While Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon will not be a "soulsborne" experience, the upcoming mech combat game can still take lessons from FromSoftware's recent successes. The next installment in the sci-fi franchise was revealed during The Game Awards 2022 with an impressive cinematic trailer. No Armored Core 6 gameplay has been officially revealed yet, but a few soulsike mechanics could be a benefit to the exciting project.
Despite releasing on the heels of Elden Ring, FromSoftware has denied rumors that Armored Core 6 is a sci-fi soulslike. Instead, the upcoming sequel will return to the franchise's roots by embracing a mission-based structure, in-depth mech customization and fast-paced robot combat. The title will cast players as a mercenary operating on Rubicon 3, a remote planet destroyed by a deadly but coveted energy source. The post-apocalyptic world of Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon will fit the mold of recent FromSoftware titles, which have taken place in grand ruined worlds. While the mech combat game will not be a soulslike, it can learn valuable lessons from the success of FromSoftware's recent titles.
Armored Core 6 Can Channel Soulsborne Worldbuilding
The world of Rubicon 3 looks beautiful and vast, and while Armored Core 6 isn't a sci-fi soulsborne it should take a page from the soulsborne playbook when building this sci-fi locale. Previous entries in the series delivered story and worldbuilding through voice-over narration and mission briefings, which can be a bit dull. Meanwhile, soulsborne games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne are well-known for their organic and engaging worldbuilding. Environmental storytelling is a big focus, and item descriptions always contain precious bits of lore. Rather than simply explaining events through narration, Armored Core 6 should develop Rubicon 3 by letting players discover details themselves.
Armored Core 6 Needs Epic Soulslike Bosses
FromSoftware has become well-known for delivering climactic and engaging bosses, and Armored Core 6 should learn from this success. The best bosses FromSoftware ever created, like Bloodborne's Ludwig and Elden Ring's Malenia, share similar qualities like fascinating lore and multiple different stages. Rather than simply pitting players against rival mercenaries in their own mechs, Armored Core 6 should embrace soulsborne boss design by delivering intimidating machines with backstories and different forms. The game's bosses can also enhance the mech combat title's customization mechanics by countering certain weapons and tactics to force players to rethink their strategies.
The Soulsborne Revival Mechanic Could Work In Armored Core 6
While soulsborne gameplay can vary wildly between games, FromSoftware's iconic revival mechanic ties them together. Each soulsborne title lets players rest at checkpoints, which they return to after death before fighting to reclaim their dropped currency. Armored Core 6 can put a unique spin on this mechanic, letting players continue a mission even after defeat. Perhaps the protagonist could eject from their mech after being defeated, returning to a checkpoint and jumping into a new robot rebuilt at a factory like the one seen in the new Armored Core 6 trailer. Reaching the spot where they died would let players collect the scraps of their previous machine, regaining some of their lost resources.
While Armored Core 6 will thankfully stay true to the franchise's roots, some soulsborne features could definitely help improve and evolve the sci-fi franchise. More organic worldbuilding would make Rubicon 3 very exciting to explore, and powerful multi-stage bosses have become a pillar of FromSoftware's success. A sci-fi spin on the developer's revival mechanic would also keep momentum going during Armored Core 6 missions even when players are reduced to scrap.
Source: PlayStation/YouTube
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Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
- Franchise:
- Armored Core
- Platform:
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Developer:
- From Software
- Publisher:
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Genre:
- Action, Simulation
- ESRB:
- T
- Mode:
- Single-player, Multiplayer
- Released:
- 2023-08-25
- Prequel(s):
- Armored Core: Verdict Day, Armored Core 5, Armored Core: For Answer, Armored Core 4, Armored Core: Nexus, Silent Line: Armored Core, Armored Core 3, Armored Core 2: Another age, Armored Core 2, Armored Core: Project Phantasma, Armored Core
