Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
- July 14, 2006 12:29 PM PST
- Email this!
The PSP gets its first flight SIM, and Ace Combat X proves the skies are a lot more dangerous than a ride in business class.
Namco Bandai is putting the finishing touches on the PSP's first flight SIM, Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception. And let me tell you, there's nothing worse than deceiving skies...much less inviting than the friendly skies of United Airlines.
As the PSP's first flight-action game, Ace Combat X is looking to set a solid precedent for the genre. And to do this, it definitely has a lot going for it.
Ace Combat fans will feel pretty comfortable when Ace X hits the PSP this fall. Despite a simplified control scheme to compensate for the PSP's lack of extra buttons, the game's interface will be very familiar to the flight SIM fanatic. Ace X is an all-new campaign, but unlike the console versions, this one was specifically designed to take advantage of the PSP's capabilities. The plot is pretty standard for an Ace game: you play the studly pilot who is responsible for defending your home country of Aurelia. Of course, your neighboring country Leasath is already invading your home turf, and those greedy SOBs will stop at nothing to seize complete control.
Let's start with the new features. First, there are new planes including the F-14D and Tornado F3 that aim to provide a more realistic flying experience. Second, a strategic A.I. system means in-game decisions can change mission objectives in subsequent missions. Also, aircrafts can now be tuned with parts that are unlocked in campaign mode for that extra bit of customization. And finally, what would a full-featured PSP game without a 4-player Ad Hoc mode be? Ace X is looking to make a splash with its multiplayer mode, and 50 flight patterns complete with customizable variables including maps, winning conditions, aircrafts, and weapons, should get the job done. Here's a quick breakdown of the game modes:
In-Air Battles: Your basic one-on-one battle against a buddy. There are two modes, Survival and Shootout , from which to choose.
Base-Attacking Battles: Capture the enemy's base before they get yours.
Air-Superiority Battle: Fly through specific highlighted areas to compete for time
Data-Beacon Battle: Snag the enemy beacon and return it to your base. Think CTF
Ground Troops/Naval Air Squadron Escort Battle: Secure an advance of allied troops to and lead them to the enemy's base, but keep the fire off their tails!
We did get our hands on the game, and the controls do feel pretty intuitive. After a little bit of "getting used to" time, you won't really be missing that right analog stick...too much. We were dropped in a two-player escort battle, and quickly fell into some lengthy mid-air dogfights -- usually resulting in our eventual demise consisting of a fiery explosion. That'll teach us to play against a member of the Ace X development team.
Look for Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception this fall.
