FromSoftware, the powerhouse studio behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and the groundbreaking title, Elden Ring, is shifting gears for its next big adventure, going full mecha with the release of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon on August 25. But, the game was notably absent at the Summer Game Fest. Or, at least, that’s what most people thought. Apparently, a select few got a chance to check out the upcoming title at the same event that ended with the massive bombshell that was Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Multiple insiders claim select members of the press have seen gameplay footage of Armored Core 6 and their thoughts are currently under embargo until next week.
The famous American journalist, Jason Schreier, is hinting that he’s one of those who’ll be able to air his thoughts in the next couple of days.
We hear for you pic.twitter.com/cZ5jHjN9dZ
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) June 9, 2023
For the uninitiated, Armored Core is a beloved series that’s been on hiatus for over a decade, but with the buzz around this title, it seems set to reclaim its spot in the limelight.
The Armored Core franchise, unlike the dark fantasy realms of FromSoftware’s more recent titles, delves into the world of mecha combat. The series is lauded for its fast-paced action, and Armored Core 6 seems set to continue this legacy. It’s also been noted that the game will lean towards denser, linear levels, a departure from Elden Ring’s expansive open world. But, believe it or not, during the development of Armored Core 6, FromSoftware grappled with the idea of exploring an open-world format. However, as Armored Core 6 director, Masaru Yamamura, reveals, the team concluded that the essence of Armored Core — the thrill of assembling mechas and witnessing how their construction impacts play — was ill-suited to an open-world structure. Instead, they opted to focus on developing individual missions that made full use of the assembled mechas.
Nevertheless, FromSoftware’s experience crafting immersive, detail-oriented worlds in their previous titles will undoubtedly benefit Armored Core 6. Yamamura assures fans that they can expect to navigate high-level, three-dimensional maps, promising a different kind of joy from the exploration of a carefully crafted environment.
Even though Armored Core 6 is a step away from the Souls-like path that FromSoftware has been known for, the developer has incorporated some elements from those games into the new title. The team behind Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is also working on Armored Core 6, which may give fans a clue about the gameplay style to expect. Armored Core 6, like Sekiro, is said to emphasize aggressive battle styles and speed.
With the resurgence of the Armored Core series and the return to the visceral mecha action the franchise is known for, the gaming community is abuzz with anticipation.
While Armored Core 6 stands as a departure from FromSoftware’s more recent successes, the developer’s track record is a good sign that this is a thrilling title that could redefine the mecha genre.
