Ace combat is one of those rare franchises that manages to deliver good to amazing games even more than 2 decades after its beginning. Ace combat 7 is no exception. It is a flight sim that presents flight in a very unrealistic manner. You are able to do impossible stunts, carry hundreds of missiles and other physics defying stuff. If you are a diehard player of realistic flight sims like DSC then I don't recommend AC 7, but if your knowledge of fighter jets is “they are cool” then I highly recommend you give it a try.
Story
Unlike a lot of other modern flight sims, this one has an actual story, and a fairly engaging one at that. The shortest way I can describe it is Metal Gear Solid, but worse. The storyline is set in a war between two countries in an alternate universe. It isn't your regular cookie cutter war story. By this I mean that it has some weird elements and a deeper moral message if you're willing to look for it, but it can also be very campy at times and that weirdness can go both ways. The worst part is the way they handle the characters. Some get replaced too quickly, while others seem useless.
Gameplay
It is an arcade flight sim, whereas I said before you can do impossible maneuvers and can carry dozens of missiles. This applies to all the planes in the game, of which there is a wide variety. They range from popular ones (F-22, F-15, SU 27) experimental (YF-23, SU 47, FB-22) to completely fictional (ADFX-01, X-02, Darkstar). You acquire them with points you earn during the missions. Grinding will be required if you want all the planes. In addition to aircraft, you can also get special weapons, like missiles with very long range, extra guns and more. Gameplay pacing is fantastic, as the mission you are playing is rarely similar to the previous. Bosses are okay, although they are rare. Returning players will notice one big addition to the mobility - PSM (post stall maneuver). They turn the previously improbable mobility to downright silly. Overall, I would describe the gameplay as fun. There is also multiplayer, but I couldn't be bothered with it.
Graphics and artstyle
Since you won't be looking at the ground at a very close range, it can get away with lower quality textures while still maintaining AAA levels of graphics. Other than that, everything else – plane models, weather, cutscenes make the game look very beautiful.
Atmosphere
It did make me feel like an unstoppable ace pilot at times.
Soundtrack
Probably the best in the franchise thus far. The Latin adds a level of mysticism that is just right for AC 7. Favorite part is “Archange”.
Final Thoughts
Dog.jpg
Story
Unlike a lot of other modern flight sims, this one has an actual story, and a fairly engaging one at that. The shortest way I can describe it is Metal Gear Solid, but worse. The storyline is set in a war between two countries in an alternate universe. It isn't your regular cookie cutter war story. By this I mean that it has some weird elements and a deeper moral message if you're willing to look for it, but it can also be very campy at times and that weirdness can go both ways. The worst part is the way they handle the characters. Some get replaced too quickly, while others seem useless.
Gameplay
It is an arcade flight sim, whereas I said before you can do impossible maneuvers and can carry dozens of missiles. This applies to all the planes in the game, of which there is a wide variety. They range from popular ones (F-22, F-15, SU 27) experimental (YF-23, SU 47, FB-22) to completely fictional (ADFX-01, X-02, Darkstar). You acquire them with points you earn during the missions. Grinding will be required if you want all the planes. In addition to aircraft, you can also get special weapons, like missiles with very long range, extra guns and more. Gameplay pacing is fantastic, as the mission you are playing is rarely similar to the previous. Bosses are okay, although they are rare. Returning players will notice one big addition to the mobility - PSM (post stall maneuver). They turn the previously improbable mobility to downright silly. Overall, I would describe the gameplay as fun. There is also multiplayer, but I couldn't be bothered with it.
Graphics and artstyle
Since you won't be looking at the ground at a very close range, it can get away with lower quality textures while still maintaining AAA levels of graphics. Other than that, everything else – plane models, weather, cutscenes make the game look very beautiful.
Atmosphere
It did make me feel like an unstoppable ace pilot at times.
Soundtrack
Probably the best in the franchise thus far. The Latin adds a level of mysticism that is just right for AC 7. Favorite part is “Archange”.
Final Thoughts
Dog.jpg