Sunday, 8 Dec 2024

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

The exhilarating sensation of a roller coaster drop or cresting a steep hill is difficult to replicate in a game without physical movement. However, Ace Combat has consistently excelled at capturing that feeling, and the latest installment in the series, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, truly immerses players in the cockpit of a fighter jet.

Over the years, the Ace Combat series has taken players on a narrative roller coaster. After a less successful venture into the real world, the series is returning to its roots with fictional lands and wars. The opening CG scene of Ace Combat 7 introduces a young girl who, alongside her war veteran grandfather and his friends, has constructed a fighter jet over the course of many years. While she remains a secondary character, she plays a role in significant events and skirmishes during the war between the Osean and Erusean armies, serving as a companion like R2D2 rather than taking center stage like Luke Skywalker.

The first mission thrusts players into action, challenging them to shoot down enemies and avoid crashing. As your squad deploys to a nearby island, you’ll learn to lock onto enemies and launch missiles. The mission concludes with a cutscene explaining that Erusean forces have placed drones in shipping containers, remotely activating them for attacks. It’s a clever and effective strategy.

The second mission pits players against these drones, which possess the ability to execute precise turns amidst foggy clouds. Dogfighting with these enemies, while skillfully navigating through clouds to avoid icing up and potential crashes, creates an indescribable feeling of excitement. Each encounter feels fresh and exhilarating, ensuring an immersive experience.

The VR missions, however, steal the show with their impressive execution. Putting players back into the shoes of Mobius 1, the hero of Ace Combat 4, these side missions also serve as proof of how well VR dogfighting can work. The sheer admiration voiced by characters regarding your skills adds to the thrill, making the VR missions a standout feature.

Multiplayer mode offers engaging online matches, with six planes participating in 3v3 battles. In this mode, enemies are more durable, making each kill a hard-earned victory. At the end of every round, players are rewarded with accolades based on their performance, such as “Avoided the greatest number of missiles using cloud-cover” or “Fired the most missed shots.”

As someone who has dabbled in Ace Combat in the past but has never fully immersed myself, I walked away from the demo eager to play more, especially with PSVR. It will also be fascinating to see how the fanbase responds to the new game’s narrative and the return to the beloved aspects of Ace Combat.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown will be released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on January 18, followed by the PC release on February 1.

FAQs

Q1: Can I play Ace Combat 7 with PSVR?

Yes, Ace Combat 7 supports PSVR, allowing players to experience the game in virtual reality.

Q2: How many players can participate in the multiplayer mode?

Multiplayer matches in Ace Combat 7 consist of six planes, with teams being divided into 3v3 battles.

Q3: When is Ace Combat 7 releasing for PC?

Ace Combat 7 will be released for PC on February 1.

Conclusion

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown delivers an immersive and exhilarating experience as players take to the skies in fighter jets. The game excels at capturing the thrill of dogfighting and navigating through clouds, while also providing impressive VR missions that demonstrate the potential of virtual reality in aerial combat. With its return to the series’ fictional roots, Ace Combat 7 offers a fresh take on what fans loved about the franchise. Get ready to soar through the skies and engage in intense battles when Ace Combat 7 releases on January 18 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and on February 1 for PC.