FromSoftware’s long-running Armored Core series made its highly anticipated return with Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon last year. Thanks to its thrilling gameplay, the mecha-action title quickly became one of FromSoftware’s most successful games.
Owing to the studio’s success in the Soulsborne genre, fans initially assumed that the newest Armored Core entry would be inspired by its action-RPGs of yore, but an IGN interview with director Masaru Yamamura reveals that the notion is only partly true.
Armored Core 6 Has A Common “Essence” With Sekiro
While the series traditionally had gameplay that strays far from the likes of Dark Souls and Elden Ring, Yamamura revealed a surprising source of inspiration for Armored Core 6 – FromSoftware’s 2019 masterpiece, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Yamamura, who previously served as lead designer on Sekiro, acknowledged in an IGN interview that Armored Core 6 doesn’t feature direct gameplay elements lifted from the samurai action-adventure game:
There are no elements directly referring to Sekiro, but I feel both titles share the same essence of battle such as aggressive, speed change and action-oriented fighting.
The emphasis on a shared “essence of battle” between the two titles in interesting, however, as both games prioritize aggressive, fast-paced combat that rewards proactive tactics. This focus on constant and strategic offense is a significant departure from the more measured approach sometimes seen in Armored Core‘s past entries.
Yamamura Reveals Which Sekiro Mechanic Made It Into AC6
According to Yamamura, one key element in Armored Core 6 that’s inspired by Sekiro is the introduction of a posture break system. The director explained:
For this title, by continuing to attack even the strongest enemy, the force of impact can break the enemy’s posture and inflict a large amount of damage – a critical hit.
The combination of fast and slow-paced attacks, along with long-range and close-quarter combat options, creates a dynamic and intense experience during fights. Yamamura especially underscored the goal of creating mech battles unlike anything seen before in the Armored Core series.
Players have to master a variety of offensive and defensive maneuvers, constantly adapting their tactics to exploit enemy mech weaknesses and create opportunities for critical hits. The heightened aggression and emphasis on more violent combat makes for a fresh and exhilarating experience for both veteran Armored Core players and newcomers to the series.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon was a bold evolution for the franchise, and one that paid off. It’s also no surprise that its vicious combat drew inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, one of the greatest games FromSoftware has ever made.
Fans are unquestionably clamoring for more Armored Core goodness in the future, and with Hidetaka Miyazaki’s confirmation of the studio continuing the franchise, it’s most likely going to see a big resurgence in the coming years.
