is ace combat 7 worth it

Is Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Worth It? A Pilot's Verdict

For years, the question of whether a new, high-quality arcade flight simulator would ever grace modern consoles lingered in the air. In 2019, Project Aces answered with a thunderous afterburner roar. "Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown" soared onto the scene, promising a return to the beloved Strangereal universe and the pure, adrenaline-fueled gameplay the series is known for. For fans of aerial combat and thrilling narratives, the answer to whether it is worth it is a resounding yes. This title masterfully blends accessible yet deep dogfighting mechanics with a stunning presentation and a compelling story, delivering an experience that is both nostalgically familiar and refreshingly modern.

Table of Contents

Return to Strangereal: Narrative and World-Building

The Heart of the Gameplay: Accessible Depth and Aerial Mastery

A Visual and Auditory Spectacle: Immersion in the Clouds

Content and Longevity: Beyond the Campaign

Addressing the Clouds: Potential Considerations

Final Verdict: A Must-Fly for Enthusiasts and Newcomers Alike

Return to Strangereal: Narrative and World-Building

Ace Combat 7 marks a triumphant return to the series' original fictional setting, Strangereal. The narrative centers on the conflict between the Kingdom of Erusea and the Osean Federation, triggered by Erusea's seizure of the International Space Elevator "Lighthouse." Players assume the role of Trigger, a silent Osean fighter pilot framed for a crime and thrust into the penal unit known as Spare Squadron. The story is told through intricate cutscenes focusing on multiple perspectives—from a determined Erusean princess to an Osean mechanic and a rogue drone scientist. This multi-faceted approach explores themes of nationalism, the dehumanization of warfare through drones, and redemption. While the plot can be convoluted with its myriad of codenames and factions, it successfully creates a gripping, anime-esque drama that provides a powerful context for each mission. The world-building is exceptional, with radio chatter, news reports, and the iconic "AWACS Long Caster" providing constant immersion, making Strangereal feel like a lived-in, war-torn world.

The Heart of the Gameplay: Accessible Depth and Aerial Mastery

The core gameplay loop of Ace Combat 7 is where its worth is most unequivocally proven. It perfectly walks the line between arcade accessibility and simulator-like depth. Players are not burdened with complex flight manuals; taking off, engaging enemies, and performing high-G turns are intuitive. However, mastery requires understanding advanced mechanics like managing airspeed, energy retention, and proper missile lead. The "High-G Turn" is a pivotal maneuver, allowing for tight, physics-defying turns at the cost of airspeed. Dogfights are fast, fluid, and intensely satisfying. Mission design is varied and superb, ranging from classic air superiority battles and daring tunnel runs to large-scale operations against massive aerial warships or providing close air support for ground troops. The sense of scaling a colossal arsenal ship or weaving through a dense forest to destroy a hidden target is unparalleled. The game constantly introduces new objectives and threats, ensuring that no two missions feel the same, and the challenge on higher difficulties provides a significant test of skill.

A Visual and Auditory Spectacle: Immersion in the Clouds

Ace Combat 7 is a technical marvel that significantly enhances its worth. The skies have never looked more beautiful or threatening. The game leverages modern hardware to render incredibly detailed aircraft, dynamic weather systems, and vast, diverse landscapes. Flying through a thunderstorm is a breathtaking and tactical experience, as lightning can temporarily disable your systems and heavy clouds break missile locks. The sun glare off your canopy, the vapor cones forming at transonic speeds, and the intricate damage models on enemy planes all contribute to an astonishing level of visual fidelity. Complementing the visuals is a legendary soundtrack composed by Keiki Kobayashi. The orchestral scores, ranging from haunting choirs to pulse-pounding rock anthems, are perfectly synchronized with the on-screen action, elevating every sortie into an epic cinematic event. The roar of jet engines, the ping of missile lock-ons, and the frantic radio chatter create an auditory landscape that is just as immersive as the visual one.

Content and Longevity: Beyond the Campaign

The single-player campaign offers a substantial experience, with around 20 missions that will take most players 12-15 hours for a first playthrough. The worth extends far beyond this, however. The game encourages multiple playthroughs on higher difficulties to unlock new aircraft skins and parts. A deep aircraft tree allows for the purchase and upgrade of over 30 real-world and fictional aircraft, from the iconic F-14 Tomcat to the futuristic ADF-11F Raven, each with unique handling characteristics. For competitive players, the multiplayer mode offers both team deathmatch and battle royal-style modes. While not the most robust aspect, it provides a fun arena to test your piloting skills against human opponents. Furthermore, the game has been supported with three substantial DLC campaigns, "Unexpected Visitor," "Anchorhead Raid," and "Ten Million Relief Plan." These missions are among the best in the game, featuring even more spectacular set-pieces and challenging boss fights against superweapons and advanced drones, adding significant value and hours of gameplay.

Addressing the Clouds: Potential Considerations

To provide a balanced perspective, it is worth noting a few areas where some players might find turbulence. The story, while engaging, can be confusing on a first playthrough due to its dense lore and large cast. The silent protagonist trope may feel outdated to some. The multiplayer community, while dedicated, is not as massive as mainstream shooters, and newcomers may find seasoned aces to be formidable opponents. The core gameplay loop, while excellent, is inherently repetitive in its fundamental actions—lock on, fire missiles, dodge, repeat. For those seeking a pure, realistic flight simulator like Microsoft Flight Simulator or DCS World, Ace Combat's arcade physics may feel inauthentic. However, these points are minor when weighed against the overall package. The game knows its identity and executes its vision with remarkable polish and passion.

Final Verdict: A Must-Fly for Enthusiasts and Newcomers Alike

So, is Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown worth it? Absolutely. It stands as the definitive arcade flight experience of its generation. It delivers a compelling package: a dramatic, high-stakes narrative set in a rich world, incredibly fun and polished gameplay that is easy to learn but challenging to master, and a presentation that is both visually and sonically stunning. The substantial campaign, rewarding progression system, and exciting DLC ensure lasting value. For long-time fans of the series, it is a homecoming to everything that made the franchise great. For newcomers curious about aerial combat games, it serves as the perfect, accessible entry point. It is a love letter to aviation, to epic stories of heroism and sacrifice, and to the pure joy of breaking the sound barrier while engaging in a dazzling dogfight against impossible odds. Ace Combat 7 is not just a game; it is an experience that makes you feel like a legendary ace, and that feeling is unquestionably worth the price of admission.

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