I can go on about this game, but in the spirit of this absolute gem, I’ll keep things to the point, just the like the game itself. This game kicks ass. I think about it constantly. The characters are borderline parodies of themselves at times, yet they also have some of the most depth we’ve seen from a FromSoft character. The combat and general gameplay experience takes time to adjust to, but once you hit your stride it’s addictive. I found myself listening to Rough & Decent while driving just cus I was itching to play the game so bad. And the music? Maybe there are other soundtracks like it, but I sure as hell haven’t heard them. It ranges from cold and soothing to feeling like you are having adrenaline pumped into your veins. It’s an incredible experience that can be completed within 20 hours, but by the end of it you will wish there was 200 more hours of content. As far as I’m concerned, this game stands toe to toe with the Soulsborne games in terms of quality and enjoyment, despite playing completely differently. When you are kicking ass in this game, you feel like a tank performing a ballet dance: an absolute force of chaos and destruction, yet incredibly graceful, deliberate, precise, and mesmerizing. I didn’t know where I was going to land with the Armored Core franchise, but I never anticipated I’d be calling Armored Core VI my game of the year. I swear, this game calls to me like a goddamn siren song, and it’s taught me to get my laughs in while I can.

A delightful experience. Do not let the time limit intimidate you the same way it did me when I was young. You can casually beat this game within a weekend, and while the game’s short length might’ve been a con at launch, three sequels later I’d say it’s actually nice. I haven’t played 3 or 4 yet, but I know those games offer a lot more content than Pikmin 1 with the addition of a greater time commitment, so having a short but sweet option for new players and veterans will keep these game fresh for generations to come. This game will leave you with a big smile by the time the credits roll (assuming you didn’t get the bad ending lol)