I tried 'Armored Core VI' and now I'm a believer...

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TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
1:45 - Sponsor
2:45 - Starting the game
5:41 - THE SCALE
6:32 - Difficulty
8:31 - First Boss
11:13 - Customization
14:15 - Graphics
15:40 - Why did they make this?
17:14 - A Misconception...
25:55 - Conclusion
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a mecha-based vehicular combat game developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The first entry in the Armored Core series since Armored Core: Verdict Day (2013), it was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on August 25, 2023. It is the first in the series to be released for Windows. Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon received positive reviews, becoming the highest-rated installment of the franchise to date.
The gameplay in Armored Core VI emphasizes mecha-based vehicular combat. Players in this game take on the role of expert pilots in control of strong mechs known as Armored Cores. The huge flexibility for modification of these mechs with the use of various parts allows players to enhance and sharpen their capabilities.
The option for players to arm their mechs with a range of weaponry is a standout aspect of the game. One on each arm and two on the mech's back are available slots for these weapons. The players' broad arsenals grant users strategic freedom as they participate in combat.
The arena concept from the game's predecessors remains in place and appears through a "combat aptitude evaluation program." Players can put their talents to the test and compete with other players in this mode. The in-game currency, credits, is awarded to players that complete missions successfully. The amount of credits earned is influenced by the objectives achieved during these missions, with potential deductions for incomplete goals.
Armored Core VI did get rid of the debt system from earlier games in the series, which caused players to lose money as tasks fail. This time, players have the ability to attempt missions as many times as they want without caring concerned wasting currency. Without the extra weight of financial consequences, this pushes players to improve their performance and anticipate more.
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#ps5 #gaming #xbox

[@LukeStephensTV]

Check out Apex Gaming PC's here: apexpartner.app/redirect/Luke-Stephens Promo Code: LukeStephens

[@abysswalker3357]

is that a real skull on your pc ? also you can play sekiro at 120 fps but it's a mod but it works flawlessly

[@ajaxslamgoody9736]

That sliding reminds me of 'Vanquish'.

[@cscott3401]

The short missions are there to give the opportunity to earn some money for customization. If every mission is long it makes it feel like an eternity between chances to upgrade.

[@Nexuish]

Totally. If the game feeds you smaller missions, that’s usually a sign that a big mission is right around the corner, so go shopping

[@Tran1193]

Armored Core V and/or Verdict Day actually had this problem. Nearly every mission was a 20 to 30 minute slog fest that it just wore the game down.

[@icebough4191]

EXACTLY

[@lolltaylor]

Also gives you a chance to try out new weapons/builds as well as just practicing gameplay. I like them.

[@Nytraz]

I think it helps ground the universe and the belivability of your purpose as a mercenary. Not every job is going to be a plot driving, set piece extravaganza. Sometimes people just need some shit destroyed, plain and simple.

[@abysskun9518]

The allegations that this game was pretty easy died immediatelly when Sulla showed up, and then Balteus just shows up and wipes the floor with everyone like he's Margit or something

[@glowie5811]

Every fromsoft game goes through the same cycle of criticism. Starting with "looks too easy" and ending with "Game's too hard, give us difficulty options"

[@gobokoboobo4620]

A showcase from a decently good player can make things look far easier than it actually is.

[@r3dr4te963]

Lots of people struggled hard with Tutorial boss. The pro player makes it look easy

[@cyborgchimpy]

Balteus was fuuckked uuup. I was so unlucky that a couple times in a row he'd put up his shield again at 1% health. it made me think it was scripted that way and that shit made me angry as hell. so angry in fact that I just HAD to destroy that POS before I could turn the game off. took me like 10 tries at least

[@_Jack-O_]

​@r3dr4te963 i have never considered myself a pro at fs games but the heli was not hard i beat him on my second try. Baltus tho he is a bit tough took me i would say 12ish tries. You just have to be hyper aggressive against him

[@claymathews8814]

Fun Fact: The Rubicon is a river in Italy that was used as it’s northern border by the Romans. It was illegal for generals to take their armies south of this river, so when Julius Caesar and his legions crossed the Rubicon into Italy it was seen as an act of insurrection, and would result in Caesar becoming ‘dictator for life.’ Today, “crossing the Rubicon” is an expression which means “point of no return.” I don’t think Fromsoft calling the titular planet Rubicon was a coincidence, and is probably foreshadowing of some kind

[@Sevo-]

Being From Soft it definitely wasn't random, everything they do seems intentional and purposeful

[@VictorIV0310]

Primaris Marines:

[@0uttaS1TE]

It works in multiple contexts. The Fires of Ibis is a point of no return in the lore, with the result of it being the loss of Coral. Now, descent upon Rubicon is seen as illegal by the PCA and sacrilegious by the Rubiconians. But it feels like the story is building up to a new point of no return.

[@dukkibhoy1990]

Nah its juice mate 😅

[@kamikaze00007]

I mean, you're a busted up no-name merc who took a suicidal leap into Rubicon after a one chance that you'll make it big and get enough credits to fix your own body. The intro literally tells you to steal a dead pilot's ID so you can work there. It's an act of crossing the Rubicon for your entire life or else all that remains is you die from your physical condition.

[@TJLReacts]

Who would have guessed the trustworthy company that has put out nothing but very good-exceptional over the past 10yrs have another very good-exceptional game

[@hl471]

did you forget about elden ring? shit was garbage 😂😂😂

[@coreyjasper8329]

@@hl471to you maybe I loved elden ring 😂😂

[@izenbice]

Ikr, it's almost like fromsoft actually cares about creativity and constantly growing as a team. They could have just kept pumping out souls after souls sequels but they chose to take risks and experiment, which is the only reason we had BB/ Sekiro and now AC6. Hype to see what they drop next.

[@yurtthesilentgod1225]

​@@kevingarcia6746dark souls 2 is a fantastic game. It's the one that everybody thinks is cool to shit on. Back when it first came out it was the coolest thing ever. Dark souls 3 is uninspired no doubt but still an absolute blast to play.

[@proggz39]

We get it, you don’t like their games. Doesn’t stop them from being great to those that do

[@Frank-kq4te]

People forgot what a game really is nowadays. Not a semi-movie experience that focuses on mocap and fidelity and graphic. I mean a game that focuses on gameplay and purely that.

[@AstonishingRed]

Basically every Fromsoft game

[@bazah23]

True

[@bungalowfeuhler1541]

That’s why I pretty much only play FromSoft games now. Every other game just feels like wasted time. They’re the only ones with an endlessly fun gameplay loop that keeps you playing for nothing more than the pleasure of seeing your skills improve. Especially Bloodborne and Sekiro.

[@joshhobson2340]

And what really is a game ? Are you going to denounce games like RDR2, GoW or Uncharted because they actually tell are coherence stories with realistic cutscenes, graphics and animation ? You are not the gatekeeper for what makes a game a game. It’s ok to say that you prefer some games over others. The simple fact is that the level of games are no longer like what was at your local arcade.

[@hachikuji_mayoi]

@@joshhobson2340 There's definitely a middle ground between interactive movies and arcade games. Something like newer GoW games go too much into the direction of an interactive movie to be enjoyable as a game. Imagine how good those games would be if they just put a bit more focus into the actual level design instead of just making them look pretty.

[@carlkligerman1981]

I actually think it’s rad to see a studio in the enviable position of having virtually a guaranteed success in their recent wheelhouse break the mould and go back to their roots, taking creative and commercial risks and acting with artistic integrity. Thank God for Fromsoft, this studio is a moral example to all the soulless, corporate behemoths who seem to think gamers are cash cows who should be drip fed slop; who are living breathing proof that commercial success is still about making amazing gaming experiences for your customers rather than reskinning tired old franchises and monetising the living shit out of them, and then writing pro forma, insincere apology open letters!

[@Sorain1]

Fromsoft is also wise enough to have 3 things cooking at a time, each with a mostly dedicated team, but some overlapping people. Thus they always have something reaching release state and can put the proper, full development time into each game.

[@Miraken81]

@@Sorain1 you're right. A part of From Software is on the DLC of Elden Ring, a another part is on an unknow projetct and in this case the TEAM lead by the genious Masaru Yamamura have done Armored Core 6. That was the team behind Bloodborne and Sekiro 🙂

[@jameskazd9951]

@@Miraken81 it is rumored that this "unknown project" is going to be a wizrd/magic focused game which sounds like it could be really cool if true

[@lesslighter]

@@jameskazd9951 which wouldnt be a first for From Soft considering Eternal Ring exists....

[@cabbagest]

the fact he made the totally right call of fighting the helicopter up close and personal on first impression really makes me chuckle. cheers.

[@Fazeshyft]

0:25 This is what I am hoping for. Against all hope, a revitalization of the mecha genre is sorely needed and I am here for it.

[@nailinthefashion]

Anthem was my ideal game, they just needed to add strongholds and I would still be happy lmao Mechassault lone wolf was the only other game I've ever been similarly in love with I wonder why they're so uncommon

[@ia3630]

I'd love to see what the main FromSoftware team would do with the BATTLETECH IP

[@Azure9577]

​@@ia3630i introduce you to chromehounds

[@leorasyak7424]

Me too, loved it. Played it non-stop until I finished the campaign. Hoping for a new decent game on the Gundam IP

[@AntiBellum]

Or a new Titanfall game, surely that’ll happen someday 🥺

[@fistybaby9489]

Just as a heads up to people, you want to play this game at least 3 full times. The NG+ modes introduce completely new missions and even AC parts.

[@air1744]

Also new endings, in souls you might not want to deal with other ending with how long the games are. But this game campaign actually short enough that you will want to do a playthrough again. Also each route/ending usually have like 50% of the missions being different so each playthrough will be different experience worth investing your time in (unlike souls where 80%-90% of what you're doing is the same except some mission when trying to get new endings)

[@LostHope84]

What if you get bored out of your mind after one play through? This shit looks so monotonous and repetitive.

[@fistybaby9489]

@@LostHope84 Keep in mind he’s only shown the first couple of missions in the first chapter in the game. I’m in chapter 3, the mission design is very good, you won’t get bored. Also there are WAY more weapons that do a lot of different things.

[@air1744]

@@LostHope84 there's a lot of different build that plays really differently. And the game give you so much money and the ability to resell parts at the same price as you buy them makes it easy to just change your build. For example double chain gun+double cannon heavy tank build will make you play like you're playing a tank game, while reverse joint light melee build will play like you're a ninja jumping around slashing your enemies while they're having a hard time locking into you.

[@fistybaby9489]

@@micshazam842 the first 2

[@CeruleanChurch]

I think From Software put a higher emphasis on performance rather than pure graphics is just to avoid screen slow down. The game is so fast paced with tons of things going on that if there's anything that effects the way the game runs it might as well be a death sentence. I think its certainly a looker, especially with art direction and all the explosions and particle effects.

[@Kinos141]

it has a better art style. There's a difference between graphics and art style. Good graphics doesn't equate to good art style.

[@nickheller1017]

@@Kinos141 Elden Ring really was no different, if you look closely at things you could think you're looking at a PS3 game at best but then you first walk into Liurnia with clear skies or go down the well and it's one of the most beautiful games there is

[@danr154]

this is how ive always viewed From games. Great art. Just mid shadows and lighting and reflections. They dont overuse bloom.

[@nightdrivenen7909]

Artistic style/design > Graphics/pixel count. Always has been. Always will be.

[@randalthevandal4170]

This game has Insane replay value Each different path will have some different missions and a different final boss There are also alternate missions, Parts and minibosses only available in ng+ This game might not be long But it's FILLED WITH REPLAY VALUE

[@He4Fr]

Kind of related, but does it have some sort of arcade/arena mode? Where you can choose a map and just take on waves of mechs, etc?

[@randalthevandal4170]

@@He4Fr Currently there is none

[@phoenixx913]

​@@He4FrIt has PVP where you can do team death matches or 1v1 style matches against other live players as well as a list of NPCS you can fight in the arena which if you beat them give you money for parts as well as I think they're called OTS chips which unlock abilities like terminal armor, assault armor, pulse shield, as well as giving you passive upgrades to weapon damage and such.

[@madisondozier49]

There’s a test range you can use to test out your mech against a few different enemy type where you can enable/disable their ai as well as a 1v1 arena mode against other acs ​@@He4Fr

[@madisondozier49]

@@He4Fralso there’s PvP

[@QPatrickQ]

Glad you changed your mind about this. Turns out fun games don’t need to be next-gen only and don’t need amazing textures and new shiny lights to be fun.

[@lucasvasconcellos3040]

Of course not. It's just that, starting at a certain price range, part of the gaming community expects a little more investment on the visual side of their gaming experience, to make use of the outrageously expensive GPUs we have on our gaming rigs. Need to make our hard earned money count. But I wouldn't consider it a major flaw. Just a missed opportunity. It's not like it's an indie game after all. The graphics aren't terrible, but they're clearly outdated.

[@DoctorWhoBlue]

​@@lucasvasconcellos3040On the other side of the coin, though, you've got people like me with specs that were behind the curve five years ago. The fact I can run this game well (albeit on low settings) is very nice.

[@stiimuli]

But...to me it DOES have amazing textures and shiney lights and fantastic environments and great explosions etc. I think it looks really good. I honestly do not understand the whole "outdated graphics" sentiment at all. What specifically looks outdated to these people?

[@fillerbunnyninjashark271]

Especially once you realize everything is properly scaled. No visual tricks

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

A gentle reminder that this game has a lot of replay value due to the decisions made throughout the campaign, as well as the unlockables of New Game +.

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Yup!@@teabulls

[@Hail_Muninn]

Can confirm I have completed all endings and I loved every minute. Sure playing the same missions over again did kind of suck but I also was able to change builds and test them to see how well they performed on these missions and lemme just say, once you beat the game for the first time and get a lot more of the parts it does get a lot easier it still has its difficult moments but for the most part make it a cake walk.

[@coolestonions990]

​@@Hail_Muninnthat the idea, you replay the game with new part you unlocked, there are hidden part too, and each ng+ unlock new mission too

[@timhjersted]

The short missions also create great pacing. There's a great flow from longer hard boss missions to easy breather missions to mid size ones that vary.

[@fillerbunnyninjashark271]

Some of those "super hard bosses" are still dropped in less than 5 minutes. The longest fucking 5 minutes of my life... and then I'll spend 40 minutes painting my AC

[@anotherfacelessname9270]

Just bought it today; never played Armored Core, never even played a mech game, I only bought it cause FromSoft's yet to let me down, and let me say, this game is fire! I can't believe I've never played an Armored Core game, but damn, have I been missing out!

[@palerider2132]

I played this game for about 2 hours before work. And honestly, I LOVE it. Its so addictive. I'm glad I pre ordered.

[@khailils446]

I’m glad you like the game, but pre ordering is still a terrible idea

[@palerider2132]

@khailils446 Your right, it was kinda impulse lol. I pre ordered it 3hrs before launch.

[@xavierculby]

@@khailils446relax, there’s a refund option

[@ghostoflazlo]

It's not like they will run out of digital copies. You're only sustaining a toxic culture by pre-ordering

[@theworstcatholic7247]

@@khailils446 Perhaps in general but Fromsoft doesn't miss. Exceptions always exist.

[@GriffinTwo]

This game has everything to offer in terms of gameplay and character creation it’s 10/10 for me

[@LostHope84]

😂😂😂

[@GriffinTwo]

@@LostHope84 starfield fanboy triggered 💀 You mofos can’t even enjoy games

[@geroffmilan3328]

​@@GriffinTwothey can't *play* games. Skill issue.

[@jpr96]

100% agree.

[@johnbarber3572]

It could use more parts but this a more simplified AC since it was intended to be a mainstream hit. I can't wait to say a hardcore AC game sequel after this(a la FA or VD) or another Formula Front

[@Boss_Fight_Index_muki]

The weird thing is games have gotten less technical, skill input-wise, and more streamlined over time. AC6 is a throwback to an era of more technical gameplay-based games. Same with Baldur's Gate 3.

[@njmontano1625]

The weirder thing is, AC6 is already a streamlined version of what used to be way more complex and technical in terms of customization and gameplay in previous titles.

[@jaybeam1466]

Japanese developers seem to have a much better grasp on what makes a game fun than any of these mediocre western AAA studios.

[@kosmosXcannon]

Yeah like the Yakuza series

[@irondoomable]

I really like the deadspace remake, metroid prime and dread( latter being made by a spanish dev) and dead island 2 though and they say baulders gate 3 is really good and actually work day one. honestly the problem is either publishers rushing and screwing the game or some devs with too much ambition for there own good. I prefer games by japanese developers but even they have some crap that follows trends ( though at-least they usually work)

[@dmaa88]

Not really, both ends of the spectrum produce great and shit games, most games based on anime are trash, and there have been countless mediocre jrpgs released over the years, and the simple 2000 series games? Those are sure as shit not good games.

[@HellonearthlABB]

none of these japanese studios can compete with western videogames, thing: 😐 Japanese thing: 🤩

[@normanbestboi9117]

Remember Fromsoft isnt worried about diversity or inclusion, but instead, just making good games!

[@Fazeshyft]

Dude, I was worried when I struggled with the helicopter miniboss. So relieved I'm not alone. No shame!

[@Paladin1034]

It took me like 8 tries to get it. I am now quite a bit into the game and kinda used to the way the game works. I went back to try it again and still got rolled 😭 he just hits like a truck and runs away anytime you try to hit him

[@destinsather9757]

I died six times and I have done Level 1 runs on Elden Ring. This game is all about spacing and tactical decisions. The melee is pretty awesome too!

[@Paladin1034]

@@destinsather9757 it is. When you do a dash past an enemy then swoop back and get a perfect melee combo it feels so satisfying. Fighting the big AC during the destroy the transport helis mission was a lot of fun

[@ibysdagon4659]

I have yet to see a first time win against that thing.

[@YouCanCallMeMich]

Wait for Balteus xp, I lost 2 hours over that Ahole :p

[@RamosLuis2550]

the Armored Core series is the kind of game you can't really spoil, as the actual story isn't the important part, the mech combat is the important part, you can play the game a few times and still learn new things

[@imi1667]

He honestly did alot better at his first attempt at the filter than alot of people ive watched

[@mauriciohiure2192]

i love when these long franchises release new games because it always gives me a reason to play through all the other ones and it's a very satisfactory feeling

[@bleedszn]

u gna play all 14?😭

[@mauriciohiure2192]

@@bleedszn shit, i might lol, it's not like they're super long games

[@fillerbunnyninjashark271]

So how many you beat so far? 😆

[@swayzreborn8786]

As soon as the reviews started coming in I took the dive...and lemme tell you Im having a blast...The moment to moment gameplay is super fun...Ill have to see how it is after a couple dozen hours but tbh this might be my favorite game of the year so far

[@Senzuballs]

People who think it’s easy haven’t gotten to the last boss of chapter 1 😅 absolutely loving this game so far

[@Dieselmachine4]

Dude, I've been a fan of Armored Core since the 90's. The first chapter boss is currently slapping my cheeks so hard right now. To be honest, thats just how the armored core games are. They have always been like that.

[@fillerbunnyninjashark271]

Loll, just wait until Ibis

[@josephpiscitelli8053]

Ok I must be the odd one then because I thought balteus was a pushover once I started using pulse weapons

[@Softlol]

@@josephpiscitelli8053I found him easy as well. Never played AC before. I got him at third try, he was also the first enemy that killed me. I have only used kinetic and explosive weapons so far and haven’t had the need to change it up. Gonna try and see if I manage to finish the game without changing from my lightweight build, as its so fun and so high risk high reward build.

[@KurNorock]

I've been playing armored core since the original demo disk and armored core 1 back in 1997. It is my favorite game franchise of all time. I even spent the absolutely ridiculous price for the premium edition that comes with the figurine and the garage. And yes, armored core was always a difficult series of games. Of course a lot of that was the control scheme of the first 3 "generations" that used shoulder buttons to look up and down. That took some real dedication to finally get the hang of. But even once that became second nature, the game was still very challenging.

[@oukeith]

The Armored core games have always been hard AF im glad this one is no different

[@jacksonmccartney2695]

If you’ve played the other armored core games and understand how to customize this can actually be the easiest one

[@jacksonmccartney2695]

At least in the 10-12 hours I’ve played already

[@LostHope84]

Simple minds think difficulty makes a game good. 😂

[@oukeith]

@@LostHope84 quantam tv is that you?

[@sirfijoe450]

@@LostHope84 simple minds are stupid enough to buy a Bethesda game.

[@GothamiteYT]

I’m glad FROM made something besides a Fantasy game. This is a huge refresher

[@chimerakait]

Plus this is an existing IP of theirs that predates Darksouls titles. From Soft is literally returning to their roots after a long break, creating medieval/gothic horror titles. A lot of what Miyazaki learned from starting out in the AC titles he applied to the Souls ones. Now its gone full circle, and people are saying that their will be Souls mechanics in AC. It's kinda funny how fans think.

[@DP12321]

​@@chimerakaitHopefully we get an Otogi 3 at some point.

[@nerad1994]

@@micshazam842Elden Ring is a lot lighter than Dark Souls. More high fantasy than dark fantasy.

[@snimon5824]

​@@micshazam842Cookie and Cream

[@jayquoproductions]

Played every souls game so far. First time playing armored core and I LOVE IT so far. Incredible game that further displays FromSoft’s DOMINANCE in the games market creating the best and most polished experiences consistently

[@alant9517]

I still feel like this game is super cinematic its just through gameplay instead of cut scenes. Idk im super satisfied with the expirence its given me. Its got the"GO FUCKING HAM" VIBE

[@Dylis]

I was a huge fan of mech games back in the day and I used to play Armored Core on my buddies PlayStation because I didn’t have one. It’s literally all I wanted to play back in the day. I picked it up last night and cannot wait to play it even though I’m skeptical with this title being it’s been so, so long since I played a mech game!

[@afroahmed3989]

what i love about this game is the NG+ system they made , you don't just go back to the same missions with your upgrades, you go deeper into the game to unlock a new ending, with more lore different enemies and even new bosses, it's like they gave you the game and the DLCs all in one go

[@kylespratt4419]

Beat the game early day two, now on NG + and i cant stop playing. I haven't felt this good about AC since For Answer.

[@robbieclark1784]

I am loving the scale of this game. I liked games that made things that were impossible and this harkens back to that era which was exemplified by the Xbox 360 and PS3.

[@fillerbunnyninjashark271]

I love the fact everything is properly scaled. They bought AC6 objects into elden ring and they're massive. Everything is properly scaled to the human character too

[@rafsandomierz5313]

The bosses and final boss are pretty difficult so for those wondering about difficulty, the from software will still be doing hard, challenging games.

[@ChubbsMcgoo]

I actually wish this game had an invasion system like the Dark Souls games. It woukd make sense thematically because it would be other players would be hired by rival corporations to stop you on your mission.

[@rufusmorris9160]

You would be surprised how few of this type of genre actually exist. Especially with such smooth controls

[@Zakemaster]

For anyone struggling against the final boss of chapter 1, he’s there for a very important lesson: your build is total crap for fighting him. By that point, you’ve probably got an AC that’s capable of handling a lot of different situations. Maybe decently fast, with missiles, a machine gun, a melee weapon, and probably something else. You’re able to deal with most any situation decently well, but you’re a Jack of All Trades. Balteus is there to prove you can’t always win like that. You need to hit the speed threshold to be able to reliably evade his missiles, so you want to be light and fast. You need weapons that can shred through his shield. You need to be able to capitalize on your opportunities when he’s staggered and maximize your direct hit damage. In effect, you need to build an AC that can counter him. Of course, since he’s at the end of a level that already has a pretty tough mini boss, you actually also need to account for the rest of the level too. Basically, be adjustable and change your builds accordingly. There’s a reason that you can sell parts back for their purchase cost. Experiment. Try new things. Come up with crazy ideas and see if they work. Tuning your AC and delicately balancing weight, energy load, and fitting every inch of firepower you need is half the game here. Enjoy it. Embrace it. That’s what makes AC so unique. You could bang your head against a wall trying to make one AC that’s a hammer to every nail, but that’s ignoring so much of what makes the game fun.

[@spiraljumper74]

This game really brought out the gunpla and miniature painter kid in me. I haven’t touched either of those hobbies in like two decades but I’ve spent hours and hours making custom emblems and decals in this game. I made the crest of my Scottish Clan to rep the homeland, I made my family’s coat of arms, and dozens of bullet holes, plasma burns, paint scrapes, weathered panel edges, just everything you can imagine to give my builds a painstakingly “battled-in,” handcrafted aesthetic.

[@bemboing4338]

Welcome to non-movie games Luke.

[@sator_project]

Fromsoft's M.O. is to deliver high quality niche games. Even they were caught off guard by the mainstream success of Elden Ring. So while AC6 isn't for everyone, if you fall into the niche this game rocks. Nothing else delivers this kind of car customization/3D combat/sci-fi mercenary sim package. And if you just want more Elden Ring, they're still making a DLC.

[@kosmosXcannon]

Hopefully AC6 is successful enough that they consider maybe reviving Tenchu as well. Would be nice to play as a stealth ninja game focusing on assassination. Yeah, I know Sekiro exists but it ain't the same niche.

[@Bulsara777]

This year we saw two niche genres reach into the mainstream, CRPGs and Mech games, what's the next one?

[@lesslighter]

Another Ace Combat?

[@jacobwilliams1356]

I’ve been playing since I was 8 (now 29). Been a fan since. I’m so excited to try out the game

[@Indiana_Jonesy]

THANK YOU! As always amazing videos, but I really appreciate the candor and the transparent approach here. As a "late-to-the-From-party" gamer I didn't have awareness of these series and was hesitant to give it a go - was nice to get a similar perspective thanks!

[@hupkat]

I have been blown away by how ituitive the controls and systems are from the get go. It feels absolute buttery smooth and is simply a blast to play. I am really glad I ended up snagging a ps5 scuff as it has been excellent for this. You also nailed it on the head about the visuals. Videos did not do the game justice(yours actually looks great though) in terms of visual fidelity. In person the games art style, smooth frame rate, and fidelity really comes together in a way that is hard see in most videos.

[@Velarieth]

For a moment, there was a glorious mech on screen that was all ready for a McDonald's sponsorship. The McMech, if you will.

[@thatguyjoe3649]

I never played one of these games before but, its soo fun and i love how incredibly deep the custimization is!!! Fromsoftware has another W on their hands.

[@vercoda9997]

America isn't cut off from the rest of us. If even our small island of Ireland can get plenty of JRPGs and non-traditional western-style AAA fare, there's no reason for Americans not to. I remember playing earlier Armoured Core titles well, well over a decade ago in a small, rural West of Ireland town.

[@kosmosXcannon]

Yeah I don't know why people think JRPGs were small and nonexistent. Yeah, they were nothing like sports games that just simply sold. Pretty sure most gamers have at least heard of Final Fantasy. I think JRPGs were the biggest genre in the PS2 era, I remember selves of them. Mech games were niche but they had a small foothold. I do think mech games kind of died out around the PS3 era. Outside of something like Gundam, Armored Core was probably THE mech game. AC 6 has made me remembering playing S.L.A.I. I know that won't come back because that is a Konami game.

[@4evermilkman]

This game is a breath of fresh air. No open world for open worlds sake. No dumb collectibles to collect for no reason. No microtransactions. No blacked out map to uncover. Challenging but feels rewarding. Grindy for people who like to grind and but doesnt require a heavy grind. Its a masterpiece :)

[@d4arken3ds0ul]

There are collectibles tho 3 types lol One is just lore i think

[@4evermilkman]

@@d4arken3ds0ul yea but it isnt busy work there just to artificially extend playtime, like everything in Diablo 4 is :P

[@d4arken3ds0ul]

@@4evermilkman true I typically like lore collectibles in games personally Im still tryin to find em all lol

[@4evermilkman]

@@d4arken3ds0ul me too, I also especially like Froms lore stuff

[@Softlol]

I just wish the game told me what I missed from each level, as I find it hard to explore when it’s set in this massive scale.

[@ParkerH2020]

I absolutely love the short missions. Especially the one where you go 1 on 1 with another AC

[@machodgdon]

I’m ready to be converted is a wild but appropriate first sentence in this context

[@jonh522]

I feel like I'm gonna show my age on this; I was excited to see this title when it was announced. It reminded me of the first armored core on playstation. I'm not the beat gamer in the world but its nice to see nostalgic games brought back and modernized. One I would love to see brought back and modernized would be tenchu stealth assassins.

[@lolltaylor]

So far I’m having a great time. It’s just as challenging as a souls-Bourne. The first tutorial boss is a great example of that. But also, huge learning curve for me, as I’ve never played and AC game before. Just learning how to manage my movement, targeting, weapons etc is like walking for the first time. I’m loving experimenting with all the weapon types and can’t wait to play more.

[@Sorain1]

One lesson I've been reminded of us "Always be ready to swap weapons." because of regret for not using a shotgun at one point, being stubbornly tied to the assault rifle.

[@dragonandavatarfan8865]

Keep an eye on the legs of ur AC, legs are the most important part in a AC game as it determines how much weight and what weapons ur AC can carry.

[@leorasyak7424]

It's been a really long time since a game has had me as immersed in just the experience it delivers. I finished the game yesterday on a single day, took me the whole day, but damn was it worth it. Amazing game, I'm already half way through the second play, planning to do 3 runs to see all the endings.

[@keyshonwilliams6072]

“I just love it when there’s something massive before you to take in” AYOOOOOO

[@rodmassacre]

Luke, you're a great dude. Just wanted to throw it out there.

[@badger297]

Hey dude, you're a great dude too 👍

[@CaptainEffort]

@@badger297hey dude, you’re a great dude too👍

[@badger297]

@@CaptainEffort thanks dude. You're fucking great too 👍

[@TheRedRaven_]

The amount of low IQ takes I've seen online concerning AC6 is staggering. Glad you're enjoying it Luke, for me it's like a dream come true having this series return and at one of the worst times in gaming history (terrible PC ports, general lack of good games). I think with this out and Starfield coming out soon, we are finally getting back on track to enjoying some quality videogames. But, I will hold my breath for Starfield, it's Bethesda after all.

[@gtx1650max-q]

"staggering"

[@TheRedRaven_]

@@micshazam842 Lol probably, it’s Bethesda after all.

[@JEANPIXBN]

Great vid man, solid honest and down to earth pov/approach

[@ZGamingGuy]

I hate when people try to force studios to make games/do things that fits into their box they made for them. Like people think from soft should only do souls-like games. When you have talented people like from soft or larian, just let them cook. Let their passion drive the next game, instead of trying to force them to make something that they maybe no longer have that passion for, or just no more ideas on. This isn't me saying from soft doesn't like doing souls games or anything, just that it's far preferable to have studios making games for the passion of it, and not ones who make the easily mass market appeal ones to make a better profit on.

[@aclaylambisabirdman6324]

Played the opening Mission last night, total blast from the past, and I am 100% here for it.

[@LostHope84]

All these trash, overhyped games have that in common. These games feel like bad games from the 90s.

[@aclaylambisabirdman6324]

@@LostHope84 I feel sorry for you, you haven't even played it, hu?

[@pievancl5457]

@@LostHope84why are you so mad at this game lol you’ve commented like 50 times. You don’t like a challenge so you’re just trying to get into arguments on KZbin comment section?

[@SolusWhite]

15:50 Man, that question is really selfish... Armored Core fans have been waiting a looong time for a new AC game.

[@anthonyolver6717]

I feel like your boss rush idea sounds like a Soulslike war frame and personally I’d love that

[@Spongedude1441]

I'm stuck at the mission where you get jumped by 4 mechs, 3 of them sniping and disappearing. Any advice?

[@literatedegenerate3800]

A game that is just pure fun, with no bullshit that works flawlessly. This alongside Balders gate 3 marks probably one of the best months gaming has had in a while imo

[@couragethecoward7514]

Yeah. I’m pumped that this game turned out well.

[@audio_dreamscape5236]

I was just typing in Armored Core reviews and then you popped up. Great timing considering I watch nearly all of your content.

[@gamerkingdom1442]

As a fellow newbie of ARMORED CORE, I have to admit, IM LOVING THIS GAME! It really changes the way you play, and it’s amazing! You have to see every mission individually, and forces you to change tactics before every mission.

[@graceggale]

people coming out of the woodworks outing themselves as 16 y/os by saying ac6 has bad graphics...

[@affa5908]

game is unique and extremely fun... its a different feeling from the games ive been playing as of late... challenging as well.. Stuck at Balteus and loving it loll Battles are very fast paced, technical, gotta stay focused in the heated exchanges lolll

[@GreaterLiarbird]

40 hours in and in ng+ workin on those alternative missions and getting more parts. and loving every minute of it.

[@JPW02]

I think it's crazy/a damn shame. That we have got to a point in games, where we expect them to all be similar/the same. We need more variety (something indie games help with). The reason why this game probably feels dated to some, is because it represents a bygone era, when games had some variety. Before it just became about money. From Software did this once, with the souls series. It changed the way alot of people look at/play games. It was something completely different and had the balls to be challenging, in an era of increased hand holding. Now they have brought back one of their older series'. Due to the goodwill they have built up with their previous games, people are now willing to give this series a shot for the first time (myself included). It's exciting and fresh, it may look niche, but that's because we're so conditioned to expect a certain thing. I'm so grateful to from software for trying ballsy things in the AAA space, it's sorely needed. This isn't a bad thing, it's fantastic and I'm here for it.

[@darthrevan2081]

Ive been playing Armored Core for your years in my PS2 days I playted all the way up till 3 I loved it. I put more hours into Armored Cored than most games. Customization was the hook for me.

[@kosmosXcannon]

Yeah, what makes an Armored Core game an Armored Core game is the customization

[@gamingvideos3560]

Im loving this game. Haven't played since armored core 1. Taking my time to buy every part and build multiple mechs 💪🏾. Buy it and enjoy, it's worth every coin

[@krono5el]

My first Mech game was Virtua On in the Arcade back in the 90s, hooked ever since.

[@HiCZoK]

4:20 console version of the games doesn't have "much flatter" lighting. It's the same game. Just 1800p+ 60fps for the most part. You often say this stuff and it's not correct. pc version looks pretty much identical. if not for resolution and 120fps, nobody would be able to tell. let alone in compressed trailers

[@Fazeshyft]

1:08 Don't worry Luke. They may say this, but ACVI is a different beast entirely. This game is really something special. The mecha genre as a whole really can't be fairly compared. Armored Core is its own unique formula. So maybe beyond a rekindling of the mecha genre, I'd be more excited for a new subgenre of "Corelikes" or "AClikes".

[@Paladin1034]

I just keep hoping Bandai will see how good this is and wake up and develop an actually good Gundam game again. Or hell, give From another crack at it. But also I'd be okay with a new genre of corelikes

[@raindrain1]

>AClikes *Angry Ace Combat fan noises*

[@lesslighter]

Daemon X Machina..... is essentially a spiritual successor to the AC (not the AC about planes) formula

[@lesslighter]

@@raindrain1 shhh the fans have an overlap due to their noncredibility

[@dantefrancis8592]

Only thing that’s missing is co-op campaign

[@arguekayes]

For me Armored Core feels like an older game made between late 00’s - early 2010’s. except it’s modernized with better controls and mechanics but with that older gameplay loop.

[@suematsu7254]

Yeah, but on the same time feels fresh because theres no game like this nowaday

[@zuurek6907]

One thing i havent heard you mention or take advantage of is the stagger system. Certain weapons are better than others for building stagger, enemies take bonus damage while they are staggered, the stagger state can be extended with heavy hits, and certain weapons have higher modifiers against staggered targets thus dealing exponentially more damage

[@mrthaimaster]

Maybe he hasn't notice it cus he's casual with the title.

[@zuurek6907]

@@mrthaimaster it's not about being casual. If you don't use stagger you won't beat the game. Plain and simple

[@mrthaimaster]

@@zuurek6907 what I meant was Stephen never invested time in the armored core games so what you know about armored core isn't what he knows so if the stagger system is something from the past titles he wouldn't know just like me who haven't played any of the Core series. Maybe pick this one up seems fun.

[@zuurek6907]

@@mrthaimaster stagger is new and was heavily featured in showcases. It was never in the previous games, not this sort of system anyway

[@mrthaimaster]

@@zuurek6907 ahh cool but I haven't checked the game so much so didn't know about the stagger system so I guess Stephen was in the same boat. But cool none the less. A bit from Sekiro then. Haha I will fail epicily never found the rythm in Sekiro so never finished it. So Armored Core will be a beast if I buy it.

[@leonlai8270]

Omg I beat Balteus after 4 hours of challenging .... It is harder than most souls bosses ..

[@Aki_Saki]

Can’t wait until he gets to some of the harder fights later on in the game (Laughs in some of the bosses in chapter 3,4,5)

[@Sorain1]

Based on what I've seen, the two big walls for people (early on) are the helicopter, and then Baltaeus. Though I hear there's this 'sea spider' upcoming that is going to be something to see.

[@Burningphynix]

Balteus, cleaner, sea spider, and the PCA cooked me far more than any of the final bosses.

[@akumaouja4062]

Not bad, Raven. Loving the energy. Good first attempt at the filtercopter by the way, most people don't get that close.

[@yoyoprofessorxavier]

Woo glad to hear you like the game. I was not a western player at all and I tried dark souls and elden and the games are really good too. I hope that every player can be open minded to try so many good games out there like this one. Welcome to the ranks Raven!

[@felipecorpuz2476]

It's a pretty fun and challenging game

[@IdentifiantE.S]

Thanks FromSoftware !

[@adamkondracki3201]

It might've been 8th grade or going into freshman yr h.s. (late 30s now I'm getting old lol) but i remember buying a game called steel battalion for xbox . And it came with this $200 cockpit controller 😂 It was no jk bro. This thing had light up buttons. Fully labeled with sound. It was the width of 2 keyboards side by side . And we hooked it up to my projector i had in my bedroom. (Worked av in h.s. and it just needed a new light 💡 But the teacher in charge of the dept. Ironically, it was not tech savy, so it ended up getting tossed out. I knew the day garbage day, and grabbed it from the dumpster. Bought a new bulb, which honestly wasn't cheap for the time. ) but the end result was playing a mech game with this fully interactive cockpit controller with the view of my mech inside the cockpit being the size of my bedroom wall 😂😂 I really was the Ferris Bueller of my school. Awesome game. Even better memories ❤ Can't see a mech game and not remember that. But look it up. The controller. Dude it was freaking sweet. 👍

[@KeepitABuck50]

The sea spider had me on tilt but eventually i got it. What you realize pretty early on is you need to buy alot of shit and change your build up at the boss if you die

[@c.m.davidson3105]

In almost every map you'll still find equipment pick ups littered around the map in containers or trucks

[@ouaueaioh]

It is only me? Luke is the only reviewer that mentioned the customization is not sold as DLC, packs, etc. If this game was made by EA or Ubisoft, it would be a micro transaction buffet!

[@AusSP]

I'm sure I saw another reviewer mention it.

[@ilikethenight9732]

Great so far, fromsoft have unmatched atmosphere

[@stormdivision617]

So I never played AC before and I got AC VI on release because I was simply trusting FromSoft to just make a good game. Gotta say first 3 or so hours in I wasnt too sure. It was fun but nothing too crazy. But boy when you rack up your money and finally have enough to just try out different parts and waste literally hours in the garage simple going into AC test, trying stuff out and then come up with some crazy tank build that absolutly demolishes single targets or some crazy lightweight build that can just zoop around and take on multiple target easily its crazy fun. Its insane how much fun trying stuff out is and designing your mech to really make it feel like 'your' mech. And the music in the chapter I boss fight *chefs kiss*

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

I think the main difficulty increase in this game versus dark souls or elden ring is that the dodge doesn't get I frames, NOTHING does, and there's LOTS of projectiles in this game, forcing you to be a lot more nimble and active in order to take minimal enough damage to succeed.

[@chasebergeron6003]

Love reading the steam reviews of people getting filtered and blaming the game… not themselves lol

[@solonocphoenix]

You're absolutely right about Sekiro; it's a real challenge. Surprisingly, I personally find Elden Ring and the other Souls games easier in comparison!

[@Peter_ParkedCar]

Not surprising at all. Sekiro is a different kind of beast

[@izenbice]

Sekiro is goated, hoping they make a sequel or a new game w the same combat system

[@FBA-Ninja]

there were whole hardware setups like for racing games dedicated to this series..it use to be some real hard core players on this shit

[@IRUKANJI]

I think where the PS3 thing came up from was actually from one of the play-test live events where they played an earlier PS4 pre-alpha build that had some untextured models for some of the game assets.

[@AzariahWolf]

I think it's actually genius that FromSoft clearly limited the ad buy for AC. It's a niche title, so it doesn't make sense to be as aggressive as they were for Elden Ring. That said, they knew that they have a great community that will pass the word along that AC is also worth a buy. That's not calling out creators for being sellouts or FromSoft for presuming; it's honestly a credit to From that they've cultivated a dedicated online community, and a credit to the community that they're generally honest with their thoughts. Here's hoping that AC sees great success!

[@TheBadasssnoopy]

Wasn't into it (figured I wouldn't even buy it), but this video got me intrigued, I bought and will try it today, worse case scenario I will refund it.

[@TOHOREMIX]

Thoughts?

[@TheBadasssnoopy]

@@TOHOREMIX Thought it was... "fine" it has its charm, but it isn't for me. To be fair though, I was never big on FromSoft games, I don't hat them, but they are not the kind of stuff I usually play, so I might just not be the target audience for this.

[@jjjank7426]

I like this room. Good stuff. subbed.

[@Meskuzze420]

As a fellow war hammer fan. I made a Tau battlesuit last night. So fun to be able to roll play craft mechs