Overall Impression
I dove into ARMORED CORE VI: Fires of Rubicon with high expectations. FromSoftware builds on lessons learned from Elden Ring to deliver a thrilling mech experience. The game mixes fast-paced dogfights with deep customization. As a result, it stands out among mech action games with its energetic flow. However, I did notice a few slow moments during mid-missions. These parts felt more like filler than meaningful combat challenges. Even so, the overall rush kept me engaged from beginning to end. Compared to earlier ARMORED CORE games, this entry improves core gameplay. It updates the genre while still respecting its roots. My first playthrough took less than four hours, which highlights its strong speedrun appeal.
Gameplay Mechanics
Combat in Fires of Rubicon feels sharp and accurate right from the start. Your AC reacts instantly to boosts, turns, and side moves. However, managing energy becomes especially important during longer fights. To adapt, I learned to change weapons mid-battle to save power. In particular, well-timed plasma blade attacks can break through boss armor quickly.
For those interested in speedruns, I mapped out the best paths between checkpoints. Moreover, skipping extra dialogue helps save precious seconds. Boss battles, in turn, demand quick reactions and frequent loadout changes. To stay ahead, I suggest using a mix of long- and short-range weapons. That specific combo helped me beat Balteus in under two minutes.
Notably, many users praise the massive variety of customization—and I absolutely agree. Building a “jailbreaker” setup feels both fun and rewarding. Even so, newcomers might struggle at first to pick the right parts. Fortunately, the learning curve rewards steady practice and trial and error. Ultimately, mastering boost timing and weapon changes can dramatically lower your run times.
Story & Characters
Rubicon 3 presents a dark, war-torn world controlled by mega-corporations. Here, you play as a quiet mercenary caught in the middle of these power struggles. Throughout the game, short dialogue and haunting logs slowly reveal the planet’s secrets.
As the story unfolds, I found the arcs of the resistance fighters surprisingly moving. In fact, character depth comes less from words and more from visual cues and atmosphere. The story grabs your attention early and refuses to let go. Consequently, every mech battle feels more meaningful and emotionally charged.
Visuals & Graphics
The visuals in ACVI look amazing, especially while running smoothly at 60 FPS. Rubicon 3’s barren environments show off burnt deserts and crumbling factories. Furthermore, dynamic lighting makes each blast and laser beam stand out.
I especially enjoyed the broken space structures in later missions—they add depth to the setting. Meanwhile, the heads-up display stays clear and never feels messy. Additionally, custom ACs look unique after every part change. Even with the bleak tone, the game world still feels alive and carefully crafted.
Sound & Music
The music in Fires of Rubicon consistently boosts every combat scene. For instance, heavy drums and loud guitars create a powerful, energizing vibe. Each boss theme shifts in intensity at just the right moments.
Alongside the music, the sound effects include sharp mechanical noises and thunderous explosions. Although voice lines are limited, they are well-placed during mission briefings. In fact, I often replayed parts just to enjoy the soundtrack again.
Difficulty & Replayability
FromSoftware doesn’t hold back when it comes to ACVI’s level of challenge. Even early bosses can catch experienced speedrunners off guard. Thankfully, the checkpoints feel fair, which encourages bold moves over cautious ones.
To improve, I kept testing builds until I found setups that saved valuable seconds. As a bonus, the game rewards creative play with hundreds of unlockable parts. Moreover, replay missions offer new goals and enemy variations.
With New Game Plus, you’ll face tougher foes and earn fresh loot. PvP mode also returns, adding chaotic duels between custom ACs. I personally spent hours refining my dueling loadout for online fights. Meanwhile, community leaderboards continue to motivate my speedrun practice.
Most importantly, the game supports a wide range of playstyles. Replay value stays high thanks to build optimization, hidden lore, and alternative mission paths. In fact, I even discovered secret routes that let me skip entire enemy squads.
Behind-The-Scenes
ACVI uses an improved engine based on Elden Ring’s foundation. Producer Hidetaka Miyazaki aimed to blend agility with mech weight for a more balanced feel. To achieve this, the team studied older ARMORED CORE titles to refine customization depth.
Additionally, music composer Kota Hoshino introduced heavier guitar tones for battles. The game also launched with day-one patches that improved online play. Shortly after release, FromSoftware offered a free test server for DLC content.
This continued support shows their dedication to the mech-focused community. In interviews, art director Masaru Okabe shared that they aimed for realism in mech joint movement. To test gameplay balance under extreme conditions, the development team even held an internal speedrun contest.
Final Thoughts
ARMORED CORE VI: Fires of Rubicon delivers sharp combat and grand scale. Its deep customization and intense music lift every mission. The story and visuals pull you deeper into Rubicon 3’s smoky skies. While the difficulty can feel steep, the fair checkpoints encourage learning. I plan to do more speedruns using jailbreaker and plasma loadouts. If you love fast action and smart strategy, this game is for you. Serious speedrunners will enjoy endless challenges while perfecting routes. ARMORED CORE VI proves again that FromSoftware leads in action design. Fans of mech battles and speedrunning should definitely check this out.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Add ARMORED CORE VI: Fires of Rubicon to your Steam collection!
