Summary
Thanks toArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, FromSoftware’sArmored Corefranchise has triumphantly returned. As one of the figureheads of the niche mecha genre,Armored Coreoffers in-depth machine building and tough-but-fair piloting that still holds strong even with the new systemsArmored Core 6is trying out, and the results speak for themselves. By October 2023,AC6had topped 2.8 million sales worldwide, cleanly placing it as the best-sellingArmored Coregame and probably one of the best-performing mech titles ever. It may have been gone for a decade, but chances are high thatArmored Coreis back for good.
What the series’ future will be is still unknown, and FromSoftware hasn’t dropped any hints about it yet. There have been a couple updates toAC6that added new parts and PvP multiplayer elements, but even datamining for potential DLC assets has yielded small returns.Past generations ofArmored Corewere all made up of a numbered entry followed by at least one other game, whichArmored Core 6could simulate with a paid expansion. However, if FromSoftware chooses to keepArmored Core’s sixth generation around, it may struggle to top one ofAC6’s most surprising strengths.
Armored Core 6 Includes Writing and Characterization In Its Arsenal
Although top-tier robot customization and combat is alwaysArmored Core’s priority, it still finds time to tell a good story. Mission briefings, part descriptions, dialogue, and even subtle faction systems often come together to build a dystopian future world where unchecked corporations, mercenaries, and all-powerful AI reign.Armored Core 6is no different from its predecessorsin this respect, even as one of the rare entries that takes the action to a different planet than Earth. However, it wouldn’t have succeeded as much as it did without an unusually compelling cast, even by FromSoftware standards.
Armored Core 6 Has An All-Star Cast
That’s not to say FromSoftware doesn’t routinely introduce compelling rosters, but it feels likeArmored Core 6is tapping into something special. Rusty alone has prompted mass fan delight that harkens back toDark Souls’ Solaire, but he isn’t the only highlight. Handler Walter and Ayre serve asAC6’s two contrasting, yet sympathetic navigators, some of the longer-lasting pilots like Carla, Iguazu, Michigan stand out, and others like Rummy and the Branch trio also make strong impressions despite no one ever showing their face. Players will most likely have a good grasp on their fellow pilots’ personas by the end of the game, which makes needing to pick sides all the more painful.
Armored Core 6 Sets A High Bar For Characters
No one could have expected such likable and sympathetic characters to appear en masse in anArmored Coregame, but they did so forFires of Rubicon. Unfortunately, this is likely their last appearance, asArmored Coregames set in the same generation rarely share characters, andAC6DLC patterned after thatwill likely follow suit. Even a mission pack set during the game will likely need to distance itself from the main plot, asArmored Core 6’s branching paths mean there are too many variables like alliances, deaths, and parts accessible to the player that could get in the way.
Matching Armored Core 6’s Characters In DLC Isn’t Likely
Regardless of what a hypotheticalArmored Core 6expansion is, FromSoftware will probably have to come up with a mostly-new cast for it. FromSoftware’s writing abilities aren’t in question, but the very format of DLC will limit what it can do. Topping whatAC6already has will be rough enough, but even a new campaign that crosses the 10-hour mark will struggle to match the density of quality characters in the base game. Adopting a simpler story andfocusing onArmored Core’s gameplay strengthslike past side entries may be necessary, leaving the legacy ofArmored Core 6’s characters to be challenged another day.
