Fans looking forward to any update regarding the status ofArmored Core 6were treated to a surprise new trailer on April 27, along with confirmation of an August 2023 release date. The news comes as a surprise given that the game was announced roughly 6 months ago at The Game Awards, indicating that the title has been in development for some time. In addition to revealing the release date forArmored Core 6, the latest trailer also shows off plenty of extended gameplay footage that indicates it truly be more of anArmored Coretitle and not the pivot into sci-fi Soulsborne territory that some anticipated.
Although not working directly on the game in a directorial capacity, Hidetaka Miyazaki is serving as a supervisor andprovided direction onArmored Core 6’s early developmentbefore handing the reigns to Masaru Yamamura. In speaking about the direction of the game, Miyazaki revealed that it has more in line with previousArmored Coretitles and discouraged the idea that it would be a FromSoftware Soulsborne game with mechs. The release date trailer seems to echo this sentiment in the gameplay footage, and it appears thatArmored Core 6will be a better game for it.
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Armored Core Has Its Own Identity Separate From Dark Souls
Thefirst title in theArmored Coreseriesreleased on the PlayStation 26 years ago this July. Since that first entry, the series has gone on to spawn more than 15 numbered sequels and spin-offs, creating a legion of dedicated fans in the process. While there is almost certainly some cross-pollination between theArmored Coreand Soulsborne fanbases, there are almost surely players who would be upset at a significant departure from what the series is known for and for the nextArmored Coreto venture into third-person ARPG gameplay likeDark SoulsorBloodborne. Instead of using the notoriety gained from theSoulsfranchise andElden Ringto drastically change theArmored Coreformula, FromSoftware appears to instead be playing to the series' strengths.
One mechanic that appears to have been pulled from the Soulsborne titles in FromSoftware’s library forinclusion inArmored Core 6is the implementation of challenging boss encounters that test the limits of players' skills. Outside that one characteristic of the Soulsborne games, the rest of theArmored Coreformula appears to be intact in the latest entry and is sure to please longtime fans of the series. The customization, strafe-dodging of incoming enemy fire, and action-packed mech combat are all present in the newest trailer, and it’s commendable of FromSoftware to have maintained the series' design despite the popularity and sales of recent titles.
A Sci-Fi Soulsborne Developed By FromSoftware Is Still a Possibility
Prior to becoming known for theSoulsseries andElden Ring,Armored Corewas the flagship franchise for FromSoftware. WithArmored Core 6being the first series title in a post-Elden Ringlandscape, it’s understandable that many fans expected characteristics of FromSoftware’s recent titles to carry over to a return to theArmored Corefranchise. WhileArmored Core 6isn’t pulling fromDark SoulsorElden Ringsignificantly enough to be considered a Soulsborne title, that doesn’t rule out the eventuality of a FromSoftware-developed ARPG with a sci-fi setting.
Deck13’sThe Surgeseries established that the soulslike formula works well in a sci-fi setting with robotic enemies, and it would be great to see FromSoftware tackle this setting in a future game as the progenitors of the genre. WithArmored Core 6sticking to the series' rootswhile also providing some updates to the combat and mechanics, there’s a possibility that the franchise continues using its established formula while a new IP is developed to bring FromSoftware’s Soulsborne formula into a science fiction universe. By staying true to the series' roots, FromSoftware may have the freedom to bring more games to fans both within and outside theArmored Corefranchise.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconis releasing on August 25 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
MORE:Armored Core 6 Bringing Back Fan Favorite Mode from Past Games
