20 Best Video Games Of 2023 - RANKED

11. Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon

FromSoftware continue to be on the form of their lives, and after delivering one of the best games of all time in 2022's Elden Ring, they seemingly already had a fan-focused iron in the fire, in the form of another Armored Core, the first in over 10 years, and a continuation of a franchise that put them on the map.

In the best way possible, Armored Core is impenetrable for those coming straight from Elden Ring. Its opening boss had to be patched in the first few weeks of launch, simply because the overwhelming majority couldn't figure out the game's systems or mechanics enough, to stand a chance.

However, being the sixth instalment in an IP more than grants you the freedom to stick to that identity, and it should be commended that if you can surmount such a 90 degree onboard ramp, Fires of Rubicon is an immensely satisfying mech-builder that reveals itself over time.

Stat pages, scores of unlockable parts and endless combinations await as you build the perfect set of machines, for various mission layouts and enemy types. Where Armored Core 6 really stands out is how each individual piece feels to control, and how no specific build is truly the best. That, mixed with the most impressive sense of scale the series has seen yet, especially in boss fights, makes this a dark horse that wider Elden Ring audience seem to have overlooked.