Ace Combat Games

Ace Combat is a series of arcade-style flight simulation video games developed by Bandai Namco Studios. The series began in 1995, and over the years, it has gained a reputation for its exciting gameplay, detailed aircraft models, and engaging storylines.

The gameplay of Ace Combat games typically involves piloting a fighter jet or other military aircraft in various missions and battles. Players must use their skills to evade enemy fire, take down enemy aircraft, and complete various objectives, such as protecting allied forces, bombing enemy installations, and more. The games often feature a mix of fictional and real-world locations, as well as a wide range of aircraft from different countries and time periods.

In addition to the main campaign mode, many Ace Combat games also offer a multiplayer mode, where players can engage in dogfights and other challenges against other players online. The games also typically include a variety of difficulty levels, allowing players of all skill levels to enjoy the experience.

One of the defining features of the Ace Combat series is its emphasis on storytelling. The games often feature a complex plotline, with various characters and factions vying for control of the skies. The series is known for its cinematic cutscenes, which help to immerse players in the game world and provide context for the various missions and battles.

Overall, the Ace Combat series is an exciting and engaging flight simulation franchise that offers a mix of arcade-style gameplay and storytelling. The series has gained a loyal following over the years, and its combination of challenging missions, thrilling dogfights, and detailed aircraft models continues to attract fans of the genre.

Ace Combat 1

Ace Combat (known as Air Combat in Japan) is the first game in the Ace Combat series, released in 1995 for the PlayStation console. It is an arcade-style flight simulation game that focuses on dogfighting and aerial combat.

In Ace Combat 1, players take on the role of a fighter pilot fighting in a fictional war between two countries. The game features a variety of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and attack planes, and players must complete a series of missions, ranging from escorting friendly aircraft to bombing enemy targets.

The gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed, with a focus on maneuvering and evasion, as well as targeting and taking down enemy aircraft. The game also features a variety of difficulty levels, allowing players to adjust the challenge to their skill level. One of the defining features of Ace Combat 1 is its use of cinematic cutscenes to tell a story that unfolds over the course of the game. The game’s plot involves a conflict between the Osean Federation and the neighboring nation of Erusea, with the player’s actions having an impact on the outcome of the war.

Overall, Ace Combat 1 is a classic arcade-style flight simulation game that offers thrilling aerial combat, challenging missions, and an engaging story. It set the foundation for the rest of the series, which has since become known for its exciting gameplay and complex plotlines.

Ace Combat 2

Ace Combat 2 is the second installment in the Ace Combat series, released in 1997 for the PlayStation console. Like its predecessor, it is an arcade-style flight simulation game that focuses on dogfighting and aerial combat.

In Ace Combat 2, players once again take on the role of a fighter pilot fighting in a fictional war between two countries. The game features a variety of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and attack planes, and players must complete a series of missions, ranging from air-to-air combat to ground attacks.

The gameplay of Ace Combat 2 is similar to the first game in the series, with a focus on maneuvering and evasion, as well as targeting and taking down enemy aircraft. However, the game also introduces new features such as weather effects and improved enemy AI, making the gameplay more challenging and dynamic. The story of Ace Combat 2 is once again told through a series of cinematic cutscenes that unfold as players progress through the game. The plot involves a conflict between the Usean Allied Forces and the Usean Rebel Forces, with the player’s actions having an impact on the outcome of the war.

Overall, Ace Combat 2 builds on the solid foundation established by the first game in the series, offering improved gameplay, more challenging missions, and a deeper storyline. It set the stage for the continued success of the series and its popularity among fans of arcade-style flight simulation games.

Ace Combat 3

Ace Combat 3 is the third installment in the Ace Combat series, released in 1999 for the PlayStation console. It is a combat flight simulation game that takes place in a futuristic setting.

In Ace Combat 3, the player takes on the role of a pilot working for a multinational corporation called Neucom, which is engaged in a struggle for power with another corporation called General Resource Limited. The game features a variety of missions that range from dogfighting to bombing runs, and it also introduces new gameplay mechanics such as a 360-degree targeting system and the ability to control unmanned aircraft.

The game’s story is presented through multiple branching paths, with the player’s choices affecting the outcome of the game’s narrative. This approach to storytelling was innovative for its time, and it gave the game a high level of replayability. Ace Combat 3 also featured improved graphics and sound compared to its predecessors, with detailed aircraft models and more immersive sound effects. The game’s soundtrack was composed by Keiki Kobayashi, who has since become a mainstay of the series.

Despite its critical success, Ace Combat 3 was not released outside of Japan in its original form due to content changes made by the game’s publisher. A modified version of the game, called Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere International Edition, was later released in other regions, but it lacked the multiple story paths and branching narrative of the original game.

Ace Combat Joint Assault

Ace Combat Joint Assault is the tenth main installment in the Ace Combat series, released in 2010 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PlayStation Vita consoles.

In Joint Assault, the player takes on the role of a pilot in a multinational mercenary unit called Martinez Security, which is hired to combat a terrorist organization called the Valahia. The game takes place in a fictional world where multiple countries and organizations are engaged in a power struggle, and the player must complete a variety of missions ranging from air-to-air combat to ground attacks to protect their employers’ interests.

Joint Assault features improved graphics and sound compared to its predecessors, with detailed aircraft models and more realistic sound effects. The game’s soundtrack was composed by Tetsukazu Nakanishi, who had previously worked on other Ace Combat titles.

One of the key gameplay features of Joint Assault is the ability to team up with other players in cooperative multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to take on missions together. The game also features a new “Enhanced Combat View” system, which provides a more realistic and immersive perspective during gameplay. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Joint Assault was praised for its improved graphics and sound, as well as its cooperative multiplayer mode.

Ace Combat X Skies of Deception

Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception is the ninth main installment in the Ace Combat series, released in 2006 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console.

The game takes place in the same fictional world as the previous games in the series, and follows the story of a new protagonist named Gryphus One, a member of the Gryphus Squadron who is hired by a small country called Aurelia to help fight off the invading army of its neighboring superpower, Leasath. Skies of Deception features a campaign mode with 18 different missions, ranging from air-to-air combat to ground attacks, with a variety of different aircraft available for the player to pilot. The game also includes a multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to engage in dogfighting or co-op missions using the PSP’s ad-hoc wireless connectivity.

One of the key features of Skies of Deception is the game’s use of the “Ace Style” system, which allows players to choose a particular playstyle that affects their abilities and unlocks different abilities as they progress through the game. The game also features an upgrade system, allowing players to upgrade their aircraft’s weapons, engines, and other systems to improve their performance.

Skies of Deception was well-received by critics for its smooth controls, impressive graphics, and immersive gameplay, with many reviewers praising the game’s use of the Ace Style system as a unique and engaging feature.

Ace Combat X2 Joint Assault

Ace Combat X2: Joint Assault is the tenth installment in the Ace Combat series, released in 2010 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console. The game takes place in the same fictional world as the previous games in the series, and follows the story of a new protagonist named Phoenix, a member of the Martinez Security PMC (Private Military Company) who is hired to help defend the city of Bonito from a sudden invasion by a group of unknown forces.

Joint Assault features a campaign mode with 21 different missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attacks, and escort missions, with a variety of different aircraft available for the player to pilot. The game also includes a multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to engage in dogfighting or co-op missions using the PSP’s ad-hoc wireless connectivity.

One of the key features of Joint Assault is the game’s focus on cooperative gameplay, with many missions requiring players to work together to achieve their objectives. The game also introduces a new “Enhanced Combat View” system, which provides a more immersive view of the game world and allows for more strategic planning.

Joint Assault received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the game’s graphics and cooperative gameplay, but criticizing the game’s repetitive missions and lack of innovation compared to previous Ace Combat games.

Ace Combat 4 Shattered Skies

Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies is the fourth installment in the Ace Combat series, released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2 console. Set in a fictional world, the game follows the story of a young pilot named “Blaze” who is part of the Wardog Squadron, a group of elite pilots fighting in a war between two rival nations. The game’s storyline is told through a series of cutscenes between missions, as well as through in-game dialogue during missions.

The gameplay in Ace Combat 04 is divided into a campaign mode and a multiplayer mode. The campaign mode consists of 18 missions, each with specific objectives such as destroying enemy forces, escorting friendly forces, or reconnoitering enemy positions. The player can choose from a variety of fighter planes, each with different attributes such as speed, maneuverability, and armaments.

One of the key features of Ace Combat 04 is the game’s intuitive flight controls and combat system, which allows players to perform various maneuvers and engage in dogfights with ease. The game also introduces a dynamic weather system, with missions taking place in different weather conditions such as rain, snow, or fog, which affects the gameplay.

Ace Combat 04 was well-received by critics for its engaging storyline, intuitive controls, and impressive graphics for the time. It is considered a classic of the Ace Combat series and a landmark title in the flight combat genre.

Ace Combat 5 The Unsung War

Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is the fifth installment in the Ace Combat series, released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 console. Set in the same fictional world as its predecessor, Ace Combat 04, the game follows the story of Blaze, the player character from the previous game, and his involvement in a new conflict known as “The Circum-Pacific War”. The game’s story is once again told through a series of cutscenes between missions, and features a large cast of characters with their own backstories and motivations.

The gameplay in Ace Combat 5 builds on the foundation of its predecessor, with 32 missions and a variety of fighter planes to choose from. The game introduces several new features, such as wingmen commands, which allows the player to give orders to their AI-controlled allies during missions, and a “wingman morale” system that affects the performance of the player’s team. The game also features a multiplayer mode, where players can engage in dogfights or co-operative missions.

One of the defining features of Ace Combat 5 is its narrative focus, with a strong emphasis on character development and storytelling. The game’s storyline is complex and explores themes of war, politics, and morality, with multiple plot twists and branching paths based on the player’s choices during the game. The game’s music score, composed by Keiki Kobayashi, has also been highly praised for its cinematic quality and emotional impact.

Ace Combat 5 received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with critics lauding its storytelling, gameplay, and audiovisual presentation. It is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the series and a classic of the flight combat genre.

Ace Combat The Belkan War

Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is the sixth installment in the Ace Combat series, released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2 console. Set 15 years prior to the events of Ace Combat 5, the game is set during the Belkan War, a conflict between the nations of Osea and Yuktobania against the Belkan Federation. The player character is a mercenary pilot named Cipher, who is hired by the Ustio Air Force to assist in the conflict. The game features a non-linear storyline, with multiple branching paths and endings based on the player’s choices during the game.

The gameplay in Ace Combat Zero is similar to that of its predecessor, with a variety of fighter planes and weapons to choose from. The game introduces a new system called the “Ace Style Gauge”, which measures the player’s performance in combat and determines their playstyle. The game also features a new “Allied Support System”, which allows the player to call in assistance from AI-controlled allies during missions.

Ace Combat Zero’s storyline explores themes of war, nationalism, and the role of the individual in conflict. The game features a large cast of characters, including rival pilots who serve as the game’s primary antagonists. The game’s music score, composed by Keiki Kobayashi and Tetsukazu Nakanishi, has also been praised for its quality and emotional impact.

Ace Combat Zero received positive reviews upon its release, with critics praising its storyline, gameplay, and presentation. It is considered to be one of the best entries in the Ace Combat series, and a classic of the flight combat genre.

Ace Combat Distant Thunder

The game is set in an alternate universe where a massive asteroid impact causes widespread devastation and triggers a global conflict known as the Usean Continental War. The player takes on the role of a fighter pilot named Mobius 1, who is recruited by the Independent State Allied Forces to participate in the war.

Ace Combat 04 features a linear storyline with 18 missions, each with specific objectives such as air-to-air combat, ground attacks, and reconnaissance missions. The game features a variety of fighter planes and weapons, which can be customized and upgraded between missions. The game also introduces a new “wingman command” system, which allows the player to issue orders to AI-controlled wingmen during missions.

The game’s presentation is notable for its cinematic cutscenes, which are rendered in real-time using the game’s graphics engine. The game’s soundtrack, composed by Keiki Kobayashi and Hiroshi Okubo, has also been praised for its quality and impact. Ace Combat 04 received critical acclaim upon its release, with critics praising its gameplay, presentation, and storyline. It is considered to be a landmark title in the flight combat genre, and a classic of the PlayStation 2 era.

Ace Combat Squadron Leader

Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (known as Ace Combat: Squadron Leader in Europe) is the fifth game in the Ace Combat series, released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 console.

The game is set in the same alternate universe as Ace Combat 04, and takes place several years later. The player takes on the role of a pilot in the Osean Air Defense Force, which is engaged in a war with the neighboring nation of Yuktobania. The player character, callsign “Blaze,” is part of the Wardog Squadron, a unit of pilots who become embroiled in a larger conflict as the war escalates.

Ace Combat 5 features a similar linear storyline to Ace Combat 04, with 27 missions and multiple objectives such as air-to-air combat, ground attacks, and escort missions. The game introduces new features such as mid-air refueling and a dynamic weather system that affects gameplay. The game also features a new “wingman interaction” system, which allows the player to build relationships with AI-controlled wingmen and influence their behavior in combat. The game’s presentation is similar to Ace Combat 04, with real-time rendered cutscenes and a cinematic soundtrack composed by Keiki Kobayashi and Tetsukazu Nakanishi.

Ace Combat 5 received critical acclaim upon its release, with critics praising its gameplay, presentation, and storyline. It is considered to be one of the best games in the series, and a classic of the PlayStation 2 era.

Ace Combat Assault Horizon

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon is an arcade-style combat flight simulation video game developed by Project Aces and published by Namco Bandai for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011, and later for Microsoft Windows in 2013. The game departs from previous Ace Combat games by introducing a more cinematic gameplay experience, featuring close-range dogfighting and new mechanics such as the “Dogfight Mode” and “Close-Range Assault”. The game also features a story-driven campaign mode and multiplayer mode. In addition, the game features real-world aircraft and locations, as well as a new fictional universe known as “Strangereal”.

Ace Combat 6 Fires of Liberation

Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation is a combat flight simulation video game developed by Project Aces and published by Namco Bandai for the Xbox 360 in 2007. The game features a campaign mode with 15 missions set in a fictional world known as “Strangereal”, where players assume the role of a pilot fighting in a war between two rival nations. The game also features a cooperative multiplayer mode where players can team up to complete missions together, as well as a competitive multiplayer mode where players can engage in dogfighting battles against each other. Ace Combat 6 also introduced new mechanics such as the “Allied Support System” and “Dynamic Operations System”, which added more strategic depth to the gameplay. The game received positive reviews for its graphics, gameplay, and multiplayer modes.

Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is a combat flight simulation video game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. It was released in January 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and in February 2019 for PC. The game features a campaign mode with 20 missions set in a fictional world called “Usea”, where players assume the role of a pilot in a war between two rival nations. The game also features a multiplayer mode with various game modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Battle Royale.

The game introduces new mechanics such as the “Cloud System”, which allows players to hide in clouds to evade enemies, and the “Arsenal Bird”, which is a massive flying fortress that players must defeat. Ace Combat 7 also features a variety of aircraft to choose from, each with its own unique set of weapons and capabilities.

The game received positive reviews for its graphics, gameplay, and multiplayer modes, with critics praising its immersive experience and intense aerial combat.