Zach Hiserote
zeh001@marietta.edu
Armored Core VI released in late August, adding another masterpiece to developer, FromSoftware’s portfolio of timeless classics. The game developer has created and popularized the creation of “souls-like” games after the positive reception of games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring. These types of game now carry a reputation among its RPG competitors of being rewarding, unique and especially difficult. Audiences may be surprised to know that FromSoftware hasn’t always made their focus on games like Elden Ring, with the developer’s first titles being Armored Core and Kings Field.
The first thing to note about this series and Armored Core VI in general is that the game is difficult in typical FromSoftware fashion. However, it is not Dark Souls level of spirit crushing or frustrating. Instead, the model for Armored Core VI is chapter and mission-based, making it easy to pick-up and put-down on a whim’s notice. Perfect for the average college student who needs a break. At this point you might be wondering, “What is it about? What kind of game is it?”
Have you ever wanted to live your fantasy of building robots? How about piloting a mech-suit? Think like the giant robots in Pacific Rim or the mech’s in Gundam or Neon Genesis Evangelion. In Armored Core VI that fantasy becomes an immersive experience right from your couch or gaming chair.
The game opens up with you, the protagonist, speeding through space and crash landing on a dystopian planet, Rubicon. The player takes the role of pilot as you arrive on the planet to get ahead of the competition and claim the planets energy source for their own personal game.
In Armored Core VI you’re in it for the money, each mission allots you a payment for destroying other mech’s and other pilots. With full omni-directional control, boosters, and anything from giant-laser-swords to energy bazooka’s you will thrash your way through way through snow covered ice-lands, sandstorms in the desert, and industrial structures in beautifully rendered graphics.
The customization in Armored Core VI gives the player absolute control with how they build their mechs and what weapons they utilize. This is the biggest part of the title’s gameplay, with the statistical nature of every piece of armor influence how strong you are, how hard you hit, and how fast you move. You want to make a mech that has tank treads, two arms with chain-guns and missile launchers on your back? Go ahead, the sky is the limit in Armored Core VI.
So, what are you waiting for? Get to work Pilot. Armored Core VI is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Steam as of August 24th.
