Armored Core 6 review – A fast, fluid, and gorgeously grim mech game
I initially hoped for a “Souls-with-robots” experience, but Armored Core 6 ended up being exactly what I expected, and that’s not a bad thing. The fast, fluid, and gorgeously grim action game offers a very specific robo-combat experience that I found equal parts satisfying and challenging.
What I loved most about my time with FromSoftware’s latest is that it’s unapologetically itself. The gameplay is reminiscent of Armored Core 5, but the visuals and mechanics have been improved in every way. Movement and player technique are crucial, akin to games like Sekiro or Devil May Cry, but the construction and customization of your mech play just as significant a role in optimizing your loadout.
Armored Core 6 is, at its core, a mech game. It’s not a looter, it’s not an FPS, it’s not an open-world game. It’s all of these things, but its identity is tied to mech combat. While its story is simplistic and unmemorable, the missions are varied and exciting. Some are simple, others breathtaking, and others still offered boss battles of brilliant spectacle. It’s a shooter that isn’t afraid to ask you to perform high-stakes platforming, or a skill-oriented robo-action experience.
The game’s gorgeously grim art direction is immediately striking. The towering, intricate structures of the world’s cities are reminiscent of those in Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice, while the barren landscapes and industrial zones are reminiscent of the anime game Bladedance of Kyoko and Yuki. The game’s maps are large, and each mission spawns at a different location. When you complete a mission, you return to the menu to select the next.
Each mission takes place in this megacity, with each location offering its own challenges. Some are simple, while others demand that you use your full suite of movement and combat abilities. In one mission, I had to fight my way through a ruined area infested with enemies, then ascend a massive drainage pipe to reach my target. Another mission tasked me with racing across several rooftops to reach a crash site, where I had to face off against mechs and drones.
The combat itself is simple. You have ranged and close-quarters attacks, and each is useful in its own way. Energy management is crucial for movement, allowing you to ascend, glide, and dodge. Melee isn’t always the best option, but it often works in a pinch, especially against smaller enemies.
I played Armored Core 6 on PC and in VR, and I’m happy to report that both experiences are excellent. Playing in VR with a mouse and keyboard controls surprisingly well, with a few caveats. Keyboard controls are mapped to the numpad, which is something I’m not used to, but that’s my fault, not the game’s. The biggest issue is that you can’t look around while moving, which makes sense given that you’re controlling a mech with a giant body, but it’s still disorienting.
The PC version offers full analog movement, and although the controls are a little more complicated (you can read about them in our Armored Core 6 controls guide), I found that it’s the superior way to play.
The modular approach to mech construction adds a lot of depth and excitement to what could otherwise be a straightforward experience. Each component of your mech can be swapped out for specialized gear. For example, you can swap out your legs for boosters, or arms for gatling guns. Each component has its own stats and may offer additional bonuses, such as increased movement speed or the ability to hover. You’ll earn money from missions which you can use to purchase new parts and cosmetics.
I enjoyed the freedom to optimize my loadout, but I found myself constantly swapping out parts. For example, I might use a long-range laser sniper rifle with a heavy body, but then I’d swap out my heavy body for one that increases my movement speed so that I can dodge enemy fire. This constant optimization and customization is very reminiscent of games like Warframe, and I found it to be just as satisfying here.
That’s not to say that Armored Core 6 is all rosy – it’s not. The story is simple and forgettable, the PvP options are somewhat limited, and it’s sometimes difficult to figure out the best way to tackle certain missions.
