Armored Core is a series I always heard good things about from people who played and knew FromSoftware for anything other then their Souls games so when Geoff Keighley (who fucking hated this franchise back in the day LOL) announced this at the Game Awards last year, I was pretty interested in this game from the get-go. Fast forwards to August 2023 and the game launches... Was it all worth it at the end of the day?
In Armored Core VI, you take control of an Armored Core unit as you mow down and annihilate through enemies. A first time player's biggest mistake coming into this game will probably be that this plays like a Soulsborne title and I can confirm that it does NOT play like one and you WILL get bodied by the second big boss if you have that mindset. To rectify this, you will have to modify your AC in a very deep and satisfying customisation system. The game actively encourages you to customise and experiment with builds with the parts having the same sell price as your buy price, so there is no setback in this customisation system. It's honestly one of my favourite customisation systems in a game ever, it's so cool.
The gameplay itself is also super fluid, super engaging and very intense, especially in the big boss fights. The fights in this game are absolutely nuts and very fun. If you are looking for a modern day, good mecha game where you destroy enemies, this is it. The art direction of this game is outstanding as usual from FromSoftware and this game's soundtrack is incredibly good aswell.
As for the problems of this game, ehhhhh. I guess the story is kind of whatever. It's not a bad story and I do find everything in it interesting, it's just not the main focus of it. I feel like this is a case of where there aren't many problems with the game, yet the strengths of this game are not profound enough where you can give this game a 5/5 or whatever. If I were an Armored Core fan, I'd feel differently for sure. Maybe I will think of other lowkey things this game does better.
In conclusion, I think this game was a great, super fun experience from start to finish. FromSoft just can't miss at this point and I am looking forward to that Elden Ring DLC and whatever they do next, especially from the Armored Core series with how successful this game has been. Will also probably give the older games a shot too at some point.
P.S - It was indeed a 5D chess move for FromSoft to keep making Souls games and then once they had the money and resources, go back to their old flagship and giving it the justice it deserves. It's nuts really
In Armored Core VI, you take control of an Armored Core unit as you mow down and annihilate through enemies. A first time player's biggest mistake coming into this game will probably be that this plays like a Soulsborne title and I can confirm that it does NOT play like one and you WILL get bodied by the second big boss if you have that mindset. To rectify this, you will have to modify your AC in a very deep and satisfying customisation system. The game actively encourages you to customise and experiment with builds with the parts having the same sell price as your buy price, so there is no setback in this customisation system. It's honestly one of my favourite customisation systems in a game ever, it's so cool.
The gameplay itself is also super fluid, super engaging and very intense, especially in the big boss fights. The fights in this game are absolutely nuts and very fun. If you are looking for a modern day, good mecha game where you destroy enemies, this is it. The art direction of this game is outstanding as usual from FromSoftware and this game's soundtrack is incredibly good aswell.
As for the problems of this game, ehhhhh. I guess the story is kind of whatever. It's not a bad story and I do find everything in it interesting, it's just not the main focus of it. I feel like this is a case of where there aren't many problems with the game, yet the strengths of this game are not profound enough where you can give this game a 5/5 or whatever. If I were an Armored Core fan, I'd feel differently for sure. Maybe I will think of other lowkey things this game does better.
In conclusion, I think this game was a great, super fun experience from start to finish. FromSoft just can't miss at this point and I am looking forward to that Elden Ring DLC and whatever they do next, especially from the Armored Core series with how successful this game has been. Will also probably give the older games a shot too at some point.
P.S - It was indeed a 5D chess move for FromSoft to keep making Souls games and then once they had the money and resources, go back to their old flagship and giving it the justice it deserves. It's nuts really