Wikipedia

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a 2023 mecha-based vehicular combat game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. A part of the Armored Core series, it released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A reboot of the series, the game is set in the distant future on the remote planet Rubicon 3. There, a war erupts between corporations, the government and the remnants of the planet's colonists for control of Coral, a rare and incredibly powerful energy source unique to Rubicon once thought to have been destroyed in a cataclysm. The main character, C4-621, is a cyborg mercenary pilot who, after meeting a Rubiconian named Ayre, influences through their actions what will become of the Coral and Rubicon itself.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Developer(s)FromSoftware
Publisher(s)Bandai Namco Entertainment
  • JP: FromSoftware
Director(s)Masaru Yamamura
Producer(s)Yasunori Ogura
Programmer(s)Toshimitsu Koyachi
Artist(s)Kozo Maeda
Writer(s)
  • Kazuhiro Hamatani
  • Masaru Yamamura
Composer(s)
SeriesArmored Core
Platform(s)
Release25 August 2023
Genre(s)Vehicular combat
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

The game marked the end of a decade-long series hiatus following the previous game, Armored Core: Verdict Day. It received generally positive reviews from critics and is the highest-selling entry in the series, selling three million copies by July 2024.

Gameplay

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The gameplay in Armored Core VI emphasizes mecha-based vehicular combat. Players in this game take on the role of expert pilots in control of mechs known as Armored Cores (AC).

As typical of the Armored Core franchise, players are given significant choice in modifying and customising their AC. Players can arm their ACs with four weapons – one on each hand, and one on each shoulder. AC parts and weapons, each with different characteristics, can be swapped out between missions, limited to their AC's weight and energy limits. An in-game menu also informs the player of their AC's traits, such as movement speed and defense against explosive attacks.

Through completing missions, players are awarded COAM, an in-game currency that lets them purchase new parts and weapons for their AC. Additional parts and weapons can be found in certain missions. The amount of COAM earned for these missions is influenced by the several in-game factors, which include bonuses for completing additional objectives as well as expenditures for repairs and ammunition costs.

In the singleplayer campaign, players complete a series of combat missions that tell the in-game story. Players receive an in-game briefing prior to a mission, where they are informed of success parameters, expected opposition, and other mission details. Players complete missions by destroying various targets, as well as accomplishing specific mission goals (e.g. destroying specific enemies). If given a choice between multiple missions, choosing one will typically prevent the player from choosing the other in a single campaign. The game also features New Game Plus content.

The arena concept from the game's predecessors remains in place and appears through a "combat aptitude evaluation program." Players engage notable NPC mechs in a combat simulation, and earn "OS Tuning" chips which allow for certain abilities and upgrades to be unlocked. Additionally, players may engage in a PvP mode through online play in 1-v-1 or 3-v-3 matches; initially, only private lobbies were available, but ranked matchmaking was added in a later update.

Armored Core VI does away with the debt system from earlier games in the series, which caused players to lose money as tasks fail. This time, players have the ability to attempt missions as many times as they want with no concern for lost currency.

Synopsis

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In the distant future on the frontier planet Rubicon 3, a substance dubbed Coral is discovered. Hailed as the key to human advancement, the Coral instead triggered the "Fires of Ibis", an explosion which burned the whole star system and contaminated the planet. While originally thought lost, Coral is rediscovered on Rubicon 3 fifty years later, along with survivors of the Fires of Ibis. Ostensibly to acquire Coral for profit, the enigmatic Handler Walter acquires mercenary C4-621−a survivor of Coral-based cybernetic augmentation−to infiltrate Rubicon 3 on the promise of reversing the debilitating procedure and giving them a new life. The planet is now a battleground between the Planteray Closure Administration (PCA) which is isolating the contaminated planet; multiple megacorporations seeking to exploit the Coral including Balam Industries and Arquebus Corp; and the planet's human survivors who have formed the Rubicon Liberation Front (RLF). To operate on Rubicon 3, C4-621 uses the ID of a dead mercenary dubbed "Raven", and is given this title by multiple characters.

Under Walter's command, C4-621 takes on missions for Balam and Arquabus while locating Coral. During missions they earn the envy of Iguazu, a member of Balam's Red Gun mercenary group and another Coral-based augmented mercenary; partner on some missions with Rusty, a member of Arquabus's Vesper squad and sleeper agent for the RLF; and gain aid from Cinder Carla, leader of an independent faction and old associate of Walter. Upon discovering a "Watchpoint" station rich in Coral, C4-621 comes into contact with Ayre, a non-corporeal sentience born from the Coral who aids them in missions. C4-621 ultimately allies with all the factions to take down a rampaging Coral-powered "C-Weapon", and discovers remnants of the Rubicon Research Institute, which settled Rubicon 3 and discovered Coral. In New Game Plus, C4-621 can alternately take on missions with the RLF, earning their trust and allegiance.

It is gradually revealed that the Coral is sentient, and that its uncontrolled expansion towards a "Coral Release" caused the Institute to trigger the Fires of Ibis. Walter and Carla are survivors of the Fires, and are determined to prevent Coral's re-emergence by any means. Reaching the Institute's ruined capital under another Watchpoint, C4-621 takes down second C-Weapon defending a Coral concentration, but is then captured along with Walter by Arquabus, who send them both to be "re-educated". With Ayre and Carla's help, C4-621 escapes, learning that Arquabus has siphoned all of the Coral into a vast structure. C4-621 is then faced with a choice; side with Carla and use the Institude's colony ship Xylum to destroy the Coral in a suicide run, or with Ayre to preserve the Coral and give Rubicon 3 independence.

If they side with Carla, who sacrifices herself while defending the Xylum from Arquabus, C4-621 is forced to fight Ayre when she turns against him to protect the Coral. The Xylum's impact triggers a second explosion dubbed the "Fires of Raven", and Rubicon 3 is left a dead planet. Siding with Ayre, C4-621 heads to disable the Xylum, aided by Rusty and the RLF. C4-621 kills Carla and cripples the Xylum, but Rusty is killed by Walter, who has been "re-educated" by Arquabus to stop them. C4-621 is forced to kill Walter as the Xylum crashes, with Ayre believing Coral can co-exist with humanity.

In a second New Game Plus, C4-621 can accept missions from Allmind, an artificial intelligence supporting mercenary groups. Allmind wants to trigger Coral Release, which will spread Coral throughout the universe and create a symbiosis with humanity. On these missions, C4-621 is forced to kill a defecting Allmind spy within Balam, and then the RLF leader Thumb Dolmayan as he has come to fear Coral Release. After completing associated missions, Allminds saves C4-621 from capture by Arquabus, asking them for aid in triggering Coral Release. C40621 assists Allmind in killing the remnants of the PCA, Balam, and Arquabus. Smuggled on board the Xylum, C4-621 disables the ship's engines while Allmind takes control of an Armored Core to personally kill Walter and Carla. Allmind then turns on C4-621 and Ayre, having chosen Iguazu as her host to take control of Coral Release. C4-621 and Ayre defeat Iguazu and Allmind, then trigger Coral Release. Their merged consciousness wakes up in Armored Core units on a distant planet, leaving the future unknown.

Development

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In September 2016, FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki mentioned that a new entry in the Armored Core series was in early development.[1] In January 2022, the development of a potential new installment of the Armored Core series was leaked due to a focus test.[2] The game was formally announced at The Game Awards 2022 in December.[3] Armored Core VI was directed by Masaru Yamamura, his debut in the role after being a lead game designer on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. He took over from Miyazaki, who led development initially.[3] Yasunori Ogura was the game's producer.[4][5] Many FromSoftware staff members wanted to develop a new entry in the series but had to wait in order to properly allocate resources into the project. In 2018, the game entered prototyping, with Yamamura taking over as director once the gameplay was set in stone.[6]

Kota Hoshino served as the lead composer of the game. During development, Hoshino was given keywords by Yamamura in order to set the game's tone and evoke a "sense of loneliness and nostalgia." Hoshino was given freedom when it came to composition based on the keywords, with tracks being adjusted according to the game's flow.[7] Additional music was composed by Takashi Onodera and Shoi Miyazawa.[8]

Reception

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Critical reception

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Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[9][10][11]

Sales

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In Japan, the PlayStation 5 version of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon sold 115,393 physical copies, making it the best-selling retail game during its first week of release in the country. The PlayStation 4 version sold 47,949 physical copies, making it the second best-selling retail game in Japan throughout the same week.[28] The PC, PS4, and PS5 versions sold a total of 700,000 units in Japan.[29] By July 2024, the game had sold three million copies.[30]

Awards

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Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2023 Golden Joystick Awards Ultimate Game of the Year Nominated [31]
Best Storytelling Nominated
PlayStation Game of the Year Nominated
The Game Awards 2023 Best Action Game Won [32]
2024 13th New York Game Awards Big Apple Award for Game of the Year Nominated [33][34]
27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Action Game of the Year Nominated [35][36]
Japan Game Awards 2024 Award for Excellence Won [37]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (21 September 2016). "Miyazaki Gives Clear Answers On The Future Of Dark Souls, Armored Core". Kotaku. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  2. ^ Blake, Vikki (9 January 2022). "A new Armored Core game is reportedly in development". GamesRadar. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  3. ^ a b Romano, Sal (8 December 2022). "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and PC". Gematsu. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  4. ^ "【AC6】『アーマードコア6』 '台北ゲームショウ2023' で小倉プロデューサーのインタビュー映像を公開。" [[AC6] Armored Core 6 Interview video of producer Ogura released at 'Taipei Game Show 2023'.]. Famitsu (in Japanese). 23 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  5. ^ Bailey, Kat (12 December 2022). "Exclusive: The First Armored Core 6 Details With Hidetaka Miyazaki and Masaru Yamamura". IGN. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  6. ^ "【AC6】『アーマードコア6』山村D＆小倉Pロングインタビュー。シリーズの新たな一歩を飾る最新作、スリリングな戦闘を実現するゲームシステムの詳細が明らかに！" [[AC6] Armored Core 6 Yamamura D. & Ogura P. Long Interview. The details of the game system that realizes thrilling battles, the latest work that marks a new step in the series, have been revealed!]. Famitsu (in Japanese). 27 April 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  7. ^ Fenlon, Wes (26 July 2023). "Despite the intense action, FromSoftware wants Armored Core 6 to have a 'dark old sci-fi feel' with a 'sense of loneliness and nostalgia'". PC Gamer. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  8. ^ FromSoftware (25 August 2023). Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon. Bandai Namco Entertainment. Scene: Credits.
  9. ^ a b "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  12. ^ Carter, Chris (23 August 2023). "Review: Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon". Destructoid. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  13. ^ Colantonio, Giovanni (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon review: FromSoftware's latest could use a tune-up". Digital Trends. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  14. ^ Ellis, Caelyn (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon review - a triumphant return for the venerable mecha series". Eurogamer. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  15. ^ ローリング内沢; ウワーマン; ジゴロ☆芦田; 本間ウララ (1 December 2023). "ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON（アーマード・コアVI ファイアーズオブルビコン". Famitsu (in Japanese). Retrieved 2 December 2023.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Trinske, Connor (23 August 2023). "Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon Review - A Well-Oiled Machine". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  17. ^ Wakeling, Richard (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Review - Mechlike". GameSpot. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  18. ^ Wood, Austin (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6 review: "Left me wanting more even after beating it twice"". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  19. ^ Saltzman, Mitchell (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Review". IGN. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  20. ^ Brown, Andy (23 August 2023). "'Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon' review: sparks fly in this sci-fi thrill". NME. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  21. ^ Fenlon, Wes (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  22. ^ Farrell, Andrew (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6 review – the ultimate mech game". PCGamesN. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  23. ^ Zamora, Gabriel (23 August 2023). "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon". PCMag. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  24. ^ Croft, Liam (23 August 2023). "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon Review (PS5)". Push Square. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  25. ^ Denzer, TJ (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon review: Burns so good". Shacknews. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  26. ^ Broadwell, Josh (23 August 2023). "Armored Core 6 review: Wading in the Rubicon". VG247. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  27. ^ Cattanach, Finlay (24 August 2023). "Armored Core 6 Fires of Rubicon review – The fires of Armored Core burn bright again". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  28. ^ Romano, Sal (31 August 2023). "Famitsu Sales: 8/21/23 – 8/27/23 [Update]". Gematsu. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  29. ^ Kennedy, Victoria (2 November 2023). "Elden Ring DLC "proceeding smoothly", as FromSoftware looks to expand its publishing scope". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  30. ^ Romano, Sal (25 July 2024). "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon shipments and digital sales top three million". Gematsu. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  31. ^ Loveridge, Sam (10 November 2023). "Here are all the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 winners". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  32. ^ Stewart, Marcus (27 October 2023). "Here Are The Nominees For The Game Awards 2023". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  33. ^ McEvoy, Sophie (5 January 2024). "Baldur's Gate 3 leads New York Games Awards 2024 nominations". Gameindustry.biz. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  34. ^ McEvoy, Sophie (24 January 2024). "Baldur's Gate 3 wins big at New York Game Awards 2024". Games Industry.biz.
  35. ^ "27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Finalists". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  36. ^ Chandler, Sam (15 February 2024). "The D.I.C.E. Awards 2024 winners & finalists". Shacknews. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  37. ^ "【日本ゲーム大賞2024】年間作品部門大賞は 「ゼルダの伝説 ティアーズ オブ ザ キングダム」 （任天堂株式会社）". PR Times (in Japanese). 26 September 2024.
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