Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon: PS5 Review

Developed by From Software Inc
Published by Bandai Namco
Platform: PS5

If you ever wanted to play a proper Transformers game that doubled with the mechanics of mech-based combat and the overblown visual stylings of Michael Bay's earlier outings, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is the game for you.

And bizarrely, in this case, that is no bad thing.

Set in a future where humanity's nearly wiped itself out, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon concentrates you into the world of the mechs, and transposes you right into the middle of omni directional combat - and is all the better for it.

As corporations fight over the existence of a substance called Coral and deploy mechs to capture it, it's up to you to shoot and blast your way through the chaos and survive over five chapters. It's deceptively simple storytelling, but in its combat and its execution, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is very familiar customisable fun that's also incredibly playable and enjoyable.

With the ability to upgrade mechs and bring on new weapons, the emphasis is distinctly on the mission front, as you shoot, capture and head back home to upgrade and build up for your next objective.

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon may be a little lacking on the narrative front, with most of the story confined to either mission briefings or comments during your control of the mech in the game, but From Software have not skimped on what really matters - blasting, racing about, leaping into the air and being targeted from all angles.

With weapons that consist of the likes of assault rifles, shotguns, missile launchers, swords, laser rifles, and stun needles, there's more than enough here to satiate the combat-crazed players, but also enough to offer alternatives to play as well.

Ultimately, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon does what it needs to and does it well - its combat is fluid, explosive and impressive - and as a player, sometimes that's all you want.