.
- Published by: Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., FromSoftware Inc.
- Release Date: August 25, 2024
- Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Series X|S
- Reviewed on: PC (Steam)
- Price at the time of Review: USD 59.99 – 69.99
STORY & SETTING
A futuristic world called Rubicon 3 appears in Armored Core 6 as humankind has established a civilization there. A sublime substance called Coral was discovered on the planet, which was heavily used as an energy source and to advance technological research. Fires of Ibis occurred during this catastrophic event, which ignited a sea of coral and irrevocably burned the planet’s surface, contaminating its surface with deadly poisons.
There are pendent groups that attempt to take the substance into their own hands. Each party agrees that Coral is valuable and it is worth killing over to find it, regardless of the purpose for their desire for it.
Taking control of “C4-621”, an independent mercenary employed by the mysterious Handler Walter, in the present, you are in control of an independent mercenary in the present. It’s a strange journey that ties into the core of it all, Coral, and as a faithful “hound” you complete jobs for different corporations.
No matter what your level of familiarity with the series is or how new you are, you may find the setting itself fascinating, or discover the many events and factions interesting. As you progress, the destruction continues to grow, emphasized by the muted tone. The combination of these factors immediately drew me in, leaving me eager to see what happens next.
Fromsoftware do an excellent job building the world and setting in this game, giving the story an excellent backdrop with unexpected twists and turns to follow. In action games, this is often not achieved well due to the inability to maintain good pacing and gradual progression, so it’s quite commendable.
GAMEPLAY
AC6 – AC Customization
Having the ability to customize an Armored Core game is one of my favorite aspects of the game, and I was not let down by my experience. The game encourages building customization to overcome obstacles and challenges, and it has become an addiction to me over the years because of FromSoftware’s “learn and adapt” gaming style. Observe the situation > Reassess your build if you fail > Build your AC > Win and continue the mission.
Besides being cosmetic, AC6 offers fantastic customization options. Those who have not played an Armored Core game or little experience with FromSoftware titles may have trouble grasping the mechanics, but building your mech the way you want it is such a rewarding experience.
Different missions can be approached in different ways based on your playstyle thanks to these customization and adaptability options. The lightweight ACs that are capable of quick maneuvers and close range combat are usually my defaults whenever I do a mission. I really enjoyed this game because if I hit a wall, I’d have to make a new mech, which appealed to my builder and tinkering skills.
Your AC can be constructed from a variety of Frame parts and weapon units, and each one adds something unique to your gameplay experience. It seems that the number of builds is endless, with players being able to assemble nimble ACs, hovering mechs that rain fire and brimstone, or even tanks with explosive units. I am sure many will spend most of their time building ACs for the community and sharing them.
If you’re wondering, you can change your mech’s aesthetics and visuals. For each component, you can add an emblem, choose a pattern, and even customize the color. Additionally, once you’re happy with the look and the build, you can save it in AC Data where you can create 160 AC builds by matching up 4 “accounts” with 40 slots each.
Mechanics of AC6
An ongoing discussion has been taking place about whether AC6 is reminiscent of Souls, or if Souls is reminiscent of AC6. Several fans worried that FromSoftware would change many core aspects of the game in order to appeal to the souls crowd, but I’m glad to report that has not happened. Despite some innovations from the studio’s later titles, the game maintains its Armored Core series structure. Regardless of how you choose to play, you can expect recurring mechanics such as limited healing, supply stations at checkpoints, and outrageous boss fights.
When you fail a mission in AC6, you are required to repair your mech and resupply, which was not the case in older Armored Core games. You can quit, retry missions, or restart at checkpoints as much as you like in AC6, although there are still expenses that affect your total income at the end of each mission. You can even change your AC build. In terms of the punishment aspect, we can expect breathtaking boss battles from FromSoft. They are rewarding and challenging even for the most accomplished players.
FromSoftware continues to deliver consistently great control and overall combat, and I’ve already mentioned this in our last video. My ideas about how I wanted to control a mech translated well to the controls, which is something important for fast-paced games, especially AC6. When you activate an assault boost and fly around, evading and blazing weapons, it looks so awesome.
When you fail a mission in AC6, you are required to repair your mech and resupply, which was not the case in older Armored Core games. You can quit, retry missions, or restart at checkpoints as much as you like in AC6, although there are still expenses that affect your total income at the end of each mission. You can even change your AC build. Despite being challenging for the most skilled players, the boss battles are stunning, rewarding, and punishing as expected from FromSoft.
The controls and overall combat of FromSoftware games are just great, and I’ve mentioned this in our last video. The features of how I imagined controlling a mech transferred well to the controls, which is very important for fast-paced games, especially AC6. As you fly around, evading and firing weapons, you have such an awesome appearance when you activate an assault boost.
