Armored Core 6
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon marks a triumphant return for the iconic mecha-based vehicular combat series developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on August 25, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, this game represents the first entry in the Armored Core franchise since 2013’s Armored Core: Verdict Day. Notably, this installment is also the first to be available on the Windows platform, expanding the reach of the series to a wider audience.
The Armored Core series has always been celebrated for its intense and strategic mecha combat, and Armored Core VI doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Players once again find themselves in the pilot seat of powerful mechs, engaging in high-stakes battles in a dystopian future where corporations and mercenaries vie for control. The core gameplay revolves around a blend of fast-paced action and deep customization options, allowing players to tailor their mechs to suit their preferred playstyle. Whether you prefer long-range precision strikes or up-close and personal melee combat, Armored Core VI offers a diverse range of weaponry, abilities, and customization options to ensure each player’s experience is unique.
One of the standout features of Armored Core VI is the enhanced graphics and immersive world-building. The game fully leverages the capabilities of the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and high-end gaming PCs to deliver stunning visuals and breathtaking mech designs. The world of Fires of Rubicon is a dark and atmospheric one, with sprawling, post-apocalyptic landscapes and futuristic cityscapes that set the stage for epic mech battles. The attention to detail in both the mechs and environments helps to create a truly immersive gaming experience.
In addition to its single-player campaign, Armored Core VI offers a robust multiplayer mode, where players can pit their customized mechs against others in intense online battles. This multiplayer aspect adds depth and replayability to the game, as well as an opportunity for players to test their skills against a global community of Armored Core enthusiasts.
The positive reception of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a testament to FromSoftware’s commitment to delivering a compelling gaming experience. Its return after a long hiatus has been met with enthusiasm by both longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike. The game’s engaging combat, rich customization options, and stunning visuals have combined to make it the highest-rated installment in the Armored Core franchise, solidifying its place as a must-play title for fans of mecha combat and action gaming.
As the series continues to evolve and adapt to modern gaming platforms, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon demonstrates that the allure of piloting giant mechs and engaging in epic battles remains as captivating as ever, ensuring the continued success and longevity of this beloved franchise.
Armored Core 6 Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for playing Armored Core 6:
-
The heart of Armored Core is customization. Experiment with different parts, weapons, and loadouts to find a playstyle that suits you. Remember to balance offense, defense, and mobility.
-
Familiarize yourself with the controls and keybindings. Mastering movement and weapon switching can be the difference between victory and defeat.
-
Understanding the maps is crucial. Learn the terrain, cover locations, and advantageous positions. Use the environment to your advantage, whether it’s for cover or ambushing opponents.
-
Dodging enemy attacks is essential. Use boosters and evasive maneuvers to avoid incoming fire. Timing is critical, so practice dodging in different situations.
-
Keep an eye on your Energy gauge. Boosting, firing energy weapons, and using abilities all consume energy. Don’t overextend and run out of energy at a critical moment.
-
Allocate upgrade points strategically. Prioritize the areas that align with your preferred playstyle. Whether it’s firepower, mobility, or defense, choose upgrades that enhance your strengths.
-
Many battles involve staggering opponents to open them up for follow-up attacks. Experiment with weapons and tactics that can stagger foes, then capitalize on those moments.
-
If playing multiplayer, communicate and coordinate with your team. Combining abilities and focusing fire on enemy mechs can turn the tide of battle.
-
Being a stationary target is a recipe for disaster. Constantly reposition to make yourself a harder target. Strafing, jumping, and boosting can make you a difficult target to hit.
-
In both single-player and multiplayer, use cover wisely. Peek out to fire at enemies and quickly retreat to safety. Don’t expose yourself unnecessarily.
-
Each weapon has its own quirks and optimal ranges. Spend time mastering different weapon types to become a versatile pilot.
-
In multiplayer, prioritize targets based on their threat level and role. Healers and support mechs can be high-value targets, but don’t ignore enemy damage dealers.
-
Don’t get discouraged by losses. Instead, analyze what went wrong and learn from your mistakes. Adjust your strategy and loadout accordingly.
-
Armored Core is a game of experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try new loadouts and tactics. Adapt to different opponents and situations.
-
Sometimes, waiting for the right moment to strike is the best strategy. Be patient, observe your opponents, and seize opportunities when they arise.
-
Side missions can offer valuable rewards and experience points. Don’t solely focus on the main story; explore the game’s world and take on optional challenges.
-
Repair Kits are precious. Save them for critical moments, like when your mech’s health is low, rather than using them prematurely.
-
Keep up with updates, patch notes, and community discussions. Developers may tweak game balance and mechanics over time.
-
Ultimately, Armored Core is about enjoying intense mecha battles. Have fun experimenting with different mechs, weapons, and strategies.
By following these tips and putting in practice, you’ll become a more formidable Armored Core pilot and enhance your chances of success in the game.
TRENDING
Armored Core 6 Reviews
Armored Core 6, the revival of FromSoftware’s iconic mech franchise, has garnered significant attention in the gaming community. This latest installment, subtitled “Fires of Rubicon,” comes after a long hiatus for the series and marks the directorial debut of Masaru Yamamura, known for his work on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Bloodborne. Reviews of Armored Core 6 highlight its unique and challenging gameplay, intricate mechanics, and the bold direction taken by the new director.
One aspect that stands out in Armored Core 6 is its uncompromising nature. Similar to FromSoftware’s previous titles like Sekiro, it demands patience and a willingness to adapt to its complex combat systems. Reviewers often note the initial frustration they faced in understanding how Yamamura intended players to approach combat. The learning curve can be steep, with some even admitting to struggling against the first boss multiple times before achieving victory.
One of the game’s defining features is the complexity of its combat mechanics. Armored Cores, the mechs in the game, can carry up to four weapons and fire them independently. With numerous weapon archetypes, each requiring strategic use, players must carefully consider their loadouts and tactics. Movement is paramount, and mastering the three available boosts, dashing, and aerial maneuvers is crucial for survival. Unlike FromSoftware’s Soulsborne titles, there are no invincibility frames during dashing, adding to the challenge.
The verticality of combat in AC6 sets it apart from other FromSoftware games. Players are encouraged to take to the air strategically, gaining high ground to gain advantages in battles. This shift in combat dynamics adds a fresh layer of complexity and requires players to rethink their approach to engagements.
The customization aspect of Armored Core 6 is another highlight. Players have a wide array of options when building their mechs, and the choice of parts greatly influences a mech’s performance and abilities. This flexibility allows for creative experimentation, and players can adapt their mechs to different combat scenarios. The absence of a punishing in-game economy is also appreciated, as it lets players freely experiment with loadouts.
Armored Core 6 adopts a more accessible approach compared to some of its predecessors. The inclusion of checkpoints, the ability to modify mechs between deaths without restarting missions, and smaller-scale missions in the early game contribute to a smoother learning curve. Training missions help players grasp the game’s mechanics efficiently.
Despite these positive aspects, some reviewers found fault in the game’s boss battles. They are often cited as overly difficult relative to regular enemies, leading to frustrations, especially with early-game skill checks. Controls, particularly for double-trigger builds, were sometimes criticized as not entirely up to the task, with players struggling to manage camera control and boosting simultaneously.
In conclusion, Armored Core 6, with its challenging gameplay and intricate mechanics, offers a compelling experience for both series veterans and newcomers. While it demands patience and adaptation, it rewards players with little victories and a sense of accomplishment. The game’s complexity, vertical combat, and customization options make it a worthy addition to FromSoftware’s portfolio, showcasing the potential of its new generation of talent led by director Masaru Yamamura.
Armored Core 6 Walkthrough
Here is a detailed Walkthrough of Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of Armored Core 6:-
Chapter 1
HC Helicopter
At the start of the fight, we recommend taking a minute or two to evaluate the arena you’re in and any attacks the boss throws at you. Feel free to deal damage if you like, but it’s suggested to die. This way, you can get all your AP back and restore any Repair Kits you used previously. You just need to scan the wreckage again, and then the encounter restarts.
Analyzing the Boss’ Attacks
Now you’re on a more level playing field, analyze how the boss’ attacks track your position over a period of time. Around the battlefield are buildings you can use for cover, and it’s these that’ll protect you from damage. We suggest sticking close to them, always having one in between you and the boss. This way, the bullets and missiles can’t get you quite so easily. Hide behind them, then pop up either above them or to the side and send some of your projectiles back. If you’re feeling brave, you can fly up to the boss and attack it with your melee weapon to deal a lot of damage all at once. If you do this, keep in mind you can get two hits in straight after one another before the weapon has to recharge.
Exploiting Stagger Mechanics
If you deal enough damage within a set amount of time, the bar above the boss’ health gauge will fill up completely and stagger it. This allows you to get in some free damage, and it’s where the melee attacks really come into their own. Try and take advantage of them as much as possible.
Finishing the Fight
The boss doesn’t have a second phase, so continue to use the buildings for cover, and pop out when it’s safe to deal damage of your own and you’ll eventually defeat it. Try to remain on the move at all times, dodging its missiles and taking to the air when possible. Once you’ve beaten it, the Main Mission called Illegal Entry will be complete.
Strider
Leveraging Prior Progress
The best thing about this boss encounter is you’ve already taken off more than half its health since you destroyed the sub-generators earlier in the Mission. Therefore, this fight becomes a lot easier, but it’s still no pushover.
Dealing Damage from a Distance
You’re essentially fighting a huge eye that comes equipped with a laser beam and missiles, both of which you’ll want to avoid. You’re going to need to get fairly close to the boss in order to lock on and start shooting bullets and missiles, so tread carefully, either dodging in the air or using the ducts in the ground for cover.
Missiles Are Your Friend
Since you need to cover a large distance to even get close to the boss, we strongly recommend using missiles instead of any melee weapons to deal damage. Pop missiles off as soon as they reload and you shouldn’t have too much of a problem downing this boss. As long as you pay attention to its laser beam and missiles, avoiding them as much as possible, then it’ll go down soon after.
Checkpoint Advantage
Even if you fail, you’ll actually be in a better position than last time. You’ve got a checkpoint right at the start of the encounter, and your AP and Repair Kits will have been refilled. If you want to make this boss really easy, simply die straight away and then you’ve got access to more health than you’d ever need.
Juggernaut
The Ally Phase
The fight against the Juggernaut kindly gives you an Ally to battle alongside… for about half of the encounter. The Juggernaut can only take damage from its back, so for the first half of the fight, allow your Ally to take aggro while you land bullets, missiles, and melee attacks on its back. This phase of the encounter should go by relatively smoothly as long as you allow the Juggernaut to put its attention on your partner.
Transitioning to Solo
The problem is your Ally leaves halfway through the encounter as they’re needed elsewhere. Now, with the boss’ focus entirely on you, it’s a lot harder to get around it and deal damage to its back. We recommend fully locking on at this point as the Juggernaut will speed around the battlefield at pace, making it impossible to track on your own.
Dealing Damage to the Front
Try and stick really close to it, getting melee attacks in when you can. Another really useful weapon for this encounter is a Vertical Missile Launcher, as the missiles circumvent the Juggernaut’s armor on the front entirely to deal damage on top. If you don’t already have one, you unlocked one for purchase in the Parts Shop just before starting Operation Wallclimber.
Dealing with Mines
When the boss has roughly one-third of health left, it’ll start deploying mines on the ground. Evade these by taking to the air and continuing to dodge its missiles. They’re not especially hard to avoid; the difficulty in this boss fight is simply getting yourself into a position where you can deal damage. Once you’ve got that figured out, it’s a pretty easy encounter.
Balteus
Shield Mechanics
Balteus is a bit of a unique boss — at least compared to what you’ve faced so far — in that it has a Shield you’ll need to knock out before you can get to work on its health bar. Essentially, you need to stagger it with the usual attacks (bullets, missiles, melee hits), at which point it’ll land on the ground and be open for meaningful damage. It will lose the Shield completely for a time, but it’ll come back soon after. You need to take full advantage of these windows to ensure maximum damage is dealt.
Attack Patterns
Balteus will spend the first phase throwing missile barrages at you, which can be avoided to a degree by using an Assault Boost and then dodging in the air. When it reaches roughly one-third of its health left, it’ll get a gigantic flaming sword out, which deals huge damage. Fire can also be spread along the floor in combination with missile barrages.
Aggressive Strategy
This will prove to be far and away the most difficult boss encounter you’ve come up against so far. We recommend playing it aggressively, trying to get its Shield down for a stagger as soon as possible. You’ll then want to keep that aggression up and continue to stagger it before it can regain its Shield. You’re able to stagger two or three times before the Shield returns, which is enough time to deplete roughly 50% of its health. Once that happens, retreat when you see Balteus turn white as it’s about to trigger an explosion. From there, the flaming swords come out and it becomes tougher to stay in close proximity to the boss.
Adapt Your Loadout
However, don’t stray too far as then the missile barrages return. Pick your chances and close in for further staggers, and you’ll eventually kill the boss. If it feels like your strategy isn’t working, this is the boss you’ll want to experiment with. Change your loadout and your weapons to see if anything works better for you. Close-range weapons work well, while Missile Launchers are good for the Shield and stagger gauges at a distance.
Chapter 2
Smart Cleaner
Assessing the Smart Cleaner
The Smart Cleaner is slow but powerful, and the good thing for you is its lacking mobility that makes staying in the air the best approach for this encounter. With huge razorblades for arms and lava it can pour onto the ground, the boss has the ground and close range covered. Of course, avoid these attacks by keeping your distance and dodging at the right time.
Identifying Weak Points
Smart Cleaner has two points you can attack: the chimney on top of it and a small, red vent on its chest. The former is easy to reach while the latter isn’t. With rockets, bullets, and melee attacks, we recommend focusing on the chimney to fill the stagger gauge, and then once it goes down in the red, land on the ground to attack the vent. This is the boss’ weakest spot, so maximize your damage during this small window of opportunity.
Transition to Aggression
When it’s lost roughly one-third of its health, the Smart Cleaner will become a lot more aggressive. One attack to note is when it raises its two saw-like arms into the air. To dodge this attack, Assault Boost right through the middle of them. Then, continue to target the chimney to build up the stagger gauge and work on its health bar via the red vent when the opportunity opens up.
Sea Spider
Prepare for Aggression
The Sea Spider is probably the most aggressive boss you’ve encountered up until this point, so it’s time to fight fire with fire: success in this fight will be defined by how aggressive you are at filling up the boss’s stagger gauge. Its own attacks include laser beams, rockets, and missile salvos, as well as a good thud from its legs. In this fight, you’re going to have to accept you’re going to receive a ton of damage in order to deal damage — at least on your first time. It’s the only way to get in close and stagger it.
Recommended Loadout
To do so, we recommend kitting your mech’s R-Back Unit and L-Back Unit with Songbirds, which are powerful Grenade Cannons. Using these both at the same time almost fills the boss’ stagger gauge completely all at once. Combine this with the RF-024 Turner so you can sustain stagger damage. Then, once the boss is staggered, get in close with your Pulse Blade. Frustratingly, this boss has a lot of health compared to anything else you’ve faced so far, so the weapon isn’t going to take off quite as big a chunk of health as you’re used to.
Handling the Second Phase
When you’ve got its health bar down to roughly 40%, it’ll start flying and attacking you from above. From our experience, we found this second phase actually easier than the first, but it’s still tough to survive as you’ll have limited AP and Repair Kits. In this situation, we suggest keeping your distance so attacks can be dodged and relying on your Songbirds to stagger and damage at a distance. Only when you feel it’s very safe should you get in close with a Pulse Blade.
Persistence Pays Off
It’s likely going to take you a lot of tries to beat this boss — it certainly did for us — so don’t give up hope. Try different builds, mess about with the OS Tuning, and give other weapons a go. Eventually, you’ll get it down.
Chapter 3
Heavy Warship
After some pretty intense and difficult encounters at the end of Steal the Survey Data, the fact a boss’ health bar appears at the top of the screen is probably enough to send a shiver down your spine. However, luckily enough, this isn’t really a boss encounter. The only thing you really have to worry about here are the drones it spawns.
When the encounter begins, shoot down all the drones in the area, and then use the Catapult to quickly get over to the Heavy Warship. You can Assault Boost the rest of the way, then shoot down the turrets on the ship. All you need to do is use two melee attacks on the ship’s bridge area (the part sticking up at the top where the TGT marker is) and it’ll be destroyed. The easiest boss fight in the game? Probably.
Ekdromoi EP and Ekdromoi PG
As is the case with most FromSoftware boss encounters featuring two enemies at once, you’ll want to focus your efforts on destroying one mech before moving on to the other. We recommend taking down Ekromoi EP, as they possess the most powerful attack of the two: a melee blow that can wipe out your entire health bar in one go. With Songbirds on both your L-Back and R-Back, try and stagger them quickly and then get in close with some melee attacks of your own. Neither of them has much health, so they should go down relatively easily.
Once Ekdromoi EP is down, you can move on to their buddy. At this point, as long as you have enough Repair Kits, the fight should be a formality. Continue what you’ve been doing — utilizing Songbirds and melee attacks — and you’ll also have Ekdromoi PG done and dusted shortly afterwards.
Ice Worm
Before loading into Destroy the Ice Worm, make sure you have the Stun Needle Launcher called VE-60SNA equipped to either your R-Back Unit or L-Back Unit. This is a required weapon. Once you’re in the level, the Ice Worm will be burrowing in and out of the ground. What you need to do is orient yourself so its “face” is coming directly towards you. Then, use the VE-60SNA and shoot it. Take into account the weapon has a fairly long windup time, so you may need to press the trigger a little earlier than you’d normally think. A good way to track the boss is to use the compass at the bottom of the HUD. Landing a successful shot will take down the Ice Worm’s Shield, which leaves your Allies open to down it with another weapon from long range.
Once this happens, the Ice Worm will fall to the ground and be open to damage. At this point, shoot it with missiles and get in close for some melee attacks. Depending on how much damage you deal, you’ll need to repeat this process another two or three times.
When the Ice Worm’s health reaches roughly one-third, it’ll start destroying your Allies. When you get the chance, shoot the boss’ face again with the VE-60SNA. You’ll need to do this twice to gain access to the final damage phase. When it goes down, give it your all and rid the boss of its remaining health.
Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.