Wikipedia

Ace Combat

This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, titled Ace Combat in Japan, seeAir Combat.

Ace Combat[a]is anarcade-stylecombat flight simulationvideo gameseries by Project Aces, an internal development team ofBandai Namco Entertainment,formerlyNamco.Debuting in 1995 withAir Combatfor thePlayStation,the series includes eight mainline installments, multiple spin-offs, and other forms of media, such as novels,model kits,andsoundtrack albums.Since 2012, the series has been developed primarily byBandai Namco Studiosthrough its internal development group, Project Aces.

Ace Combat
Genre(s)Combat flight shooter
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)PlayStation,PlayStation 2,Game Boy Advance,Mobile phone,Xbox 360,Nintendo 3DS,Nintendo Switch,PlayStation 3,PlayStation Portable,PC,iOS,Xbox One,PlayStation 4
First releaseAir Combat
June 30, 1995
Latest releaseAce Combat 7: Skies Unknown
January 18, 2019

TheAce Combatfranchise emphasizes fast-paced action and dramatic plots with semi-realistic gameplay; for example, aircraft haveflight dynamicscontrols and canstall,but are also able to carry dozens of missiles. The series features a range of aircraft including accurate or slightly modified representations of modern military aircraft, prototypes that were never adopted (or even built) in real life, and fictionalBoss-typesuperweapons.The main series of games is set in "Strangereal", afictional universeloosely based on the real world, featuring similar events and entities but with an entirely different history largely centering around advanced technology and the aftermath of anasteroidimpact eventin the 1990s; however, certain games are set in fictional renditions of the real world.

As of 2023, theAce Combatfranchise has shipped over20 millioncopies worldwide,[b]and has established itself as one of the longest running arcade flight action franchises.

Setting

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Most installments in theAce Combatseries are set in "Strangereal", the series'fictional universe.Strangereal'sEarthfeatures entirely differentnations,geography,continents,andhistorycompared to the real world, though some nations, locations, and events are loosely based on those from real life, and most aircraft in the series are real models with few alterations.

Strangereal is very similar to the real modern world, but with significantly more advanced technology that allows for the development ofsuperweaponsand theoretical devices such as aerialwarships,laser weapons,railguns,submarineandairborne aircraft carriers,orbital weapons,mass drivers,lethal autonomous weapons,nearly-sentientartificial intelligence,and advancedexperimental aircraft.Nuclear weaponsexist, but international agreements andnuclear terrorismare implied to have inhibited their development and use, resulting in a lack ofnuclear deterrenceand a greater focus onconventional weaponryinarms races.This makes large-scale interstate warfare common, and many nations field large militaries with diverse equipment, develop superweapons, train elitespecial forces-esque "ace"fighter squadrons,or hiremercenariesto augment their forces.

MostAce Combatgames are set after a 1999impact eventin which theasteroid"Ulysses 1994XF04", on a collision course with Earth, split into numerous fragments, some of which were destroyed byanti-asteroidweaponry but others still struck the planet, causing widespread destruction and global crises. The international tensions caused by the Ulysses impact and its aftermath play a large role throughout the series, and some of the games' superweapons are, or originate from, anti-Ulysses devices. Another major event in the series' continuity is the 1995 "Belkan War",aWorld War II-esque conflict in which the advancedultranationalistnation of Belka attempted to invade neighboring countries during an internal crisis, was repelled by an internationalcoalition,andused nuclear weaponson their own territoryto prevent a retaliatory invasion, causing their defeat and earning them global condemnation and scorn; Belkannationalistsseeking revenge for their defeat play major roles in some of the games.

As shown inAce Combat 3: Electrosphere,the nations of Strangereal shown in most of the series are eventually superseded by sovereignmegacorporations.Strangereal was later established as part of Bandai Namco'sUnited Galaxy Space Forceshared universe,representing the earliest period in its timeline, in which the nations of Strangereal unite to form aworld governmentaround 2090.[1]

Ace Combat: Joint Assault,Assault Horizon,andInfinityare not set in Strangereal, and are instead set in their own fictionalized versions of the real world, albeit with technology similar to Strangereal's.

Games

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Release timeline
1995Air Combat
1996
1997Ace Combat 2
1998
1999Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere
2000
2001Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
2002
2003
2004Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
2005Ace Combat Advance
2006Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
2007Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
2008
2009Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion
2010Ace Combat: Joint Assault
Ace Combat Assault Horizon: Trigger Finger
2011Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy
Ace Combat: Northern Wings[2]
2012
2013
2014Ace Combat Infinity
2015Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+
2016
2017
2018
2019Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combatmain chronology
  • Air Combat(1995) is the debut entry of the series, being released as a launch title for thePlayStationin North America and titledAce Combatin Japan.[3]Produced by Kazumi Mizuno as a port and successor to a1993 arcade game of the same name,the plot centers around a team of mercenary pilots hired to defeat a terrorist organization that has seized control of the Skully Islands.[4]Air Combatintroduced the series' arcade-like gameplay, a contrast to most other flight sim games at the time. In 2005,Air Combatwas released for Japanese mobile phones under Namco's game subscription service.[5]
  • Ace Combat 2(1997) was released for thePlayStation,and created out of Namco's dissatisfaction withAir Combatfrom a technical standpoint.[6]Designed by Masanori Kato,Ace Combat 2follows Scarface, a mercenary squadron (the same from Air Combat) who are hired again to quell the Usean Coup D'etat and liberate the continent from the Usean Rebel Forces. The sequel builds upon its predecessor in several ways, adding new mission types, playable aircraft, and multiple difficulty options.Ace Combat 2was re-released in 2005 for thePlayStation 2throughNamCollection,a Japan-exclusive collection of Namco-developed PlayStation games.[7]In 2011, the game was remade for the3DSasAce Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy,featuring new levels, an updated plot, and new game mechanics.
  • Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere(1999) was published for thePlayStation,being the last game in the series for the console. While the previous two games carry a modern-day aesthetic,Electrosphereuses a futuristic aesthetic and setting,[8]and follows a conflict between themegacorporationsNeucom and General Resource, and thepeacekeepingorganization UPEO, in a dystopia where corporations have superseded nation states to compete for power.[9]Electrosphereis heavily reliant on story, with branching stage paths and anime-style video emails with full voice acting. The North American version of the game cut down much of its story and content to accommodate for financial constraints.[10]
  • Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies(2001) was the first game in the series to be developed by Project Aces, then-known as the "AC04 Project". Released for thePlayStation 2and renamedAce Combat: Distant Thunderin Europe, it was the first entry in the series to thoroughly flesh out Strangereal as the main setting. Initially intended as a series reboot,Shattered Skiesreturned to the gameplay structure ofAir CombatandAce Combat 2,with fast-paced action and mission variety in a more linear plot. The game's plot tells the story of Mobius 1, a fighter pilot whose legendary exploits during a continent-wide war become instrumental in stopping the country of Erusea's plans to conquer the entire continent of Usea.
  • Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War(2004) was released for thePlayStation 2,renamedAce Combat: Squadron Leaderfor Europe. Produced by Kazutoki Kono and Project Aces,The Unsung Waris one of the most expansive titles in the series, with over 50 playable aircraft and 32 campaign missions, along with fully-animated cutscenes. The plot follows the members of Wardog Squadron, who uncover a conspiracy fueling a large-scale war between theglobal superpowersof Osea and Yuktobania. The game also features an arcade mode, following Mobius 1 on a mission to defeat Erusean holdouts. In 2018,Bandai Namco EntertainmentrereleasedThe Unsung Warfor thePlayStation 4as a pre-order bonus forAce Combat 7,with slight modifications to allow it to run properly on the console's hardware.
  • Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War(2006) was released for thePlayStation 2,renamedAce Combat: The Belkan Warin Europe. It was the lastAce Combatgame developed by Namco before their assets were folded intoBandai Namco Games,who published the game outside Japan, just a week after its launch in Japan.The Belkan Warserves as a prequel toThe Unsung War,combining ideas and mechanics from both it andShattered Skiesand explaining plot details and lore mentioned inThe Unsung War's story. The plot, told through retrospective narration, recounts the exploits of Galm Team, a pair of mercenary pilots hired to defend the country of Ustio and its allies from an invasion by Belka in 1995.
  • Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception(2006) was released for thePlayStation Portableas the first entry in the series to be released on the PSP. The game features the ability for the player to choose their own route through the campaign, allowing for multiple different mission combinations in each playthrough. Its plot follows a war between the neighboring countries of Aurelia and Leasath, and the actions of Aurelia's Gryphus Squadron in the fight against the invading Leasathean forces.
  • Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation(2007) was released for theXbox 360,marking the series' debut on aMicrosoftplatform. It was the firstAce Combattitle to implement online multiplayer and downloadable content, which have become staple inclusions since. Alongside a standalone release, Namco Bandai bundledFires of Liberationwith the Ace Edge, aflight stickdesigned by Hori specifically for the game, and a custom Xbox 360 console faceplate. Its story revolves around an invasion of Emmeria by the neighboring country of Estovakia, and the subsequent efforts of Emmerian forces to take back their country, led by the pilots of Garuda Team. In 2018,Bandai Namco Entertainmentre-releasedFires of Liberationfor theXbox Oneas a pre-order bonus forAce Combat 7,with slight modifications to allow it to run properly on the console's hardware.
  • Ace Combat: Joint Assault(2010) was released for thePlayStation Portableas the first game in the series to be set in the real world. The game's campaign features cooperative gameplay for up to four players, and new aerial combat mechanics that simplify dogfights.Joint Assault's plot follows the pilots of Martinez Security, aprivate military companyhired to help defeat a heavily-armed global terrorist force.
  • Ace Combat: Assault Horizon(2011) was released for thePlayStation 3andXbox 360,with a later release forMicrosoft Windowsin 2013 throughSteam.Assault Horizonfeatures significant gameplay differences compared to other entries in the series, such as a "dogfight mode" and "airstrike mode" to simplify gameplay, a "gritty"Call of Duty-esque art direction, and unique turret sections forhelicopters,gunships,andbombers,the first time in the series that these types of aircraft are playable. Set in the real world, but in a different universe thanJoint Assault,the game's plot follows the 108th Task Force, a joint coalition of U.S. and Russian forces deployed to defeat heavily-armed insurgencies and criminal organizations.
  • Ace Combat Infinity(2014) was released for thePlayStation 3as the series' firstfree-to-playentry. The game featured expansive multiplayer modes and afreemiummodel. Set in the real world, but in a different universe thanJoint AssaultandAssault Horizon,Infinityfollows the aftermath of a real-world Ulysses incident and the rise of a terrorist organization in devastatedEurasia,with theUnited Nationsenlisting several private military companies to fight back.Infinity's services were discontinued in 2018, with its plot left on a cliffhanger.
  • Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown(2019) was published for thePlayStation 4,Xbox One,andPCthroughSteam,and was the first mainline installment released in twelve years. ANintendo Switchport was published in 2024.Skies Unknownwas created based on the commercial success ofAce Combat Infinity,with its mechanics being borrowed from both it andAce Combat: Assault Horizon.Designed by Project Aces and headed by producer Kazutoki Kono,Skies Unknownfeatures multiple additions to the series, including multiple game modes, enhancements to the aircraft tuning concept fromAce Combat X,andvirtual realitysupport throughPlayStation VR.Returning to the series' traditional setting of Strangereal, the game, set during a war between Osea and Erusea over a space elevator, follows the exploits of Trigger, an Osean pilot who is tasked with clearing his name after a false accusation of murder lands him in apenal squadron.The game also features three VR missions set five years before the campaign, following Mobius 1's continued fight against the Erusean holdouts seen inThe Unsung War's arcade mode.
  • AnuntitledAce Combatentrywas confirmed to be in development in August 2021. The new entry is being developed by Namco andILCA.[11][12]

Title differences

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SomeAce Combatgames have differences in their title, depending on the region (NTSCorPAL) the game was sold in:

  • The JapaneseAce Combatwas renamedAir Combatin the North American and European releases of the original game. The second game was initially set to be released asAir Combat 2in the U.S., but by the time of release the game (and series) switched to usingAce Combatinternationally.[13]
  • In NTSC territories, the fourth installment of the series is known asAce Combat 04: Shattered Skies,while in PAL territories the game is known asAce Combat: Distant Thunder.The Spanish version of the game is known asAce Combat: Trueno de Acero,which can be translated asAce Combat: Steel Thunder.
  • The NTSC version of the fifth installment of the game is known asAce Combat 5: The Unsung War,while the PAL release was renamedAce Combat: Squadron Leader.
  • In PAL territories, the word "Zero" inAce Combat Zero: The Belkan Warwas removed, making it the first game since the series introduction to not have a significant name change in PAL territories.
  • Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacyin English-speaking territories was originally titledAce Combat 3D: Cross Rumblein Japan.

Printed media

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With the release ofAssault Horizonin 2011, Project Aces createdAces at War: A History,a special artbook detailing the content fromAce Combat 04,5,andZerofrom an in-universe perspective, as well as production commentary. This was packaged with the special editions ofAssault Horizonreleased in Japan.[14][15]Aces at War: A Historywould later be updated and rereleased as part of a special edition ofAce Combat 7: Skies Unknown.[16]

In March 2012, ASCII Media Works releasedAce Combat: Ikaros in the Sky.A tie-in novel forAssault Horizon,Ikarostells a story of series character Kei Nagase as she participates in theJASDF's ASF-X Shinden II fighter program.[17]

Reception

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Sales and aggregate review scores
Game Units sold Metacritic
Air Combat 2.23 million shipped[18] -
Ace Combat 2 1.092 million shipped[18] 83/100[19]
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere 1.164 million shipped[18] -
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies 2.64 million shipped[18] 89/100[20]
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War 1.802 million shipped[18] 84/100[21]
Ace Combat Advance 100,000 shipped[18] 56/100[22]
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War 792,000 shipped[18] 75/100[23]
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception 476,000 shipped[18] 75/100[24]
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation 700,000[25] 80/100[26]
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon 1.07 million[25] 78/100[27]
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown 6 million[28] 80/100 (PS4)[29]

Ace Combathas been a consistent commercial success, with most mainline installments reaching over one million units shipped.Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknownis the most successful title with over6 millioncopies shipped by 2025,[28]followed byAce Combat 04: Shattered SkiesandAir Combat.[18]The games have sold well predominantly in North America and Japan, where over 75% of all revenue was generated from the series by 2008.[18]In total, theAce Combatfranchise has shipped over20 millioncopies.[b][31]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^Japanese:エースコンバット,Hepburn:Ēsu Konbatto
  2. ^abOver 14 million copies shipped by 2018,[30]plus over6 millioncopies sold ofAce Combat 7: Skies Unknownafter its release in 2019.[28]

References

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  1. ^BANDAI NAMCO Games Inc."UGSFシリーズ công thức サイト".Archivedfrom the original on April 9, 2015.RetrievedMay 11,2015.
  2. ^"NAMCO Bandai Games | Ace Combat®: Northern Wings".Namco. Archived fromthe originalon January 10, 2012.
  3. ^Moriarty, Colin (October 25, 2013)."Comparing Two Decades' Worth of PlayStation Launch Lineups".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon October 16, 2019.RetrievedMarch 20,2020.
  4. ^Elston, Brett (April 4, 2007)."Feature: Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation".GamesRadar+.Future US.Archived fromthe originalon August 4, 2016.RetrievedNovember 6,2020.
  5. ^"ナムコ, BREW đối ứng シューティング “エースコンバット” "(in Japanese). ITmedia. August 25, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon August 4, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 11,2021.
  6. ^CVG Staff (September 1997)."Exclusive Namco/Ace Combat 2 Interview!".No. 190.EMAP Images.Computer and Video Games.pp.36-39.RetrievedDecember 22,2019.
  7. ^GameSpot Staff (March 24, 2005)."Namco celebrates 50th birthday with compilation".GameSpot.Archived fromthe originalon March 24, 2014.RetrievedOctober 11,2019.
  8. ^Mielke, James (June 22, 1999)."Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Review".GameSpot.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2013.RetrievedDecember 1,2012.
  9. ^Pezzile, Sebastiano (February 1, 2019)."Ace Combat 3: l'Evangelion che nessuno conosce".Player.it.Archived fromthe originalon August 18, 2020.RetrievedAugust 18,2020.
  10. ^Treese, Tyler (January 26, 2019)."Ranking the Ace Combat games from worst to best".GameRevolution.Evolve Media. Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2019.RetrievedAugust 18,2020.
  11. ^Murray, Sean (August 18, 2021)."Bandai Namco Announces New Ace Combat In Development With ILCA, Additional Ace Combat 7 DLC".TheGamer.RetrievedJuly 18,2022.
  12. ^Stanton, Rich (August 19, 2021)."A new Ace Combat game is in development".PC Gamer.RetrievedJuly 18,2022.
  13. ^"Oops".Electronic Gaming Monthly.No. 98.Ziff Davis.September 1997. p. 132.
  14. ^"エースコンバット アサルト・ホライゾン の quốc nội hạn định bản!?"[A domestic limited edition of Ace Combat: Assault Horizon?!] (in Japanese).Bandai Namco Games.August 3, 2011.RetrievedAugust 28,2018.
  15. ^"ララビットマーケットACAH hạn định bản の mới nhất tình báo を vào tay!"[Get the latest information on the Lalabit Market limited edition of ACAH!].ナガセ, “エースコンバット アサルト・ホライゾン” を cướp lấy します.(in Japanese).Bandai Namco Games.August 23, 2011.RetrievedAugust 28,2018.
  16. ^Workman, Robert (November 8, 2018)."'Ace Combat 7' Gets Special 'Aces at War' Bundle ".ComicBook.
  17. ^"エースコンバット イカロス・イン・ザ・スカイ｜エースコンバット アサルト・ホライゾン".ah.acecombat.jp.Archivedfrom the original on May 3, 2015.RetrievedMay 9,2018.
  18. ^abcdefghijIchinoya, Hiroyuki (January 30, 2008).""『エースコンバット』シリーズ toàn thế giới tích lũy 1,000 vạn bổn đột phá!"".Ace Combat Web(in Japanese).Namco Bandai Games.Archived fromthe originalon March 11, 2020.RetrievedMarch 19,2020.
  19. ^"Ace Combat 2 for PlayStation Reviews".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on January 3, 2019.RetrievedDecember 22,2019.
  20. ^"Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies for PlayStation 2 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on June 7, 2020.RetrievedJuly 10,2020.
  21. ^"Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War for PlayStation 2 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archived fromthe originalon September 17, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 18,2008.
  22. ^"Ace Combat Advance for Game Boy Advance Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on December 27, 2018.RetrievedJuly 10,2020.
  23. ^"Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War".Metacritic.
  24. ^"Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception for PSP Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2019.RetrievedJuly 10,2020.
  25. ^abSinclair, Brendan (May 8, 2012)."Dark Souls sells 1.19 million".GameSpot.CBS Interactive.Archived fromthe originalon February 22, 2019.RetrievedJuly 10,2020.
  26. ^"Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation for Xbox 360 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2019.RetrievedJuly 10,2020.
  27. ^"Ace Combat: Assault Horizon".Metacritic.
  28. ^abcRomano, Sal (January 16, 2025)."Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown sales top six million".Gematsu.RetrievedJanuary 16,2025.
  29. ^"Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown for PlayStation 4 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2020.
  30. ^"Tokyo Game Show 2018 BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Booth Highlights"(PDF).Bandai Namco Entertainment.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on August 27, 2020.RetrievedAugust 27,2020.
  31. ^IGN Staff (April 17, 2008)."Ace Combat Series Surpasses 10 Million Units Sold Worldwide".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon October 9, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 14,2021.
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