Great to see the classic couch chat back! Really enjoying AC6 myself. Because most of the missions are pretty bite sized, It's sort of become my go to when I'm looking to 20-30 minutes or so. Also getting a lot of milage out of going back and trying to S-rank all the missions.
If you're a director in a game development company and you want to pander to Outside Xtra, make a game in which you play a cat with a giant cat-shaped battle mech.
As someone who has been talking at people about Armored Core since 1997, I approve of this message. Though I will say the story details get interesting as you progress, particularly in the second and third endings. Also many more parts and arena battles to unlock in those playthroughs.
It doesn't feel like a souls game. It feels like a From Software game. And that feeling is just....good. Can't really put it into words but From Soft has always been just making this consistent "Good" feeling in their games.
No one seems to be answering the one thing I actually care about: Is it full of the same sadistic, mean spirited, anti fun design that from soft is famous for or is it fun?
@joeschmo3844 if your current impression of fromsoft games is the former, then this game will not convince you otherwise. Though, I must say, I don't really understand the people who seem to be waiting for from to release a game with a completely different design ethos. It's never going to happen.
@@paultapping9510 Why won’t it happen? They’ve changed their design ethos before. Armored Core 1&2 weren’t the easiest games around, but they never felt unfair. Then they changed and started making games that feel very unfair. Example: death traps that cannot be avoided unless you already know they are there (because it killed you once already). When you finally get back to where the trap is and avoid it, it comes back in an impossible to predict way and kills you anyway. It’s like playing D&D with a DM who is actively trying to kill your character (not just role playing the bad guys wanting to kill you, but designing entire events just to kill you). You succeed on a dex save to avoid being hit by a trap, so the DM says “well, then the trap breaks loose and comes back at you in a way it’s not designed to, roll another dex save at disadvantage”. That’s all I was ever worried about with this, that they would not go back to the design ethos they historically used for this series, which they did not. In a sense, AC6 is a perfect example of FromSoft making a game with a totally different design ethos, different from the established design ethos of Armored Core.
@@joeschmo3844 Well compared to Dark Souls and even previous Armored Core titles, this game is far less punishing of fun-having You can sell parts at the same price you buy them, checkpoints let you start a level from halfway in or at the bossfight if there is one, and you can even change your build at these checkpoints Not to mention the introduction of Vertical Catapults so that builds that can't fly high enough aren't locked out of certain missions
@@biggierocc1935 buying and selling prices being the same actually goes back to the original Armored Core on PS1. Glad to hear that hasn’t changed. Checkpoints are a nice addition, mixed feelings about changing build mid mission, but I can just choose not to do that. I like having to balance between built to fight the boss and built to do the rest of the mission (though from the sound of it that build is just 2x Songbirds and 2x Gatling guns 😂)
I played AC6, as a break from Baldurs Gate. Starfield was still on the shelf. AC6 was just so smooth, I am no mech lover but I became one. The controls are so good, you actually feel like you are in control of a multi weaponed mech. I returned to Baldurs Gate, which I still enjoy but that feeling of smooth control of a game is still something that makes me wants to return to AC6 again, again and again.
That's the secret sauce of the game imo. It's the kind of game that seeps into your mind and has you thinking about it every time you're not playing it. I'm constantly thinking of new ACs I wanna cobble together the next time I get a chance to play, be it just to try some new weapons or to make some cosplay builds. It's like mecha crack.
Honestly I shelved Baldur’s gate to AC6. Finally 100% AC6 and now I’m kinda having a hard time imagining myself going back to play a slow paced RPG. And I’m the person who had multiple playthroughs of Divinity Original Sin2.
I finished the game today with the "Liberator of Rubicon" ending and i absolutely loved it. Amazing gameplay and atmosphere all around. HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!
I didn't even realize there were choices until the very end, and I was like "wait, there's multiple endings?" This game didn't need all that. Just give me more stuff to blow up.
Multiple endings. I went for Fires of Raven as my first ending and am on my second run now. They've always had multiple endings with their AC games. You've got more choices to make and new missions. A 3rd run is necessary to unlock all 3 endings. There are also some Arena matches that are only the 3rd run when you go for the Alea Iacta Est ending.
Very glad you guys covered this! The release window's pretty much done at this point so I was worried the only OX content we got for it was the livestream (which was a blast). Would love to see more, maybe a tour of some of Luke's favorite ACs?
Love this game! It was my first AC game, and I was so into it that I binged it for all 3 endings. I actually became quite invested in the story, and would love to have it expanded on. I know it's typical for Fromsoft, but sometimes the characters were a little TOO cryptic. It's definitely easier than other Fromsoft games. I got stuck on two bosses, but got them after looking up builds. Those bosses became easier in NG+ and NG++ too, since I had unlocked new attachments that better dealt with them. I'm hungering for AC 7 or some DLC content already.
Great video, always entertaining. One key aspect I love about AC6 aside from everything you've said is that you can store the different builds you've created and switch them 'on the fly' at the checkpoints or mission to mission. Games like Remnant 2 or in fact any game that has the potential for many different builds could do with this feature - sooo good. As to the plot - apparently it's like Nier where you need to finish the game 3 times to actually unfold the plot - I haven't got anywhere near that but it is, according to a lot of folks, one of the best narratives of a From Software game...........
Yes, I'm on my second run and you get new options and missions, particularly with some choices. The only one that affects the first 2 endings is the Chapter 5 decision about who to fight. NG++ you have to make a different decision right in chapter 1 with the Strider and if you don't take the new decision then you won't unlock Alea Iacta Est no matter what other choices you make.
To be honest the NG++ ending is the one I find the least interesting of the endings-but it’s well worth doing anyway because it has a lot of extra content in a game that’s already super replayable
It's a lightweight build for me, but with a laser handgun, a plasma rifle (the 202k credit one), a vertical missile launcher (not the biggest one unless I need it), and a plasma missile launcher (not one of the flat looking ones, the one that's more vertical and does more damage). I breezed through nearly all the Arena fights with it, and I rarely need to change it even for most missions. I've tried tetrapod legs and tank treads and I really can't stand either type at all. I can handle bipedal legs when I need heavier weaponry, but I stick with the Kasuar reverse joint legs as often as I can.
There's actually quite a bit of story, weapon manufacturers invade planets draining them of natural resources, an interplanetary police force, and the casualties of this war between war profiteers. I felt kinda bad the first playthrough because I missed it and aligned with the wrong side. Fires of raven is a pretty cool ending title though.
8:06 I played that stealth mission last night, and I thought it was hilarious! My go involved me flying over the heads of the enemies I’m avoiding, standing right beside them, knocking over trees, and if an enemy spots me, blasting it with a plasma rifle that fires white-purple beams that explode into an explosion of electricity.
So much content in this one, I love it. Ng+ and ng++ and their new content and story changes are sublime. I love it so much, it’s a must play, everyone!!
It’s not just the idiom or cliché “feels good in the hand”. It’s also “game-feel” which people used to say. Based on this discussion and many other reviews and discussions I’ve watched, listened to and read, Armored Core 6 has some of the best game-feel in recent years. Needless to say, it’s high at the top of my shopping wishlist right next to Boulder’s Gate 3, of which almost everyone who plays it says it has some of the best choice and consequence in recent years, maybe ever! 🤙🏼
This is the intangible thing about Armored Core VI that is so hard to convey in videos. I am no mech fan by any means, and honestly I was not too impressed by gameplay previews of this game. I just bought it because I already finished Baldur's Gate 3 and was not interested with Starfield. But man, this game exceeded my expectations. The game feels so good on the hands. The controls are very intuitive, buttery smooth and it makes you feel so cool and bad-ass. I seriously think that the best way to market this game is to put out a demo. Because the "game-feel" simply can't be captured by videos and needs to be experienced.
@@HollowKnight21 You can tell FromSoft build their games from the ground up. They start with mechanics, making the game feel good to play, each movement is important in some way. Once they have a good ground they can do anything and it would be a 'good game', but they exceed expectations by adding awesome bosses, interesting level design, cool characters with great lines and voice actors.. and a deep story to seal it all off. They don't try and 'reinvent the wheel' when it comes to games. I haven't played BG3 but it seems they've had a very similar approach. Other dev/companies seem to start with a gimmick idea and work off of that. I'll just use Starfield as an example cause it's currently relevant - Idea: "Fallout in Space, custom spaceships, base, loads of planets." Then: "Oh yeah we forgot about the combat, dialogue, story, RPG elements.. well we'll just copy paste some sh*t from Fallout, people liked that right?"
I am actually in the process of S ranking every mission after getting every ending, I have 18 left atm. Armored Core may be my new favorite from software game
In an anime named 'Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin', There is a scene when one particular character(The main antagonist), riding a robot, and charging into a literal fleet of enemies, shouting 'Kneel to me, God!!!' and completely wrecking the said fleet all by himself. This game makes you feel that way, and you look so DOPE doing it.
2:33 I related so much there. Hard to explain how Fromsoft games just "feels so good, you know? You know? You know right??". Luke did a much better job here than me babbling to my friends about how these games... just feels so good.
I'm addicted to AC6 in a way that I haven't been addicted to a game in a long time now. Much as I love Bloodborne and DS3, with Bloodborne being what really got me into FromSoftware games, I still had to take breaks from those games even after just an hour or so of playing. Not so with AC6. I can play and play and play and not realize how long I've been doing missions. Movement and combat is the best feeling thing ever for me. It took me a bit to learn to hold my controller with a finger on each bumper and trigger rather than using just an index finger for both, but now that's second nature and I've started holding my controller that way for other games. I get what Luke is saying about how AC6 feels so damn good to play. Bloodborne is the next best one that feels the best to play. DS3 is 3rd and it only felt good once I started using the Hollowslayer Greatsword. Elden Ring is very much still hit or miss for me. Something about AC6 makes it feel so much better and fun though. I do go back and watch my capture of certain fights and moments. I'd never played an Armored Core game before this one and I couldn't be happier about an uncertain purchase. I'd never played one before and I'm still in disbelief that people were rage-quitting over that heli in the tutorial. Like, it wasn't that hard. Balteus took me just 3 attempts and that was before the patch. That Sea Spider was rough for me and that was also pre-patch. I think Cel-240 was the only one I fought after the patch adjusted things and nerfed her a bit. Given how much trouble she gave me I can see why they nerfed her. I did not expect that fight to go that way...thanks for still surprising me, FromSoftware. AC6 is only as difficult as you make it. You have to find the build that works for you and the fight. I struggled hard against Cel-240 until it clicked that I really couldn't use any of preferred energy weapons against her. Had to go full kinetic and explosive and use a bipedal build for the weight. I struggled hard against Ayre and tried numerous builds. I finally actually won with my tried and true preferred build with minor adjustments. Kasuar reverse joint legs, pulse gun, and whatever else. The weapons bay is wonderful for letting me carry more than one hand weapon, which is needed for some fights. Right now I'm fighting against Iguazu and Volta at the dam since I'm on my 2nd run and opted to take the RLF offer. It's so difficult, particularly with Volta and his goddamn stunlocking Songbirds. I'm seriously considering tetrapod legs to stay up high and I really don't like tetrapod legs or tank treads. The tetrapod legs are so slow for me, and I ran into issues with the tank treads as well. Oh, the Spring Chicken heavy reverse joints are pretty nice though. My build is high energy and very fast. It's basically a glass cannon since my AP stays around 8440 or so. Kasuar reverse joint legs for speed and those legs majorly limit which generator I can carry along with my preferred weapons. A similar lightweight head. The Nachtreiher arms for better firearm specialization. Orbiter core or similar. Good boosters. That Aorta coral generator (love that thing) or similar. Laser handgun in the right hand. Plasma rifle (the 202K one) in the left hand. Plasma missiles on the left shoulder (the good ones, again). Dual missile launcher on the right shoulder. Absolutely melts ACs in the Arena for sure. The Arena is the one area where they could really up the difficulty. I melted Freud in 35 seconds and he's the final fight of the first S ranks. I'll get new Arena fights in NG+, but I'm pretty confident in my build. Oh, try not to use the hard lockon except for when you have to. I use it only for boss fights. The hard lockon noticeably decreases the accuracy of your hits. The reticle follows much slower than when just in soft lock. I'm relieved that Luke says at the start that it could not be more different from a Souls game. I'm so happy it's different. I burned out hard on Elden Ring and I was even a bit tired of DS3 by the end of the DLCs (good god do I dislike both of those DLCs). There are some biological enemies in one mission and that's it. Ayre might change your mind about sentience and all, but that's to do with the Coral. Do know that there are multiple endings and you can't start a new game. It completely wipes your old game from the system if you do that. Some missions only are available in NG+ and NG++. NG++ has some major changes and you have to take the new options for the 3rd ending. There's still some misinformation out there about the missions. Only the decision in Chapter 5 about Intercepting the Corporate Forces or Eliminate "Cinder" Carla matters for either of the first 2 endings. In NG++ if you've done things right there will be a 3rd option at the point that you must take to access the Alea Iacta Est ending. It certainly does have a plot and it unfolds gradually. Ayre is a big part of that. The Fires of Raven ending is considered the bad ending (you know, genocide and all), but it also makes sense given that Carla and Walter do not know that Coral is sentient. I'm going for Liberator of Rubicon as my 2nd ending and I'm really dreading the final boss fight of that run, because it's really going hurt to do.
Lol I love this guys says, it just feels so good lol, that’s why I have held out hope and waited so long for another armored core. When you hit a blade after a missile or landing a grenade, or overboost into a blade attack… it just feels like silky perfection. I’ve watched so many reviews now for this game and I’m glad to see soo many people sharing the armored core joy I felt as a kid/teenager
But all the comments here are about how Souls Like it is. Everything I’ve seen (except for the opinions expressed only by Luke that it is not Souls like) tells me that, as a fan of the old ones I will not like this one. The messaging is so mixed and so confusing I can only imagine that it is a result of trying to market the game to both the old school fans that want AC and also the masochists that want Mech Souls. But from the sound of it the Soulsness has infected every aspect of the game no matter how hard OXTRA tries to lie about it.
@@joeschmo3844 Maybe try playing the game before jumping to conclusions from comments on the internet? The only thing soulslike about this game is big bosses and an (optional) hard lock. People will be trying to say that a HP bar is a 'soulslike' feature next. It's ironic too, since Armored Core came before souls. If anything Souls is AC like.
@@sameerdodger I would love to play the game to make up my mind, but there are no demos and I’m not paying full price just to find out whether or not it’s worth spending my already limited money and free time on.
After putting 500 hours into elden ring i'd never thought I'd say this but... I wouldn't mind if they sacked off shadow of the erdtree and focused on AC6 updates. Gimme more weapons, gimme more frames, gimme more engines, gimme more arena fights! Hook it to my veins! You say the plots not important... wait till you get to that third playthrough and it all comes full circle in a way fromsoft excel at.
They probably won't do that. They never have before with the other games. What I hope they'll do is release a connected sequel like they've done for nearly all the previous AC games, such as AC4 and AC4: For Answer, and so on. I went for Fires of Raven as my first ending and am now on my Liberator of Rubicon run. I can't wait for my 3rd run to do all the Alea Iacta Est required stuff.
I just 100% AC6 and I’ve never played an AC game before. It’s so much fun and it’s a whole complete game. Really love the mech customization and I like how the game lets you replay levels from the start.
I'm on my 2nd run now and I've never played an AC game before either. I absolutely adore this game. It's so much fun. I usually play games for only about an hour or so at a time. I can get lost in AC6 for hours without realizing it and no other game has done that for me. Not even Bloodborne and that's the game that got me into FromSoftware games. I hope Luke pays attention to the plot and what's going on. I went for Fires of Raven on my first run and it was heartbreaking, but I think the Liberator of Rubicon ending is going to actually hurt me worse, because I really don't want to fight Carla outside of the Arena and I really, really don't want to fight Walter as the final boss. Ayre was hard enough. Alea Iacta Est for NG++ is the ending I'm most excited for though.
As a big fan of the original Armored Core, from what I understand about 6 you still haven’t played an AC game before. I’m not trying to tell you not to have fun playing Mech Souls, but it’s not AC
You gotta play ALL 3 endings to understand what is happening in the story. Just like the other From games. The plot isn't that unimportant, people just keep skipping/not paying attention. Oh and collect the Battlelogs for the rest of the Lore, AKA You have to read something too.
"I melt it with my Gatling gun" as a line you say while playing a tabletop RPG reminds me of our time playing Deathwatch in uni. Turns out "I melt it with my Heavy Bolter" is a good solution to whatever monster of the week is showing up this time. That thing was busted good, but very very fun. :)
Finished the game within release week, took a little break and now I'm back at it again trying to S rank everything, which is proving to be... Surprisingly possible... Even for someone like me who usually sucks at games, let alone Fromsoft games. I think something just clicked with this game. It's the perfect pace, the perfect aesthetic and the perfect feel, everything feels in sync and I can just evicerate enemies and relax. With open-world games I either get overwhelmed, dive in too deep and eventually burn out or some other mix of those issues occurs, but with a mission-based game I can dive in whenever, and I know it'll always be there waiting for me. I'm up to s-ranking the infiltrating grid (68? (I forgor)) sortie right now and I'm beginning to think this is one of the 1 in 1000 games I can 100%, let alone the facts that it's both a Fromsoft game and an AC game, aka the perfect for me and the game I've wanted since my childhood. Thank you Fromosft, please, keep doing this. It's the perfect cleanser for my soul in a way Elden Ring could never be. ...I need a PC so I can play 4A now... Dangit. :D
Armored Core 6 is that game that someone can pick up for a couple hours and just get lost enjoying a short mission here and there. It's a reminder that there is a whole world, there's lore, there's a story... But also, there's explosions and swooshing around, and fast paced fights, and chaos... It's that feeling, once you get past the "barrier", of "huh...I could actually enjoy this..."
I hadn't played AC since the demo disk days at Walmart in the 90's, staring straight up, nearly breaking my neck to get a view of these cool mechs. Now, nearly 25 years later, I finally get an honest to god view of the new AC6 and it has become one of my favorite games. Its so satisfying. FromSoftware is absolutely killing it right now.
It was a honestly more souls like to attract the outsiders and new interest in the game. Been playing since the first game and all my friends tried it out and knew I played it so I passed around my copies of previous entries. Needless to say they all found previous entries like Armored Core 4 Answer were WAAAAY faster and different than Armored Core 6. They all even asked "wHeRes tHe StaGGeR gUage?" Well there isn't one. I really hope that in the next expansions or next entry they get back to the spirit of what separated Armored Core once they grab enough casual outsiders.
I'm commenting far too late for Luke to see, but I think everything he said here was 100% correct and I haven't even played AC6 yet; but I played all the others and loved them. I also can't remember a single story beat from a single one. It doesn't matter. You just need a framing device. For me the one game that used to "just feel good" was Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space. I felt like I was 1 with the mech in that game.
I really must agree, first game in a while that has clicked with me, played a tiny bit of the old ones, but to confirm your point about it feeling good, there are some fights I got stuck on a while but Im like “I would be frustrated if it wasnt so satisfying, cool, and fun just to do…this fight is awesome so I dont mind being stuck on it a while” heh
"Good video game is good" is something that shouldn't be underestimated. It often is, unfortunately. My game of the year 2022 was Vampire Survivors. This year, I expect it to be Brotato. Why? Good video game is good.
I have a bum left hand due to stroke which makes playing certain games hard for me so I tend to avoid games that rely on quick reflexes so I was hesitant when my friend recommended the game to me. But I had a blast and the missions can be played in short bursts which doesn't strain my hand to the point it became painful to keep playing, like other games.
17:40 _From the moment i understood the weakness of my flesh... It disgusted me._ _I craved the strength and certainty of steel..._ _I aspired to the purity of the blessed machine._
9:45 not just sound GOOD, it's actually a sound cue for EVERYTHING (running low/out of EN, dodge notification) and the hit sound actually ONLY have the satisfying effect when you do a GOOD hit (ideal range, no ricochet)
Really hope more people give it a try, even if its after a sale down the road. I'm a long-time FromSoft (and Mechwarrior) fan, but I bounced off of the previous AC games. This one got me good. The "feeling" you're talking about is exactly right. When you're skating around or flying, barrages of missiles flying up from your shoulders, dodging incoming fire and timing your next battery just right to stagger the enemies, it's amazing. There's a rhythm to the missions that feels both much faster than a souls game, and also just as tactical. Check it out if you haven't!
I played and loved the first armored core and for what ever reason, I've NEVER gone back to the series and I have no idea why even though I own pretty much all of them. Think I need to fix that.
Luke, I am fully with you on this. Game of the year imo. Lore wise, oh my friend you're in for a treat! NG+ and NG++ add even more missions and lore to the game about what's going on. Side note, has anyone playing this noticed that your mech sound comes from the PS5 controller? So satisfying. More Armored Core please.
Luke coming in with the concise, perfect explanation of exactly why this game "feels good in the hand" in the last 30 seconds of the video was brilliant.
The plot and story are actually fairly deep in AC6. It's just set up such a way that if you don't care what the story is, skip dialog, and don't hunt for log entries and the like, it's unintrusive enough to not get in your way, either. Unfortunately a lot of people seem to skip/ignore dialog they aren't forced to watch
I loved every mission in AC6 except the very last mission against Overmind. I found the entire game except that fight moderately easy. Mouse and keyboard control was perfect. Weapon variety was weak, but I primarily used the first arm weapons I bought in the game and was happy with that. Not as good as armored core 4 or 5, but so a solid entry. Hope we get more
I will say that the reason this feels good in the hand is the same reason i honestly get exhausted very quickly playing this game. There is no useless button. You are basically using every button in rapid succesion at all times. It feels like you are constantly keeping your brain on overdrive and it makes every victory satisfing. At least if you aren't using an op build.
Ellen's right. If you look at the negative reviews for it on Steam, two of the major complaints are basically "The bosses are too difficult" and "It's mechs. I don't like mechs." Other than that, I'm fully with Luke on this one even though I haven't played it myself yet (because Starfield's completely consumed me). From games just feel incredible to play. For me, no other dev so far has been able to replicate that feeling yet. As a massive fan of both From Software games and Mechs (especially from anime), I'm sure I'll enjoy this as well once I get around to it.
Not trying to say everything is perfect about AC6, but damn, when those big shots landed on a stunned target...that satisfying feeling is simply unbeatable
From Software made a good compromise, they simplified everything a lot, used gameplay tweaks and use choreographed enemies to make an Armored Core as close as possible to Dark Souls. But the cool thing is, that the base they did this on, was what feels like a true Early Gen Armored Core game. PvP suffered a bit too much, but thats ok. Edit: All the stuff Luke likes, is just what used to make these Games great in the past lol.
So, Armored Core 6, the anti-Baldur's gate: No feelings, no people, just combat! It's on my to be played list, but then I'm a mechwarrior fan from way back.
I was so looking forward to Luke making an Armored Core 6 video, and OX has delivered with this one. Armored Core 6 has really been my game of the year with its quick missions and replayability. The world is so aestheticly immersive and well designed. I dont want to 100% the game because that would mean it is over.
The sheer pleasure when you've successfully landed a melee attack to enemy AC is unmatch. But when you received a melee attack, it felt like a punishment, a judgement day, and 1-step away from insanity ❤
I've been thinking for a while exactly what Luke was talking about - the best thing about FromSoft's games is the gameplay. It is really hard to articulate why it feels so good, but it just DOES. And AC6 is one of the best examples, anyone who has even the slightest interest in playing as a kickass giant mech should try it.
MGSV also had really good feeling gameplay. It also never felt unfair or impossible while still providing a challenge. I’ve seen so many commenters here directly contradicting Luke’s apparently false claim that it’s “much easier than a souls game” that I’m starting to wonder what possessed him to tell such a lie…
I would highly recommend Luke gives the games story a chance, it takes 3 playthroughs like Nier games, but it is one of the most cleverly written stories I've engaged with in a while, just takes a little bit to click.
100% am so happy that FromSoft didn't fall into the taap of trying to homoginize Armored Core with the rest of their games. It's terrifying when they reboot a beloved series... but they did it right.
I've said it before and I'm going to say it again, Ellen's laughter could legitimately power the entire Monsters, Inc. universe. Glad that Show of the Weekend is back. I love these two's best friend energy, could watch for hours.
Thanks for covering ac6, all my friends are sleeping on this game and it's killing me. Been quite a few years since a game made me scream and shout with excitement when fighting mechs
I love the mech customization. I feel the story is definitely not the main attraction, but I find it interesting nonetheless. I like Arye and Walter if nothing else. However, this is definitely not the game for me. It is just WAY too difficult for me. I enjoy the rest of the game, but anytime I run into the typical FromSoft Boss my enjoyment just plummets. I don't feel like I am in an epic duel, I feel like I am slamming my head into a brick wall. When I win, I don't get any insane adrenaline rush, I only feel relieved that it is over. I like the rest of the game, but the difficulty spikes are awful, and I wish I had a way I could skip them and enjoy the rest of the game without them. Besides that the customization is awesome. I have so far managed to recreate AC 4Answer's White-Glint, the Strike Freedom Gundam, 617, and Optimus Prime
I'm not sure how far you got, but this was my first Armored Core game and i had the exact same feeling. The thing is you are probably using wrong weapons, there are weapons that make the game much easier. SONGBIRDS granade back weapon make giant bosses much easier and melt smaller enemies too.
I'll give you some advice for the bosses because they're honestly really easy save for like 2. For Balteaus and sea spider, the Pile Bunker is a very effective tool, and having some sort of explosive launcher on your shoulders for building stagger makes them trivial, for the stupid eye laser thing you need to float down the giant hole for, just be really patient and jump to the next layer down as soon as you hear the last laser blast, and for the Ibis series thingy, double shotguns and any kind of high damage weaponery for punishing the stagger, and assault boosting towards it constantly is the trick. The very, very last boss of the game is definitely the hardest one imo, but by that point you'll be able to figure it out. Don't really want to spoil the moment for you.
@@lileofficial4273 yea the bosses in this game really aren't satisfying as most of the time you win when they let you win. like every other boss in this game has like one or two moves that would just shred you with nothing you can do, if they decide to start spamming that move, the chances of which become more and more likely the longer the fight drags on, so in nine out of ten cases the optimal way to beat them is to just get four of the most powerful bazookas you can get and then: -fire all your weapons -spam boost kick until your weapons reload -fire all your weapons again -spam boost kick -repeat only exceptions are the first boss, since you HAVE to fight it with the default AC (like seriously imagine elden ring, but you actually have to beat the grafted scion at the start and it also knows elden stars and there are no I-frames, whoever thought this was ok is kind of a jerk.), the juggernaut, where you should be bringing vertical missile launchers and the ibis AC which is too fast to hit with bazookas or boost kicks, here you should bring high velocity weapons like the stun needle. also no the last boss isn't the hardest, the ibis AC is WAY worse.
@@windhelmguard5295 The worst fight in the game so far for me was the alternate dam mission and having to fight both Iguazu and Volta. I kept Iguazu separated from Volta as long as possible since Volta is a pain in the ass. I finally won though. It took me longer than any of the boss fights. Ibis wasn't so hard once I learned that I couldn't use energy weapons against her. I used all kinetic or explosive ones and went with a mostly Mind Alpha bipedal build.
@@SolaScientia that's why i prefer using high power bazookas, the AC gank fights are much easier when your main form of offence has AOE. also never underestimate the power of boost kick spam. and those two things not working on the ibis are the reason why it's the hardest boss for me, it dodges bazookas, it is almost never on the ground, where explosives could still deal damage even when they whiff due to the AOE, and you can never boost towards it close enough to land a kick, because it just staggers you before you get there.
He's spot on. "Game feel" is a thing. Armored Core 6 is a real delight to play, despite its difficulty. Incredibly well designed. That's why I still love Zelda 2: The Adventure Of Link.
The spider boss of this game had me absolutely eating my hands, untill i pulled out the broken build. Dual Songbirds, Gatling gun, and a Pilebunker. I use this loadout as much as i can get away with it. I havent put near as many hours into it as I have BG3, but its still something special and just damn satisfying.
I beat the crab (let's face it, a sea spider is just a crab) using pulse blade and shotguns. I've also seen it get demolished by missile trucks. Honestly this is what makes AC games great.
@elmohead my method was basically: keep the ACS buildup with the gatling gun, unload with Songbirds when I got a window to stagger (was using Biped legs, so timing was crucial), then move in with the Pilebunker and unload the galling gun while I backpeddle. This strategy works great for large heavy targets, but of course, fast ACs need some tweaking. Even what I considered almost OP doesn't work on everything. From Soft's design in a nutshell. I had to learn that with Dark Souls, too. By comparison, I've been trying Ashen lately. Early in the game, your weapons power spike so hard that sticking to one and improving it seems to be the ideal way. Damage numbers don't increase by small percentages, more like doubled with one smithing upgrade. It's a good game, but nobody seems to get this "learn the systems, not the numbers" design quite like From Soft.
There is one game that feels just as good. It’s Titanfall 2. Nothing beats going from bouncing between walls like an ADHD frog on speed, then calling in your titan and not loosing any of that mobility, just translated horizontally. I love playing my Ronin and doing a triple dash to cross the map in seconds.
First AC game I've ever bought, and I'm glad I did. It doesn't have the difficulty of things like Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but it's not trying to be those games. It's its own thing entirely, and it revels in it.
At this point I could not be more confused about this game. In this one video comments section I have seen the difficulty described as “punishing” but also easy. I’ve seen people say it’s “as close to Dark Souls as possible” while others say it’s nothing alike. I’m starting to wonder if the game is even out yet or if this is all some kind of elaborate troll. I have found every imaginable answer to every question I have, so I now know even less than before. The only thing I know for sure is that somebody doesn’t seem to want me to be able to make an informed decision on whether to buy this game or not. You can’t all be right.
It's difficult, but in a different way and to a lesser degree than ER and DS. In ER and DS, even the most basic enemy can slice off significant chunks of your health or kill you if you're not careful. In AC6, basic enemies are quick and easy to deal with most of the time, and only really made difficult by numbers or terrain- as a result, most levels aren't particularly difficult, especially early on. AC6's bosses, on the other hand, can be very punishing, in a similar way to ER and DS. This doesn't apply to all of them, but there were a few bosses in AC6 that completely stonewalled me for quite a while until I'd figured out both their patterns, and the right build to fight them. That difficulty is very real, a big spike up from the general gameplay, and while not every boss is that difficult the ones that are do leave an impression.
@@nsms8648 I also have a problem with the general boss design. In AC1&2 the bosses were basically always other mechs with weapons and components you could, in theory, be using too. They were often tricky compared to normal gameplay, but always felt fair because all of their options were equally available to you. From what I’ve seen that’s not the case in 6, with a bunch of big, elaborate boss “monsters” that have one hit kill moves you don’t get to have.
It's a mix. While there are quite a few 'monster' type bosses, they're actually outnumbered by the mech bosses, most of which do use the same parts you do (there are some exceptions). Thinking back through it, I think the non-mech bosses are more common in the early game, and the mech bosses are more common in the mid-to-late game. How this stacks up against other AC games I can't comment, as I've never played them.
I flipped a coin to decide which game to buy. Head was starfield and tails was armored core. It came heads and now that I have finished Starfield I can say that I regret my decision.
Luke: ".. I'm about to talk AT YOU about it"
Ellen: "ah yes, one of THOSE episodes... right then."
I feel like your enthusiasm for this game is perfectly captured by the sheer amount of SKADOOSH noises
I need a supercut of all the mouth noises made in this video
clang
The story is actually very good. Especially when you get all the endings.
Ellen's comedy timing is particularly fine this week, her "What the f%@k are we doing here then?" was >chef's kiss
Lol, hearing swearing in an Oxboxtra video is such a rare thing that I cherish it every time it happens
I laughed so hard I snorted. Totally took me off guard!
It's like when you hear a Blue Peter presenter swear 😅
Great to see the classic couch chat back! Really enjoying AC6 myself. Because most of the missions are pretty bite sized, It's sort of become my go to when I'm looking to 20-30 minutes or so. Also getting a lot of milage out of going back and trying to S-rank all the missions.
If you're a director in a game development company and you want to pander to Outside Xtra, make a game in which you play a cat with a giant cat-shaped battle mech.
Makes me think of Zoids
Are you saying there should be a new Samurai Pizza Cats game then?
As someone who has been talking at people about Armored Core since 1997, I approve of this message.
Though I will say the story details get interesting as you progress, particularly in the second and third endings. Also many more parts and arena battles to unlock in those playthroughs.
It doesn't feel like a souls game. It feels like a From Software game. And that feeling is just....good. Can't really put it into words but From Soft has always been just making this consistent "Good" feeling in their games.
No one seems to be answering the one thing I actually care about:
Is it full of the same sadistic, mean spirited, anti fun design that from soft is famous for or is it fun?
@joeschmo3844 if your current impression of fromsoft games is the former, then this game will not convince you otherwise. Though, I must say, I don't really understand the people who seem to be waiting for from to release a game with a completely different design ethos. It's never going to happen.
@@paultapping9510 Why won’t it happen? They’ve changed their design ethos before. Armored Core 1&2 weren’t the easiest games around, but they never felt unfair. Then they changed and started making games that feel very unfair. Example: death traps that cannot be avoided unless you already know they are there (because it killed you once already). When you finally get back to where the trap is and avoid it, it comes back in an impossible to predict way and kills you anyway. It’s like playing D&D with a DM who is actively trying to kill your character (not just role playing the bad guys wanting to kill you, but designing entire events just to kill you). You succeed on a dex save to avoid being hit by a trap, so the DM says “well, then the trap breaks loose and comes back at you in a way it’s not designed to, roll another dex save at disadvantage”. That’s all I was ever worried about with this, that they would not go back to the design ethos they historically used for this series, which they did not. In a sense, AC6 is a perfect example of FromSoft making a game with a totally different design ethos, different from the established design ethos of Armored Core.
@@joeschmo3844 Well compared to Dark Souls and even previous Armored Core titles, this game is far less punishing of fun-having
You can sell parts at the same price you buy them, checkpoints let you start a level from halfway in or at the bossfight if there is one, and you can even change your build at these checkpoints
Not to mention the introduction of Vertical Catapults so that builds that can't fly high enough aren't locked out of certain missions
@@biggierocc1935 buying and selling prices being the same actually goes back to the original Armored Core on PS1. Glad to hear that hasn’t changed. Checkpoints are a nice addition, mixed feelings about changing build mid mission, but I can just choose not to do that. I like having to balance between built to fight the boss and built to do the rest of the mission (though from the sound of it that build is just 2x Songbirds and 2x Gatling guns 😂)
I played AC6, as a break from Baldurs Gate. Starfield was still on the shelf. AC6 was just so smooth, I am no mech lover but I became one. The controls are so good, you actually feel like you are in control of a multi weaponed mech. I returned to Baldurs Gate, which I still enjoy but that feeling of smooth control of a game is still something that makes me wants to return to AC6 again, again and again.
I have also shelved Starfeild for Baldur's gate, and Armor Core. I'll play it eventually I'm sure. But not yet. Maybe after Spider-man. Lol
That's the secret sauce of the game imo. It's the kind of game that seeps into your mind and has you thinking about it every time you're not playing it. I'm constantly thinking of new ACs I wanna cobble together the next time I get a chance to play, be it just to try some new weapons or to make some cosplay builds. It's like mecha crack.
Welcome to the community!!! 🥰 I hope it becomes a jumping off point for you to other mecha games/anime!
Honestly I shelved Baldur’s gate to AC6. Finally 100% AC6 and now I’m kinda having a hard time imagining myself going back to play a slow paced RPG.
And I’m the person who had multiple playthroughs of Divinity Original Sin2.
One of us. One of us. One of us.
I finished the game today with the "Liberator of Rubicon" ending and i absolutely loved it. Amazing gameplay and atmosphere all around. HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!
I have not reached the end of the game, but I did watch the ending on TH-cam.
"I AM SO SORRY WALTER, YOU ARE MY FRIEND TOO"
T_T
the Walter boss fight is amazing and ill definitely replay the game to see all the other endings :) where r u in the game?@@definetlynotslycooper8440
The story isn't complete till you get the "roll the dice" ending. I've got a job for you 621
I didn't even realize there were choices until the very end, and I was like "wait, there's multiple endings?" This game didn't need all that. Just give me more stuff to blow up.
Multiple endings. I went for Fires of Raven as my first ending and am on my second run now. They've always had multiple endings with their AC games. You've got more choices to make and new missions. A 3rd run is necessary to unlock all 3 endings. There are also some Arena matches that are only the 3rd run when you go for the Alea Iacta Est ending.
Very glad you guys covered this! The release window's pretty much done at this point so I was worried the only OX content we got for it was the livestream (which was a blast). Would love to see more, maybe a tour of some of Luke's favorite ACs?
E: "... what would you say to those people-"
L: "We don't need you."
Never change Luke, never change. 😂
Love this game!
It was my first AC game, and I was so into it that I binged it for all 3 endings. I actually became quite invested in the story, and would love to have it expanded on. I know it's typical for Fromsoft, but sometimes the characters were a little TOO cryptic.
It's definitely easier than other Fromsoft games. I got stuck on two bosses, but got them after looking up builds. Those bosses became easier in NG+ and NG++ too, since I had unlocked new attachments that better dealt with them.
I'm hungering for AC 7 or some DLC content already.
Great video, always entertaining. One key aspect I love about AC6 aside from everything you've said is that you can store the different builds you've created and switch them 'on the fly' at the checkpoints or mission to mission. Games like Remnant 2 or in fact any game that has the potential for many different builds could do with this feature - sooo good.
As to the plot - apparently it's like Nier where you need to finish the game 3 times to actually unfold the plot - I haven't got anywhere near that but it is, according to a lot of folks, one of the best narratives of a From Software game...........
Yes, I'm on my second run and you get new options and missions, particularly with some choices. The only one that affects the first 2 endings is the Chapter 5 decision about who to fight. NG++ you have to make a different decision right in chapter 1 with the Strider and if you don't take the new decision then you won't unlock Alea Iacta Est no matter what other choices you make.
To be honest the NG++ ending is the one I find the least interesting of the endings-but it’s well worth doing anyway because it has a lot of extra content in a game that’s already super replayable
I'm having such a blast with AC6! Nothing like the constant feel of danger in a lightweight build with a rifle, sword and two Songbirds.
It's a lightweight build for me, but with a laser handgun, a plasma rifle (the 202k credit one), a vertical missile launcher (not the biggest one unless I need it), and a plasma missile launcher (not one of the flat looking ones, the one that's more vertical and does more damage). I breezed through nearly all the Arena fights with it, and I rarely need to change it even for most missions. I've tried tetrapod legs and tank treads and I really can't stand either type at all. I can handle bipedal legs when I need heavier weaponry, but I stick with the Kasuar reverse joint legs as often as I can.
Idea for an Xmas challenge: who can design the coolest looking mech? Or the most Pikachu-esque mech as judged by Andy!?
There's actually quite a bit of story, weapon manufacturers invade planets draining them of natural resources, an interplanetary police force, and the casualties of this war between war profiteers. I felt kinda bad the first playthrough because I missed it and aligned with the wrong side. Fires of raven is a pretty cool ending title though.
8:06 I played that stealth mission last night, and I thought it was hilarious! My go involved me flying over the heads of the enemies I’m avoiding, standing right beside them, knocking over trees, and if an enemy spots me, blasting it with a plasma rifle that fires white-purple beams that explode into an explosion of electricity.
Armor Core 6 deserves ALL the praise. It's easily in my top 5 games I've ever played.
So much content in this one, I love it. Ng+ and ng++ and their new content and story changes are sublime. I love it so much, it’s a must play, everyone!!
It’s not just the idiom or cliché “feels good in the hand”. It’s also “game-feel” which people used to say. Based on this discussion and many other reviews and discussions I’ve watched, listened to and read, Armored Core 6 has some of the best game-feel in recent years.
Needless to say, it’s high at the top of my shopping wishlist right next to Boulder’s Gate 3, of which almost everyone who plays it says it has some of the best choice and consequence in recent years, maybe ever! 🤙🏼
This is the intangible thing about Armored Core VI that is so hard to convey in videos. I am no mech fan by any means, and honestly I was not too impressed by gameplay previews of this game. I just bought it because I already finished Baldur's Gate 3 and was not interested with Starfield. But man, this game exceeded my expectations. The game feels so good on the hands. The controls are very intuitive, buttery smooth and it makes you feel so cool and bad-ass. I seriously think that the best way to market this game is to put out a demo. Because the "game-feel" simply can't be captured by videos and needs to be experienced.
@@HollowKnight21 You can tell FromSoft build their games from the ground up. They start with mechanics, making the game feel good to play, each movement is important in some way. Once they have a good ground they can do anything and it would be a 'good game', but they exceed expectations by adding awesome bosses, interesting level design, cool characters with great lines and voice actors.. and a deep story to seal it all off. They don't try and 'reinvent the wheel' when it comes to games. I haven't played BG3 but it seems they've had a very similar approach.
Other dev/companies seem to start with a gimmick idea and work off of that. I'll just use Starfield as an example cause it's currently relevant - Idea: "Fallout in Space, custom spaceships, base, loads of planets." Then: "Oh yeah we forgot about the combat, dialogue, story, RPG elements.. well we'll just copy paste some sh*t from Fallout, people liked that right?"
It's a puzzle for the earlier parts of your first playthrough, then you get two zimmermans and two needles on your back and all puzzles get solved 😅.
I love how they bleep the one time, but leave in the one just a few seconds later xD
I am actually in the process of S ranking every mission after getting every ending, I have 18 left atm. Armored Core may be my new favorite from software game
In an anime named 'Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin', There is a scene when one particular character(The main antagonist), riding a robot, and charging into a literal fleet of enemies, shouting 'Kneel to me, God!!!' and completely wrecking the said fleet all by himself.
This game makes you feel that way, and you look so DOPE doing it.
2:33 I related so much there. Hard to explain how Fromsoft games just "feels so good, you know? You know? You know right??". Luke did a much better job here than me babbling to my friends about how these games... just feels so good.
I'm addicted to AC6 in a way that I haven't been addicted to a game in a long time now. Much as I love Bloodborne and DS3, with Bloodborne being what really got me into FromSoftware games, I still had to take breaks from those games even after just an hour or so of playing. Not so with AC6. I can play and play and play and not realize how long I've been doing missions. Movement and combat is the best feeling thing ever for me. It took me a bit to learn to hold my controller with a finger on each bumper and trigger rather than using just an index finger for both, but now that's second nature and I've started holding my controller that way for other games. I get what Luke is saying about how AC6 feels so damn good to play. Bloodborne is the next best one that feels the best to play. DS3 is 3rd and it only felt good once I started using the Hollowslayer Greatsword. Elden Ring is very much still hit or miss for me. Something about AC6 makes it feel so much better and fun though. I do go back and watch my capture of certain fights and moments.
I'd never played an Armored Core game before this one and I couldn't be happier about an uncertain purchase. I'd never played one before and I'm still in disbelief that people were rage-quitting over that heli in the tutorial. Like, it wasn't that hard. Balteus took me just 3 attempts and that was before the patch. That Sea Spider was rough for me and that was also pre-patch. I think Cel-240 was the only one I fought after the patch adjusted things and nerfed her a bit. Given how much trouble she gave me I can see why they nerfed her. I did not expect that fight to go that way...thanks for still surprising me, FromSoftware.
AC6 is only as difficult as you make it. You have to find the build that works for you and the fight. I struggled hard against Cel-240 until it clicked that I really couldn't use any of preferred energy weapons against her. Had to go full kinetic and explosive and use a bipedal build for the weight. I struggled hard against Ayre and tried numerous builds. I finally actually won with my tried and true preferred build with minor adjustments. Kasuar reverse joint legs, pulse gun, and whatever else. The weapons bay is wonderful for letting me carry more than one hand weapon, which is needed for some fights. Right now I'm fighting against Iguazu and Volta at the dam since I'm on my 2nd run and opted to take the RLF offer. It's so difficult, particularly with Volta and his goddamn stunlocking Songbirds. I'm seriously considering tetrapod legs to stay up high and I really don't like tetrapod legs or tank treads. The tetrapod legs are so slow for me, and I ran into issues with the tank treads as well. Oh, the Spring Chicken heavy reverse joints are pretty nice though.
My build is high energy and very fast. It's basically a glass cannon since my AP stays around 8440 or so. Kasuar reverse joint legs for speed and those legs majorly limit which generator I can carry along with my preferred weapons. A similar lightweight head. The Nachtreiher arms for better firearm specialization. Orbiter core or similar. Good boosters. That Aorta coral generator (love that thing) or similar. Laser handgun in the right hand. Plasma rifle (the 202K one) in the left hand. Plasma missiles on the left shoulder (the good ones, again). Dual missile launcher on the right shoulder. Absolutely melts ACs in the Arena for sure. The Arena is the one area where they could really up the difficulty. I melted Freud in 35 seconds and he's the final fight of the first S ranks. I'll get new Arena fights in NG+, but I'm pretty confident in my build. Oh, try not to use the hard lockon except for when you have to. I use it only for boss fights. The hard lockon noticeably decreases the accuracy of your hits. The reticle follows much slower than when just in soft lock.
I'm relieved that Luke says at the start that it could not be more different from a Souls game. I'm so happy it's different. I burned out hard on Elden Ring and I was even a bit tired of DS3 by the end of the DLCs (good god do I dislike both of those DLCs).
There are some biological enemies in one mission and that's it. Ayre might change your mind about sentience and all, but that's to do with the Coral.
Do know that there are multiple endings and you can't start a new game. It completely wipes your old game from the system if you do that. Some missions only are available in NG+ and NG++. NG++ has some major changes and you have to take the new options for the 3rd ending. There's still some misinformation out there about the missions. Only the decision in Chapter 5 about Intercepting the Corporate Forces or Eliminate "Cinder" Carla matters for either of the first 2 endings. In NG++ if you've done things right there will be a 3rd option at the point that you must take to access the Alea Iacta Est ending. It certainly does have a plot and it unfolds gradually. Ayre is a big part of that. The Fires of Raven ending is considered the bad ending (you know, genocide and all), but it also makes sense given that Carla and Walter do not know that Coral is sentient. I'm going for Liberator of Rubicon as my 2nd ending and I'm really dreading the final boss fight of that run, because it's really going hurt to do.
Lol I love this guys says, it just feels so good lol, that’s why I have held out hope and waited so long for another armored core. When you hit a blade after a missile or landing a grenade, or overboost into a blade attack… it just feels like silky perfection. I’ve watched so many reviews now for this game and I’m glad to see soo many people sharing the armored core joy I felt as a kid/teenager
But all the comments here are about how Souls Like it is. Everything I’ve seen (except for the opinions expressed only by Luke that it is not Souls like) tells me that, as a fan of the old ones I will not like this one. The messaging is so mixed and so confusing I can only imagine that it is a result of trying to market the game to both the old school fans that want AC and also the masochists that want Mech Souls. But from the sound of it the Soulsness has infected every aspect of the game no matter how hard OXTRA tries to lie about it.
@@joeschmo3844 Maybe try playing the game before jumping to conclusions from comments on the internet? The only thing soulslike about this game is big bosses and an (optional) hard lock. People will be trying to say that a HP bar is a 'soulslike' feature next. It's ironic too, since Armored Core came before souls. If anything Souls is AC like.
@@sameerdodger I would love to play the game to make up my mind, but there are no demos and I’m not paying full price just to find out whether or not it’s worth spending my already limited money and free time on.
After putting 500 hours into elden ring i'd never thought I'd say this but... I wouldn't mind if they sacked off shadow of the erdtree and focused on AC6 updates. Gimme more weapons, gimme more frames, gimme more engines, gimme more arena fights! Hook it to my veins!
You say the plots not important... wait till you get to that third playthrough and it all comes full circle in a way fromsoft excel at.
They probably won't do that. They never have before with the other games. What I hope they'll do is release a connected sequel like they've done for nearly all the previous AC games, such as AC4 and AC4: For Answer, and so on.
I went for Fires of Raven as my first ending and am now on my Liberator of Rubicon run. I can't wait for my 3rd run to do all the Alea Iacta Est required stuff.
I just 100% AC6 and I’ve never played an AC game before. It’s so much fun and it’s a whole complete game. Really love the mech customization and I like how the game lets you replay levels from the start.
I'm on my 2nd run now and I've never played an AC game before either. I absolutely adore this game. It's so much fun. I usually play games for only about an hour or so at a time. I can get lost in AC6 for hours without realizing it and no other game has done that for me. Not even Bloodborne and that's the game that got me into FromSoftware games.
I hope Luke pays attention to the plot and what's going on. I went for Fires of Raven on my first run and it was heartbreaking, but I think the Liberator of Rubicon ending is going to actually hurt me worse, because I really don't want to fight Carla outside of the Arena and I really, really don't want to fight Walter as the final boss. Ayre was hard enough. Alea Iacta Est for NG++ is the ending I'm most excited for though.
@@SolaScientia 3rd ending is worth it. Keep playing because it’s just a blast.
@@Ceece20 Of course I'm going to keep playing. Why wouldn't I keep playing? lol
As a big fan of the original Armored Core, from what I understand about 6 you still haven’t played an AC game before. I’m not trying to tell you not to have fun playing Mech Souls, but it’s not AC
You gotta play ALL 3 endings to understand what is happening in the story. Just like the other From games. The plot isn't that unimportant, people just keep skipping/not paying attention. Oh and collect the Battlelogs for the rest of the Lore, AKA You have to read something too.
"I melt it with my Gatling gun" as a line you say while playing a tabletop RPG reminds me of our time playing Deathwatch in uni. Turns out "I melt it with my Heavy Bolter" is a good solution to whatever monster of the week is showing up this time. That thing was busted good, but very very fun. :)
I love you guys! Just listening to you all gush about good games and so invested !
Finished the game within release week, took a little break and now I'm back at it again trying to S rank everything, which is proving to be... Surprisingly possible... Even for someone like me who usually sucks at games, let alone Fromsoft games.
I think something just clicked with this game. It's the perfect pace, the perfect aesthetic and the perfect feel, everything feels in sync and I can just evicerate enemies and relax.
With open-world games I either get overwhelmed, dive in too deep and eventually burn out or some other mix of those issues occurs, but with a mission-based game I can dive in whenever, and I know it'll always be there waiting for me.
I'm up to s-ranking the infiltrating grid (68? (I forgor)) sortie right now and I'm beginning to think this is one of the 1 in 1000 games I can 100%, let alone the facts that it's both a Fromsoft game and an AC game, aka the perfect for me and the game I've wanted since my childhood.
Thank you Fromosft, please, keep doing this.
It's the perfect cleanser for my soul in a way Elden Ring could never be.
...I need a PC so I can play 4A now... Dangit. :D
Armored Core 6 is that game that someone can pick up for a couple hours and just get lost enjoying a short mission here and there. It's a reminder that there is a whole world, there's lore, there's a story...
But also, there's explosions and swooshing around, and fast paced fights, and chaos...
It's that feeling, once you get past the "barrier", of "huh...I could actually enjoy this..."
I hadn't played AC since the demo disk days at Walmart in the 90's, staring straight up, nearly breaking my neck to get a view of these cool mechs. Now, nearly 25 years later, I finally get an honest to god view of the new AC6 and it has become one of my favorite games. Its so satisfying. FromSoftware is absolutely killing it right now.
Actually took the time to get all the S ranks is how much I adore ac6. Such a phenomenal game.
AC6 is so much fun
I've loved the AC series for years, happy to see From are still knocking them out of the park! :D
From what I heard Luke really liked the Mech-anics.
Im so glad y'all are back! Also I'd love to hear more of Ellen's London outburts and Luke's sound effects
It was a honestly more souls like to attract the outsiders and new interest in the game. Been playing since the first game and all my friends tried it out and knew I played it so I passed around my copies of previous entries. Needless to say they all found previous entries like Armored Core 4 Answer were WAAAAY faster and different than Armored Core 6. They all even asked "wHeRes tHe StaGGeR gUage?" Well there isn't one. I really hope that in the next expansions or next entry they get back to the spirit of what separated Armored Core once they grab enough casual outsiders.
My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately I think this will be the norm for future AC games cause AC6 sold so well and many ppl enjoyed it
I'm commenting far too late for Luke to see, but I think everything he said here was 100% correct and I haven't even played AC6 yet; but I played all the others and loved them. I also can't remember a single story beat from a single one. It doesn't matter. You just need a framing device. For me the one game that used to "just feel good" was Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space. I felt like I was 1 with the mech in that game.
Sometimes you just want to be a giant robot beating the crap out of other robots.
This
The Forced stealth was sooo funny to me, I basically just did my "Infiltrate the Wall" route backwards xD
It’s great to listen to people who are so enthusiastic and excited about the games they’ve played 😊
Favourite thing about armored core is V.IV Rusty, having a character be your buddy is so nice.
I really must agree, first game in a while that has clicked with me, played a tiny bit of the old ones, but to confirm your point about it feeling good, there are some fights I got stuck on a while but Im like “I would be frustrated if it wasnt so satisfying, cool, and fun just to do…this fight is awesome so I dont mind being stuck on it a while” heh
"Good video game is good" is something that shouldn't be underestimated. It often is, unfortunately.
My game of the year 2022 was Vampire Survivors. This year, I expect it to be Brotato. Why? Good video game is good.
One of the best reviews you can get for a game is " it's fun as hells to play." That help sells it to me.
I have a bum left hand due to stroke which makes playing certain games hard for me so I tend to avoid games that rely on quick reflexes so I was hesitant when my friend recommended the game to me. But I had a blast and the missions can be played in short bursts which doesn't strain my hand to the point it became painful to keep playing, like other games.
Not a fan of Souls games, but have been a fan of AC since the 90's so I think everyone should play it because the series has always been great!
I love - LOVE - when Ellen's London comes out.
I love that all the named characters are vaguely shown in the art sketch data logs.
Please make the next Lies of P stream a duo of Lord Londo and Ellen at her Londonest
17:40
_From the moment i understood the weakness of my flesh... It disgusted me._
_I craved the strength and certainty of steel..._
_I aspired to the purity of the blessed machine._
9:45 not just sound GOOD, it's actually a sound cue for EVERYTHING (running low/out of EN, dodge notification) and the hit sound actually ONLY have the satisfying effect when you do a GOOD hit (ideal range, no ricochet)
Really hope more people give it a try, even if its after a sale down the road. I'm a long-time FromSoft (and Mechwarrior) fan, but I bounced off of the previous AC games. This one got me good. The "feeling" you're talking about is exactly right. When you're skating around or flying, barrages of missiles flying up from your shoulders, dodging incoming fire and timing your next battery just right to stagger the enemies, it's amazing. There's a rhythm to the missions that feels both much faster than a souls game, and also just as tactical. Check it out if you haven't!
I played and loved the first armored core and for what ever reason, I've NEVER gone back to the series and I have no idea why even though I own pretty much all of them. Think I need to fix that.
Luke, I am fully with you on this. Game of the year imo.
Lore wise, oh my friend you're in for a treat! NG+ and NG++ add even more missions and lore to the game about what's going on.
Side note, has anyone playing this noticed that your mech sound comes from the PS5 controller? So satisfying.
More Armored Core please.
Nah, Baldurs Gate 3 = GOTY
Luke coming in with the concise, perfect explanation of exactly why this game "feels good in the hand" in the last 30 seconds of the video was brilliant.
Seattle _and_ Subpop Records on T-shirts? Co-ordinated!
The plot and story are actually fairly deep in AC6. It's just set up such a way that if you don't care what the story is, skip dialog, and don't hunt for log entries and the like, it's unintrusive enough to not get in your way, either.
Unfortunately a lot of people seem to skip/ignore dialog they aren't forced to watch
AC6 looks very slick and fun. If Luke recommends it, I might give it a go
I see Lord Londo made a surprise cameo in this week's episode
I loved every mission in AC6 except the very last mission against Overmind. I found the entire game except that fight moderately easy. Mouse and keyboard control was perfect. Weapon variety was weak, but I primarily used the first arm weapons I bought in the game and was happy with that. Not as good as armored core 4 or 5, but so a solid entry. Hope we get more
Luke's review: "Bang bang bang. Pew Pew. Kaboom! Clang. Thank you for your time"
I don’t normally like from soft games, I did play a lot of elden ring however, but wow have I been obsessed with AC6.
I will say that the reason this feels good in the hand is the same reason i honestly get exhausted very quickly playing this game. There is no useless button. You are basically using every button in rapid succesion at all times. It feels like you are constantly keeping your brain on overdrive and it makes every victory satisfing. At least if you aren't using an op build.
Ellen's right. If you look at the negative reviews for it on Steam, two of the major complaints are basically "The bosses are too difficult" and "It's mechs. I don't like mechs." Other than that, I'm fully with Luke on this one even though I haven't played it myself yet (because Starfield's completely consumed me). From games just feel incredible to play. For me, no other dev so far has been able to replicate that feeling yet. As a massive fan of both From Software games and Mechs (especially from anime), I'm sure I'll enjoy this as well once I get around to it.
Not trying to say everything is perfect about AC6, but damn, when those big shots landed on a stunned target...that satisfying feeling is simply unbeatable
While I'm kind of dreading the S-Rank for every mission achievement, I really really really loved my three story playthroughs
From Software made a good compromise, they simplified everything a lot, used gameplay tweaks and use choreographed enemies to make an Armored Core as close as possible to Dark Souls. But the cool thing is, that the base they did this on, was what feels like a true Early Gen Armored Core game. PvP suffered a bit too much, but thats ok. Edit: All the stuff Luke likes, is just what used to make these Games great in the past lol.
“As close as possible to Dark Souls” so very far away from Armored Core…
I mean, if you want to just use half the sentence out of context then yes.
Oh but I can't wait for two weeks from now when he's gone through NG+ and NG++ and the subsequent list video(s)
So, Armored Core 6, the anti-Baldur's gate: No feelings, no people, just combat! It's on my to be played list, but then I'm a mechwarrior fan from way back.
If you don't skip briefings and cutscenes like some people are you'll find a lot of feelings.
@@mrct592 Cool. Luke does have a penchant for skipping background material.
I was so looking forward to Luke making an Armored Core 6 video, and OX has delivered with this one. Armored Core 6 has really been my game of the year with its quick missions and replayability. The world is so aestheticly immersive and well designed. I dont want to 100% the game because that would mean it is over.
Go to 4:44 for Oxtra's EastEnders drum beat impressions
The sheer pleasure when you've successfully landed a melee attack to enemy AC is unmatch. But when you received a melee attack, it felt like a punishment, a judgement day, and 1-step away from insanity ❤
I've been thinking for a while exactly what Luke was talking about - the best thing about FromSoft's games is the gameplay. It is really hard to articulate why it feels so good, but it just DOES. And AC6 is one of the best examples, anyone who has even the slightest interest in playing as a kickass giant mech should try it.
MGSV also had really good feeling gameplay. It also never felt unfair or impossible while still providing a challenge. I’ve seen so many commenters here directly contradicting Luke’s apparently false claim that it’s “much easier than a souls game” that I’m starting to wonder what possessed him to tell such a lie…
I would highly recommend Luke gives the games story a chance, it takes 3 playthroughs like Nier games, but it is one of the most cleverly written stories I've engaged with in a while, just takes a little bit to click.
100% am so happy that FromSoft didn't fall into the taap of trying to homoginize Armored Core with the rest of their games. It's terrifying when they reboot a beloved series... but they did it right.
I loved Mech Assault on the original Xbox and this one looks that funny.
18:02 fingers crossed we can get a mod for the ability to shoot the operator out of the sky like in titanfall 😂
Yes! Show of the weekend is back and talking about a game I'm currently playing!!
I've said it before and I'm going to say it again, Ellen's laughter could legitimately power the entire Monsters, Inc. universe. Glad that Show of the Weekend is back. I love these two's best friend energy, could watch for hours.
Thanks for covering ac6, all my friends are sleeping on this game and it's killing me.
Been quite a few years since a game made me scream and shout with excitement when fighting mechs
i have missed the purple couch
I love the mech customization.
I feel the story is definitely not the main attraction, but I find it interesting nonetheless. I like Arye and Walter if nothing else.
However, this is definitely not the game for me. It is just WAY too difficult for me.
I enjoy the rest of the game, but anytime I run into the typical FromSoft Boss my enjoyment just plummets. I don't feel like I am in an epic duel, I feel like I am slamming my head into a brick wall.
When I win, I don't get any insane adrenaline rush, I only feel relieved that it is over.
I like the rest of the game, but the difficulty spikes are awful, and I wish I had a way I could skip them and enjoy the rest of the game without them.
Besides that the customization is awesome. I have so far managed to recreate AC 4Answer's White-Glint, the Strike Freedom Gundam, 617, and Optimus Prime
I'm not sure how far you got, but this was my first Armored Core game and i had the exact same feeling. The thing is you are probably using wrong weapons, there are weapons that make the game much easier. SONGBIRDS granade back weapon make giant bosses much easier and melt smaller enemies too.
I'll give you some advice for the bosses because they're honestly really easy save for like 2. For Balteaus and sea spider, the Pile Bunker is a very effective tool, and having some sort of explosive launcher on your shoulders for building stagger makes them trivial, for the stupid eye laser thing you need to float down the giant hole for, just be really patient and jump to the next layer down as soon as you hear the last laser blast, and for the Ibis series thingy, double shotguns and any kind of high damage weaponery for punishing the stagger, and assault boosting towards it constantly is the trick.
The very, very last boss of the game is definitely the hardest one imo, but by that point you'll be able to figure it out. Don't really want to spoil the moment for you.
@@lileofficial4273
yea the bosses in this game really aren't satisfying as most of the time you win when they let you win.
like every other boss in this game has like one or two moves that would just shred you with nothing you can do, if they decide to start spamming that move, the chances of which become more and more likely the longer the fight drags on, so in nine out of ten cases the optimal way to beat them is to just get four of the most powerful bazookas you can get and then:
-fire all your weapons
-spam boost kick until your weapons reload
-fire all your weapons again
-spam boost kick
-repeat
only exceptions are the first boss, since you HAVE to fight it with the default AC (like seriously imagine elden ring, but you actually have to beat the grafted scion at the start and it also knows elden stars and there are no I-frames, whoever thought this was ok is kind of a jerk.), the juggernaut, where you should be bringing vertical missile launchers and the ibis AC which is too fast to hit with bazookas or boost kicks, here you should bring high velocity weapons like the stun needle.
also no the last boss isn't the hardest, the ibis AC is WAY worse.
@@windhelmguard5295 The worst fight in the game so far for me was the alternate dam mission and having to fight both Iguazu and Volta. I kept Iguazu separated from Volta as long as possible since Volta is a pain in the ass. I finally won though. It took me longer than any of the boss fights. Ibis wasn't so hard once I learned that I couldn't use energy weapons against her. I used all kinetic or explosive ones and went with a mostly Mind Alpha bipedal build.
@@SolaScientia that's why i prefer using high power bazookas, the AC gank fights are much easier when your main form of offence has AOE.
also never underestimate the power of boost kick spam.
and those two things not working on the ibis are the reason why it's the hardest boss for me, it dodges bazookas, it is almost never on the ground, where explosives could still deal damage even when they whiff due to the AOE, and you can never boost towards it close enough to land a kick, because it just staggers you before you get there.
Best way I can describe it as feeling powerful, but can easily be taken down a peg.
He's spot on.
"Game feel" is a thing. Armored Core 6 is a real delight to play, despite its difficulty. Incredibly well designed.
That's why I still love Zelda 2: The Adventure Of Link.
The spider boss of this game had me absolutely eating my hands, untill i pulled out the broken build. Dual Songbirds, Gatling gun, and a Pilebunker. I use this loadout as much as i can get away with it. I havent put near as many hours into it as I have BG3, but its still something special and just damn satisfying.
I beat the crab (let's face it, a sea spider is just a crab) using pulse blade and shotguns. I've also seen it get demolished by missile trucks.
Honestly this is what makes AC games great.
@elmohead my method was basically: keep the ACS buildup with the gatling gun, unload with Songbirds when I got a window to stagger (was using Biped legs, so timing was crucial), then move in with the Pilebunker and unload the galling gun while I backpeddle.
This strategy works great for large heavy targets, but of course, fast ACs need some tweaking. Even what I considered almost OP doesn't work on everything. From Soft's design in a nutshell. I had to learn that with Dark Souls, too.
By comparison, I've been trying Ashen lately. Early in the game, your weapons power spike so hard that sticking to one and improving it seems to be the ideal way. Damage numbers don't increase by small percentages, more like doubled with one smithing upgrade. It's a good game, but nobody seems to get this "learn the systems, not the numbers" design quite like From Soft.
There is one game that feels just as good. It’s Titanfall 2. Nothing beats going from bouncing between walls like an ADHD frog on speed, then calling in your titan and not loosing any of that mobility, just translated horizontally. I love playing my Ronin and doing a triple dash to cross the map in seconds.
I want Luke to come back after fighting CEL-240 or AAP03. I had a ton of fun in those fights, and they were definitely not easy.
I'm with Luke on this one it's a great game.
Next Luke will be talking at us about Lies of P. Currently my favorite souls-like.
First AC game I've ever bought, and I'm glad I did. It doesn't have the difficulty of things like Dark Souls or Elden Ring, but it's not trying to be those games. It's its own thing entirely, and it revels in it.
At this point I could not be more confused about this game. In this one video comments section I have seen the difficulty described as “punishing” but also easy. I’ve seen people say it’s “as close to Dark Souls as possible” while others say it’s nothing alike. I’m starting to wonder if the game is even out yet or if this is all some kind of elaborate troll. I have found every imaginable answer to every question I have, so I now know even less than before. The only thing I know for sure is that somebody doesn’t seem to want me to be able to make an informed decision on whether to buy this game or not. You can’t all be right.
It's difficult, but in a different way and to a lesser degree than ER and DS.
In ER and DS, even the most basic enemy can slice off significant chunks of your health or kill you if you're not careful. In AC6, basic enemies are quick and easy to deal with most of the time, and only really made difficult by numbers or terrain- as a result, most levels aren't particularly difficult, especially early on. AC6's bosses, on the other hand, can be very punishing, in a similar way to ER and DS.
This doesn't apply to all of them, but there were a few bosses in AC6 that completely stonewalled me for quite a while until I'd figured out both their patterns, and the right build to fight them. That difficulty is very real, a big spike up from the general gameplay, and while not every boss is that difficult the ones that are do leave an impression.
@@nsms8648 I also have a problem with the general boss design. In AC1&2 the bosses were basically always other mechs with weapons and components you could, in theory, be using too. They were often tricky compared to normal gameplay, but always felt fair because all of their options were equally available to you. From what I’ve seen that’s not the case in 6, with a bunch of big, elaborate boss “monsters” that have one hit kill moves you don’t get to have.
It's a mix. While there are quite a few 'monster' type bosses, they're actually outnumbered by the mech bosses, most of which do use the same parts you do (there are some exceptions). Thinking back through it, I think the non-mech bosses are more common in the early game, and the mech bosses are more common in the mid-to-late game. How this stacks up against other AC games I can't comment, as I've never played them.
Show of the Weekend feels good in the hand. 🙂
I'm so jealous. I haven't played an Armored Core game since AC2. Currently broke, so no AC6 for me. But I'm glad people are enjoying it.
I flipped a coin to decide which game to buy. Head was starfield and tails was armored core. It came heads and now that I have finished Starfield I can say that I regret my decision.
Can we get the fanart and comments seftions back