Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown stands out as a flight combat simulation game that blends action-packed aerial battles with realistic flight elements. Released in 2019, this entry in the long-running series puts you in the cockpit of advanced fighter jets, navigating through intense dogfights and strategic missions. Set in a fictional world called Strangereal, the game emphasizes skillful piloting, missile locks, and evasion tactics against enemy aircraft. With its focus on photorealistic skies and environmental influences, it appeals to those seeking a mix of arcade accessibility and simulation depth on PC.
Gameplay
In Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the core loop revolves around controlling fighter jets in high-stakes aerial engagements. You handle full 360-degree movement, launching missiles and guns while dodging incoming fire. The flight model draws from earlier titles, incorporating mechanics like flares to counter enemy missiles and checkpoints that let you restart from key points after failures. Weather plays a significant role: clouds offer stealth advantages but can lead to icing and stalling if you linger too long, while lightning strikes disrupt controls and the HUD. Post-stall maneuvers allow sharp turns to outmaneuver foes, adding tactical layers to combat.
Aircraft customization happens through an Aircraft Tree system, where you earn MRP points from missions to unlock jets, special weapons, and tuning parts. These parts enhance attributes like speed, stealth, or anti-icing capabilities. The game excludes helicopters and piston fighters, keeping the focus strictly on jet-based warfare. Environmental factors, such as terrain and atmospheric conditions, demand constant adaptation, making each sortie feel dynamic and challenging.
Game Modes
The single-player campaign forms the heart of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, spanning 20 missions set during the 2019 Lighthouse War. You play as Trigger, a pilot in the Osean Air Defense Force, facing off against the Kingdom of Erusea. Missions involve defending bases, destroying targets, and engaging in large-scale battles with elements like Arsenal Birds and drone swarms. Additional DLC missions, including SP01: Unexpected Visitor, SP02: Anchorhead Raid, and SP03: Ten Million Relief Plan, expand this with a storyline about the super-submarine Alicorn.
Multiplayer options include Team Deathmatch, where teams compete to down opponents until a score or time limit, and Battle Royal, a free-for-all mode for up to eight players aiming for the highest score. VR mode, available on compatible platforms, offers three exclusive missions, an airshow viewing option, and Free Flight, emphasizing immersive cockpit views and head-tracking for targeting.
Story and Factions
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown unfolds in the Usea continent, where Osea clashes with Erusea over control of the International Space Elevator, known as the Lighthouse. Key factions include the Osean Air Defense Force and its penal unit, Spare Squadron, alongside Erusean forces like the elite Sol Squadron led by Mihaly A. Shilage. Organizations such as Gründer Industries drive the conflict through advanced drone technology, while the IUN provides allied support. The narrative explores themes of automated warfare and human pilots' roles, with characters like Princess Rosa Cossette D'Elise adding political intrigue.
Is It Worth Playing?
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown holds strong appeal for fans of flight combat simulations, especially those who enjoy tactical dogfights and environmental realism. Player reception remains positive, with Metacritic scores of 78/100 on PC and an OpenCritic aggregate of 81/100, highlighting strengths in core gameplay and audio design. On PC, reviews are Very Positive, with 88% of over 21,000 English-language ratings favorable, and recent feedback at 90% positive from 435 reviews. The game has shipped over 4 million copies worldwide as of November 2022, reflecting its popularity.
Current support includes DLC packs like the Top Gun: Maverick Aircraft Set from 2022, adding new jets and content. A 2024 Nintendo Switch port bundles all previous DLC, keeping the game accessible. If you prefer story-driven campaigns with multiplayer variety and don't mind a somewhat complex narrative, this title delivers lasting value. However, newcomers might note criticisms around limited tutorials, so it suits those ready to learn through trial and error.
