- Ace Combat
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This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, see Air Combat.
Ace Combat 
The logo used from 2004 to presentGenres Arcade Developers Namco, Access Games, Project Aces Publishers Namco Bandai Platforms Arcade, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Xbox 360, iOS, Nintendo 3DS Platform of origin Arcade First release Air Combat
1992Latest release Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy
November 15, 2011Official website acecombat.namcobandaigames.com Ace Combat is a hybrid arcade-simulation flight action video game series featuring 12 games,[1] published by the Japanese company Namco Bandai Games. The series emphasizes fast-paced action and dramatic plots, and has established itself as one of the most successful flight sim franchises.
Most games of the series take place in the same fictionalized world populated with fictional countries with details loosely based on real-life location, events, and wars. One of the main selling points of the series is the ability to pilot a range of aircraft that include accurate or slightly modified representations of present day military aircraft, prototypes that never saw actual battle, and completely fictional boss-type superweapons. Longtime fans of the series are rewarded with small hints of the continuity between the games, as some characters and events are referenced from one game to another.
The first three titles were released on Sony's PlayStation platform, while three subsequent titles were released on the PlayStation 2 (Ace Combat 4, Ace Combat 5 and Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War). One title, Ace Combat X, was released on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) platform, while another title, Ace Combat 6, was released on Microsoft's Xbox 360 platform. Ace Combat Xi was released on Apple Inc.'s iOS in 2009, while Ace Combat: Joint Assault was released for the PlayStation Portable in August 2010. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon was launched on October 11th, 2011 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Namco Bandai has also announced to press that it's working on a new Ace Combat title for the Nintendo 3DS, which has been revealed to be Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy.
Contents
Setting
For more info see List of Ace Combat characters
The Ace Combat series, with the exception of Ace Combat: Joint Assault and Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, which take place in the real world, takes place in an alternate history version of Earth (dubbed Strangereal), with different geography and countries. Antarctica covers the planet's South Pole and an archipelago shaped like New Zealand is located at its peak. Along with the Democratic Federation of Wellow, shaped like Greenland, these are the only two landmasses in the game world which are identical to the real-life Earth. The Osean mainland is the central continent of the Ace Combat world and has seen many wars throughout its history. Ace Combat's "Earth" is apparently located in the same Solar system as the real one, with the same Sun, Moon, and apparently constellations. One particular constellation, Crux, plays a major role in the Ace Combat X plot.
The main continents of the Ace Combat setting are separated by several major oceans and large seas. The Ceres Ocean that separates Osea from Yuktobania is the smallest of all oceans. It is there that the majority of the Circum-Pacific War is fought in Ace Combat 5. The Pacific Ocean separates Osea from the southern Verusean continent. The Circum-Pacific War was named after it despite the fact that no battles were actually fought there. The Atlantic Ocean is the largest ocean, touching Osea, Usea, and Verusea. Ace Combat 2, Ace Combat 3, and Ace Combat 4 are all set in Usea. The Cascade Ocean is the second largest ocean, touching the continents of Osea, Anea, and Verusea. The Arctic Ocean covers the North Pole.
A main historic event that takes place in that world and is a main catalyst for the events of Ace Combat 4 and Ace Combat 6 was the fall of the "Ulysses" Asteroid which split into hundreds of fragments upon entry into atmosphere causing severe damage on several nations and claiming millions of lives. Some countries developed powerful superweapons to protect themselves against the Ulysses fragments, that were later used for warfare.
Games
Main series
Original release date(s):
1992Release years by system:
1992—ArcadeNotes: A cockpit arcade game that simulates an F-16 aircraft.
Original release date(s):
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1995—PlayStationNotes: The first console installment in the series, it was released as Air Combat in the North American and European markets, but the original Japanese title of Ace Combat was used for all sequels.
Original release date(s):
1995Release years by system:
1995—ArcadeNotes: A sequel to the 1992 arcade game.
Original release date(s):
1997-5-30Release years by system:
1997—PlayStationNotes: Introduced the fictional continent of Usea that would feature in most sequels.
Original release date(s):
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1999—PlayStationNotes: The only science fiction-themed Ace Combat game. The Japanese version of the game is very story-driven, featuring 52 missions, multiple endings, and anime-style characters. The North American and European versions feature fewer stages and a more linear storyline.
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Original release date(s):
Release years by system:
2001—PlayStation 2Notes: Also known as Ace Combat: Distant Thunder in Europe or abbreviated as AC04.
Original release date(s):
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2004—PlayStation 2Notes: Also known as Ace Combat: Squadron Leader in Europe or abbreviated as AC5. The game features improved graphics and a new wingman command system.
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Original release date(s):
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2006—PlayStation 2Notes: Also known as Ace Combat: The Belkan War in Europe serves as the prequel to Ace Combat 5 as well as all the other games according to the timeline and explains in further detail the fictional Belkan War that preceded the events of Ace Combat 5 by 15 years. This is also the first game that feature rival aces as an integral part of the story line, which can determine the player's path through the game.
Original release date(s):
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2007—Xbox 360Notes: The player is able to assist multiple independent land, sea, and air battles using the "Dynamic Operation System". The first in the Ace Combat series to include options for online play, which is available through Xbox Live. Players can choose from a variety of game modes, including classic deathmatch, team-deathmatch, and co-op mode.[2][3]
Other
Original release date(s):
2005-2-22Release years by system:
2005—Game Boy AdvanceNotes: The first Ace Combat game developed for portable systems. It is set a few years before the events of Electrosphere.
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
Original release date(s):
Release years by system:
2006—PlayStation PortableNotes: Set in 2020, the player is a pilot in the Gryphus Squadron of the Federal Republic of Aurelia, who almost single-handedly defends the country from the invading forces of Leasath. The game offers 31 missions (including alternate missions and the special mission) and wireless ad-hoc play for up to 4 players.
Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion
Original release date(s):
2009-12-3Release years by system:
2009-iPhoneNotes: Set during the events of Ace Combat X, the player is a pilot of the Falco Squadron of the Federal Republic of Aurelia, the story will take place in his point of view. It is the first Ace Combat game made for cellphones and will use both touch and tilt controls.[4]
Ace Combat: Joint Assault
Original release date(s):
Release years by system:
2010-PlayStation PortableNotes: This is the first game in the series to be set in the real world, featuring locations such as London and San Francisco, and not on the fictional planet of Ace Combat. It also features a new battle system known as the Joint Assault Mission System.[5]
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
Original release date(s):
Release years by system:
2011—PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Notes: This is the first multi-platform game in the series, and the first home console game featuring combat with other aircraft besides airplanes. Just like "Joint Assault", it is also set in the real world.
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy
Original release date(s):
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2011—Nintendo 3DSNotes: First game of the series featuring stereoscopic 3D graphics. It revisits the country of Usea, and brings back the boss from the final mission of AC04 with a new name.
Title differences
The Japanese Ace Combat was renamed Air Combat in the North American and European releases.
In NTSC territories, the fourth installment of the series is known as Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies, while in PAL territories the game is known as Ace Combat: Distant Thunder. Another change was done in the Spanish version of the game, being renamed Ace Combat: Trueno de Acero, that can be translated as Ace Combat: Steel Thunder. The fifth installment of the game is known as Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, while the PAL release was renamed Ace Combat: Squadron Leader. In PAL territories, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War had a slight rename to Ace Combat: The Belkan War making it the first game since the series introduction to not have a significant name change in PAL territories.
The PAL territory boxart for Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation has kept the same name and has included the number, the only difference between it and the other covers is the illustration. [1] [2]
The PlayStation 2 games offer 16:9 anamorphic widescreen images and scenery.
Music
The Ace Combat series is known for its dramatic soundtrack, particularly in later installments of the game where full orchestras, such as the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, are used. Each installment of the series usually uses one style of music as the basis of its soundtrack:
The main composers for the game series soundtrack are Keiki Kobayashi, Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Ryuichi Takada, Junichi Nakatsuru, and Hiroshi Okubo.
- In Air Combat and Ace Combat 2, the music is heavily influenced by rock and gained popularity with fans of the genre.
- Ace Combat 3 uses an electronic soundtrack similar to that of Namco's Ridge Racer series, but with more focus on atmosphere and dissonant synth instruments than electronic beats.
- Ace Combat 04 mixed orchestra, guitar, and synth tracks.
- Ace Combat 5 also uses mixed orchestra, guitar, and synth tracks composed by NAMCO's in-house sound team, and features the song "Blurry" by Puddle of Mudd, as well as several orchestral performances by Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Ace Combat Zero uses similar techniques to Ace Combat 04 and Ace Combat 5 but incorporates a Spanish flair through the use of classical, electric, and even acoustic guitars.
- Ace Combat X uses electronic music similar to Ace Combat 3, although it maintains the more cinematic synths from the PlayStation 2 games as well.
- Ace Combat 6 is the most orchestral soundtrack to date, and is similar in style to Ace Combat 5 and Zero. There are significantly fewer electronic elements throughout the score, although they have not been removed entirely - remaining for several key tracks, including one of the game's two overtures, "Fires of Liberation" (The second theme, "Liberation of Gracemeria", does away with the core electronic elements almost entirely, marking only the second time this has been done in the series, the first being "The Unsung War" - the title overture of Ace Combat 5). Several soundtracks were done by Trinity Boys Choir and Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra.
- Ace Combat X2 uses songs from previous installments (2, and Electrosphere) with new music composed by Inon Zur, Go Shiina, and Kanako Kakino. This is also the first time some Oriental & Persian music is thrown into the mix.
- Ace Combat: Assault Horizon brings back the rock style music like in the psone titles and mixes it with music similar to Ace Combat 6.
- Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy is the most dissappointing soundtrack to date. The games track uses music from Ace Combat 2 and Ace Combat Joint Assault.
References
- ^ "Ace Combat screenshots and statistics". Universal Videogame List. http://www.uvlist.net/groups/info/acecombat. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
- ^ Klepek, Patrick. "Double Whammy: Ace Combat 6 Confirmed for 360". IGN. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158102. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ "Ace Combat Set for 360". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/774/774129p1.html. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Buchanan, Levi. "Ace Combat Soaring to iPhone". IGN. http://wireless.ign.com/articles/102/1025612p1.html. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
- ^ Chris Roper (January 11, 2010). "Ace Combat: Joint Assault Announced". IGN. http://psp.ign.com/articles/106/1060003p1.html. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
External links
- Ace Combat official website
- http://acecombatskies.com/ Ace Combat forums
- http://acecombat.wikia.com/ Ace Combat Wikia
Ace Combat series Console games Air Combat · Air Combat 22 · 2 · 3: Electrosphere · 04: Shattered Skies · 5: The Unsung War · Zero: The Belkan War · 6: Fires of Liberation · Assault HorizonPortable games Categories:
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