Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon jets our way in just a few short months and a new round of previews are making the rounds. These previews were based on around 5-minutes of hands-off footage (which you can check out for yourself, below). The gameplay shows off surprisingly large-scale level design, which offers a lot of room for vertical exploration with your mech’s jetpack. While AC6 will be mission-based, rather than open-world, it definitely doesn’t seem like players will be too hemmed in.

　　As for action, it looks properly intense, with the player’s mech moving and dodging quickly and doling out damage with both guns and melee weapons. A stagger system is in play this time around, with enemies becoming vulnerable once you inflict enough damage on them. Enemy types also look quite varied, with almost every enemy baddie seen in the new footage looking unique in some way. The video culminates in a boss encounter with what looks like a giant vacuum cleaner, which comes at you with deadly roller weapons. But hey, enough of my preamble – you can check out the footage for yourself, below.

　　Looking good! One other interesting thing to be drawn from the various previews, such as IGN’s, is that Armored Core VI seems to be much less interested in punishing you for dying. The game has honest-to-goodness checkpoints, and they seem fairly generous. You also don’t lose any of the currency you use to upgrade your mech when you die, allowing you to boost yourself past difficult points. Haven’t been keeping up with Armored Core VI? Here’s a quick official description…

　　“In Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon, players will be able to freely move through massive three-dimensional environments with rapid maneuverability while experiencing visceral vehicular combat. Signature to FromSoftware’s carefully crafted game design, the game will feature challenging and memorable battles along with a fulfilling progression system and deep gameplay, all of it now powered by assembling mechs and going into combat with massive bosses. Players will recognize the sense of satisfaction and achievement when they overcome a difficult situation and relish momentary victory, and perhaps a boost to their standing, before encountering the next challenge."

　　Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon launches on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5 on August 25. What do you think? Now that we’ve got a good look at the game in action, are you ready to suit up and shred some metal?