Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, the long-awaited 6th mainline installment in FromSoftware’s action mecha franchise, was launched on August 35, 2023, more than 10 years since the release of Armored Core V. Although it’s already been around 3 years since its launch, with the initial release hype largely quieting, AC6 has recently seen rekindled virality over on the Japanese side of X. For some reason, this new wave of traction was brought on by the fan community’s almost unanimous agreement that AC6 is, in its essence, a deep and compelling otome game.
Armored Cover VI’s comparison to an “otome game,” or a women-oriented dating sim, has been present as a meme even before the game’s actual launch. It all started back in 2022, with the game’s official Steam store surprisingly featuring the “dating sim,” “cute” and “relaxing” user-defined tags, which were likely added as a joke – as is customary with FromSoftware titles. However, the meme ended up turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy, and after the game was released, many Japanese players, half-jokingly and half-serious, actually started getting on board with the theory that AC6 could be played as an otome dating sim.
Post translation:
It seems that only now,
Armored Core 6 is being redefined as “It was actually an otome game all along.”
While it’s true that it’s a mecha game reeking of metal,
The interpersonal relationships depicted in it really give off otome game vibes,
So I think anyone regardless of gender can enjoy it,
As long as they’re not someone who absolutely doesn’t want to play an action game.
Post translation:
It seems like AC6 is going viral
Regarding whether it’s truly an otome game or not, I’ll let you in on something you ladies seem to be most curious about:
“The sheer number of those kinds of AC6 artworks on p*xiv is surprisingly huge”
Get it now?
Greetings, and welcome to the Rubicon.
When you think about it, AC6 does hold playability as a dating sim, especially if you imagine the protagonist Raven (621) as the pampered hero of the story, surrounded by numerous other characters who are just happy to be around them. As members of the colorful cast of characters, we’ve got the seemingly cold-hearted handler Walter who offers his kind support to Raven, then Rusty, who calls the protagonist his “war buddy” and lowkey hints at some “special feelings” towards them, according to some of the fans.
We also have Carla, who at first seems to look down on our protagonist, but gradually learns to accept them, and the sharp-tongued Snail, who keeps calling 621 a “mutt,” and acts mean throughout the whole story. Much like in an otome game, there’s a lot of different “types” and personalities to choose from, though Japanese users say Rusty might be the best contender if you’re looking at the game through a dating sim lens.
Post translation:
The “Armored Core is an otome game” discourse is so funny, but as an otome game player who was forced to play AC6, my impression is that it’s an otome game. Rusty is literally the typical guy from an otome game. That’s why, my comrade, I don’t want you to get killed by anyone except me. Let’s kill (and love) each other like we should. Since you’re gonna die anyways, let it be by my hand.
Post translation:
- His mecha is handsome
- His weapon is handsome
- His voice is handsome
- His personality is also handsome
- His theme is handsome
- Ever since our first encounter, he gives us a max level of friendliness
- There’s lots of opportunities to battle side by side
- But he never “screws over” the player
- Even in situations where you have to confront each other, there’s a proper reason behind it
- The range from “Can a close-range pilot like me even sharpshoot?” to “There’s no way I’m missing!,,,!”
Funnily enough, it seems like otome game enjoyers and hardcore mecha fans managed to find a common language through Armored Core VI. This was also a chance for many dating sim gamers to give FromSoftware’s latest title a go, coming “for the plot,” but staying for the gameplay, though it is true that many do give up due to the game’s unforgiving difficulty. But as one user jokingly pointed out, “even if you quit midway, the fact that you still bought Armored Core 6 in search of that heart-throbbing experience is a light that will never go out.”
Translation:
I think Armored Core 6 is such a strange game because, though it wasn’t made with women as the target audience, even when people call it an “otome game” nobody gets mad.
And the reason is because it turned everyone, even the guys, into pure-hearted girls.
Yeah, I get it.
Related articles:
Armored Core 6: Japanese users react to horny outcries of AC fandom
Armored Core 6: NSFW fan art overwhelms community despite characters barely being shown at all
