Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon

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. PC version reviewed.Armored Core VI heralds a bright future for the return of Armored Core.

90%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

94% User Score Based on 48,555 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 38 reviews

Platforms

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About

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and was released on August 24, 2023. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

By combining FromSoftware’s longstanding expertise in mech games and their signature robust gameplay, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon will be a new action experience.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon screenshot

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 48,555 reviews

story4k positive mentions

grinding324 negative mentions

The gameplay is fast-paced and fluid, with extensive customization options that allow players to tailor their mechs to their preferred playstyles.
The game features a compelling narrative with strong character development and multiple endings, enhancing replayability and emotional engagement.
The absence of microtransactions and additional monetization schemes provides a complete gaming experience, allowing players full access to content upon purchase.

The stagger mechanic has been criticized for limiting build diversity and creating frustrating encounters, particularly in boss fights.
Some players find the campaign relatively short and the grinding aspect tedious, particularly when replaying missions for upgrades.
The game has received mixed feedback regarding performance, with some users experiencing significant stuttering and crashes, impacting overall enjoyment.

story
16,371 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
72%
4%
The story of "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, despite its delivery primarily through mission briefings and voice lines rather than cutscenes. While some find the plot straightforward and occasionally vague, the branching paths and multiple endings encourage replayability, allowing players to uncover deeper layers of the story across multiple playthroughs. Overall, the narrative is seen as a compelling backdrop to the fast-paced mech combat, enhancing the experience for those invested in the lore and character interactions.
- “An exceptional Armored Core game, an exceptionally interesting story with strong, varied characters.”
- “The story is well presented, and the voice acting is well done for all the characters.”
- “The story is incredible with three endings which are unlocked by playing through the game's three times.”
- “There is no real story so to speak (yes there is, but it's very linear and arcade-like), with only spoken voicelines and a few cutscenes. The game revolves around arcade-like progression to select a mission, dive in, complete it, and select another mission - while upgrading your armored core simultaneously.”
- “The story is a bit trope-heavy, and not hard to guess all the different options you'll get to make.”
- “The story is short but sweet; it took me probably 30, 20, and 10 hours to do each playthrough and try all three routes.”
gameplay
6,378 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The gameplay of "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon" has been widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics and extensive customization options, allowing players to tailor their mechs to their preferred playstyles. While many players appreciate the challenge and depth of the combat, some have criticized the reliance on the stagger mechanic, which can limit build diversity and create frustrating encounters, particularly in boss fights. Overall, the game successfully combines elements from previous titles with modern gameplay innovations, making it a standout entry in the series for both newcomers and veterans alike.
- “The gameplay feels exceptionally sharp and responsive.”
- “The mechanics are really well done, and even if you just want to buy it for the mech fighting.”
- “The gameplay is fast, the fights are cinematic, and even though you never see any of these characters' faces, some of them really stick with you.”
- “The stagger mechanic is certainly divisive, and for me, I think it's an awful mechanic.”
- “The gameplay is fast, fluid, and feels absolutely wonderful to play.”
- “The gameplay is overly designed around changing your builds constantly.”
graphics
2,195 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
41%
4%
The graphics of "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate design, showcasing a significant leap from previous entries in the series. Players appreciate the game's art style, which effectively conveys a dystopian atmosphere, and the detailed mech designs that enhance the overall experience. While some critiques mention occasional performance issues and a lack of cutting-edge graphical fidelity, the majority agree that the visuals are impressive and contribute to an engaging gameplay experience.
- “The graphics are stunning, with snowy mountains and fiery vistas.”
- “The visuals, the soundtrack, the characters, the gameplay, everything is incredibly well done.”
- “Armored Core VI has some of the best movement I have ever seen in any video game and the graphics are insane.”
- “The graphics are shockingly dated.”
- “The graphics aren't up to par with a modern AAA title, but this is to my personal benefit - my older 1660 super and ryzen 7 cpu can play this game at 60 fps comfortably with all graphics maxed out.”
- “The graphics and environments are just... meh... ps4 grade, if we're being honest... so it's not like it's really pushing the envelope on graphics, but on the flip side this allows the action to flow fast and fluid as the game allows framerates up to 120fps.”
music
1,970 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
51%
5%
The music in "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon" has received mixed reviews from players. While some praise the soundtrack for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, particularly during boss fights, many feel it lacks the memorable and energetic tracks characteristic of previous entries in the series. Critics note that the music often fades into the background, making it less impactful during gameplay, and express disappointment over the absence of standout tracks that defined earlier titles. Overall, while the soundtrack has its moments, it is generally viewed as a step down from the franchise's storied musical legacy.
- “Gritty, fast-paced action sci-fi with giant mechs, megastructures, and an excellent soundtrack.”
- “Visually, it’s stunning — from the glowing industrial skylines to the epic boss battles — and the soundtrack ties it all together with heavy, adrenaline-pumping energy.”
- “The soundtrack is a mix of atmospheric ambient tracks and intense, heart-pounding music that complements the action perfectly.”
- “The music could have been better.”
- “My only true gripe with the game is that the soundtrack felt... lackluster.”
- “The soundtrack leaves much to be desired for an Armored Core title, though this is just a biased nitpick from me anyway.”
optimization
989 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
48%
12%
The optimization of "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon" has received mixed feedback from players. While many praise its solid performance and smooth gameplay across various hardware setups, some users report significant stuttering and frame drops, particularly on older CPUs or when using Easy Anti-Cheat. Overall, the game is generally considered well-optimized for a AAA title, with many players experiencing minimal issues, but there are notable exceptions that suggest further patches may be needed to address specific performance problems.
- “Amazing to play in feel and responsiveness, but still has you checking the finest details of parts to maximize performance later.”
- “Ac6 is a visual feast, with good optimization to boot, at least in my experience.”
- “The graphics look amazing and it is well optimized: even with everything on max performance is super smooth and I didn't experience any frame drops.”
- “But the performance issue makes the game almost unplayable.”
- “Constant stuttering issues with above the recommended specs; I suspect EAC is causing the same issues it was with Elden Ring, but it's harder to fix with this game.”
- “I will say, I've had my fun's worth from this game with a surprisingly optimized performance of staying around 40 - 60 fps.”
replayability
726 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The game's replayability is highly praised, with many players noting the incentive to complete multiple playthroughs due to its three distinct endings and the engaging New Game Plus (NG+) and New Game Plus Plus (NG++) modes that introduce new missions and challenges. The extensive customization options for mechs further enhance replay value, allowing players to experiment with different builds and strategies. While some players find the campaign relatively short, the variety of missions and the ability to replay them for better rankings or to uncover hidden content contribute to a robust replay experience.
- “The three campaign endings make it very replayable alongside the variety of weapons and mechs to build.”
- “Incredibly fun singleplayer game with tons of replayability (in fact, you need to complete the game thrice to get everything), awesome storytelling and worldbuilding, cool characters even if you just meet them once or twice.”
- “The real replay value, though, lies in the branching missions and new game plus cycles, which unlock new paths, enemies, and lore.”
- “45 hours in and I'm completely finished with the game, including all of the new game+ and alternate quests, aside from S-ranking all of the replayable missions, which don't give much incentive to do like new weapons or anything, just a pat on the back and an achievement.”
- “This especially hurt the replayability on new game+, to the point I didn't end up finishing new game+ because I already designed effective mechs for all situations and it made it really difficult to stay engaged.”
- “Replay value is artificially inflated by having users replay missions to gather battle logs, and having to run the game three times to get the 'real' ending.”
emotional
361 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional aspect of the game has been widely praised, with players expressing surprise at how deeply they connected with faceless characters and the narrative's themes of sacrifice, war, and identity. The soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, contributing to moments that evoke genuine feelings of sadness, nostalgia, and attachment, often leading players to tears despite the absence of human visuals. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to deliver a powerful emotional journey through its storytelling and character development, making it a standout experience in the mech genre.
- “FromSoftware made me feel emotionally attached to robots and faceless voices... but still!”
- “The narrative is surprisingly intriguing, with characters that stick with you and an emotional punch that hits hard, all without showing a single human face.”
- “I was blown away by how good each ending was; they were incredibly emotional in wholly different ways, which is something a lot of campaigns seem to be lacking.”
- “Really fun gameplay, shame about the boring story.”
- “Boring story, dialogue, art and color choices, progression system, etc. Enemies are boring and there is very little diversity, except some bosses.”
- “The most boring story, the most boring characters, and by far the worst sin, the least amount of customization to date in an Armored Core.”
grinding
352 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
6%
92%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the opportunity to experiment with mech builds and find that grinding for parts can be enjoyable, many others find it tedious and repetitive, particularly when it comes to boss fights that feel like damage sponges. The necessity to replay missions multiple times for upgrades and to achieve higher ranks can detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration rather than satisfaction.
- “There are no tedious side-quests or other dull fetch missions.”
- “It is easy to make money if you want to change your build/buy weapons; this game is not grindy at all.”
- “There's no grinding for better gear by redoing something again; there's no working on the arena to earn extra money to improve your mech.”
- “It’s a grindy slog that doesn’t hold your hand and expects you to bow down to its complexity.”
- “The game is tedious, constraining & aggravating.”
- “The boss fights are tedious, stupidly difficult and ruin the flow of the game for me.”
humor
318 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently noting its blend of absurdity and wit, particularly in character dialogues and mech customization. Many reviews highlight the comedic elements of gameplay, such as the ridiculousness of certain mech builds and the juxtaposition of serious themes with lighthearted moments. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with its challenging mechanics, creating a fun and engaging experience that resonates with players.
- “It's funny but this is the first time I've felt nostalgic for a game I've never even played.”
- “Funny mech game with a skill gap tutorial.”
- “The negative reviews crying about fromsoftware making ac a 'git gud' series are so funny.”
- “On par with 1st-gen PS1 games mixed with 80's B-action movies that are almost not funny to watch; it's bad, but just humorous enough to keep you watching.”
- “You can melee with your fist, and holy crap, it's funny and fun.”
atmosphere
314 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive world design, and haunting soundtrack, which collectively create a rich and engaging experience. Players appreciate the blend of dark, industrial aesthetics with intricate environmental details, enhancing the narrative's depth and emotional impact. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as captivating, effectively drawing players into its dystopian setting and complementing the intense gameplay.
- “The world design is fantastic, and the details are plentiful from the ground to the buildings to the sky and atmosphere.”
- “The environments — from scorched battlefields to sprawling industrial complexes — drip with atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere and world-building are incredible and had me dropping my jaw multiple times trying to wrap my head around the scale of things.”
- “The atmosphere of the game feels hollow.”
- “While the story/atmosphere weren't my favorite, the gameplay was pretty fun.”
- “The game occasionally evokes an anime-like aesthetic, reminiscent of mobile suit gundam or neon genesis evangelion, but with a more desperate, depressive, and post-apocalyptic atmosphere.”
stability
218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
2%
52%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and lack of major bugs, while others report significant issues such as crashes, freezes, and glitches. Many users noted that the game runs well on various hardware setups, including older systems, but a notable number experienced frustrating technical problems that hindered gameplay. Overall, while some players found the game to be stable and enjoyable, others described it as a "buggy mess," indicating a varied experience depending on individual setups and circumstances.
- “The game has been stable with no glitches or crashes so far, color me impressed.”
- “The game runs great without stutters and the attention to detail on the animations is still there.”
- “For a AAA game released in 2023, the fact that it has no glitches, bugs, nor major performance issues puts it a step beyond its competitors.”
- “Game is too buggy, deleted my save.”
- “Update: 'armored crash' dunno what they broke, but nothing changed on my damn hardware, now it freezes whole PC every play, very frustrating.”
- “Making the starter mission rather infuriating trying to beat the first boss when the game freezes every couple seconds.”
monetization
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
63%
23%
The game is praised for its complete package with no microtransactions, battle passes, or additional monetization schemes, which is a refreshing departure from the current trend in the gaming industry. Players appreciate the full access to content upon purchase, extensive customization options, and a well-optimized experience without the typical pitfalls of modern AAA games. Overall, the absence of monetization tactics enhances the game's appeal and reinforces its value as a standalone product.
- “This is the ideal game: pay once and have access to the entire game; no microtransactions, loot boxes, or any other nonsense.”
- “Considering its price tag, this game provides a wealth of content, and it's especially gratifying to note the absence of paid DLC or additional microtransactions, a departure from the trend observed in many contemporary AAA games.”
- “Feels less like an Armored Core game and more like a cash grab.”
- “This game could have been amazing, but the need for a cash grab meant so many Dark Souls mechanics had crept in that it has ended up being another Souls title rather than an actual Armored Core game.”
- “In a world dominated by microtransactions and premium subscription services, it is refreshing to find the few remaining games that are complete, satisfying packages.”
character development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
63%
14%
The character development in the game is praised for its depth and uniqueness, primarily conveyed through text and voice messages, which enhances the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the intricate storytelling and plot twists that keep them engaged, despite the minimal visual representation of characters. The game successfully balances solid character development with gameplay mechanics, making it a standout title in its genre.
- “Armored Core VI is a standout title that excels in many areas, particularly in its storytelling and character development.”
- “The narrative unfolds through a series of missions, with plot twists and character developments that keep the player invested in the unfolding drama.”
- “Excellent storyline and character development, even better combat.”
- “In fact, there's barely any visual character design at all in this game.”
- “Despite never showing the pilot's face or body in the game, the character development and voice acting (English) are top-notch.”
- “Almost no character development.”

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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 38 critic reviews

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26h Median play time

84h Average play time

9-55h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 209 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a action game.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 84 hours playing Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon was released on August 24, 2023.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon was developed by FromSoftware, Inc..

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Remnant: From the Ashes, Remnant II, Lies of P, The First Berserker: Khazan, DAEMON X MACHINA and others.

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