If you’re familiar with FromSoftware, which most people are, you’d be familiar at how difficult their games are from a technical point of view. Not only is it as a simplistic hack and slash with easily canceled action inputs, but learning and overcoming the enemy’s move sets. The question is, with FromSoftware going back to its roots of Armored Core… did they bring the same difficulty aspect to this franchise, or keep it in the Dark Souls (and its likes) series only.

First off, one thing that is clear is the vagueness of its narrative. Much like most of its known games such as the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and all the way to their latest ambitious game, Elden Ring, the storytelling is a little tricky to follow. Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is no different. The narrative is slowly revealed through the conversations that take place from the characters you meet during mission briefing and just discussions. With that said, trying to piece everything together is still relatively tricky.

Our interpretation is that the story is set around ‘Coral’, a resource found on planet Rubicon 3 which is a type of precious commodity that a number of factions are trying to mine to use for their technological advancement. Due to its scarcity and value of this substance, factions going after it range from groups such as mercenaries, big corporations and resistance fighters just to name a few. And in a classic Soulslike nature, none of these factions are truly good nor evil, but just groups of people that believe in the same goal. And just to add a spin in the works of its storytelling, you have a mission handler named Walter who briefs you in prior to each mission, amongst other characters… but not only that, but there’s a mysterious voice only you can hear named Ayre who talks to you throughout the game. Is this voice AI? Is it a member of another faction? Is she even on your side? That’s something you’ll have to work out along the way.

In terms of the mech itself, the game relies heavily on players being able to select a type or style to their liking. There are a wide variety of parts you’re able to tinker with and adjust accordingly such as a fast and quick but less armored, tank (literally) with heavy armor, but still able to move well, some with flight capabilities and more. You’re also able to mix and match variations such as arms, legs, body, head and so on. In fact, it’s exactly what you’d imagine to be able to play around with in a mech type game.

With the weapon variety, it’s exactly as you’d guess and assume would be available, a range of heavy artillery guns, grenade launchers, to pistols, machine guns and lasers. All these can be purchased and combined depending on your play style and what you prefer. You’re able to adapt weapons on your left and right hand, as well as your left and right shoulders.

Each player would have a preferred build that best suits them, but also will push to take into consideration the enemies they’re fighting. Armored Core 6 pushes players to try different variations opposed to sticking to their favorite build, which may feel unnatural to a lot of players. Much like in the way of Zelda BOTW where you’re forced to try different weapons due to its longevity, AC6 will force players to rethink their fighting strategy, especially when it comes to boss fights. For example, there will be times where a shoulder rocket launcher that shoots up in the sky before berating enemies from top down would be rendered useless as their armor is thicker up top.

The customisable decals and colors are huge in that there are players who spend hours creating pretty amazing artwork, from taking inspirational color schemes such as Kaneda’s motorcycle (including all the stickers), to actually placing incredible anime characters. And though some of these could look a little cringy and weeby, there’s definitely a lot of awe and amazement that can be seen with the amount of effort and accuracy players have created. In addition, everyone is able to share their designs with one other (locked to each platform) which makes it all the more fun to look at the incredible artwork, color combination and style people have come up with.

Apart from the vagueness of its storytelling, and difficulty at times, Armored Core 6 doesn’t necessarily feel like a typical FromSoftware game initially, especially the standard missions outside boss fights. However, there’s a moment in time in the start of the game where players will hit that Dark Souls difficulty. For the FromSoftware fans, they’ll love this challenge and finally think, “there it is!” Whereas for the casual FromSoftware player, it may be hitting a wall in which they could potentially rage quit. Regardless of the outcome, it’s good to see that FromSoftware still implements their difficult gameplay into the Armored Core franchise. And just to be clear, it isn't’ making things difficult just for the sake of making it difficult, but rather ensuring that players make the right choices on their mech build, weapon selection, all the way to their movements in battle.

Outside the battles itself, players can tinker around in the base/menu system of the game, which seem to be big part of the game (as mentioned previously). You’ll see the likes of the following:

• AC DESIGN obviously lets players customize the visual aesthetics of their mech, such as changing body parts, paint details, decal selection and even design your own decals. There are some intricate imagery that people have come up with online, which are quite impressive.

• PARTS SHOP lets you buy and sell different weapons, body parts, generators and more, which would obviously change the statistics and build of your mech.

• OS Tuning lets you modify your mech’s attributes by unlocking abilities by upgrading a range of options such as Weight Control, Quick Turn and Pulse Protection just to name a few.

• ARENA where you learn new skills along the way, and a good testing ground to trial different basic controls, as well as weapons to give players a taste of what each left and right hand weapons feel like, as well as over shoulder arsenal. This

• NEST, where players can log in and have a PvP battle via 1v1 or 3vs3.

Unfortunately one thing that felt like it would be perfect for a game like Armored Core 6 would have been co-op. The idea of piloting a mech around the levels with a friend online and accomplishing a mission would have been absolutely amazing. Overall, Armored Core 6 is a refreshing take on a mech game where they’ve taken some styling, storytelling and gameplay from the Souls series, but also making it into a new series. It’ll definitely keep the FromSoftware fanboys happy, and may likely reel new players in as well. If there were ever a mech game that feels satisfying and not just basic, this would be it. Though there are moments of struggle at times, the ability to modify your mech and get past that wall is always satisfying.