Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon preview — Rebooting the mech in style

Bandai Namco recently invited us to check out Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, giving us a close look at the upcoming game's customization, combat, and traversal systems.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon launches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on August 25, and while it's a numbered entry into the franchise, FromSoftware is treating it as a reboot of sorts, offering us an experience more akin to the earlier games. It doesn't seem to be a Mech-filled Soulslike, but make no mistake, Armored Core VI is full of From's DNA.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon gameplay trailer

In our hands-off preview of Armored Core VI gave us a chance to see the game's three core pillars in action: massive three-dimensional level design, tactical combat further expanded by parts assembly, and one we see in every FromSoftware game, the satisfaction of overcoming challenging situations and earning hard-won victories. It's not a Soulslike game, but from the gameplay we've seen, Armored Core VI is going to be a challenging game that will require you to learn enemy movements for defensive and counterattack opportunities.

The gameplay preview took place on a level set inside a huge factory-style megastructure. Small rays of daylight shone from the ceiling, which revealed just how gargantuan the complex is. Feeding into the three-dimensional level building, you're free to use any method to reach your objective, so if you don't want to fight your way through the scenic route, using your Mech's thrusters to boost through the air is a perfectly viable strategy. While your Mech can only get so high with its thrusters, there are environmental objects like lifts to send you soaring to greater heights. The Mech's thrusters also aid you in combat, offering you ways to dodge, dash, slide, and jump around enemy attacks while searching for counterattack opportunities.

armored core vi fires of rubicon gameplay preview

Your Mech is your own to customize as you wish, and From gives you full control to swap out its head, arms, legs, weapons, shoulder weapons, internal parts, and more. Legs can be switched around to gain additional maneuverability, shoulders can be equipped with rockets and shields, arms can be outfitted with cannons and swords, and numerous other items can be used to feed into your play style.

From what we've seen of the gameplay, though, playstyle looks like it'll be dependent on the enemies you're fighting at the time. Just in the short preview we've seen, enemies come in a multitude of variations, with some of the more difficult ones coming packed with shields and four legs for stability — or in the case of the boss, massive tank-like tracks. In good FromSoftware fashion, Armored Core VI looks like it'll offer challenging combat that will reward players who take things slow, carefully juggle their offensive and defensive abilities, and learn the movements of each enemy.

Staggering returns in Armored Core VI, which has been an integral feature of many FromSoftware games. It's used alongside the impact mechanic, which is indicated by a bar above an enemy's head. Hitting them with impact-heavy weapons will slowly build up the bar, and once full the enemy or boss will temporarily power down, allowing you a shield-less window of opportunity to dish out some devastating damage. Weapons feature Impact and Attack Power damage, with one stat outweighing the other, so you'll need to choose one weapon leaning into each stat to maximize your staggering performance.

Customizing your Mech happens in the assembly window, which is only available in the menu, so you'll only be able to switch out parts when you die. Unlike Souls games, Armored Core VI doesn't feature campfire-style save points and instead uses a contemporary checkpoint system. From what we say, you'll be given a checkpoint around the halfway point of each mission, so dying will put you back a fair bit. Once dead, and before hitting the load checkpoint button, you'll be able to access the Assembly menu to switch out your gear. What you will find sprawled throughout the levels, though, are Supply Points. Here you'll be able to restock on ammo and repair kits, as well as store your hard-earned Action Points.

Our look at Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon has been a short one, but from these early impressions, it's looking like another solid FromSoftware game. Combat looks to be challenging but rewarding, and while the world is as metallic as they come, there is beauty to be found in the gigantic megastructures.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon launches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One on August 25. What do you think of it so far? Will you be giving this metallic monster a go? Drop down below and let us know!

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Written by Tom West

Tom has been playing video games since he was old enough to hold a controller, experimenting with a number of systems until he eventually fell in love with Xbox. With a passion for the platform, he decided to make a career out of it, and now happily spends his days writing about that which he loves. If he’s not hunting for Xbox achievements, you’ll likely find him somewhere in The Elder Scrolls Online or fighting for survival in Battlefield.