Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the next installment in the long-running Ace Combat series by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Not all iterations of the Ace Combat series have been well received by the fans. I personally think the series suffered from too many releases during a short amount of time. This might explain why the seventh game took a long while to get its release. The Project Aces development team had to make sure the fans got what they deserve.
Mesmerizing story
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown tells the story of Trigger who’s caught up in the continental war between the kingdom of Erusea and the Osean Federation. As one of Osea’s top pilots, you are given dangerous missions to alter the outcome of the war. Controlling the air is key to gain ground so you’ll be dogfighting enemy planes while avoiding incoming missiles. Without giving away too many spoilers, your glory days with the renowned Mage Squadron will end suddenly. To atone for your sins, you’ll be used as cannon fodder in the Spare squadron, a military formation consisting of convicts. This is where the story really develops into an epic tale of war.
Combat flight simulator
The story is there to tie all the missions together. The missions offer top-notch combat flight experiences which get harder with each mission you pass. Some missions introduce new things to spice things up. Every mission starts with a thorough briefing of what to expect. After the briefing, you get to choose your plane and weapons which can make a lot of difference in your chances for a successful mission. Some planes are more agile than others, while those planes often are less stable. Each plane feels different while handling which is no small feat considering the number of jet fighters you can get during the course of the game.
Aircraft tree
Each successful mission earns you MRP. MRP is used as currency to unlock planes, weapons, and upgrades on the “aircraft tree”. This “aircraft tree” acts as Ace Combat 7’s skill tree. In the beginning, there’s not much to choose from but after a few successful missions, you’ll be able to unlock certain branches. Skill trees can be daunting at first and Ace Combat 7’s tree is no different from the number of paths and fighters to choose from. Spending your hard earned MRP to unlock a certain path makes you feel “invested” more in the way the game evolves.
Multiplayer royal
While the single player mode is more than enough to keep you busy, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown also offers a multiplayer mode. In multiplayer you can really show off how good you’ve become at controlling your jet fighter. There are currently two multiplayer modes. The first is battle royal which is actually just a timed deathmatch including respawning when you die. The second one is team deathmatch which speaks for itself. Being successful in multiplayer lets you earn experience to gain ranks to show off. MRP is also earned which carries over to the single player. So, if you’re low in MRP and you really need that new rudder upgrade to improve your mobility, multiplayer matches are also an option.
Flight mode and difficulty
The Ace Combat series tries to cater to a wide audience. The fact is that flight sims are for the most part pretty hard to master. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown tries to bridge the gap a bit by offering the player difficulty settings to make it accessible enough for the newbie players but also offering the “hardcore” experience seasoned players will want. Choosing the standard flight mode as opposed to the expert mode makes a lot of difference for those who just want to casually shoot some fighters from the sky. The expert mode feels more real but is much harder to master. The possibility to use a flight stick is also a great feature.
VR compatible
We got a PS4 version to review which had the VR compatibility built in. First off, you can’t play the full game in VR. You get 3 missions to immerse yourself in. This might feel like a let-down but in my opinion, 3 missions are more than enough. The experience is probably the best I had on my VR. Dogfighting while being physically able to hold visual contact with your target is immensely immersive. It’s an entirely different experience from the rest of the game because of that. Despite going to “barf city” almost immediately after my first minutes into the game, I enjoyed the hell out of looping and doing a barrel roll in the air.
Conclusion
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has completely redeemed the mistakes made in the series’ past. Players from all levels can get this game and get enjoyment out of it. The first time you’ll fly through a cloud and see the raindrops on your cockpit, you’ll be hooked. I highly recommend the VR experience (if your system allows it) but don’t forget to keep a bucket close by – you might need it. Pick this one up, you’ll thank me later.
