Note: I bought this on Steam When I was younger I was briefly into the world of flight action games. Air Force Delta, Star Fox 64, Gun Metal, Battle Engine Aquila... I loved games that simulated massive battles and the freedom of air flight in most of these games made their arcade action feel fresh and replayable. But I slept on Ace Combat, knowing of it but not playing a single of the series since the PS1. I didn't even know this game existed until last week, when its soundtrack was used in a YouTube Arma 3 sh*tpost. I wasn't ready. After starting the first mission and fixing the bindings on my 19 YEAR OLD Sidewinder Precision 2 joystick (which worked PERFECTLY) I got sucked into the world of Project Wingman, barrel-rolling through contrails, tracers, missile lock warnings and gorgeous lighting effects as I went full-on-Macross missile swarm on every Federation bootlick I came across. Rousing, triumphant and sometimes tragic music carried me aloft as the plot corny-yet-somehow-perfect plot unveiled surprising twists and arcade-style boss battles that matched the pace of my growing skills. By the time I finished the ($25) game (made by TWO people, THREE if you include the composer) I was left breathless and satisfied in a way I haven't been felt in a game for years. As a person who is NOT an Ace Combat lifer this game felt FRESH and its momentum through the campaign is kept up with more charisma than the game might deserve only because its impact on me is so much more than I expected. I've literally already drafted up plans with a friend to build our own VR arcade cabinet using her A-10 HOTAS controller, an old car seat and a bunch of other accoutrements to make a physical unit to play in because I am BANANAS for this game right now. Easy to play, fun to master, simple and to the point with the right amount of gameplay depth... this game just has a FEEL unique to itself that has to be experienced to be understood. support this developer! We need a sequel!
