Armored Core VI is the easiest FromSoftware game I've ever played: like Conquest of Rubicon

 Don't let the internet scare you: Armored Core VI isn't all that difficult

Armored Core VI is the easiest FromSoftware game I've ever played: like Conquest of Rubicon

FromSoftware has firmly established itself as my favorite game studio in the industry. Over the years, they've consistently delivered high-quality titles, from Demon’s Souls in 2009 to Elden Ring in 2022, showcasing a level of consistency rarely seen in the gaming world. During the recent The Game Awards showcase, we were treated to our first glimpse of Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon.

The decision to label this game with a “VI” in the title, after nearly a decade since the last entry, was a bold move. However, the reasons for this choice are becoming increasingly evident: FromSoftware has evolved significantly since Demon’s Souls, the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne, Sekiro, and Elden Ring, and Armored Core VI stands as a testament to their innovation.

Yet, despite the differences between Armored Core VI and their previous titles, one commonality is the perception of difficulty among players. Many believe Armored Core VI to be the toughest FromSoftware game to date, but I couldn't disagree more. My experience with this game has been surprisingly manageable, and I suspect that the perception of extreme difficulty arises from a lack of understanding about how to approach it.

Embracing a Shift in Perspective

It's been quite some time since FromSoftware changed its formula. It's easy to forget that Sekiro was once regarded as the studio's most challenging game. However, if we recall our initial experiences with Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or Demon's Souls, we can acknowledge that the first playthroughs were filled with frustration and struggle. As we became more familiar with the intricacies of these games, they no longer seemed as difficult, prompting the company to continually raise the difficulty bar.

Elden Ring featured some of the most formidable foes ever crafted by FromSoftware, with Malenia standing out as a formidable challenge. I personally consider her one of the top eight toughest bosses I've faced in my gaming career. Defeating her took around 100 attempts over four grueling hours.

Because we've become accustomed to the traditional Soulsborne formula, many players are approaching Balteus, the notorious boss of Chapter 1 in Armored Core VI, with the same tactics—repeatedly trying, learning dodge patterns, mastering the arena layout, and aiming to " get good.” However, the truth is that I wouldn't rank a single boss in Armored Core VI among the top 100 most challenging bosses I've encountered, and none of them come close to the top 10 in FromSoftware's history.

This isn't because I possess extraordinary gaming skills. My mech piloting abilities are, at best, mediocre. Instead, I recognized that Armored Core VI demanded something different: creativity.

Achieving Mastery Through Mech Assembly

The key to overcoming the difficulty of Armored Core VI is engaging with mech assembly and unleashing your creativity. Throughout my first playthrough, I constructed seven radically different mechs and piloted each one through various parts of the game. My initial machine was equipped with two MA-J-200 RANSETSU-RF burst rifles in its arms and two VP-60LCS laser cannons on its back. On my first attempt against Balteus, I managed to bring the boss down to a sliver of health and eventually defeated it on my third try.

Excitedly sharing my success with friends, I realized they were struggling. One of them, in particular, spent two hours before finally defeating the boss but decided the game wasn't enjoyable and dropped it. Was this due to differences in skill levels? Not at all, as this friend excelled at Soulsborne games. It was simply fortunate that I had a build perfectly suited to exploit Balteus' weaknesses.

I showed this friend a video of my playstyle with that specific build, and they managed to defeat Balteus on their first try using it. This revelation made them realize that the essence of the game lies in adapting and optimizing your build and play style until they synchronize. It wasn't that they were bad at the game; it was about understanding the machine itself that gave them the confidence to persevere.

To further emphasize that skill wasn't the sole factor, this same friend defeated the Chapter 2 boss on their first attempt, while I faced it eight times and failed. It wasn't until I reconfigured my build, creating a machine I named "DOOM SLAYER" with double shotguns and two grenade launchers, that I managed to defeat it on my second attempt.

Optimizing your mech goes beyond randomly assigning parts and hoping for the best. You must invest time in testing it in combat and, if you feel it lacks in certain aspects, return to the assembly process and consider improvements. Many times, I enthusiastically assembled an Armored Core, sent it into battle, and realized it was ineffective. Instead of giving up or persisting mindlessly, I persevered until I found a combination of parts that made it unstoppable.

For instance, one of my machines, nicknamed "CTNCNDY" for its pastel pink and baby blue color scheme, initially struggled to hit fast-moving opponents when firing slow-moving lasers and explosives. I made it lightweight, swapped out its aiming module for one suited for close-range combat, and installed reverse-joint legs for quick, grasshopper-like leaps to chase down airborne foes. Coupled with a powerful booster for evasive maneuvers, I transformed what was once a mess into a personal favorite.

In conclusion

Any "skill issues" you encounter while playing Armored Core VI are not a reflection of your gaming abilities. They are a reminder to reevaluate every aspect of your mech, from weapons and aiming modules to boosters, armor, and generators. Different configurations affect your health, flight duration, dodging speed, agility, and the types of damage you can deal, all of which can significantly impact boss fights.

When you find yourself stuck on a boss and feel the frustration of mounting, remember your first time playing a Soulsborne game. You had to learn patience, the right moments to strike, when to dodge, the significance of each stat, and the fundamental mechanics of the game.

FromSoftware has once again changed the rules and is guiding us toward a new way of engaging with their latest game. To succeed, you must adapt and embrace this shift in perspective. While some on the internet may mock you with phrases like “you've been filtered” or “skill issue,” don't be disheartened. The game isn't impossibly difficult; it simply requires you to believe in yourself and embrace this change.