Armored Core 6: A Different Experience from Elden Ring

FromSoftware, the acclaimed developer of Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Elden Ring, is bringing back its long-running mech action franchise Armored Core with a new installment titled Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon.

The game was officially unveiled at The Game Awards 2022 and is slated for release on August 25, 2023 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC. But how different is Armored Core 6 from Elden Ring, the studio’s latest open-world fantasy epic that launched earlier this year? Here are some key aspects that set the two games apart.

Not an Open World

Unlike Elden Ring, which features a vast and seamless open world that players can explore on foot or on horseback, Armored Core 6 is not an open-world game. Instead, it is divided into discrete missions that take place in various locations on the planet Rubicon 3, a remote world that was engulfed in flames and storms by a mysterious substance called Coral. The missions are designed to be replayable and challenging, with different objectives, enemies and environmental hazards. Players can also choose to accept contracts from different factions that are fighting over control of Coral, which will affect their reputation and rewards.

Objective and Mission Based

Another difference between Armored Core 6 and Elden Ring is that the former is more objective and mission based, while the latter is more exploration and discovery based. In Armored Core 6, players have to complete specific tasks such as destroying enemy targets, escorting allies, defending bases or retrieving data in order to progress the story and unlock new areas. The missions are also timed and graded based on performance, which encourages players to optimize their strategies and improve their skills. In contrast, Elden Ring gives players more freedom and flexibility to explore the world at their own pace and find hidden secrets, items and bosses.

Personalization and Customization

One of the most distinctive features of Armored Core 6 is the high level of personalization and customization that it offers. Players can create their own mech or AC (Armored Core) using the Assembly System, which allows them to choose from hundreds of parts such as heads, arms, legs, weapons, boosters and more. Each part has its own stats, functions and appearance, which affect the performance and style of the AC. Players can also adjust the color scheme, decals and emblems of their AC to make it unique. Additionally, players can customize their pilot avatar with different outfits, hairstyles and accessories².

Fast-Paced and Dynamic Battles

Another aspect that differentiates Armored Core 6 from Elden Ring is the fast-paced and dynamic nature of the battles. In Armored Core 6, players have to master rapidly changing combat distances, using the environment for cover and omni-directional battles to overcome challenging enemies and situations. The game also features a variety of enemies such as mechs, tanks, helicopters, drones and bosses that require different tactics and strategies to defeat. Moreover, the game incorporates elements from FromSoftware’s recent action games such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, such as aggressive combat, speed changes and action-oriented fighting.

Conclusion

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is a new mech action game that combines FromSoftware’s Souls experience with the franchise’s mech history. It is a different experience from Elden Ring in terms of its setting, structure, gameplay and style. It is a game that appeals to fans of mech action as well as fans of FromSoftware’s action games. It is a game that challenges players to use their ingenuity and creativity to create their own solutions with the Assembly System and to overcome fast-paced and dynamic battles with their customized ACs.