With a history that spanned decades, the Ace Combat series has continued to be endearing in the flight combat genre, known for its unique blend of arcade-style gameplay and dramatic storytelling that rivals Hollywood blockbusters.
Since its debut on arcade shelves and PlayStation 1 with Air Combat, the series later was rebranded under the iconic name Ace Combat, with dozens of main and spin-off titles released since, each lovingly developed and crafted by the talented game developers over at Project Aces.
Over two decades later, the release of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown stands as a testament to the series’ evolution, delivering an experience that simultaneously harks back to its roots while embracing modern gaming innovations.
Initially released in 2019 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has been ported to PC and on the Nintendo Switch back in July 2024 which is where I experienced the majority of the game on.
Throughout its history, Ace Combat has danced a fine line between accessibility and realism, balancing complex flight mechanics with heart-pounding, action-packed gameplay; and this is reflected in the latest title in the Ace Combat series.
One of the most defining aspects of the series as seen in Ace Combat 7 is its refined flight gameplay which blends lessons learnt from past games. In particular, one gameplay mechanic that can be easy to pull off but hard to master is the post stall manoeuvres.
These manoeuvres referred to as PSM enable players to perform tight aerial manoeuvres such as the famous Kublit, allowing for quick positioning against agile opponents while also providing another opportunity for self-expression in piloting their aircraft. This PSM was certainly perfected in Ace Combat 7 as these manoeuvres were seen in their primitive form in the previous game in the series, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon which while critically panned for its gameplay, was a game that I enjoyed as a guilty pleasure in a cheesy manner similar to Micheal Bay Transformer movies, with big explosion and carnage.
Introduced as the “Close Range Assault” system, Assault Horizon was a far cry from its predecessor with tight camera angles and on-rail combat sequences that go all in on the ‘Metal Carnage’ as its main feature.
Fortunately, the introduction of PSM and a return to form in Ace Combat 7 was a relief for long-time fans of the series, as well as a breath of fresh air for new players such as myself who had limited experience in the series.
Returning to its roots, Ace Combat 7 reintroduces the fictional and intricate world of Strangereal, as players take on the role of a silent protagonist named Trigger, fighting against insurmountable odds in the war between Osea and Erusea.
These nations are embroiled in larger-than-life conflicts, with dramatic twists and betrayals on an individual and global scale, which are set alongside dramatic dogfights comparable to Hollywood blockbuster releases such as Top Gun: Maverick.
Furthermore, this alternative universe also enables some creative liberty in some of the aircraft designs; with some of the major set pieces set around them, one of which is the larger-than-life Arsenal Bird depicting the science fiction of an autonomous airborne aircraft carrier and takes it to a whole new level.
Whereas in the predecessor Assault Horizon which veered towards bombastic, cinematic QuickTime events, Skies Unknown recaptures the charm of past numbered titles such as Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, requiring players to tackle complex missions that demand both dexterity and strategic thinking.
In addition to major set pieces, some iconic moments such as tunnel runs where players are forced to fly down a narrowing tunnel to achieve an objective, or its variant Canyon Run ala Top Gun: Maverick which sees players navigating a meandering canyon against a strict timeline; offers thrilling moments that tested players’ precision under intense pressure.
These moments are spread throughout the campaign, which will see players facing off against aerial unmanned drones to elite aces and squadrons, in a variety of environmental obstacles, the main selling point of Skies Unknown.
Rather than being just visual, clouds and rain can have adverse effects as players can find themselves fighting against potential lightning storms and turbulence, adding a layer of realism and challenge without being too overbearing.
This exhilarating gameplay loop is coupled with some of the most mesmerising soundtracks composed by the legendary Keiki Kobayashi that ranged from hauntingly beautiful melodies to pulse-pounding anthems that synced perfectly with the intensity of combat.
Some of the highlights are the guitar and violin crescendo of Magic Spear, to the hair-raising choir and orchestra of Archange that sets the tone for an intense dogfight during major encounters.
Since its release, Ace Combat 7 has seen several content expansions, such as three additional special missions that take place in between the campaign, to aircraft featured in past titles.
Among the most notable was the unlikely crossover with Top Gun: Maverick itself, with players being able to pilot some of the most iconic planes from the movies in Skies Unknown.
With more than five million copies sold as of 2023, the series proves that a competent flight combat game can still spread its wings and fly in today’s gaming world.
In marrying the tradition of past Ace Combat games with modern-day refinements, Ace Combat 7 represents the culmination of everything the franchise has learnt over the past two decades. – Daniel Lim
