This is the only game I've played I would confidently give a 10/10 rating to. As an emerging fan of the mecha genre I found this game around the time I started getting into gundam and I didn't have any expectations going in besides the fact it was a fromsoft game (bosses with second phases). Needless to say i was blown away with what this game delivered. My most played mecha game (and favorite game) is Titanfall 2 and this gave me a whole new perspective on what the mecha genre is and can be if done right. I believe Armored Core 6 to be the gold standard in terms of mecha movement and combat and i am eager to try its previous installments. The games story is rich and came with unexpected moral dilemmas that I've lost sleep over, constantly muttering dialogue lines under my breath every now and again. The characters involved are exceptionally made and the 3 endings means you get to see almost every character from a different angle, both for better or for worse (I still think rusty is the true unsung hero of this story). Every single component of this game works and weaves together to give the player an unforgettable experience, whether its spending hours customizing your AC to make the coolest looking mech, or maybe its simply spending a little extra time in a mission to listen to its music or dialogue lines, or maybe its getting overly emotional at the boss you've spent a consecutive 2 hours on, there's always something this game can give you.

MUSIC:
The amount of emotion these tracks can bring is unprecedented, specifically for the missions where you need to make a choice between 2 evils, or pushing down the path you've chosen, far beyond the point of no return. The games soundtrack is a mix of gritty ambiance to more orchestral synths that really drive home the feeling of mechanized battle. It is very rare to hear more organic instruments, for example the guitar, which i think further reinforces the feeling of dehumanization on the battlefield. Personally I would say my favorite track from the soundtrack (not including the extra tracks) would be "Steel Haze (Rusted Pride)". I find myself regularly listening to some of the boss battle tracks while working out and the more ambience tracks would be great choices for TTRPG background music. Pair with an Ultra Zero Monster Energy and maybe some sparkling apple juice, or really any lighter sparkling juice.

I don't usually finish games, but i have finished this game 3 times,

they need to make another one of these

def one of my favorite combat systems of all time. wonderful, difficult, fast, and punchy