FromSoftware is not a stranger to the gaming world. The award-winning studio mesmerized gamers with the genre-spawning Dark Souls and Bloodborne titles for years, dabbling in the delicacies of dark fantasies.
Most recently, FromSoftware treated us to one of the most GOAT’ed games of all time, Elden Ring. The studio’s encore, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, promises to take audiences on an exhilarating mech-shooter journey, away from the familiar yet enigmatic realms of Dark Souls and Elden Ring.
Releasing over a decade after Armored Core V, there’s genuine concern that FromSoftware might show rust in its return to a familiar arena but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
First and foremost, in terms of technological demands, the game surprisingly seems to be a tad more forgiving than its mystical cousin, Elden Ring. While both games share an almost identical system requirement, Armored Core 6 slightly reduces the CPU specifications, demanding Intel i7-7700 and AMD Ryzen 3600. A comparative highlight is the uptick in graphic memory requirements, with AC6 demanding a minimum of 4GB against Elden Ring’s 3GB. This might hint at the visually intricate and stunning mecha designs, which should be a sight to behold, especially for those with a soft spot for intricate machinery.
However, fans expecting a game-wide immersive Ray Tracing experience might be slightly disappointed. The feature is confined only to the “garage area”, where players will engage in detailed customization of their mech warriors. Given the fiasco Elden Ring faced when attempting to introduce Ray Tracing post-launch, it’s understandable that FromSoftware might be a bit cautious this time around.
But what’s gaming without its immersive content? The recent Armored Core 6 showcase revealed thrilling insights into the game, much to the delight of fans.
In case there was any uncertainty, I can confirm 100% now that Armored Core 6 is running on the Elden Ring / Sekiro engine. We assumed it was the case, but yeah, it’s confirmed now.
— Lance McDonald (@manfightdragon) August 18, 2023
Showcasing live gameplay, FromSoftware shared a glimpse of the dynamic resupply mechanisms feature of Dark Souls’ bonfires. Boss encounters like the Smart Cleaner, described vividly as a furnace equipped with cylindrical grinders, are bound to provide epic battles and moments of heart-stopping anticipation. Moreover, PvP enthusiasts have a massive reason to celebrate. The game introduces high-paced 3v3 and 1v1 mecha duels. It’s evident that mastering movement, range, and weapon synergy is imperative, which the 120FPS gameplay will help with. The PvP mechanics, from what we’ve witnessed, promise to be a blend of strategy and chaos.
Amidst all this anticipation, one revelation stands out. Armored Core 6, much like Elden Ring and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, operates on the same engine. For the uninitiated, engines are the backstage machinery that power the visual and mechanical aspects of a game. The choice of the same engine might seem like a mere technical decision, but for the gaming world, it opens up an ocean of modding possibilities. Think Elden Ring bosses in an Armored Core landscape or vice versa.
While FromSoftware is often seen as a somewhat different entity before it started working on the Dark Souls games and when it was mostly known exclusively for Armored Core, the common engine thread weaves these two current-gen titles closer.
For those pondering over game engines and their significance, it’s intriguing to see companies such as FromSoftware’s decision to not extensively market their engine, unlike Unreal Engine 5 or Unity. It appears FromSoftware is confident in what its game engine is capable of – obvious signs of aging and all.
As Armored Core 6’s release looms, the unique blend of action, strategy, and mecha customization promises a worthy gaming experience.
Whether you’re in it for the love of mechs, the thrilling PvP encounters, or simply to explore another masterpiece by a studio known for producing them, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon promises not to disappoint.
