From Software’s latest title Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon will officially arrive on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on August 25, 2023!
A gameplay trailer of Armored Core VI was also uploaded on Bandai Namco’s Youtube channel alongside the release date reveal, highlighting the game’s name of high-speed mecha-action. ACs of all shapes and sizes engage each other in the vast, yet desolate landscapes of Rubicon 3, the mysterious planet on which the game takes place.
Being absent for an entire console generation and having been ten years since its last installment, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon sees the company that took the world by storm with its Soulsborne titles return to its more rugged, mechanical roots.
▍Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon Gameplay
First revealed at the Game Awards presentation in 2022 to much excitement, the new gameplay trailer highlights the combat capabilities of the mechs known as ACs. Alongside the trailer, a PlayStation Blog post gave further insight into the different features players can expect to take control of their mechs.
While the pace and structure of mech-piloting action fundamentally differ from other games in the studio’s catalog, players can rest assured that the smooth, responsive controls they’ve come to expect in FromSoftware games are still here–just in a different context.
Assault boosts are introduced as a brand new option highlighted by the blog post, mentioning that the new maneuver allows players to close the gap almost instantaneously, switching between long-range shootouts and close-range slobber knockers. Along with the Over Boost (and Quick Boost seen in AC4 and ACfa) seen in the other titles, it remains to be seen how players will take advantage of the new movement option.
“Stagger” is newly introduced as a combat mechanic, where an AC can be overloaded to the point of vulnerability if they take too many hits over a short period. Continuous hits and big heavy strikes can trigger this state in an opponent, effectively encouraging players to keep the pressure on their foes to capitalize on these opening moments. The PlayStation blog post further elaborates how factors such as distance, weapon types, and velocity can influence the amount of damage a strike can inflict on an enemy’s stagger gauge.
The Arena game mode makes a triumphant return after being replaced by similar PvE match modes in AC4 and AC5, where players fight a series of battles against a wide array of specially customized mechs in a bid to reach the top rank.
▍Pre-orders and Premium Editions for Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is now up for pre-orders both physically and digitally, with a premium edition also available for the super fans.
Pre-ordering Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon on all available platforms will net players with a special customization Melander C3 G13 AC dubbed “Tenderfoot” in-game. Alongside this, a digital deluxe edition will be available at applicable storefronts, that include a digital artbook alongside a soundtrack for the game.
For the most dedicated fans, the trailer also showed off the Premium Edition and Collectors Editions of the game which will be offered exclusively on the Bandai Namco Store. These physical special editions both feature an exclusive design Steelbook case, sets of stickers, a hard-cover artbook, pin badges, and a digital soundtrack.
What sets the Collector’s and Premium Edition apart appears to be in the AC figurine included. While the Collector’s Edition includes a 19 cm figurine, the Premium Edition features a gigantic garage diorama to station the AC figurine. The promotional images (seen below) add that the figurine placed in the garage will measure up to a hulking total height of 32 cm.
