EFFORTPOST [effortpost] Drama Dossier Debut: ArmoredSouls and the Consolidation of FromSoft Gameplay

Hello Dramanauts,

I have for you today, a dossier. A package containing the assorted information required to understand and appreciate drama in niche topics that I enjoy. The subject of my post for you is: Armored Core 6

Recommended listening for this thread:

Introduction to the Drama

For those unaware, Armored Core is an incredibly niche mecha action shooter from the wildly popular game developer FromSoftware. You play as a mercenary that pilots an Armored Core, a cutting edge mech and take on missions from corporations in the pursuit of massive profit. Warcrimes, 1 on 1 Duels, Giant Boss Fights, and more await. You may recognize FromSoftware as the company who created the massive Dark Souls franchise and its derivatives.

Armored Core's last release was over a decade ago, and the announcement of AC6 breathed new life into the once dead franchise. Old and new fans alike were hyped for the new game, but discontent was stirring. A strange lack of gameplay and the deliberate hiding of game mechanics created a sense of unease in the assorted fan discussion boards. The big question was about to get its answer... Is it SoulsLike?

Souls Like

The veteran fans were affraid that their beloved franchise was going to be gentrified by the addition of mechanics commonly associated with the Dark Souls franchise. From the limited trailers and developer interviews, longtime fans tentatively hoped that the franchise would stay true to its roots. Previous games featured insanely clunky controls, manual aiming, massive customization, and debt. Lots of debt. Veterans feared that the identity of this game would be sacrificed in order to appeal to a much, much larger fanbase.

An example of veteran cope:

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14arn4y/ive_never_done_something_like_this_before_but/

So what exactly are the changes that the dinosaurs are complaining about? In short:

• Hard Lock On/Turning Speed

• Estus Flask Expy

• Big Telegraphed Attacks

• Simplified Customization

I'll give a brief desription of each point to give further context to the coming drama.

Hard Lock/Turning Speed

In all entries prior to AC 6, turning speed is a key stat to design your mech around. This is no longer the case. A key gameplay skill was keeping your opponent in front of your robot. Now that the camera and mech automatically snap to your enemy, this major skill check is almost entirely removed from the core game loop.

Estus Flask

Another core gameplay feature was that damage you take during missions is mostly permanent. You must attempt to complete a mission with the AP (health) that you start with. Certain games had minor ways to replenish health and ammo during a mission, but are exceedingly rare. This is no longer the case. A robot can heal at any point in the game, very similar to the Estus Flask from Dark Souls. Yet another major departure from the previous entries.

Big Telegraphed Attacks

Boss fights are common in the franchise, but the new way to approach them is substantially different now. Referring to the linked gameplay trailer, you can see the boss mech wind up its chainsaw arms and slam down at the player. This was not how bosses worked in the past, which is yet another SoulsLike addition to the game.

Simplified Customization

This one is less important as the others in my opinion, but is still a point for veterans to cope and seethe about. It appears that the types of parts that you can customize your mech with has been reduced. The fewer categories make it slightly easier for new players to approach building a mech which understandably makes the longtime fans sneed.

Gatekeeping

Naturally, the long standing fans are clashing with the new blood that the souls franchise brought in. There is shit flinging on all sides as new fans gloat about their soulslike influence while dinosaurs lament the casualization of their beloved mecha franchise. Some choice threads to spectate:

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14akgr3/in_defense_of_those_complaining/

PLEASE understand why us Armored Boomers are upset

https://archived.moe/m/thread/21797331

Thousands of replies from new and old fans absolutely malding, coping, seething, and just a tad of dilating

>Special Note: 1800 replies on a thread like this is absolutely incredible. /m/ is one of the slowest posting boards, so seeing that many replies in such a short window is quite the spectacle.

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14abjup/armored_core_was_always_supposed_to_be_like_this/

These were never meant for YOU

Colonization

At this point, the old fans have been almost completely outnumbered by new fans of the franchise. As unfortunate as this is for oldies, the result was inevitable. Just for some context as to the size disparity of the Armored Core and Souls franchises, the best selling AC game is Armored Core 2 at a respectable 790,000 copies sold. Compare that to Elden Ring's 17 million copies. That many copies? In how many years?

https://screenrant.com/best-selling-fromsoftware-games-ranked/#sekiro-shadows-die-twice---5-million

Screen 🤢 Rant 🤮 I know but proves the point

The economics of the situation guaranteed that Armored Core would get with the times and become the Armored Souls and Mechiro that the fans so dearly wanted. Now that the takeover is basically complete, we get the typical threads you'd expect.

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14at5pk/why_are_people_in_this_community_so_threatened_by/

We MUST protect the honor of small indie dev! Just buy the game!

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14aovhi/what_vaatividya_did_for_armored_core_was_a/

I will deepthroat the entire shaft of muh heckin favorite Dark Souls YouTuber!!!!!

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14ac1bj/at_this_point_there_are_more_people_complaining/

Total Oldfan Death has been achieved

What NEXT?

It seems that the bickering is losing steam, and the Armored Core subreddit is entering a state of equilibrium. Topical memes are being posted again and the general hype for the new entry is returning. The old guard have been thoroughly defeated, coming to terms that their favorite mecha game is permanently changing.

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14art59/august_25_is_almost_here_3/

GOTY would be incredible, but mecha is still repulsive to western audiences

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14ak2c0/we_get_to_fight_drug_addicted_space_hippies_with/

Completely accurate assessment

https://old.reddit.com/r/armoredcore/comments/14a94gx/i_was_bored/

Newfans doing a victory lap on the oldfans

At this point, we can only wait until August and see how the game is first hand.

My Take on the Matter

Armored Core is going the way of souls. Is this a good change? Or the total destruction of a niche beloved franchise?

Truthfully, I think the changes are good. I believe that we old fans have extreme rose colored glasses for the ancient and archaic control scheme of the PS2 era games. Note that those games did not even use twin sticks despite being on the console for several years.

The games are going to be fun and my extreme hopium is that the mecha genre in the west gains much more widespread approval.

What do you think?

These changes have sparked a wave of discussion. Do you think the changes are great? Or are you coping about your favorite robot game getting gentrified?

Most importantly, Are you going to play Armored Core 6?

Absolutely - 58 votes

Mecha? Gross - 28 votes

Thank you for reading, more dossiers to come