Summary
In a year that has been filled with week after week of incredible marquis titles and long-awaited sequels to beloved franchises, it’s almost hard to believe that fans have just three more days before getting their hands onArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon. The latest entry in the long-running mech combat franchise looks to take both the established precedent of previousArmored Coretitles while adding in some of the lessons learned by developer FromSoftware in its work on theSoulsseries andElden Ringin the intervening years since the last entry. Ahead of release, FromSoftware has revealed the minimum and recommended PC specs forArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, and it’s excellent news for Steam Deck owners.
Last year, the Steam Deck launched to considerable praise, boasting a built-in library of thousands of playable games via the Steam storefront. Launching the exact same day was 2022’s Game of the Year and lastFromSoftware titleElden Ring. ThatElden Ringquickly became one of the system’s killer apps was an unexpected surprise, wowing players with how capable the handheld was at running one of the year’s most anticipated titles. WithArmored Core 6andElden Ringhaving similar PC specs, it looks like fans may see history repeat itself.
RELATED:Armored Core 6 Could Be The Start of a New Trend For FromSoftware
Elden Ring and Armored Core 6 Share the Same DNA
Both the Steam Deck and other comparable handheld PCs like the Asus ROG Ally are incredible machines that far surpass what was previously possible with a handheld, but they are still somewhat limited in terms of which games they can comfortably handle, which madeElden Ring’s smooth performance on the handheld that much more impressive. A quick glance at the minimum andrecommended specs forArmored Core 6shows that they are nearly identical to those ofElden Ring.
Despite not being a Soulslike game,Armored Core 6is still built usingthe same engine asSekiroandElden Ring. Considering that these games share the same framework, it should come as little surprise thatArmored Core 6is Deck Verified just like the other two FromSoftware titles built in the same engine. The minimum requirements for each game are very reasonable, helping to prevent players without top of the line machines from being unable to enjoy the game. The added bonus, of course, being that Steam Deck owners can also play one of 2023’s most-anticipated titles on the go.
Armored Core 6 Continues a Trend of Steam Deck-Compatible AAA Experiences
While some of 2023’s biggest releases have been either unstable or outright unplayable on the Steam Deck, it’s a relief to see thatArmored Core 6is continuing a trend of high-profile games that make it a priority to at least be playable on the handheld, even if it comes at the cost of needing to tinker with the settings for a more optimized experience.EvenBaldur’s Gate 3, which is one of the more graphically intensive games of the year, is technically playable on the handheld, which can’t be said for some other AAA releases.
BetweenElden Ring’s coinciding launch, compatibility with the handheld, and the continued optimization of its games for the Steam Deck, it’s clear FromSoftware has an interest in reaching the Deck’s install base.Armored Core 6is shaping up to be a very different game than many fans likely expect given the developer’s rise to popularity from its Soulsborne titles, but it’s at least standing side-by-side with its fellow titles from the developer in this one aspect. Whether planning to purchase the game on PC or console,thatArmored Core 6is playablein any portable fashion is a little bit of technological wizardry.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconwill be available on June 27, 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
