FromSoftware’s Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon has been out since August, but apparently, during all this time, there hasn’t been a way to prove how muscular your mech is. That changes tomorrow (??December 19) because ranked matchmaking and leaderboards are c??oming aboard patch 1.05.

That’s it, that’s all I’ve go??t. I don’t even have patch note for you. Instead, I’m just going to wheel in the TV, put the trailer on, and take a nap while the class is distracted.

To reiterate what the trailer said, you should:

1. Conquer new PVP maps.
2. Personalize your nameplate.
3. Ascend the leaderboards.
4. Dominate in ranked matchmaking.

I think those last two are backward.

In addition to the new ran?king and leaderboards, you’ll also be ??getting some new mech parts and maps to use them in.

I haven’t gotten around to playing Armored Core 6. I feel like it came and went pretty quickly. One moment, everyone was writing about how 1997’s Armored Core was actually really good and maybe also had shades of Dark Souls in there. The next, we’ve moved on to the next thing. All I know is that I hesitated on picking a bunch of the series�games up from my local game store, Armored Core 6 was announced, and then suddenly, all those games were gone. Let that be a lesson to yo?u: always buy things.

Armored Core 6 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Patch 1.05 arrives on De?cember 19, 2023.

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Deck the halls, write to Santa, and update your respective consoles before the traditional Christmas network outages. 'Tis the season, so we're wrapping up another year of gaming at Destructoid?? with 2023's best games, and that includes a heavy-hitting category of PlayStation nominees.

Destructoid's process is pretty simple, our very own Eric Van Allen explains as much in his Indie Nominees rundown. Games can only be nominated in one category, and our 'year' begins in December 2022 �December 2023 games don't ma??ke the cut.

Anyway, in the spirit of kicking another holiday hornet's nest, here's our nominees for best PS4 / PS5 game of th??e year.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Insomniac's last Spider-Man game launched in 2018, thus kicking off this cat?egory's theme of "What year is it again?" �I had to double-check that after suggesting we just got one of these within the last couple of years.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is the quintessential Sony recommendation for folks looking to buy the current-gen PlayStation. It's polished to a degree that remains beyond impressive and captivating, even to those not into the whole superhero scene. Miles Morales steals the show as a series favorite, and all of the usual staples like webslinging, New York neighborhoods, and, of course, Venom, return in a show of Spider-Man's best. It's one that really sold me on Spidey's direction going forward, and I certainly wasn't the only one.

Final Fantasy XVI

Though it just launched in June this year, Final Fantasy XVI was one of those games I was certain came out last year, but no, I'm just turning into dust. The hazy time-lapse is equal parts owed to the build-up and fanfare around another entry to the Final Fantasy series and how much of the year RPG ??lovers spent sequestered off with a screen.

In our review, Eric confirmed one of my biggest suspicions: Final Fantasy XVI is a Final Fantasy game. Perhaps it's not my favorite, but that's not much of a critique in a series full of titans that established and inspired developers for decades. Clive's journey is a flashy, Devil May Cry-inspired adventure fusing some of the best inspirations from the sights and sounds of FFXIV: Heavensward into a lengthy, single-player RPG.

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

As a mech girly, I'm always rooting for any game with gargantuan robots and metal-on-metal sparkling firefights. Thankfully, this year didn't leave me wanting as Armored Core 6 debuted to critical praise, and that includes our own review where Destructoid's head honcho Chris Carter reassured longtime fans that "the spark of the series is still very much alive" in Fires of Rubicon.

After such a lengthy stint between series releases, Armored Core's 2023 resurrection was certainly among the year's bigger surprises, but FromSoft more than delivered yet again. I've probably hit a fail state in Armored Core VI more times than all of the other games on this list combined, but I keep going back to it ?for more. That's more impressive when you consider there's a rhythm game below.

Street Fighter 6

There's a reason talk of a Capcom "Golden Age" keeps happening, and Street Fighter VI feels a bit symbolic of that. The classic fighter saw plenty of praise and held its own in a year packed with other Capcom darlings like Resident Evil 4 and Monster Hunter.

As a button-masher, it's one of the few fighting games I'm willing to revisit when the shine of "new release" wears off and my friends have moved on. Its sprawling roster, upcoming collaborations, and support from Capcom turn Street Fighter VI into a constant spectacle that's just as much fun to bumble your wa??y through as it is to watch on the big screens of EVO.

Theathrythm Final Bar Line

Ah, the bane of my existence, Theathrythm. I say that in the most loving way possible, as my endless Theathrythm replays on 3DS destroyed my handheld's buttons, and I figure the same is soon true for my PlayStation c?ontrollers.

That's a very roundabout way of saying Final Bar Line absolutely rules. While the bar (ha, bar, get it?) for spin-offs isn't very high, there's nothing about this latest entry that feels like a cheap afterthought. It's just as much proper rhythm game as it is impassioned love letter to Final Fantasy. All year long, I've lost nights to replaying a handful of tracks,?? desperately honing my skills to crank the difficulty up just a little more. And even if that's not your cup of tea, its guided tributes to the past are still worth the time.

Alan Wake 2

As an editor, I'm obviously partial to the work my team does, but if we had a category for 'review of the year,' I'd throw Smangaliso Simelane's piece on Alan Wake 2 into the ring for?? the title without a second thought. In the 9/10 review, Smangaliso concluded:

"I can say that it’s one of my favorite titles in an extremely competitive year. Not only h?as it redefined what I believe video game narratives are capable of, but it also left me invigorated to see how Remedy will innovate once again."

Sold �anyway, with how everyone talks about Alan Wake, I deeply regret not diving into the first one. Remedy's gorgeously dismal setting calls for me in many of the same ways Control initially did, using bold, striking pops of light and color for the initial hook. Then, it's suddenly 3 a.m. on a Monday, but I swear I only meant to p???lay an hour or two.

Octopath Traveler 2

It's 2023, but this looks like what I imagined games would as a little thing in the late '90s and early '00s. Octopath Traveler 2 squared up in a year full of other gorgeous pixel art games like Sea of Stars, but ??held its own as an RPG powered by indu?stry veterans.

Even as someone just a few hours in with an end-of-the-year cram session, the second game seems to fix some of my pain points from the original Octopath Traveler, all while maintaining the art direction and music I adored. Of course, once again, my RPG-enthused coworker Eric Van Allen reviewed the classic throwback, not?ing: "It somehow has everything I’d want out of an RPG inspired by the old days, but moving ??forward into new ones too. "

What's next for Destructoid's GOTY?

For those of you curious as to where we'll land, check back on December 18 for our best of PlayStation winner. And with all of that said, here's our quick, bulleted nominees list to refresh you for discuss??ions:

Destructoid's Best PS4/PS5 Games of 2023:

• Spider-Man 2
• Final Fantasy XVI
• Armored Core 6
• Street Fighter 6
• Theathrythm Final Bar Line
• Alan Wake 2
• Octopath Traveler 2

The post Nominees for D?estructoid’s Best PS4/ PS5 game of 2023 appeared first on Destructoid.

Even in the pre-release review period for Armored Core 6, I didn't encounter any major bugs. That's kind of rare in this current AAA landscape, but that doesn't mean they don't exi??st! Thankfully, From Software is planning on swiftly addressing some snafus with a variety of patches, and we're already three updates in at?? this point.

Patch 1.03 has been applied to all versions of the game, and is aimed at "improving gameplay stability and applying bug fixes." One big quality-of-life upgrade is the ability to directly quit online matches while spectating, which was a bit of a pain to finesse before 1.03. A few visual bugs were also addressed, as well as more annoying issues like enemies getting stuck in terrain under specific ci?rcumstances, or boost problems ?with Tetrapod legs (my frame of choice).

All of these patches are going to ??heavily benefit folks who haven't jumped i??nto the game yet but are planning on it, going into the holiday season and beyond. And I really mean "beyond," as this game is fairly evergreen for both action and mech enthusiasts alike. Make sure you give it a look at some point!

Armored Core 6 full patch notes - Version 1.03

September 22, 2023

A new patch has been di??stributed to improve gameplay stability and apply bug fixes. Please apply the latest patch before playing the ??game.

Targeted Platforms:

• PlayStation 4
• PlayStation 5
• Xbox One
• Xbox Series X|S
• Steam

Major Items Included in the Latest Update

Additions

• When spectating an online match, the “QUIT SPECTATEâ€?option has been added to the menu, allowing spectators to return to the multiplayer room.
• Added “Chg. Ammo Consumptionâ€?parameter to the “IB-C03W3: NGI 006â€?coral missile part specs shown via “Toggle Displayâ€?
• Added “Scan Standby Timeâ€?parameter to head part specs shown via “Toggle Displayâ€?

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a bug that caused certain enemies or enemy actions to get stuck on terrain during the mission “Intercept the Redgunsâ€?
• Fixed a bug that caused enemies to stop appearing when the player stands in a certain spot during the mission “Escort the Weaponized Mining Shipâ€?
• Fixed a bug that caused defeated enemies to remain visible on radar during the mission “Breach the Karman Lineâ€?
• Fixed a bug that caused the second shot of certain burst fire weapons to veer heavily off target when fired while performing a drift turn on Tank legs.
• Fixed a bug that caused boost to disable under certain conditions with Tetrapod legs equipped.
• Fixed a bug that occurred with the “VP-66LSâ€?laser shotgun equipped to the left hand, which caused a longer delay than intended between firing a charge shot and being able to fire a normal shot again.
• Fixed a bug with the “VP-60LTâ€?laser turret, where it would not respond to the sub-generators during the mission “Destroy the Weaponized Mining Shipâ€?
• Fixed a bug that occurred while reloading the “Vvc-700LDâ€?laser drone, which caused player AC orientation to lock to a target, even with Target Assist disabled.
• Fixed a bug that caused incorrect icons to be displayed for intended damage type or reload type in the part specs for certain weapon parts.
• Adjusted the timing window of being able to use repair kits while firing certain weapons.
• Fixed a bug with certain melee weapons that caused the “Chg. Attack Powerâ€?parameter to display an unintended value in the part specs shown via “Toggle Displayâ€?
• Fixed a bug that occurred after firing a charge shot during assault boost, which caused a consecutive normal shot to fire unintentionally.
• Fixed a bug that prevented damage caused by status effects from being displayed on the HUD.
• Fixed a bug that caused the game to crash from the “AC Dataâ€?menu in certain situations.
• Due to behavioural issues in photo mode, removed the “Motion Blurâ€?option and added the “Camera Blurâ€?option.

  • *NB: We plan to restore the Motion Blur option in a future update.

• Fixed a bug that prevented Trophies/Achievements from unlocking under certain circumstances if unlock requirements involved acquiring parts.

  • *NB: If any of the following Trophies/Achievements fails to unlock, go to the Shop menu and sell any part from the relevant category. Buying the part back again will trigger the unlock.

    • “Weapon Collectorâ€?/li>

    • “External Parts Collectorâ€?/li>

    • “Internal Parts Collectorâ€?/li>

• Changed behavior in online match rooms, so that players are informed when the match is starting even while they have another menu open (e.g. Assembly).
• Fixed a bug that caused screen transitions to behave incorrectly when launching the game by accepting an online match invite.
• Other performance improvements and minor bug fixes.

Steam

• Fixed a bug that occurred when changing screen mode, which caused the HUD to render incorrectly.
• Fixed a bug that caused the game to crash when changing graphics settings from the System menu while in a multiplayer room.
• Share IDs are now recognized when entered in either upper or lower case.

Other Changes

• Updated “Data Usage Agreementâ€?text for the Japanese version.

  • *NB: After applying the update, the confirmation screen will appear once more for all players.

App Ver. 30
Regulation Ver. 1.03

This update is required for online play.

We will continue to provide improvement updates in the future to allow players to further enjoy ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON. Thank you all for your?? supp??ort.

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Armored Core 6 has been on the market for a few weeks now, so a balance patch was bound to arrive sooner than later. After all, the first notable balance patch for Elden Ring hit after roughly the same amount of time. For Armored Core 6, FromSoftware has released a new patch to seemingly address some of the bigger talking points that the game has seen since release. It buffs?? a variety of weapons while adjusting "certain attacks�performed by a few bosses.

Among the boss names listed here is Balteus, who has already developed a fierce reputation. After a string of relatively easy missions in Chapter 1, Balteus shows up as an abrupt difficulty spike. For players still trying to learn the game's core mechanics, this fight can grind progress to a halt. While the patch notes don’t specifically say FromSoftware has nerfed Balteus, I can only assume that was t??he case here.

Some may feel sad they can’t challenge Balteus in its original state after this patch, but I’d say it's for the best. For my part, right after I beat Balteus, I looked at the new available parts and built the biggest, heaviest, silliest tank I could. This wound up making the game downright easy afterward, as enemies quickly fell to me simply going vroom and boom over and over again. So, in other words, the Balteus difficulty spike sort of felt out of place since it doesn’t reall??y prepare you for anything to come. It didn’t in my case, anyway.

[caption id="attachment_400431" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Weapon buffs and bug fixes

In addit?ion to the boss adjustments, the following weapons have seen buf?fs:

• MA-J-200 RANSETSU-RF: Increased attack power/rate of fire, decreased reload time.
• LR-036 CURTIS: Increased attack power, decreased reload time.
• RF-024 TURNER: Increased attack power/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
• RF-025 SCUDDER: Increased attack power/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
• MA-J-201 RANSETSU-AR: Increased attack power/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
• MG-014 LUDLOW: Increased attack power/total rounds/projectile speed, decreased recoil and reload time.
• DF-MG-02 CHANG-CHEN: Increased attack power/total rounds/projectile speed, decreased reload time.
• MA-E-210 ETSUJIN: Increased attack power/total rounds/projectile speed, decreased reload time.

The patch notes state that these adjustments “will allow players more build diversity in the early and mid-game.�That sounds good! Coming up with wacky builds quickly became my favorite part of Armored Core 6, even though I’m as far from?? a mech head as you can get. Anything t??hat facilitates more fun builds gets an A+ in my book.

Along with this, we have a small selection of bug fixes as well. Most of these focus on relatively small changes, though some are mission-specific. Additionally, the notes state that PvP balance adjustments will arrive? "at a future date." In other words, sit tight if you’re in the competitive mech scene.

Armored Core 6 is available now ??on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC??.

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Armored Core 6 is an absolute blast to play through, which certainly contributes to players fighting through to the ending. From the combat's blistering pace to the depth of customization, this is undoubtedly one of the best mech games in a long time.? It also has a solid narrative about fighting against th??e odds for your beliefs and survival.

The delivery is more direct than most works coming out of FromSoftware since its games often keep the surface narrative light. Armored Core has always been this way, even if the latest entry is?? mo?re dialogue-focused than its predecessors.

Also like what came before, Armored Core 6's ending come from branching paths depending on missions chosen at key points. It offers two endings on a first playthrough, with a third one unlocked after finishing the g??ame.

I want to return and get the other endings in Armored Core 6, but the one I chose? scorched my heart. It's been a week since I finished the game, and this harrowing conclusion has stayed with me because of how awful I felt after. FromSoftware games tend to include bleak endings chosen by the player, and I feel like a monster.

[caption id="attachment_403339" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Destructoid[/caption]

Burn Raven, burn

My Armored Core 6 ending is called The Fires of Raven, and for good reason. This means betraying Raven's Coral companion Ayre to side with "Cinder" Carla's idea to destroy all of Rubicon's Coral. Coral in Armored Core 6 is a livin??g species with at least human-level consciousness and emotions. Despite its exploitation as a resource, Coral is an intelligent species fully capable of communication. In other words, we are committing genocide.

I started down this route not fully aware of my? action's ramifications, and also because it pai??d way better. My blissfully ignorant self didn't think we were eradicating an entire living species. At worst, we would drive all the humans out of Rubicon! Ayre didn't see it this way and left my consciousness.

To return to those halcyon days when I was innocent and naive, only concerned with fashionable mechs. It didn't even register why what I was doing was evil, even when Rusty stood against me. He was t??he fool for not realizing that the Coral should be left alone on R??ubicon.

Killing him was when I realized that nobody was surviving this c??ourse of action. Rusty had been a generally supportive person to Raven and someone who wanted what was best for the planet. It was too late to turn back time because there was still a massive Coral harvesting machine to destroy.

?Rusty's death hurt, but my heart tore apart seeing Ayre stand against me. She was a comforting presence to Raven, and the game featured several moments of genuine care from her. Since she was a Rubiconian, her priority was protecting her people, even if it meant killing the person she cared for most.

[caption id="attachment_403340" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Destructoid[/caption]

Setting the world ablaze

Ayre isn't the hardest boss in Armored Core 6, but she took the most tries for me. A part of me couldn't give it? my all. It suddenly hit me that I was the villain because I liked Ayre, and she cared about Raven. She truly believed in them and wanted to build a future where humans and Coral could live alongside each other.

Each line in her fight cut deeper than her laser sword, and I knew Bolt ??Spearmint wasn't using an ideal build for this fight. Anytime I could change my loadout to something that'd devastate her, but I just couldn't.

Not after th??e first attempt and certainly not after the tenth. Some were easier than others, but in the end, I kept falling because I didn't have it in me to play optimal?ly.

I was delaying the inevitable. The Moonlight sword was not working for me, and I knew victory was achievable with my VE-67LLA laser lance. Ayre's death was absolute wh??en I made the switch, and she was defeated on the first attempt.

Her entire species rested on her shoulders, and a single decision shaped her failure. Ayre spent her dying moments still believing in a hopeless dream where humans and Coral could live together before finally letting go. Raven then watched wordlessly as Carla drove the Xylem colony ship into the Vascular Plant harvesting Coral, destroyi??ng it and scorching Rubicon. It's unknown if the protagonist survived the blast, but history cemented them as a monster that began The Fires of Raven.

Some may defend Raven's actions, but I can't. Going down this pat??h made me f?eel like the monster history will remember Raven as.

[caption id="attachment_403341" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via Destructoid[/caption]

A heart turned to ash

As a whole, the Armored Core series doesn't have many happy endings. Armored Core: For Answer ??????????????????????????arguably has the darkest ending, as one possible route concludes with humanity's eradication carried out by the protagonist. Humanity may not have been what was wiped out, but doing the same to the Coral is equally as terrible.

I recently wrote about how Armored Core detaches players from the people they kill because they are all behind mechanized machines. The inverse effect might have happened when I finished Armored Core 6. Killing Ayre felt awful, and I think part of that stems ?from her having as much of a body as anyone else.

Raven and everyone else fought and died in their mechs, and Ayre was no different. Her actual form may have b?een as a part of the Coral, but she spoke with such emotion that she felt more human than many other characters. She placed her entire trust in someone who betrayed her on an apocalyptic level.?? The hurt she experiences in the fight feels uncomfortably real because it's also clear she still cares.

Armored Core can be read as about humanity's slow crawl to death. Whether over beliefs or resources, the games are driven by extensive conflicts that worsen the world. The player's beliefs are moot in this series as they go from one job to another, perpetuating a war bet??ween two or more awful factions. It's a different flavor of awful knowing t??hat this latest entry drags another sapient species into humanity's selfish conflicts.

I don't know if Armored Core 6's other endings are more hopef??ul. For all I know, there's one where the principal cast set aside their differences and band together to eliminate the corps, but I doubt it. All I'm hoping for is that I'm le??ss devastated.

The post One Armored Core 6 ??rout?e is emotionally devastating appeared first on Destructoid.

It's a week since the successful launch of Armored Core 6, and already the internet has been flooded with some of the most amazing mech creations. Some issues have also unfortunately arisen, and they could potentially affect you??r s??ave game.

//twitter.com/fro??msoftware_sp/status/1697091028241793386

FromSoftware recently sent out a Tweet acknowledging the issue. A translation of the Tweet reveals that the studio is aware of a bug that causes data to not be saved properly under certain circumstances. While the issue is bein?g sorted, the studio advises you to close the game before putting your PC to sleep.

[caption id="attachment_400948" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid.[/caption]

FromSoftware is investigating the issue

This isn't the first time FromSoftware has struggled with save file issues. When Elden Ring launched in 2022, some players experienced save issue??s on PS5 and PC, though the studio did release a fix. Elden Ring unfortunately had other issues on PC that affected performance, and they also needed to be addressed by? patches.

Some Reddit users on the Armored Core subreddit have complained about the game not properly saving their progress, suggesting the problem isn't exceptionally rare. The problem is worsened by the fact that AC6 doesn't have multiple save slots, leaving you reliant on one pr?ecious save file. This makes it even more important to follow FromSoftware's advice until the bug is patched out.

The post Arm??ored Core 6 has PC save iss?ues, From Software investigating appeared first on Destructoid.

Armored Core 6 is out and further proves that FromSoftware knows fashion is a lifestyle and not a choice. Looking as good as you fight is core to many games from the accred??ited studio, and seeing that le??gacy continue is heartwarming.

Casual onlookers might look at the bleak, dead worlds and assume style cannot thrive in this environment. They couldn't be more wrong?.

Fashion Souls has been a thing for many years as fans shared how they brave dangers with pizzaz. Their undead journeyed ruined worlds ??living their best lives balancing protection with style. Given how FromSoftware took the time to craft hundreds of runway-worthy outfits, the community was responsible for ensuring they fit together perfectly.

Long before the Souls games took the gaming fashion world by storm, Armored Core brought together style and war crimes. Survival may have been hard on the mechanized battlefield, but it was even harder for your Core to stand out. These games have so many beautifully designed mechs that I felt comparin?g my starter to them was like comparing Sketchers to Louboutins. One might have been fine but the other carries status with it.

Thus my personal journey in Armored Core 6 was to become Rubicon's ultimate mech fashionista. My cores were to be the perfect blend of deadly and elegant, fulfilling different purposes while also impressing Project Runway's judges. They are all gum-themed to add a playful edge, and I can say 3 designs are? simply magnifique.

[caption id="attachment_400476" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Destructoid[/caption]

Bubblegum Dusk delicately balances a deadly arsenal with a soft touch.

Bubblegum Dusk holds a special place in the Armored Core 6 fashion journey because it was the first one I made. A quad-ped originally named Bubblegum Crisis, the? idea was to contrast a soft pastel look with the game's brutal world.

The design evolved to add dark accents that gracefully contrasted with the pink. Rubicon is a harsh place, and the final design was? meant to reflect that while still retaining that light touch. This might have made Bubblegum Dusk the least visually distinct, but the contrasting colors fit perfectly with its theme.

Bubblegum Dusk doesn't particularly excel in any area but also ?lacks glaring issues. Stats are all-around decent with none seeming all that remarkable. Where it shines on the battlefield is in its unique features instead. As the only Core to carry a pulse shield and have quad legs, it can shield itself and hover in mid-air. Pair this with long-range weapons, and Bubblegum Dusk is perfect a long-range attacks?? while still being able to take a hit. Unfortunately, I haven't tested this Core as much as the others despite being the original. Other designs I spent more time with had new parts consistently coming out, meaning there was less opportunity to find Bubblegum Dusk's true worth. The redesign does give me hope that it will soon see its chance to thrive once more.

[caption id="attachment_400477" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Destructoid[/caption]

Bolt Spearmint is a blur that strikes like lightning.

Bo?lt Spearmint is probably my favorite in the entire collection because it's the Core I use the most often. It's the ?only bi-pedal Core I use, and it excels at having the speed and force of a lightning bolt. What's consistent with Bolt Spearmint is this core idea since it's the design that's undergone the most changes.

Given how much I use it on missions, I built it to be the most practical with my play style. Something consistent with my time in any FromSoftware game is that I like going fast. My primary builds in prior Armored Core games revolve?d around this, and this con??tinues in the latest entry.

Despite the game's overall speed being comparable to Armored Core 3, Bolt Spearmint is meant to emulate how Cores from the fourth game look and work.  That title went at a blistering pace with sleek Cores darting about, and I wanted something like that. An unintentional comparison I found is that Bolt Spearmint looks like Kamen Rider but as a mech. The slender humanoid body with a grasshopper-like head made me consider having a specific variant based on the Black Sun reboot.

Much of that would come from a recolor as Bolt Spearmint is brighter than Bubblegum Dusk. The palette comes from mixing a minty green with light blue accents to emphasize the ligh?tning theme.

Using Bolt Spearmint is equally as satisfying given its ability to close distances before unleashing devastation. Whereas Bubblegum Dusk and my next design cater to keeping distance, Bolt Spearmint is at its best right next to an enemy. Armed with Fires of Rubicon's variant of the Moonlight Greatsword and a shotgun, its lack of armor is more than made up for by ?killi??ng the enemy before it can react.

[caption id="attachment_400479" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Destructoid[/caption]

Steel Peppermint is a very jolly tank.

I saved Steel Peppermint for last because it has my favorite theming out of all these designs. Bubblegum Dusk might have unique features and Bolt Spearmint ??is elegant, but Steel Peppermint is the happiest mobile fortress around.

That might be a bit of an overstatement because Armored Core is as serious as most fashion shows, but I digress. Peppermints themselves might not only exist within candy canes and the holidays, but that's where this Core's concept went. I wanted it to have the most diverse color? scheme of any mech, creating something that looks impractical and fun.

What I drew from was a candy cane variant with green stripes along the red and white. This primarily added more co?lor, but I put in an angular pattern to make it just a tad extra. Steel Peppermint is an acquired taste for sure, but that is what makes its theme so fun.

Its build is also reflective of its intentionally niche appeal. This is a slow, lumbering tank whose purpose is to take hits. Its floating base ensures several heavy weapons are equipped with a generator capable of powering them all. What it lacks in speed or unique features is balanced out by long-range attacks. Powerful lasers to rip across battlefields and bazookas laying waste t??o the environment give the g??ift of death to all in their way.

It isn't practical against Armored Core 6's boss roster, but it makes up for be??ing great against common grunts. The explosive weapons ensure multiple enemies fall in one fell swoop, and cannons can take out snipers from a safe distance. Steel Peppermint doesn't cater to how? I play, but I know it can find an audience.

[caption id="attachment_400480" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Destructoid[/caption]

Armor Decor is the real deal.

I didn't come up with the term Armored Decor, but it perfectly describes my time in Armored Core 6. I consider myself a fashionable person, and it's amazing when I get to express that side in games. My hype p??artially stemmed ??because of FromSoftware's pedigree with fashion in games, and I'm happy it lives up to that.

Armored Core 6's build variety is commendable from a gameplay front too. The focus here may have been on fashionable Cores, but each has an arsenal suited to their looks. There's a creative freedom present here that isn't there in the Soulsborne games thanks to having options for color and patte??rns. I'm a pilot within the game's world, but customizing my mechs is like designing new outfits and I love it.

It's nice to see the mech action genre in the spotlight after being underrated for years. Hopefully, Armored Core 6's success? means we will be getting more games like it. I can already feel many more mechs crying for a fabulous? makeover.

The post Armored Core 6 has brough??t out the me??ch fashionista in me appeared first on Destructoid.

One of the best things about Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon is the game's character creator mode. FromSoftware is no stranger to character customization, but the tools in the Souls series allow only for the modification of humans or Shrek-like creatures. Making mechs is a completely different thing. I've previously showcased a few hilarious fanmade AC units, and I'm glad to see that the community AC un??it factory isn't slowing down.

[caption id="attachment_400711" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Exoskellet[/caption]

The GameCube AC

Ever thought that the GameCube featured an extraordinary library of games and deserved better than to get mercilessly slaughtered by the PS2? Well, just like Murphy in Robocop, it's now back as a murder bot via the reconstructive efforts of Exoskellet.

Do you like it? Her??e's the c?ode to get those sweet textures: 7BM73CAKQQX1

But what if you're less into Robocop and more into Cain, the weird junkyard-themed villain from Robocop 2? Well, then, Exoskellet also has you covered:

[caption id="attachment_400715" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Exoskellet[/caption]

It doesn't even look all?? that different from my 20-y?ear-old GameCube.

The McChicken

[caption id="attachment_400683" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by BawkbaSoup[/caption]

Shoutout to Destructoid user JimmyJamz for showing me the beauty above.

Tired of waiting for that definitely real and revolutionary video game console by KFC? Well, you snooze, you lose, and McDonald's beat the competition by ignoring the console-to-mecha pipeline and getting straight to the robot-making business. Just kidding; please don't sue us �that's actually Twitch streamer Bawkbasoup's creation, the McChicken.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Dv3UCXzak

Cloud Strife

[caption id="attachment_400738" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by u/Bustersword[/caption]

It was only a matter of time until anime fans began making AC units that ??looked like famous vid?eo game characters.

Cloud Strife from FFVII is perfect for that, as not even the weird bodily proportions of the AC units make it look stranger than his model did in the original Final Fantasy VII. Sadly, however, Armored Core 6, ?a game about unreasonably large killing objects, doesn't feature one single melee weapon disproportionate enough to do the Bust?er Sword justice.

Homer Simpson

[caption id="attachment_400740" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by u/BlacktemplarKNB[/caption]

Not into JRPGs? Then consider taking H0m3-R for a spin. Isn't this just the most beautiful video game adaptation of the main character from The Simpsons that you've ever seen? If anything about that design gives you the wrong idea that it might not be absolutely combat-ready, then perhaps consider going with the classic Omer Simpson instead.

You, too, can now make your wacky mechs in Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon?? on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Seri??es X|S

The post Here’s a glorious GameCube-inspired mech in another Armored Core 6 Showcase appeared first on Destructoid.

Armored Core VI is by far the most popular in series history, but the series' milestone 26-year legacy marches on for good re??ason. The intense mech action franchise debuted in 1997 but remained niche, with an ardent fanbase keeping the series afloat. ?Developer FromSoftware was quite a different place then versus today, with the '90s studio publishing a mixed bag of gems and duds.

When Armored Core debuted on the P?layStation, it became one of those gems. As archaic as its controls feel now, they fit the bill for early 3D action games and worked effectively without analog sticks. Sequels iterated on the series' design, releasing multiple expansion-like titles within a generation of games before a full, numbered entry would set up a new narrative arc.

This was how Armored Core functioned until 2013, when Dark Souls took center stage at FromSoftware. A decade later, a new Armored Core retaining the brutality and depth comes from seasoned developers, and its fanfare is well deserved. Fires of Rubicon is another triumph from the storied studio, though the series' legacy shouldn't be neglected. Sequels may have decades of improvement and innovation, but the original remains impressive today�6 years later—in its own right. I love the original Armored Core for its simplicity w??hen compared to successors, and it warrants revisi??ting.

[caption id="attachment_399769" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Destructoid[/caption]

Corporations always bleed the world

Armored Core's premise has stayed mostly the same since its debut. Corporations w?age war over a barren Earth, and the player takes contracts as an independent mercenary called a Raven. Pilots like Ravens operate modular, adaptable mechs (that's the ?Armored Core bit) wielding enormous power. Chrome and Murakumo Millenium are the main factions fighting over the planet's scraps in the first game, but the names matter little. The core idea always remains the same, while names and settings change.

Its PlayStation-era grit quickly hammers in how cold everything feels. Most interactions happen over impersonal emails, and missions play out in lifeless city streets and warehouses. Faces are nonexistent, as the closest a player gets to another person is in combat between mechs. I probably killed hundreds during my time in Armored Core, and it just doesn't register. We were all faceless and silent entities in hulking death machine?s.

Bland environments and mostly voiceless enemies probably make the game sound le??ss appealing, but it's well-focused and appropriate in context. The world is a husk, and a person's worth derives from their value to corporations. This includes the protagonist, who easily slips down a dangerous slope.

[caption id="attachment_399772" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Destructoid[/caption]

Becoming mechs through Human PLUS

The first Armored Core is arguably the most mechanically simple of the games, but it has something unique to the franchise. Both the original and the second game heavily emphasize a debt system where frivolous spending and mistakes become costly. Players foot the bill for everything, including ammo and repairs after missions. It's a quirk that persists in modern entries but is brutal in the first game??. In victory or failure, payment is always expected, and that chews through p?layer finances.

Players also slip into debt easily in what is one of gaming's best depictions of sci-fi capitalism. Things become terrifying when enough debt grows out of c??????????????????????????ontrol, and the pilots are forced into the Human PLUS pro?gram. Initially, the pitch may sound great—Human PLUS' augments pilots to be more in sync with their Core. In-game, it simply translates to resetting the story with some sick buffs, but narratively implies side-effects to mental health.

Since boosts range from enhanced booster performance to shooting waves from laser blades, some fans try to get Human PLUS as soon as possible since Armored Core is so tough. But that's how bleak its world is; Armored Core's horrifying procedure is tempt?ing because of it. Sacrificing your humanity as the price of an upgrade doesn't sound like a b??ad deal in this universe.

Human PLUS is a fantastic mechanic that's best utilized as something gained from failure. Despite all that it offers, the conditions to obtain it make it more akin to punishment, and that's brilliant. The third generation of Armored Core games made many?? of the upgrades unlockables in the story, whi??ch is a great reward, but it does take something from the original implementation's horror.

[caption id="attachment_399771" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via Destructoid[/caption]

This Raven's still strong

While Armored Core's narrative remains effective, it's the gameplay that shines most. The PlayStation classic is 26 years old and from a time when 3D g??ames were largely experimental, but FromSoftware crafted some??thing genre-defining on its first try.

Controls are the biggest hurdle to getting over, especially with the camera locked to shoulder buttons, but mastering them is satisfying in ways few games are. The strange controls remain a meme in the Armored Core community, especially as sequels refused to update the layout. Modern controls were adopted in Nexus, but only long after the Armored Core grip was embraced with open arms.

Other than how odd the game feels at first, it impresses in ways Armored Core in 1997 would. Cores control tightly, and I never felt like they were unresponsive to my inputs. That remained through the numerous builds I tried out, with the tank treads being??? an exception.

Combat has a flow that clicks after some time despite initially feeling clunky. Lock-on is th?ankfully generous and very rarely felt frustrating. This factor and great audio feedback give the guns great feedback, and the bite-sized missions left me craving more.

The ch??unky PS1 visuals are charming, and the game oozes a dark industrial atmosphere. Exploring these low-res open environm?ents helps sell this idea that what's left of the world is built for machines. Even the cities have this cold and alien feel since they are always devoid of life outside those piloting mechs.

Discussing the moment-to-moment gameplay is probably the least interesting part of the first Armored Core because the fundamentals remain?? unchanged. It's remarkable how similar juggling mec??h customization and linear missions feel in all the games.

FromSoftware's blood runs deep

Armored Core rules. I say this about the entire franchise and also the first game. Being able to customize hundreds of mech builds feels personal, and masterful optimization is a reward in and of itself. Combat relies on split-second decisions that require players to be alert to win. Failure can feel excruciating, but victory is even more satisfying—a statement that applies to so many FromSoftware games. The series even has the Moonlight Greatsword, solidifying it as a true FromSoftware great.

The most impressive thing about the original Armored Core is that it feels like a modern FromSoftware game in many ways. Combat is as brutal as customization is deep, and players feel like a grunt who?se life means little. The story requi?res piecing together disparate pieces and discovering a thoughtful narrative about how corporate control reduces lives into assets.

A difficulty curve exists, not only for the type of game it is but also for its age. Armored Core grip exists for a reason, and it's not because the game is forgiving. Few games have induced the amount of anxiety I had for finances as Armored Core did,?? and I love it. It's an immersive experience, lasting only a few hours, so it's for FromSoftware fans and fans o??f retro action games.

The post The original Armored Core?? is just as impressi?ve today appeared first on Destructoid.

While most find the games by FromSoftware extremely hard, a few others seek even more challenge. These daredevils will do whatever it takes to add an extra layer of difficulty to the game. This week, one brave Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon player and YouTuber by the name of ZeroLenny beat the game with no weapons, simply by punching and kicking his enemies into piles of rubble with his fists and feet in Armored Core.

How did ZeroLenny do it?

??Lenny didn't exactly unequip his weapons, because they're forced onto your AC unit. Still, he found out that he could simply not use them and charge into his enemies instead, as that also provides a reliable damage output. Naturally, punching doesn't use ammunition, but that doesn't mean ZeroLenny came a??cross an infinite source of damage. This is a nu-FromSoftware game, meaning that anyone whose name isn't Sekiro has a stamina bar �even robots. Melee attacks cost you stamina, so there's an extra layer of hardship �in case having to get close you your enemies every time isn't tough enough already. Lenny found a workaround by getting the DF-GN-02 LING-TAI, the generator with the smallest recharge delay in the game.

//youtu.be/3hcuiuagEYA

Unforeseen consequences

At first, Lenny thought that a way of the fist run would just make the game harder all across the board, but he ended up discovering that, in true Souls fashion, it had some unexpected perks. Melee attacks do great posture damage and are better at destroying the enemies' p??osture than most weapons. Also, enemies take more damage when their stamina is down, so there's an extra perk. If you're good enough, you can doom most enemies to perpetually cycling from a state of stagnation to one of binge-eating knuckle sandwiches.

Best tips for players who also want to embrace the way of the fist

While likely unadvisable, Lenny's Armored Core way of the?? fists isn't entirely unviable. On top of what you already know, Lenny has some tips for footwork. Lenny says that tank legs are the best for melee damage, but they severely hamper your dodging. The best options for legs are normal or quad ones. The?se will give you the extra option of kicking your enemies. Kicks are good and will net you countless (imaginary) style points when you kick enemies off cliffs.

[caption id="attachment_395925" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Bandai Namco[/caption]

Lenny says that one of the hardest missions in the ?game for no-weapons users will be the tower defense one. The devs expected players to shoot the enemy projectiles shot at them, but that won't work here. Lenny managed to finish the mission by learning the map, destroying only specific targets, and by flying over the others. This will take up much more time, but it's completely doable.

I’ve previously written about how it’s only a matter of time until someone beats AC6 using only a banana. This isn’t that, but we’re getting closer. You can now try to beat Armored Core 6, bare??-fisted or not, on PC, PlayStatio??n 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

The post Armored Core 6 player beats the game with just punches and ki??cks appeared first on Destructoid.

Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon came out to receive massive critical acclaim. That's neat but nowadays even a great game will only enjoy long-lasting success if it has the backing of an equally great community. Luckily, not even a full week after its release, the mechs we've seen from the Armored Core 6 community has already proven that it's filled to the brim with talent and the will to come up with, uh, very ??"innovative" AC designs.

Evangelion Unit 01

You know damn well that as soon as you announce a mech game with great characte??r customization options, the entire anime fan community will get it just to create Gundam and EVA units. This should come as no surprise.

[caption id="attachment_399621" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Masked[/caption]

What's especially cool and unique about this one is that there are fans out there telling you exactly what to do if you want to make your own EVA 01 AV unit.

[caption id="attachment_399623" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by u/moyu2099[/caption]

Venom

Your first reaction might be "What the hell is Ven??om doing in space?" But I'd like to remind you that Venom does come from space, so let's judge less and enjoy more.

What's great about this design by Reddit user moyu2099 that you can get here is?? that it doesn't just make great use of Venom's black and white signature colors—it really does look like a possible sci-fi iteration of Venom. Great st?uff.

[caption id="attachment_399624" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by u/YambagMcgee[/caption]

The N64 Rumble Pak

Many remember the original PlayStation as the first console to have rumble features, but it was actually the Nintendo 64 via its Rumble Pak. I don't know whether or not Reddit user Fake_Diesel came up with this AC to remind people of this fact, but it sure does look like they won't let Nintendo's great advances remain unnoticed any longe??r.

Now here's hoping the same one-person team does one for the N64 Expansion Pak. Remember that? It was a tiny add-on that got the N64 to run some games better, and to run Donkey Kong 64 at all. Shouldn't be too hard!

Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon is now out for PC,?? PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S

The post Here’s some hilarious mechs fans have already made in Armored Core 6 appeared first on Destructoid.

My history with Armored Core started with the very first game on PlayStation. I was enamored by the cover the enticing giant mech on it; and kept it close while I experienced a whole slate of robot-based oddities like G-Nome, and Heavy Gear. From then on, I sought out every subsequent entry, until I finally put it together that From Software �who had also provided me with hours of entertainment with the King's Field series �was responsible for it all. By the time Demon's Souls came out the studio was a worldwide household name, but they were killing it before Souls changed the industry.

With a pedigree like that, you can see why so many people hold Armored Core in such high regard; so I'm happy to report that Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon keeps that legacy going.

[caption id="attachment_398039" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon (PC, PS4, PS5 [reviewed], Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
Developer: From Software
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Released: August 25, 2023
MSRP: $59.99

Just so that you're current, let's take a deep dive into the Fires of Rubicon lore: Co??ral is a substance that leads to unprecedented technological advancements. Until it doesn't, and there's a massive fire that destroys everything. Following that, there's a recovery period populated with corps and mercs (that's you!), which is where you come in.

You're caught up! No literally, you're caught up.

That's pretty much all the background you need on Armored Core 6, as the crux of the experience lies with earning money, and buying/mixing/matching parts to? form your custom-curated machine of destruction. The narrative goes in circles sometimes (especially with some of the listless pre-mission banter), but it's enough to propel you forward into more mech-based combat and keep you guessing. But really, the world of Rubicon 3 is a fascinating character in its own right. All of the biomes you'll adventure through (whether it's a product of artifice or natural beauty) are fascinating to witness, to the point where I'd definitely be interested in seeing more of this specific universe at some point.

Mission vari?ety generally errs on the side of killing, but there are a few forked paths (in-mission) to follow on occasion, and the environments are varied enough to help funnel you into constant action. While some sandboxes are a little too corralled for my tastes, the illusion of freedom is enough, because of how dang good everything looks. On the flip side, the game's invisible barriers do help prevent mission locations from becoming pointlessly big and barren.

It really helps that Armored Core 6 is absolutely gorgeous. From Software's art department has been putting in work worthy of art books for decades, but they really outdid themselves here. One of the very first missions looked like something I haven't seen in any game this year, and helped cement the fact that t??his is an unforgiving universe that will crush you on a moment's notic?e, even if you are piloting a huge killing machine that looks like it came straight out of an anime.

[caption id="attachment_398049" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

What I like most about Armored Core 6 is how everything feels like a puzzle: from mech construction in the hangar to moment-to-moment combat in the thick of it, when you're managing your boost meter every so slightly to ensure you have enough to dodge a ma??ssive blast coming your way. The quick aerial boost system ties everything together. By pressing a button (Square on PlayStation), you can sacrifice a quick bar of boost to instantly dodge. This can be chained in numerous ways (including weaving it together through a boost dash, even in the air), but all of this finesse is governed by a boost meter.

It really is like a ballet, and you're in control of both the precise movements and the overarching song. If you like tanky builds, you can craft a giant literal tank tread mech that sacrifices maneuverability for staying power. Glass cannon builds are a cinch to create, as are speedsters who zip around and manually dodge everything the game can throw at them. Once you're done tinkering, you need to actually put your creation to the test and figure out the ins and outs of that part?icular build.

Boss battles are where everything really shines. The variety on offer is frankly overwhelming, from tiny little Kitfox-like creations that zoom about, to foes who can employ active camo, to gigantic monstrosities that can deal a ton of damage in a single shot. I found myself constantly on my toes, having to learn and relearn how I thought my mech worked and push it to the limit. That's exactly the kind of feeling you want in a game like this, where you get ??to see the fruits of your labor up close and personal.

If you're worried that Armored Core 6 will be insurmountable because you've never played an AC game before (or any mech games, for that matter), don't be. There are a number of levels that From Software has pulled to ??ensure that you won't be completely locked out, including a full checkpoint system. While you can go for an S-Rank and finesse missions all you want, dying right before a boss, in nearly every instance, will allow you to restart from a closeby checkpoint.

[caption id="attachment_398050" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Going a step further, you can even reconfigure your build from the garage in this checkpoint menu, which feels like a pretty big lifeline for a From Software project. For folks who have limited time to play games, this will be a Godsend, but it's also nice that you're able to repeat missions for cash or have a go at the arena (quick CPU battles). There is a PVP system (co-op is not present at a?ll in any form), but I w?asn't able to test it.

From Software also accounted for this with the timed unlock of specific mechanics. You won't be able to fully customize your mech from the start. Rather, you'll need to finish a f?ew basic missions before you can purchase parts, customize them, and spec into specific builds (like kinetic or energy-based damage). You'll also unlock fully-constructed blueprints of mechs that you can use for testing, without fear of "screwing up a build" or overspending.

I was a bit skeptical that From Software would find a way to make Armored Core relevant again after a lengthy hiatus, but they figured it out. The spark of the series is still very much alive without giving up its soul and making it something else entirely, and a new generation will be able to ap?pre??ciate why these games were so venerated. Just be ready to tinker a bit, and take some Ls.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher, and deals with the single player portion of the game.]}

The post Review: Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon appeared first on Destructoid.