Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Review (PC)

excellent
key review info
  • Game: Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
  • Platform: PC
  • Show system requirements
  • Gamepad support: No
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Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Bandai Namco Entertainment certainly has a good head-start on 2019 with the release of several titles that are sure to stir up the gaming market.
Their latest attraction is Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the latest entry in the Ace Combat series of combat flight action video games.

The story goes on

Those of you interested in the story will be glad to know that the 7th entry picks up where Ace Combat 4 and Ace Combat 5 left off, ignoring the storyline involving the Republic of Emmeria and the Federal Republic of Estovakia from the 6th entry, and returning to the conflict between the Osean Federation and the kingdom of Erusea.

The story focuses on a new conflict between the two states as the peace established in the previous entries is yet again broken by the influence of common interests.

As far as the plot goes, you take control of Avril Mead, an Osean aircraft mechanic, who, after a series of unfortunate events, ends up in the middle of the cross-fire between Osea and Erusea, and she must do anything in her power to bring peace between the two states.

The Campaign is full of cut-scenes rendered beautifully with graphics befitting of the PC system, and the voice-acting is also note-worthy, featuring the performance of famous voice actors from anime and video-games that many of you may recognize.

These cut-scenes, as well as the mission debriefing menu, all serve as worthy links between the 20 missions that come with the base game. In fact, there will be moments when you'll think you're watching a well-directed movie instead of a mere mid-game cut-scene.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
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The visuals

Nothing bad can be said about the cinematics and pre-rendered cut-scenes since it would be expected for them to look flawless. As far as actual gameplay goes, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is quite interesting graphics-wise since, because of the default camera positioning, you'll mostly be accustomed to the rear-view of your plane.  However,  like the other games from the series, it relies on the camera having an extensive view of the environment, and high-quality renderings would make the game impossibly demanding resource-wise.As such, if you're ever driven by curiosity to see just how well the environment is rendered, you're in for a bit of a disappointment.  The water is created quite beautifully, and the reflections look extremely realistic until you decide to take a nosedive and just skid a few feet over it and realize that everything feels rather static. The same thing can be said about other environmental elements, such as trees which, upon closer inspection, you'll realize that they look like the flat cardboard-like people you'd see in the crowds of various sports game.

What does this all mean? If you stick to the skies and don't bother going low to inspect the ground (as a fighter pilot, why would you anyway?) everything will seem as expected from a AAA game.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
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The Multiplayer

Once you've completed the Campaign and beaten the AI into submission, then you can consider yourself ready to face off real opponents. Although completing the Campaign is not a pre-requisite, those of you unfamiliar with the series and the way you control your plane may want to get a feel of the basics.

Multiplayer matches are the core of the game as far as the actual combat goes, since extremely engaging, and you always have to be on high alert, either to catch an enemy off guard, all while making sure enemy missiles don't catch on to you.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
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In multiplayer mode, you mainly receive points for causing damage to and taking down enemy aircraft, and the top players will be displayed with one or more star symbols next to their names in the reticle, so you always know who you should prioritize for better scores. Fortunately, death is not permanent within multiplayer matches the way it is during singleplayer Campaign missions. If you are taken down by an enemy aircraft or you crash, you will be taken away from the combat area for repairs.

Of course, death is not something that HAS to happen. Proper coordination with your team-mates can even ensure flawless victories, and this is facilitated through the game's system of sending preset messages. This spares you from wasting otherwise vital seconds you could use shooting down an opponent or dodging enemy fire. More so, it indirectly leads to less flaming since there's no way your teammates of opponents can berate you.

The rewards

As soon as the match ends, you are scored based on your performance, while also being compared to other players. Based on your score, you receive more or less currency for you to spend in the Aircraft Tree, as well as experience which allows you to advance in ranks. The game currently offers players 21 ranks, ranging from "Airman" to "Commander-In-Chief".

Normally, you start the game with a limited amount of planes and weaponry, but you gain more and more as you progress through the Campaign as well as the multiplayer matches. The "Aircraft Tree" menu gives you access to an intricate roster of new jet fighters and an assortment of weaponry which you can unlock, each with their very own stats, allowing you to create the perfect jet fighter for your play style.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

If you're already satisfied with the plane you have and the weapons you wield, then maybe new custom paint jobs will pique your interest, as they are also something you can unlock by playing the game. Admittedly, there aren't many chances for you to show it off since most of the time you'll be keeping a safe distance between you and your opponents.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
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The game modes

Of course Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown joined the Battle Royale bandwagon, and why wouldn't it? Its the hottest trend yet in the gaming world. In this game mode, all players fight for themselves, and the first to reach a certain amount of points is declared the winner.

But if you prefer team coordination, then maybe Team Death Matches are more of your thing. Players are split into two teams who fight to achieve a target score, with the match only ending when one of the teams reaches that score. One drawback in the matchmaking system is that the host of a room can choose how members are assigned in teams. This means that if they want, hosts can make teams extremely unbalanced on purpose, thus making the matches extremely one-sided.

Regardless, the game seems very forgiving in the way matches feel, and even if you're the player with the lowest score, you don't feel the need to rage quit or at least the same level of frustration you'd feel in a MOBA or FPS game.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
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The Good

  • The graphics
  • Lack of chat means there's no way to be toxic
  • The Campaign story
  • The Aircraft Tree
  • Plane customization and progression

The Bad

  • The graphics if you get close to the ground
  • Controls may be difficult for beginners

Conclusion

You have your flying machines of death, your AAA graphics, and you get the chance to participate in online matches where you show your aerial combat prowess and get acknowledged as Top Gun (pun intended)!

But if you're more into the story-telling aspect of games, the Campaign will surely keep you interested, as the few actual gameplay moments are nothing more than pauses in an otherwise great CGI movie.

Overall, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is an awesome game and a must-have for any Ace Combat fan, as well as a great game for players who enjoy fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled thrill rides in short doses.

story 7
gameplay 9
concept 8
graphics 9
audio 7
multiplayer 10
final rating 9
Editor's review
excellent
 
NEXT REVIEW: Far Cry New Dawn

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Gallery (40 Images)

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7: Skies UnknownAce Combat 7: Skies UnknownAce Combat 7: Skies UnknownAce Combat 7: Skies Unknown
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