Armored Core 6: Trailers, Gameplay, Platforms & Everything We Know So Far
While it is a distinct departure from the Soulsborne games that developer FromSoftware is so famously known for, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is still absolutely something to look forward to. Considering it is the first mainline Armored Core game since 2012, there is a great eagerness to play from long-time fans and new players alike. So, to see all of the Armored Core 6 details including trailers, gameplay, platforms, and more, make sure to carry on reading below.
- If you're looking for some more Soulsborne action in the meantime, check out these games like Dark Souls.
Is There An Armored Core 6 Release Date?
Click to enlargeWhile no official Armored Core 6 release date has been confirmed, we have received an indication that it will at the very least be released in 2023.
Firstly, the reveal trailer at the Game Awards states at the end that it is coming out in 2023 - which after the long wait for an Elden Ring release date must mean that FromSoftware is fairly confident in this.
Furthermore, this 2023 release date was reiterated in the 2022 Q4 earnings report from FromSoftware's parent company Kadokawa Corporation, stating that Armored Core 6 is scheduled for release in 2023, although there is currently no concrete date or window beyond this.
While this wouldn't necessarily be a surprise considering the game was shown at the Game Awards in 2022, with rumours circling around for at least a year before that, it would be mismatched against FromSoftware's typical release schedule.
No FromSoftware game since Dark Souls has been released outside of the first quarter of the year, with most of them coming out in March. For Armored Core 6 to release in 2023 it would need to be at the very least late summer, but more likely towards the winter months.
The earnings report additionally pointed towards simultaneous multimedia releases, where a Kadokawa Corporation game for example could have a film, TV show, or anime released at the same time. While this could very well be more to do with Kadokawa's other titles, it would be very intriguing to see an Armored Core anime, as who can say no to big mechs?
Armored Core 6 Trailers
There has only been one Armored Core 6 trailer so far, and that was revealed at the Game Awards in 2022. It, unfortunately, does not feature any actual gameplay or in-engine action, but as always it is a standout reveal of the game from FromSoftware.
The first section of the trailer focuses generally on the world itself - which might possibly be called Rubicon if the title is anything to go by. We see blood-red flames engulf a planet, but then are cut to frozen wastes, implying that the fire is definitely something to fear.
The latter half of the trailer is, on the other hand, packed full of exciting mech and robot combat. Multiple different combat types were shown, with mechs wielding weapons, chucking bombs, and even throwing hands.
Hopefully, we will get a gameplay trailer soon if the game is still set to release in 2023, but this teasing announcement is certainly enough to fuel the flames of many players' excitement for now.
Armored Core 6 Gameplay Details
Click to enlargeWhile some might think that it would make sense for Armored Core 6 to take on gameplay similar to FromSoftware's titles, like how Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice adapted Tenchu into the Soulsborne formula, this might not be the case.
According to the game's director, Masaru Yamamura, Armored Core 6 will be familiar to fans of past titles in the series, with a focus on improving your mech with various parts. It also follows a stricter mission structure as opposed to the open world that we saw brought forward with Elden Ring.
The perceived comparison to Sekiro extends beyond just adaptation and revival of an older franchise though, as Yamamura was the Lead Game Designer on the 2019 game. While Armored Core 6 will certainly be a bigger departure from the Souls formula than Sekiro, Yamamura's direction signals confidence in maintaining some key elements of the beloved franchise.
Armored Core 6 will also be the first FromSoftware game since Dark Souls 2 where Hidetaka Miyazaki isn't involved as director. While he did serve the role early in development, it was swiftly handed over to Yamamura with Miyazaki supposedly taking a consulting approach from that point forward.
Armored Core 6 Platforms
Click to enlargeAs stated in the reveal trailer, Armored Core 6 is set to release on the following platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox One
- Steam
It is somewhat surprising to see the game still release on the previous console generations, but it is understandable considering how long the game has reportedly been in development.
While this could potentially indicate that the game won't be a top-of-the-line graphical powerhouse, that is not exactly something FromSoftware is known for in their games. We are sure that the game will still look fantastic though, and hopefully, this means it might perform well from a framerate perspective too.
So, that's everything we currently know about Armored Core 6, giving you all of the gameplay information and trailers that have been released so far. Make sure to stay tuned to GGRecon for more Armored Core updates in the future.
