ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™
" Fast and fluid action mech combat with extensive customization but some unfair boss fights "
ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™ Review
ARMORED CORE™ VI FIRES OF RUBICON™ stands out as a remarkable entry in the mecha genre, blending FromSoftware's signature challenging gameplay with deep customization and a rich narrative. Players praise the game's fast-paced, strategic combat and the freedom to tailor their mechs to suit various missions, creating a highly engaging experience. The story offers emotional depth with multiple endings, moral dilemmas, and memorable characters, enhancing immersion. The soundtrack complements the atmosphere with a mix of gritty and orchestral tracks, amplifying the intensity of battles.
However, some players find the difficulty inconsistent, citing certain boss fights as frustratingly unfair and overly reliant on specific builds. Technical issues like occasional crashes and camera control frustrations were noted, alongside concerns about the game's linear mission design and relatively high price point given its length. Despite these criticisms, the game is widely regarded as a must-play for fans of mechs and FromSoftware, delivering a unique and rewarding experience.
Highlights
Players especially praise the smooth, fast-paced combat mechanics and deep mech customization, which are seen as genre-defining. The storyline is lauded for its emotional weight, complex characters, and multiple endings that offer varied perspectives. Graphics and sound design receive positive remarks for fitting the game's style and enhancing immersion. The soundtrack, blending organic and synthetic elements, is highlighted as a standout feature that intensifies the gameplay experience. Overall, the game is celebrated as a fresh and compelling take on mech action, with a strong narrative and satisfying gameplay loop.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include an uneven difficulty curve with some bosses feeling unfair due to unclear mechanics or requiring specific builds, which limits player freedom. The camera controls and lock-on system can be frustrating, especially on keyboard and mouse. Technical issues such as crashes and performance drops during intense fights detract from the experience. Some players find the mission design too linear and desire more open environments. Additionally, the game's price is considered high relative to its duration, and the PvP ranked mode is seen as unbalanced and gimmick-heavy by some.
Pros
- • Fast and fluid mech combat delivers an exhilarating gameplay experience.
- • Extensive customization allows for creative and strategic mech builds.
- • Emotional and well-crafted story with meaningful moral choices.
- • Multiple endings provide replay value and narrative depth.
- • Soundtrack enhances atmosphere with gritty and orchestral compositions.
- • High-quality voice acting brings characters to life effectively.
- • Visuals are stylistically fitting and run well on mid-range PCs.
Cons
- • Certain boss fights feel unfair and rely too heavily on specific builds.
- • Camera and lock-on controls can be unintuitive and frustrating.
- • Technical issues include occasional crashes and frame rate drops.
- • Linear mission design limits exploration and variety.
- • PvP ranked mode criticized for imbalance and gimmick reliance.
- • Ammo limitations can disrupt flow in some missions.
- • Lack of detailed in-game explanations for complex stats.
Rating Criteria
A new action game based on the concept of the ARMORED CORE series that uses the knowledge gained from FromSoftware's recent action game development.
