Summary
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconbrings the classic mech-combat series into the modern era through a wide range of gameplay improvements and tonal shifts. Developer FromSoftware has garnered a significantly larger fan base in recent years thanks to its RPG titles giving rise tothe soulslike genre. In updatingArmored Corefor a new generation, FromSoftware made some crucial changes, which allowArmored Core 6to offer fans a more expansive, challenging, and repayable experience. One way in whichArmored Core 6significantly changes the player experience for the better is by dropping the Debt System, which offers fans a better opportunity to master the title’s evolved gameplay and customization mechanics.
Armored Core 6is the first franchise title to see release in nearly a decade, as the series has lain dormant since 2013’sArmored Core: Verdict Day. While the title retains much of what made fans fall in love with its previous entries,Armored Core 6adds some of FromSoftware’s modern RPG elements into the mix. Enemy combatants now feature a wide range of challenging designs, requiring players to strategically approach each unit differently. Likewise, some of the title’s boss enemies mirror designs fans would expect to find in theSoulsseries orElden Ring,including a massive worm-like machine that burrows underground and emits pulsing red waves of energy.
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Armored Core’s Debt System Explained
The classicArmored Coreseries featured unique elements that differentiated it from FromSoftware’s other properties. Many of these elements resulted from the series' sci-fi settling and linear missions. However, one,the Debt System, made learningArmored Core’s central gameplay mechanics much more punishing. The Debt System saw players incur financial penalties if they failed to meet certain mission requirements or failed a mission altogether, eventually going into debt. If a player incurred too large a debt, they ran the risk of having to reset their game, as they became unable to earn rewards and buy better weapons or parts.
The Debt System had the potential to dramatically impact players' characters if the corporation to which they owed money decided to collect. The human pilots of players' ACs would be forcibly volunteered for certain programs, such asHuman PLUS, to pay off a portion of their debt. Human PLUS saw the player character reset with certain modifications, making for an easier playthrough with less reward. However, the “improvements” were fraught with disturbing character details. Human PLUS was described in classicArmored Coretitles as a way to experimentally strengthen the link between a pilot and their mech, by sacrificing one’s mind and, eventually, humanity. Its application within the Debt System effectively saw corporations sell a pilot’s humanity to pay off their debt.
Dropping the Debt System Makes Armored Core 6 Better
Armored Core 6’s decision to leave the Debt System behind significantly benefits the overall player experience. In evolving the series for a modern audience,Armored Core 6features longer missions, a greater challenge, and a focus on replayability. Were the Debt System implemented, some players could find themselves forced to restart after incurring a significant debt againstArmored Core 6’s tough-as-nails tutorial boss. The dropping of the Debt System also compliments FromSoftware’s shift toward Soulslike enemies and boss battles, as learning, adapting, and overcoming now take priority over groups of enemies from a distance.
Armored Core 6players still lose revenue through the use of their weapons and repairing their mech. This sees fans pay a sizable portion of each Mission’s reward upon completion. However, failure to progress past a certain obstacle mid-mission now sees players return to the Sortie menu and attempt to outfit their mech with better parts and weapons. This can be done by completing Training Missions, playing different modes, or attempting to S-rank past Story Missions. Despite dropping the Debt System, progressing through Armored Core 6 is no easy task. However, this single change makes the experience much more enjoyable, as players can try a myriad of strategies without the anxiety of having limited attempts before their whole playthrough is brought to a halt.
Armored Core 6is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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