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I’m sure few of you are familiar with the Ace Combat series developed by Project ACES. But those who are know that it’s one of the most mind-blowing action games about modern aviation. While not everyone liked the latest installments, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon and the free-to-play Ace Combat: Infinity, series veterans eagerly awaited the sequel.

And finally, it happened! In 2015, Project ACES announced the next numbered installment, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. It was supposed to be released in 2017, but the developers were still working on the game, so the release had to be delayed.

Did the game live up to my expectations? Oh yes, absolutely! Did it surprise me as a fan of the series? Unfortunately, no.

Fox 2! Fox 2!

Many people playing Ace Combat for the first time ignorantly expect the things that make flight simulators what they are: realistic controls, damage models, realism, everything. Let me tell you right now, Ace Combat isn’t about that at all. You won’t have to sweat the loop-the-loop here: a mid-air turn (right on the spot) is accomplished in a matter of seconds, and when you slow down to a crawl, your craft practically freezes in mid-air.

Ace Combat is an arcade action game, and thank goodness it’s an arcade. Its straightforward gameplay generates countless breathtaking moments unmatched by other flight action games. However, the ease, shall we say, evaporates as soon as you increase the difficulty or encounter an enemy ace.

Oh yeah, one-on-one battles with ace pilots are something else. Afterward, I often found myself gripping the controller until my knuckles went white during battles. In other words, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is yet another incarnation of the good old Ace Combat formula: the series’ typical, fast-paced gameplay, an engaging and well-crafted story, a large fleet of aircraft, and plenty of reasons to replay the game. And this time, there’s also multiplayer, along with special missions for PS VR owners!

That said, the new installment of the aerial action game doesn’t really bring anything new to the table, unlike the previous Assault Horizon. It simply iterates on everything that was already good using the series’ new Unreal Engine 4—and does it brilliantly. The series had been dormant for a long time, with fans frantically anticipating a new entry. Project ACES, without further ado, delivered what the audience had been waiting for. Seriously, when you launch the game, it feels like you’ve suddenly stepped back fifteen years and are playing Ace Combat 5 on PS2.

The truth is, there’s absolutely nothing… special about Ace Combat 7. There’s no unique feature that would set it apart from its predecessors. In AC5: Squadron Leader , for example, you can manage your squad; in AC Zero: Belkan War you need to take care of neutral targets and earn reputation; and Assault Horizon introduced helicopter gameplay and a dogfight system. So what’s unique about Skies Unknown? Nothing, really. It’s disappointing, of course, but it doesn’t turn me against the game entirely (personally). I think the same can be said for those who enjoy the classic Ace Combat gameplay.

Arsenal Bird inbound!

By the way, a good question: what should a “true” Ace Combat game have? Images of giants, narrow passages and tunnels to maneuver through, and stealth missions in canyons and mountainous terrain come to mind. Skies Unknown has it all. Level design has always been one of the series’ best features. Every mission is invariably distinct: even seemingly similar missions constantly change the conditions and circumstances. A typical example of a repetitive mission is killing enemies for a certain score. But in one, you’re fighting drones, in another, you’re destroying platforms in the ocean while flying between beams, and in a third, a huge flying fortress appears out of nowhere.

Every mission invariably begins with a briefing, the commander’s authoritative voiceover, and the occasional joke from the flight crew. Then, from time to time, one of the minigames appears, requiring takeoff from an airfield or mid-air refueling. Only then does the mission itself begin, and you never know what you’ll encounter: what the objective will be, what modifiers (be it inclement weather or enemy radars), who you’ll be fighting, and what plot details will be revealed through cutscenes or radio.

I don’t know how the writers manage it, but you start empathizing with the characters from the very first combat missions. Plus, everything that happens has a logic to it, which is rare for such arcade shooters. All the events are connected, explained, and repeatedly make you gasp with that “WOW!” feeling, rather than just mindlessly flying and shooting at planes. And, frankly, all this works so well in tandem with the gameplay that you simply never get tired of playing.

The Kingdom of Erusea declares war!

All games in the Ace Combat franchise tell the stories of several generations of ace pilots. The events take place in a world called Strangereal: imagine all the continents and countries on Earth arranged in a completely different order. The result is a fictional world, more or less based on real history. And in this Strangereal, someone is constantly attacking someone else, using not only military might but sometimes even downright fantastical “wonder weapons.”

This time, the kingdom of Erusia decides to start a full-scale war on its own continent, advancing its troops further and further. Your callsign is Trigger. Your mission is to thwart the aggressor’s plans as part of the peacekeeping forces. The premise is simple, but there are many twists and turns ahead, so the situation will change several times. The story follows not only the main character but also other people drawn into the war — for example, the princess of Erusia. So you’ll be able to view the conflict from multiple perspectives.

Additionally, the characters change dramatically over time. Some swear allegiance to the protagonist, while others betray him. However, I was disconcerted by the fact that by the end of the game, most everyone treats Trigger like some kind of deity on a plane, showering him with praise at times and times when not appropriate. When the concentration of compliments reaches two per sentence, the characters’ lines begin to sound… odd.

But overall, the story is well-crafted. It’s an excellent continuation of the Ace Combat mythology, with solid direction and plenty of cutscenes. It’s not as long or convoluted as the previous “Santa Barbara” games, but you’ll definitely not be bored.

Deep Dark Blue

While Ace Combat 7 differs little from its predecessors in terms of gameplay, it would be a shame not to note that the game has made a huge leap in atmosphere and graphics. Developed using Unreal Engine 4, Skies Unknown boasts stunning visuals. While some low-resolution textures may be a niggle, these complaints are quickly forgotten against the backdrop of the endless sky and beautiful clouds.

The sky is a huge achievement for the developers of the seventh game: it’s not just a beautiful volumetric texture with a distant light source, but a world unto itself. Now you’ll have to consider weather conditions when developing tactics: you can fly inside clouds to escape a missile stuck on your tail—just remember that low temperatures can cause the plane to ice up. Even droplets of water collect on the cockpit glass—a small thing, but a nice touch. And during a thunderstorm, be prepared to take a lightning strike if you dare fly into a cloud! Enemies are also susceptible to weather conditions and will use them to their advantage just as easily.

And the game’s “cosmetic” merits don’t end there. Ace Combat 7 has a magnificent soundtrack: violins and brass instruments intertwine with drums and guitar, creating a sound that truly gets your blood pumping with every fight with an enemy ace. I’ll probably even add a couple of tracks to my player and listen to them on repeat.

Project ACES’s newest creation successfully highlights all the series’ strengths and reminds the world what Ace Combat is all about. The seventh installment gave the franchise a breath of fresh air, but also retained everything that made its predecessors so beloved. I’m already starting to look forward to the sequel, because this definitely can’t stop there! The developers have mastered the technology—now it’s time for creativity.

Verdict

In short, it’s a great continuation of the series. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown clearly demonstrates that Ace Combat’s gameplay hasn’t aged at all, despite having changed little over the past few installments. The action and breathtaking combat still perfectly complement a gripping and well-crafted story, and the pleasing graphics and soundtrack are a bonus. I hope the franchise continues to thrive.

Rating: 8/10