Bad news: Review from Gamespot gave it a 5.5/10 for repetitive gameplay, shallow gaming experience, and not a great storyline.
Gamespot is a bunch of idiots.. here is my review.. I played most of all yesterday.
Once again they try to categorize Ace Combat as a flight sim game and not an arcade flight game. there is a difference and thats why they gave it such a low score looking at it from the wrong way.
The gameplay is not different much from previous ace combat games. The main source of criticism was because of the new DFM (Dog Fighting Mode) where you click two buttons and end up chasing behind someone to get a good shot on them. Frankly I like this more than the old way because it is more of a dog fight experience then just continually getting behind someone and firing two missiles over and over. It adds more excitement and more realism. Some might think it puts you on a rails system but you can be shaked and sometimes you have to disengage because their buddies will get behind you and take you out.
Im not sure why they think the gameplay is shallow. Sure the overall campaign mode is only 17 missions compared to the normal like 30 and the aircaft pricing system is gone. But basically this allows more freedom and not to mention I never once played a boring mission. Each one was a high octane fuel ride and usually left me wanting more. The game really shines in online mode where you can play with two others in the single player maps after unlocking them in campaign mode based on your score and the competitive. You can fly everything in the main game in the competitive except for the bombers and ac130. Helicopters are there and they are crazy fun to fly.
There is three mode. First is City Cap or something where you each have an HQ and the room leader can define how many static defenses their are. So you have to have a good balance of multirole, fighters, attack aircraft, and helos to complete the mission. Then there is of course deathmatch and team deathmatch.
Theres tons of DLC content on the way and already it was announced that the creators of macross will be releasing the ASF-X Shinden II as DLC. Also more online modes planes weapons and skins will be released.
Theres tons of unlockables including skilsl to make you more deadly in competitive mode, skins, color customization, call signs etc etc.
Not only this but I have to say this is one of th most challenging Ace Combats ever. I played the campaign on medium and the final few missions against Akula were insane. Theres even a part where you have to dogfight in a hurricane and you get tossd around!!
The graphics are gorgeous the planes look great and the locations are amazing.
I do have to agree only with the story and character depth. Theres a pretty decent story but you dont really latch on with the characters and become attached to them like in AC5 with Razgriz. Maybe its the fact that the main game is so short. Its a dissapointment but not a large one.
The gameplay is fast and furious and once again the soundtrack is awesome. So if you can look past a not so good story line but you want something that keeps you on the edge of your seat as far as combat action look no further. Basically this was a new direction for the game and you can think of this as a first look and see how the community responds. I can tell you that some review sites gave it low scores but they gave it low scores base on looking at the game the wrong way. However the fan boards have been exceptionally happy with this game. Particularly the online game.
I highly recommend it.
