Ace Combat Video Game Series
A series of aerial action games combining elements of simulation and arcade shooter. The brand was created and developed by the Japanese company Namco (now Namco Bandai) with development support from Arsys Software, Access Games and Project Aces studios.
Genesis of the series Ace Combat dates back to the early 1990s. The first installment of the series - Ace Combat - was released in 1992 for game machines. Three years later, the conversion of the title arrived on the PlayStation console. The production quickly gained popularity, which resulted in sequels -. Ace Combat 2 (1997), Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (1999), Ace Combat: Distant Thunder (2001), Ace Combat: Squadron Leader (2005), Ace Combat Zero: The Balkan War (2006) i Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (2006). With the exception of the one intended for the GBA Ace Combat Advance, until 2007 the brand was known mainly to users of consoles produced by Sony - PlayStation Portable, PlayStation and PlayStation 2. The situation was changed by the release of the game Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (2007), which was released in an Xbox 360 version. It opened the door for the first multiplatform (PC, X360, PS3, 3DS) installment of the series - Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon (2011). A year earlier, the second installment for the PSP appeared on the market - Ace Combat: Assault Horizon (2011). Ace Combat: Joint Assault. However, a completely new chapter in the history of the series was opened by the free-to-play Ace Combat Infinity (2014) for the PlayStation 3. In 2015, a game for 3DS owners was created. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy Plus, being one of the first games on the market to take advantage of the New 3DS' new features (second analog knob, additional buttons). The opportunity to purchase the latest production in the series - Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown - appeared in January 2019 for console gamers (PS4 and XONE), and as of February it could also be purchased by PC gamers.
The plot of most games in the series (with the exception of those subtitled Joint Assault, Assault Horizon and Infinity) takes place on the fictional, though largely resembling modern-day Earth, planet Strangereal. One of the leading themes of the plot, which is a very important element of each installment, is the consequences of a cosmic cataclysm: the remains of a giant asteroid destroyed a large part of the planet. This led to the outbreak of a conflict whose survival is at stake.
What distinguishes the series Ace Combat against competing products is the unique combination of aviation simulation and arcade shooter. The player takes on the role of a jet fighter pilot (both copies of modern aircraft and futuristic machines are available), and his goal is to perform assigned missions, including aerial combat against enemies and destruction of ground targets.
From the very beginning, the series Ace Combat has been characterized by high-quality audiovisual design. Attention is drawn primarily to the excellent music, whose composers include Keiki Kobayashi, Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Ryuichi Takada, Junichi Nakatsuru and Hiroshi Okubo. It is interesting to note that in the soundtrack recordings for the games in the series of Ace Combat Warsaw Symphony Orchestra also participated. The latest installment of the series - Ace Combat: Skies Unknown - was created on the Unreal Engine 4. It may also be interesting to note that some of its missions can be played using PlayStation VR virtual reality goggles.
Over the course of 24 years, the series Ace Combat has lived to see a total of 17 games, including spin-offs (e.g. Ace Combat Advance i Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception) and productions aimed at smartphones (Ace Combat XI: Skies of Incursion, Ace Combat: Northern Wings and others). In 2012, the following was released Ace Combat: Ikaros in the Sky - a book by Kei Nagase, referring to the events depicted in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. According to information presented on the game's official Japanese website Ace Combat: Skies Unknown, by 2018, the series had reached sales of more than 14 million copies.
Ace Combat Series Evolution
2019
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
2015
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy Plus
2014
Ace Combat Infinity
2011
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
2010
Ace Combat: Joint Assault
2007
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
2006
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
2005
Ace Combat Advance
2004
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
2001
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Action
January 18, 2019
An arcade flight simulator and continuation of the popular series published by Bandai Namco. Like its predecessors, Ace Combat 7 is set in alternative timeline, in which there are different countries, and humans have constructed unique flying units. Game focuses on the story, which we learn both through events during missions and many cutscenes. The gameplay is mostly arcade, with only a few simulation’s features. Due to that, realism has to move over and make space for dynamic and eye-catching sky fights, including battles with powerful bosses. Each available plane flies slightly differently, resulting in a more varied experience. Ace Combat 7 offers a story campaign for one player and multiplayer mode. Developers made use of Unreal Engine 4 and also added support of PlayStation VR goggles.
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy Plus
Action
January 29, 2015
An arcade combat flight game and a special edition of Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy for Nintendo 3DS. The game is one of the first productions utilizing the extra functions of the New 3DS, such as extra buttons and second analog stick. You play as a Special Tactical Fighter Squadron Scarface pilot and participate in Operation Fighter's Honor, during which you have to stop the countries of the southern Usea from joining the Osean Federation. The production allows you to pilot many planes, such as Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle or Sukhoi PAK FA, and to complete an expansive single-player campaign or bonus missions in the challenge mode. The arcade-like flight model and frequent fights make the game resemble shooter productions more than most PC flight simulators. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy Plus features 3D visuals, which are very high-quality for a 3DS game, both during the actual gameplay and spectacular replays.
Ace Combat Infinity
Arcade
May 20, 2014
Another part of the combat fighter simulator. The action takes the player back to the near future. This is the first part of the Ace Combat series based on a free-to-play business model, and as a result, the game focuses primarily on multiplayer gameplay.
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
Arcade
October 11, 2011
The next installment of the popular series of arcade flight simulators, launched by Japanese giant Namco back in the 90s on the PlayStation console. The action of the game takes place in 2015 and focuses on the actions of NATO air force, aimed against the Russian mercenary who set himself the goal of unleashing World War III. During the campaign we play as William Bishop, commander of Warwolf squadron and we will visit the airspace of Russia, USA and Arab Emirates.
Ace Combat: Joint Assault
Arcade
August 31, 2010
A great arcade game with elements of a simulator about the heavenly battles of combat fighters. The player takes on the role of a pilot and takes part in skirmishes over Tokyo, London or San Francisco. The creators of the series introduced new solutions and improved a lot of elements (e.g. artificial intelligence). The production has a multiplayer mode for 8 players and a cooperation campaign for 4 people.
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
Simulation
October 23, 2007
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation is the next installment of the popular series, previously known mainly to owners of various PlayStation consoles. This game is the first in the series of this aviation, dedicated to the Xbox 360 platform.
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
Simulation
October 17, 2006
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception is another game from the hit series, combining arcade and simulation elements. According to a tradition dating back to the mid-1990s, developers from Namco allowed us to play the role of a military pilot, sitting at the helm of modern combat jet planes.
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Arcade
April 25, 2006
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is another of Namco's popular aeronautical arcade games. The scenario presents events fifteen years before the circumstances occurring in the fifth installment of Ace Combat, i.e. around 1990. The character, whose fate we take over in our hands, is a military pilot hired by a country called Ustio - this one in turn was invaded by its neighbour, i.e. the state of Belka.
Ace Combat Advance
Arcade
February 23, 2005
Pocket edition of the famous dexterity book. We sit at the helm of one of a dozen or so fictitious fighters and take part in ten not too complicated missions.
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
Simulation
October 25, 2004
The Unsung War is the fifth edition of Namco's popular Ace Combat jet simulator. As in the previous parts of the game takes place in the alternative reality of our world.
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Arcade
October 26, 2001
Ace Combat 4: Distant Thunder is a Namco-produced aviation simulator. The action of the game takes place on the fictitious continent of Eugea, destroyed by a meteorite, where factions of survivors fight for survival and domination. Players have the opportunity to pilot 21 types of aircraft, including MiG-29, SU-27, F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon and F-18 Hornet.
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
Arcade
May 27, 1999
The third part of arcade flight simulators, in which players pilot modern fighters and perform various missions. This time the authors set the game in a more futuristic style, preparing their own designs of machines or weapons.
Ace Combat 2
Action
May 30, 1997
The second part of the air shootout, which neatly combines arcade and simulation elements. Exclusively released on PlayStation 1, the production is a continuation of Air Combat from 1997.
Air Combat
Action
June 30, 1995
Released in 1995 on the PlayStation, the first part of the famous Ace Combat series. In the game we sit at the helm of numerous military planes, and the action takes place in a fantastic universe.
Ace Combat 3D
Arcade
cancelled
The Ace Combat 3D is the next installment of the legendary aeronautical simulation series, this time for the Nintendo 3DS console and using its main asset - the 3D image.
Ace Combat Series News
Is Ace Combat 7 Cross Platform? Crossplay Explained
The crossplay system offers playing games with friends on other devices. Is this the case with Ace Combat 7? This is what you will find out in our article.
How to
Dawid Lubczynski
September 27, 2024
Ace Combat 7 Achieves Nice Round Sales Figure; Sequel Inbound
Sales of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown have surpassed 5 million copies. The developers' actions in recent months suggest that work on the sequel is gaining momentum.
video games
Wojciech Bilicki
November 22, 2023
Ace Combat 8 in the Pipeline; AC7 Was the Biggest Hit in the Series
Ace Combat 7 became the biggest bestseller in the history of the series. So there was no surprise when the developers confirmed that the production of the next installment has already started.
video games
Adrian Werner
August 19, 2021
Ace Combat 7 Becomes Second Biggest Bestseller of the Series
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has already sold 2.5 million copies, making the game the second biggest sales success in the history of the franchise. The first place is still held by Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies from PS2.
video games
Adrian Werner
January 19, 2021
Ace Combat 7 Becomes Second Biggest Bestseller of the Series
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has already sold 2.5 million copies, making the game the second biggest sales success in the history of the franchise. The first place is still held by Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies from PS2.
video games
Adrian Werner
January 19, 2021
PC Edition of Ace Combat 7 is a Disaster
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has finally come to PC. Unfortunately, the PC version of the game leaves a lot to be wished for.
video games
Jakub Mirowski
February 1, 2019