Saturday, 14 Dec 2024

Ace Patrol Review

When renowned strategy master Sid Meier lends his expertise to the creation of a game, it’s an event worth paying attention to. Enter Ace Patrol, a World War I dogfight strategy game designed specifically for iOS devices. This title takes advantage of the platform’s flexibility, allowing developers to explore unique concepts without the constraints of PC or console releases. However, a lack of polish can sometimes accompany these smaller projects. Let’s take a closer look at Ace Patrol and see how it fares.

The Basics

Ace Patrol is a free download for most iOS devices, with the iPad version providing the best visual experience. The game offers a small cluster of British campaign missions that can be played without any cost. These missions provide a solid introduction to the game’s rules and mechanics and are enough to get players hooked. For a mere $0.99, players can unlock the entirety of the British war effort, consisting of 24 missions. While there are also American, French, and German campaigns available, it’s advisable to focus on the British campaign for now.

Gameplay and Repetition

Ace Patrol’s gameplay revolves around missions that involve attacking or defending various targets such as trucks, trains, bombers, and balloons. As you progress through the game, the mission types begin to repeat, with some variations added. While there are occasional larger-scale missions that allow you to control all four of your pilots, the overall experience can feel repetitive. The different campaigns offer little in terms of unique content, with only minor differences in plane stats and visual design. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a story to tie everything together either.

Battle System and Strategy

Despite its shortcomings, Ace Patrol boasts an excellent battle system. The non-static nature of the gameplay keeps the action moving, with each plane having a wide range of maneuvers at its disposal. Factors like altitude, pilot skills, and plane orientation all come into play, making strategic decision-making crucial. The movement system adds an element of unpredictability, as enemy actions are harder to anticipate compared to a game like chess. The limited number of pieces on the board prevents matches from becoming overwhelming, striking a good balance.

Cloud Coverage and Difficulty

Cloud coverage adds excitement and risk to missions, allowing you to mask your movements while friendly bases engage any enemy aircraft that crosses their path. While this concept is interesting, more variations in cloud types could have added much-needed variety to the game. Ace Patrol offers five difficulty settings to cater to players’ skill levels, ensuring that everyone finds the right level of challenge. However, it’s worth mentioning that earning points at higher difficulties doesn’t contribute to plane upgrades or pilot promotions. To progress, you’ll need to shoot down enemies and avoid excessive damage.

Multiplayer and Updates

Ace Patrol’s multiplayer mode, though promising, is currently experiencing some issues in version 1.1. Asynchronous multiplayer via Game Center is not functioning properly, according to reports on Firaxis’ official forums. However, local pass play works without any problems. It’s worth noting that constantly passing the iPad between players can become tedious, and the visibility of each other’s cloud movements makes the game less challenging. With regular updates, Ace Patrol has the potential to evolve into a great game. But for now, it could benefit from further refinement.

This review is based on Ace Patrol version 1.1.

FAQs

  • Q: How much does Ace Patrol cost?

    • A: Ace Patrol is a free download, with additional content available for $0.99.
  • Q: Can I play Ace Patrol on my iPhone?

    • A: Yes, Ace Patrol is compatible with most iOS devices, including iPhones.
  • Q: Is there a story in Ace Patrol?

    • A: Unfortunately, Ace Patrol doesn’t offer much of a story. The focus is primarily on the gameplay and strategy.

Conclusion

Ace Patrol, designed by strategy master Sid Meier, brings the excitement of World War I dogfights to iOS devices. While the game has some shortcomings, such as repetitive missions and a lack of variety in campaigns, its battle system and strategic depth shine through. With updates and improvements, Ace Patrol has the potential to become a must-play title for strategy enthusiasts. For now, it’s a promising game that could use a bit more time in development. Experience the thrill of aerial combat and test your strategic skills in Ace Patrol.