Everything new in the Armored Core VI gameplay

Fans looking forwards to the next From Software game got a huge gift this week, with a full-length video of Armored Core VI gameplay being released.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is the new reboot by From Software. Fires of Rubicon is reimagining one of its oldest IPs for a modern audience. Armored Core is a science fiction action game in which the player pilots an anthropomorphic mech. They are armed to the teeth with futuristic weaponry and high-speed propulsion, and take the battle to other robots. While some details have been slowly eeked out after the Game Awards 2022 announcement, this week saw fans getting their first glimpses at uncut Armored Core VI gameplay.

What does new Armored Core gameplay show us?

The newly-released Armored Core gameplay shows off a new level that was showcased in the previous trailers. This time it includes one of From Software’s iconic boss fights at the end. Old-school Armored Core fans might be slightly surprised to see how much of Fires of Rubicon is being affected by From Software’s more recent titles.

There are elements of Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in the new gameplay. In the footage, gameplay seems to shift between three states. The first is free, with the camera and movement being completely open in all three dimensions. The second is a soft lock, when enemies become targetable. This mode splits up fire between all available targets. The third is a hard lock, very familiar to Dark Souls and Sekiro players. In this mode, the mech’s movements are all made relative to its lock target, circling around it similar to other From Software games.

In the game, the player uses a heavy machine gun to stagger other mechs. The stagger bar appears as a yellow quarter-circle that can be viewed when locking onto an enemy. When staggered, enemies take tons more damage and can also be hit in melee to send them flying. At the very end, an enormous industrial mech seems to be the level’s boss. Like non-Armored Core From Software games, this boss is huge. It has iconic telegraphed moves and patterns that encourage players to learn and adapt.

Overall, Armored Core VI looks like it will be faithful to its roots while still cribbing the best ideas from Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and Sekiro.