Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere

The third installment of the arcade simulator series developed by Namco, in which the players take on the role of fighter pilots. Compared to its predecessors, the game is distinguished by its futuristic design and improved, more intuitive controls.

Story

The world is ruled by powerful corporations. The tense relationship between the two organizations, General Resource and Neuwork, ultimately leads to the outbreak of war that spreads across USEA. A young pilot belonging to the UPEO peacekeeping forces tries, together with his companions, to limit the bloodshed and save as many lives as possible. With time, he discovers that the causes of the conflict are completely different than he expected, and the motives of his superiors are not entirely laudable. Soon the situation becomes even more complicated when a powerful terrorist group gets involved in the conflict. Performing successive missions and learning the story, the players make a number of decisions, aiming at one of the six endings prepared by the devs.

Mechanics

Ace Combat 3 is an aerial shooter combining arcade and simulation elements, in which the players pilot modern jet fighters and perform a series of missions. In addition to the main goal, each map has a number of side tasks waiting for the players, the completion of which influences the player's final evaluation. The progress is evaluated in the rank system.

The game enables us to sit at the helm of twenty-one planes. Some of them were reproduced based on real-life machines such as Eurofighter Typhoon or F-22 Raptor II. The devs made a few modifications to these models, adapting them to the chosen, futuristic stylistics. Before each map, the player can choose the weaponry, choosing from many types of guns and missiles.

Game modes

In addition to the story mode, the devs have also prepared an option to play single missions unlocked for success in the campaign. Within the "Mission Simulator" the players can choose not only their machine and its armament, but also decide on the target, scenery, number of enemies or their intelligence. This module enables the players to hone their skills and extends the life of the game.

Technical aspects

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere has been released in two very different versions. The Japanese edition contains an internal encyclopedia with curiosities and a much more complex story mode, in which several paths and endings have been prepared, and the story in the background has been told through animated cut-scenes. The version released in Europe and the United States has a much simpler campaign mode, devoid of many branches and animations.

Last updated on April 4, 2020