Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, the sixth installment of the mecha combat game series, is set to release on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. Read on to find out when the game comes out and where you can get it.
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Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Release Date and Time
Released August 25, 2023
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is already out! The game was released on the midnight of August 25, 2023 for console players. For PC players, it came out August 24, 10 p.m. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Everything We Know About Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Story and Plot
Set in a future on a planet called Rubicon 3, humanity discovers a mysterious substance called Coral to use as both an energy source and a data conduit. The substance is regarded as the key to further technological advancements. However, when a cataclysmic event that engulfs Rubicon 3 ensues, it's believed that all the Corals have been totally wiped out from the planet.
Fifty years later, signs of the substance become redetected on Rubicon 3. Corporations flock to exploit the planet and control the Coral, culminating in a war on the planet.
In Armored Core 6, players will control augmented human mercenary "C4-621," who works for a handler named Walter. C4-621 fights as an Armored Core pilot, taking on mercenary jobs on Rubicon 3 when he finds himself in a struggle over the Corals between extra-terrestrial corporations and other factions.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Gameplay
The game is all about dynamic, fast-paced, ranged and melee combat in which players pilot customizable mechs called Armored Cores. These mechs contain four weapon slots, a gun slot for one arm, a sword slot for the other, and two missile slots on its back.
Heavy emphasis is placed on the fine-tuning and assembly aspect of the mecha to increasingly exact higher levels of control over the players' assembled mechs. This emphasis retains the core concept of the Armored Core series and applies it to modern hardware.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon highlights two new mechanics: a new Stagger mechanic that challenges players to maintain stability over their mech. Taking too many hits leads to your mech getting overloaded, freezing you in your tracks and altering the rhythm of the fight.
Dishing out continuous offense on your opponents can cause them to stagger, which can present opportunities to deal heavier blows or to simply throttle towards your opponent and send them flying across the map.
Assault Boost is an instantaneous switch between long-range gun-fighting and close-range melee, a movement skill activated by a button.
This offensive action helps close the gap between enemies and lets you switch quickly from long distance to close range. This can provide some incredible chain abilities when fighting.
The debt system present in the previous games, where players lose money upon failure, has been removed in this game. Another change is that players are now able to repeatedly attempt missions without penalty.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Platforms and Prices
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is available to play on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Physical and digital pre-orders of the Standard Edition ($59.99) and Deluxe Edition ($69.99) are available on the game shops of the platform of your choice. Another set of Launch Edition ($76.89), Collector's Edition ($274.65), and Premium Edition ($494.42) are available on the official Bandai Namco store.
 Steam |
 PlayStation |
 Xbox |
 Bandai Namco |
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Pre-Order Bonus
Players who pre-order Armored Core 6 will receive the pre-order bonus MELANDER C3 G13 Special Customization “TENDERFOOT” which includes:
- MELANDER C3 parts set (Early unlock)
- Emblem (Early unlock)
- Exclusive AC Decal
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon - What's The Buzz!?
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Search Trends
Fans saw the return of the beloved mecha fighting game when FromSoftware announced Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon at The Game Awards 2022 after a decade-long hiatus.
FromSoftware has been on a high since the rise of the Dark Soul series and the release of Elden Ring in 2022, garnering success and a new massive following. This led to fans of the game company, old and new alike, to speculate if Armored Core 6 will also become Soulslike in gameplay. Game designer Hidetaka Miyazaki spoke in an interview and explained that the studio has not been making a conscious effort to try to direct Armored Core 6 towards a more Soulsborne type gameplay.
Lead designer Masaru Yamamura says in an interview that his time spent on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice had indirectly influenced Armored Core 6’s combat, but the game will not be Soulslike in nature. They incorporated elements found in their previous Soulslike games in order for players to experience "something that was very visceral, very aggressive, and has a very clear and distinct rhythm or tempo to the combat"
After releasing a gameplay trailer in the 2nd quarter of the year, and an extended gameplay showcase at Summer Game Fest, Armored Core 6 has been trending highly and quickly cemented itself as one of the most anticipated games coming out in the later half of this year.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon's Popularity Compared to Other Games
- Blue = Armored Core 6
- Red = Atlas Fallen
- Yellow = Holocure: Save the Fans!
- Green = Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
We took three other games coming out in the same month of August, namely, Holocure: Save the Fans!, Atlas Fallen, and Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, and compared them to Armored Core 6’s search interest over the past 12 months to find out which among the games seems to have gotten the fans the most excited about.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon comes in first place in this comparison. This may be because the Armored Core series already has an established fanbase, but it’s most likely because it’s from the same developers that made Elden Ring that everyone is especially excited.
Armored Core has done well in terms of popularity in Japan and in countries where this is a big mech culture, but Western audiences don’t seem to find the appeal of the Armored Core series, and instead lean towards fantasy games. However, as FromSoftware gained popularity among western players after the release of Dark Souls, and more recently, Elden Ring, they were able to generate never-before-seen interest in the revival of their mecha game series.
Holocure: Save the Fans!
Holocure: Save the Fans! is the second most searched game. The unofficial fanmade game seems to be doing well, being well-received among its hardcore fans, despite having an independent developer and limited marketing. The sudden rise in popularity of Vtuber culture across the globe saw rapid formations of dedicated fan communities, likely attributing to the sustained interest in this game which lets them play as their favorite Vtubers from "Hololive!".
Atlas Fallen
Despite being known for the Soulslike Action RPG series Surge, Deck13 has stated that Atlas Fallen is not at all a Soulslike, going towards a different direction and describing the game to be more inspired by God of War or Horizon: Forbidden West. Atlas Fallen has just been released, leading to a spike in interest, but might continue to stay off most players’ radar as more and more players look for other games in the Soulslike genre.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is the least trending amongst players. This could be attributed to the fact that the game was created as a passion project and a spiritual successor to a cult classic by a smaller studio, resulting in a smaller advertising budget. But within its niche community, there has been a lot of buzz and excitement, so Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is definitely not something to be slept on.
- We considered comparing the trends for Baldur's Gate 3, but the interest around the game has absolutely exploded since its release, leaving even Armored Core 6 to look like a flat line in comparison. Since that would not provide any useful insights, we decided to leave it out.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Fan Reactions
One user expressed his excitement over the game as the series is being revived after over a decade.
A user who is new to the mecha game series (and seemingly, a FromSoftware fan) expresses his interest in Armored Core 6 in his post.
This fan has waited so long for Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon that he might just lose his mind. Understandable.
Another user takes call to other players to stop sleeping on Armored Core 6 amidst all the other games that have been getting a lot of press lately.
One mecha fan here says they cannot wait until they get to replicate a Gundam mobile suit in the game.
Every mention of AC6 seems to be with positivity and excitement. We couldn’t find a single one bad mouthing the game or even approaching it with cautious optimism. The fans are definitely hyped for this one.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Hype Verdict
Although Armored Core 6 seems to be getting overshadowed by other bigger games that have come out so far with the lack of marketing it has in the Western sphere (Baldur’s Gate 3), it is still very much hyped within its community and by fans of FromSoftware alike.
Something that definitely attracts them is the promise of the huge amount of agency players will have over the customization of their mech in the game. And from the looks of things in the demo and gameplay, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon won't disappoint.
For those looking for a new style in combat, a twist in third-person shooters, or even for those who are just into the tinkering and building aspects of a game, Armored Core 6 is definitely worth checking out!
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Trailers
Reveal Trailer
Story Trailer
Gameplay Trailer
Launch Trailer
Armored Core 6 Related Links
Armored Core 6 Review
Armored Core 6 All Hidden Parts and Locations
Armored Core 6 Best Builds
Armored Core 6 Best Weapons and How To Unlock
The Best Armored Core Games to Play Before Fires of Rubicon Comes Out
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Product Information
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| Title | ARMORED CORE VI: FIRES OF RUBICON |
|---|---|
| Release Date | August 25, 2023 |
| Developer | FromSoftware |
| Publisher | Bandai Namco Entertainment JP |
| Supported Platforms | PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One |
| Genre | Action, Adventure |
| Number of Players | Single-player; Multiplayer |
| ESRB Rating | T |
| Official Website | Armored Core 6 Website |
