Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- Game mechanics – 90%
- History – 70%
- Music – 90%
- Graphics – 70%
Summary
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is one of the best ports the Nintendo Switch has ever received. Although it doesn’t have the graphical power of its older siblings, it still maintains all the level of challenge, fun, and variety that the original game had, making it an action title worth trying.
- Genre: Air combat simulator
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Release: 11/07/2024
- Publisher: Bandai Namco
- Developer: Bandai Namco
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the most successful entry in Bandai Namco’s renowned aerial combat series. Now five years after its arrival on PS4 and Xbox One, it’s making its way to Nintendo Switch in the hopes that more people can get to know it.
Although some ports, especially from more recent generations, arrive with many problems on the Switch, this is not the case. Although it obviously does not have the same quality in terms of graphics, it still provides all the fun, excitement and challenge of the original game.
What you need to know about Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
What is it about Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown?
In Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown We take control of a very skilled pilot named Trigger. He is a member of the air force of the fictional country of Osea, which is at war with Erusea. It all begins with various air operations designed to defend the territory.
Unfortunately, after a mission our protagonist is accused of murdering the president in cold blood. As punishment, Some time later he is placed in a squadron of ex-convict pilots who simply function as cannon fodder in very important battles.
I consider that Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has two stories going on at the same time. One is Trigger-centric and progresses while you’re on missions. Another is one that occurs between missions with pre-rendered cutscenes that tell you about princesses, a mechanic, and a scientist.
Of the two stories, I frankly didn’t find the one between missions that interesting. The one that happens while you’re playing seemed the best to me. You really get attached to some of your squad mates and it also feels like a movie-style dynamic. Top Gun. So it’s one more factor to keep you interested in their different goals.
You will truly feel like a combat ace.
Now let’s go with the gameplay of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown From the moment you start the game you are given the option of whether you want to play with more realistic controls or simpler ones. I decided to go with the easier ones but it didn’t take away from the level of challenge of the game at all.
Being an air combat simulator, you will be in a plane all the time, but not always the same one. Before each mission you are given instructions on your objectives, based on this you can choose the plane that will be most suitable for your mission. Whether it’s one that handles very well close to the ground, one fast enough to chase down enemy pilots, or one balanced enough to take on targets both on the ground and in the sky.
![Ace Combat 7](https://tierragamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ace-combat-7-2-1024x576.webp)
In addition to the plane you choose, you can choose your secondary weapon. Ace Combat 7 has a huge variety for different situations. From the typical bombs with a wide radius to attack targets on the ground to drones that help you keep the pressure on rival pilots. There is a little bit of everything and it invites you to experiment.
As if that were not enough, depending on how you perform in each mission you will receive points that serve as the game’s currency. With these you can unlock new planes, new weapons for them, as well as new parts to improve them. These include parts to make them faster, prevent freezing when flying in the clouds, or increase the number of missiles and special weapons you can carry on each mission.
Ace Combat 7 It gives you a lot of variety and many elements to take into account in each mission.
What I must applaud Ace Combat 7 is that it has a huge level of variety from mission to mission. Throughout all of them, they give you very varied objectives that help you never feel tired of playing. Plus the weather conditions also change adding an extra level of complexity.
There are missions that You are simply tasked with eliminating specific targets, some of which will ask you to do as much damage as possible in a time limit or protect teammates while they reach their destination.. Not to mention that usually near the end of the missions they throw in some twists to keep you on the edge of your seat.
![Ace Combat 7](https://tierragamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ace-combat-7-3-1024x576.webp)
The climate is perhaps one of the most interesting factors of Ace Combat 7as it greatly affects your mission. Clouds can freeze your engines if you stay in them for too long, thunderstorms damage your aiming system making it difficult to hit. Finally we have the powerful gusts of wind that will make you fight with all your might to stay on track with your flight plan.
All of these elements combined make the game very fun and invites you to try it again and again to unlock everything it has available. There are special rewards for completing missions without taking damage or reaching a game over. So if you’re still hungry for more after the credits roll, there’s plenty of incentive to keep you going back to the skies as many times as you like.
Get ready for one of the most challenging action games
Something I should mention about Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is that despite not being a realistic aerial combat simulator, it is still quite challenging. Although there are no ‘bosses’ so to speak, there will be several combat situations that will test your skills.
There are some particular missions that combine both fast enemies, difficult objectives and inclement weather. On many occasions it will be very difficult for you to complete the missions on the first try. That’s probably why they give very good rewards when you achieve it.
![Ace Combat 7](https://tierragamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ace-combat-7-4-1024x576.webp)
Of course this encourages you to experiment with different types of aircraft, parts and weapons to achieve a better result. The first time you obviously won’t be as prepared as when you already know all the challenges you will face.
I should also mention that although Ace Combat 7 It becomes very challenging, at no point does it feel frustrating. Its difficulty curve follows a path without peaks. It also constantly gives you the tools to help you achieve your goals. It’s just a matter of you taking advantage of it.
Ace Combat 7 On Switch it doesn’t have the power of its older brothers but it’s not doing too badly
As I mention, Ace Combat 7 Originally released 5 years ago for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. On these systems it looks considerably better than on Switch due to its technical capabilities. Even so, Nintendo’s small hybrid delivers a very good port, although of course with deficiencies.
To start with, both the planes and the scenery are not that detailed. The planes look very flat and without detail, they even give the impression of being toy figures. While the stages often look like they were two generations ago.
![Ace Combat 7](https://tierragamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ace-combat-7-5-1024x576.webp)
In general Ace Combat 7 It runs very well on the Switch, but there was one niggle that plagued my playtime. Many of the cutscenes appeared with a strange blurry line going from bottom to top, as if it were playing on an old television. Fortunately this no longer happened in the missions.
As for frame drops, these were very few and did not affect the experience that much. Even in portable mode it holds up very well, so it is a highly recommended game to take on the go. It is a very good and well-worked port, with no serious errors.
Should you give it a try?
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown I found it to be a very good action game that will definitely get you excited. The variety of missions, their level of challenge, their different settings and their music combine perfectly to give you a welcome adrenaline rush.
![Ace Combat 7](https://tierragamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ace-combat-7-6-1024x576.webp)
Of course it is not perfect because in addition to a story that does not make much sense, it has the technical deficiencies that I already mentioned. If you can ignore this, then you’ll have a good title to kill time with.. Plus, with the Switch you could take it anywhere and enjoy its more than 10 hours of fun. Don’t forget to share us on Discord What did you think if you got to play it?
We played Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown on Nintendo Switch with a code provided by a Bandai Namco representative in the region.
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