Return to Form for a Beloved Franchise | Ace Combat 7 Review

Today, we're checking out a title that I've really been looking forward to playing for a long time. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. Let's hope it doesn't disappoint.

After recently completing playthroughs of Ace Combats 3, 4, 5, Zero, and 6, I was anxious to see what the latest entry in the series had to offer.

Now, almost exactly five years to the day since its release, it's time to see what a modern Ace Combat game brings to the table.

Will it deliver? Stick around and find out!

[JarboeGaming]

Hey all, would just like to point out that since I played on PC, I decided to omit discussion of VR gameplay since I couldn't experience it first hand.

I'm really trying to consolidate and condense the information I provide and there's tons of other content out there that covers the VR gameplay with actual first hand experience.

As always, thank you for your continued support!

[therats]

I'm pretty sure this is how graphics looked to me as a youth with a PS2

[Flippyrock]

It's for sure a glorious return to form for the series after like 11-12 year since AC6 especially after all the development trouble the game went through

[mniakan]

Ace combat 7 was the game that really brought me into AC game and it was so damn fun, wish the game had a new game plus mode that changed the flight model into a more “realistic” model like AC3 with limited but extremely challenging enemies with fewer missiles on your planes (so each one you fire really matters) to change things up a little for that second play through

[blitzkriegk]

I liked how in 7 i can see the eventual outcome of the world in 3. With the drone tech being early sublimination, and i believe one of the characters from 3 (according to the wiki) being in the game. Im really excited to see if 8 revolves around the actual war that 3 was simulating.

[foxhoundms]

This game kicks so much ass, felt like an Ace Combat game and all the slight AC3 easter eggs are super cool.

[gamernist]

While I can't compare AC7 to previous titles, I can only wholeheartedly agree with your Assessment! Truly one of my favourite games.

[snuffystacks]

AC7 speedrunner here, it's so great to see newer-ish players taking the dive into the multiplayer which is notoriously diffiuclt for people without 200+ hours in the game and not be detered.
kudos to you for that and I hope you enjoyed the game!

[shadowraptorphaseii]

I grew up playing Ace Combat, and it's definitely my top 3 gaming franchises. I loved 7 and definitely thought it was a good base to have future ace combat games set upon. My only gripe is that i wished the multiplayer was more fleshed out and had more modes similar to AC ♾️. Sadly, i didn't get to play much of infinity as i never had a ps3. I'm looking forward to AC8 and what Project Aces will bring us next!

[joelcox]

Something that makes the target identification gimmick easier is to hold the "lock-on" button so the camera follows the target, ID becomes far more consistent and makes those missions less of a headache. This feature definitely seems to be something that very few people are aware of.

Additionally the modding scene for 7 has really taken off (pun intentional) now that it seems new aircraft no longer need to replace an existing airframe in the roster.

[xtangero]

Easily Kobayashi's best score, the thematic consistency across all of the tracks really ties everything together. I find myself humming the main fanfare of Trigger's theme quite often without thinking. Dark Blue was such a phenomenal sendoff for the campaign.

I think the game has the perfect amount of variety and makes sure you never feel like you're doing the same thing twice. I wish I could experience my first playthrough again just to relish in it. They really sell you on being Trigger, and I feel like there's a massive missed opportunity for merch with his various tail markings. The DLCs were incredible in both story and bringing us Enchanter, one of my favorite tracks.

The two target ID missions are a little tedious, but I think they serve the plot well and don't bog down replay value. The only thing I kinda didn't like is how short your time limit is on some missions, especially compared to 6. You don't really get much flexibility to try new things when most missions run less than 15 minutes. The aircraft tree did bring a lot of replay value to the game though, and the limits on specials kept more or less redundant aircraft relevant. The only complaint I have is having the F16 as your starter means it just gets done dirty on stats and its selection of specials is lacking.

I think I've replayed this eight times now? Some missions far more than that. It's just honest fun that isn't afraid of trusting the player's skill and giving you a challenge

[karlbuckles]

Thanks for this and all you who have chimed in. It's been 18 years since I played a console and I had an absolute blast with AC5 on the PS2. I just purchased a PS5 for Gran Tourismo 7 and thought I'd look to see what is out for AC and found it, so here I am. Looks a LOT like what I remember with 5 but with enhancements. I am sure I will love it!

Again, thanks!

[spencerbrown]

I still haven't played 1-3. I was eight years old when 4 was released and that playthrough was a life changing experience. It was a game that would blow my little mind and make me an Ace Combat fan forever. I would get 5 and Zero and have a similar experience.

Now I'm 30 years old, work in aviation, live alone, pay bills, struggle with deciding to cook something healthy or just guet takeout lol. Like you, I only just got around to playing 7 this week and I have to say, it was fantastic. I loved the story, the atmosphere, the new mechanics, everthing an Ace Combat fan could ever want. In those eightish hours I played I got to be a kid again and reflect to a simplier time and have my mind blown once more.

[gustavodesramos]

I still remember playing Ace Combat 3 Electrosphere on my Ps1. I loved that game, spent a lot of time with it.
And now I'm really enjoying Ace Combat 7 on the PC. Got on a Steam sale wich is even better

[ryuhoshu]

Great video as usual, the timing couldn't be more perfect 😜

[adamdavis]

I've gotten back into this game, not that I ever really stopped playing it since it came out. It's one of those that when I'm feeling like a quick fix for adrenaline I'll hop in and play a mission or two

But I just got it on sale on steam now that I'm playing around with an ROG ally. And playing this thing handheld while chilling in bed is awesome

But what I'm loving, is seeing all of these new reviews and retrospectives on this game that are only inside of a year old. I'm glad people are still putting out some content for it because I think it deserves that recognition and a lot of people probably never picked it up.

I'm tied between this one and Ace combat 4 as my favorite. But this one definitely just has the best gameplay. There's a few missions that I still don't really replay that much, or that or I only replay part of them. Pipeline assault is awesome until you're doing the hunt for the trucks in the dirt storm thing.

I didn't as much mind the missions where you have to get close enough to ID your target. However it might have been better if they only did it for one mission instead of two. I don't remember the name of it but the first one where you really have to engage with that while you're flying around the city at night was the one I thought was cooler. The other one was such a heavier focus on air to ground stuff that it might have been better to just know that you could run in and bomb everything from the get-go 😂

I mostly just didn't care for the sandstorm portion of that mission, I'm not a huge fan of anything that requires you to fly at low altitude. The canyon run feels a little tiresome. Especially because I do like the assault portion at the end of that level. And I'm never really a huge fan of escort missions, although the one in this game isn't that bad overall

But I'm a pretty casual gamer overall, these days now that I have way less time to actually play games I'm very rarely playing them on harder difficulties. But I liked this one so damn much I went through to beat it on every single difficulty, and when I did my Ace run I only used the cockpit view. That is how much I love this game. Underrated series overall. But I really hope they crank out a new one soon

[solitaregames]

The reason of the pleasant surprise at the end with the appearance of 5's badass G, was because there was an expedition to space to explore the solar system and she was on it. And that day was the day the expedition was to return. And I believe one of the reasons of the "war" was to stop the expedition and take control of.
Also, there is rumors that the one who trained Trigger to be a pilot was none other than: *Solo Wing Pixy.*

[RookFox]

Ace Combat 7 managed to be as good as it was despite the development hell it went through. Makes me really excited for AC8

[komasensey]

Ok as a Fan of the OLD AC games and as a Fan of 7 there are some issues.

Drones where a cool addition to the game but due to their hitbox I keep missing them with my MG so I wase a mssl.😢
The 2 mission in which you have to identify the tgt where fun on the first run a definetly needed as a rest from the last few missions, but on repeat playtrough they are just a pain to go trough.
Stroy while better than 6, realy did suffere from a lack of focus, and was definetly rewriten a dozen of time to get the mishmash of sub stories we got. (If you paid attention during the games development we got a frekenstein game, just proves PA dosent miss)

[joekilla]

I purchased this game on a whim, ultimate edition, due to your review sir. I hope it stacks up!