In the 90s when gamers around the world were beating up street fighters or shooting doomed Nazi monsters, Namco released a title which would eventually revolutionize aerial combat in gaming. Air Combat which eventually evolved into Ace Combat defined what it was like to be a pilot and take to the skies. It was a completely different experience compared to the “bullet hell” or “shmup” games of the past. Fast forward to the present and today’s generation of fans will see the 7th title in the franchise — Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
Ace Combat 7 — the sky’s the limit
We first heard of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown in early 2017 when it was announced by developer Bandai Namco. Since then, fans have been waiting in anticipation when the game would be released. Well, that’s going to be in just a few months’ time. Skies Unknown will be out on the PS4 and Xbox One on January 18, 2019. PC players just need to wait a couple more weeks when it releases on February 1 via Steam.
Pilots and aerial aces will be returning to the continent of Usea last seen in Ace Combat 3 and Ace Combat 4. Another war has broken out and it’s up to you to man the skies. There’s just one notable twist in the story, your character is part of a Penitentiary Unit. Your entire squadron is comprised of criminals. You are an expendable pilot for lack of a better term.
What this means for the narrative and the missions is still up in the air. We’re hoping for a more diverse variety of missions, more challenging and dangerous. And, of course, less repetitive unlike past titles in the Ace Combat franchise.
