Info about ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN:

Official game description:
ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN - TOP GUN: Maverick Ultimate Edition
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Contains the main game ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN, the TOP GUN: Maverick Aircraft set, and the Season Pass.
ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN - TOP GUN: Maverick Edition
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Contains the main game ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN plus the TOP GUN: Maverick Aircraft Set.
About the Game
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Purchase ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN and get the playable F-104C: Avril DLC as a bonus.  
Become an ace pilot and soar through photorealistic skies with full 360 degree movement; down enemy aircraft and experience the thrill of engaging in realistic sorties! Aerial combat has never looked or felt better!  
Project Aces aims to revolutionize the sky with this entry in the series, offering an experience so immersive it feels like you're piloting an actual aircraft! Weather and the environment affect your aircraft and the HUD, adding a sense of extreme realism never felt before in a flight combat game. Epic dogfights await!

Release date: Jan 31, 2019

Categories: Combat Flight Simulation, Arcade-style Air Combat, Single-player Story, Mission-based Gameplay, Aircraft Customization, Dynamic Weather and Mechanics, Multiplayer, Third-Person Shooter


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and polished gameplay (weight 0.97): The gameplay is frequently highlighted as fun, smooth, and well-designed, with responsive controls and a satisfying blend of arcade and simulation elements. Players appreciate the variety in missions, the learning curve, and the replayability.
- Stunning visuals and graphics (weight 0.85): Players consistently praise the game's visuals, including detailed aircraft models, realistic clouds, weather effects, and breathtaking environments. The graphics are described as outstanding, photorealistic, and visually impressive even years after release.
- High replayability and content (weight 0.74): The game offers extensive replay value through aircraft customization, weapon loadouts, difficulty settings, and mod support. Players also enjoy replaying missions to achieve higher ranks or experience the story again.
- Compelling and immersive story (weight 0.66): The narrative is praised for its emotional depth, engaging twists, and anime-like style. Players find the story immersive, well-delivered, and capable of evoking strong emotions, even if it is not overly complex.
- Accessible for newcomers (weight 0.64): The game is designed to be beginner-friendly, with intuitive controls, adjustable difficulty settings, and a gentle learning curve. This makes it appealing to both casual players and fans of the series.
- Excellent soundtrack and audio (weight 0.62): The game's soundtrack is frequently described as a masterpiece, enhancing immersion and elevating key moments. Sound design, including missile alerts and radio chatter, is also praised for creating an adrenaline-filled experience.
- Wide variety of aircraft (weight 0.36): Players appreciate the extensive selection of real and fictional aircraft, each with unique handling, loadouts, and customization options. This adds strategic depth and personalization to gameplay.
- Strong multiplayer experience (weight 0.09): The multiplayer mode is described as addictive, engaging, and a major highlight of the game. It offers competitive dogfights, team deathmatches, and a sense of community, with active players even years after release.
- Dynamic weather and mechanics (weight 0.08): Weather effects, such as storms and clouds, add strategic depth and immersion to gameplay. These mechanics disrupt enemy radar, create tactical opportunities, and enhance the overall experience.
- Optimized performance (weight 0.07): The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on mid-range hardware, Steam Deck, and even older systems. Players report minimal bugs, stable performance, and no major technical issues.
- Great value for price (weight 0.05): Players frequently mention the game's excellent cost-performance ratio, especially when purchased on sale. The base game is described as complete and enjoyable without requiring DLC.
- Active modding community (weight 0.04): The modding community adds significant replay value through new aircraft, weapons, HUDs, and difficulty levels. Mods like Skies Restored are highly recommended for enhancing the game's visuals and mechanics.

Common complaints:
- Combat feels unrealistic and restrictive (weight 0.49): Players criticize the combat mechanics for being unrealistic, overly scripted, and restrictive. Many missions enforce a single way to complete objectives, reducing player agency and making gameplay feel repetitive and frustrating. The lack of realism, such as undetectable stealth aircraft or scripted enemy behavior, further detracts from immersion.
- Poor mission design and linearity (weight 0.47): Missions are frequently described as linear, grindy, and poorly designed. Players highlight issues such as mid-mission objective changes, lack of checkpoints, and excessive time limits, which create unnecessary stress and frustration. The repetitive nature of missions, particularly ground-attack tasks, contributes to a lack of replayability and enjoyment.
- Frustrating flight mechanics and controls (weight 0.44): Flight mechanics are described as arcade-like, unrealistic, and poorly optimized for various control schemes, including HOTAS, joysticks, and keyboard/mouse. Players report difficulties with controls, such as unresponsive inputs, poor sensitivity settings, and lack of customization, which make the game feel clunky and frustrating to play.
- Unbalanced difficulty and progression (weight 0.42): The game's difficulty is inconsistent, with some missions feeling overly punishing due to steep difficulty spikes, lack of checkpoints, or unclear objectives. Players also report issues with progression, such as unclear tech tree mechanics and save file corruption, which disrupt the gameplay experience.
- Weak and confusing storytelling (weight 0.42): The story is widely criticized for being poorly written, confusing, and unengaging. Players note that the narrative jumps between perspectives, lacks emotional depth, and often feels rushed or nonsensical. The execution of cutscenes and dialogue further undermines the storytelling, making it difficult for players to stay invested in the plot or characters.
- Lackluster multiplayer experience (weight 0.36): Multiplayer is criticized for being barebones, unbalanced, and largely inactive. Players highlight issues such as limited game modes, pay-to-win mechanics, latency problems, and a lack of skill-based matchmaking. The low player count further diminishes the multiplayer experience, making it difficult to find matches or complete multiplayer-related achievements.
- Poor technical optimization and bugs (weight 0.33): The game suffers from technical issues, including frequent crashes, micro-stutters, and poor optimization for PC. Players report problems with save file corruption, lack of ultrawide monitor support, and inadequate HOTAS/joystick compatibility, which detract from the overall experience.
- Limited aircraft and loadout customization (weight 0.14): Players express disappointment with the limited variety of aircraft and restrictive loadout options. The game locks many customization features behind paywalls or late-game progression, and the available weapons and modules are often unbalanced or unrealistic, reducing strategic depth and replayability.
- Ineffective teammate AI (weight 0.04): Teammate AI is frequently described as unhelpful, ineffective, or even obstructive. NPC allies often fail to assist in missions, clutter the minimap, or provide no meaningful support, which frustrates players and detracts from the cooperative aspects of the game.
- Poor localization and voice acting (weight 0.04): The English localization and voice acting are criticized for being mediocre, awkward, or poorly executed. Players note issues with translation accuracy, odd dialogue delivery, and a lack of subtitles in certain languages, which detract from the game's immersion and accessibility.

Gameplay feedback:
- Arcade-style air combat focus (weight 0.22): The game emphasizes fast-paced, arcade-style air combat with exaggerated maneuvers, large missile inventories, and a blend of realistic and unrealistic elements. Players engage in high-speed dogfights, ground attacks, and large-scale aerial battles, prioritizing fun over realism.
- Mission variety and dynamic objectives (weight 0.09): The game features 20+ missions with diverse objectives, including escort, stealth, air superiority, and ground attacks. Missions often include mid-mission objective changes, time limits, and environmental challenges like weather or low visibility, adding depth to gameplay.
- Progression and unlockables (weight 0.05): Players progress by unlocking aircraft, weapons, and special abilities through mission completion and earning in-game currency. Optional challenges, such as defeating aces or earning medals, provide additional replay value without requiring grinding.
- Fictional universe and storytelling (weight 0.03): Set in an alternate world with global conflicts, the game features a narrative-driven campaign with rival nations, betrayals, and sci-fi elements like drones and superweapons. The story unfolds during missions but is not the primary focus.
- Controller optimization and settings (weight 0.01): The game requires fine-tuning of controller settings (e.g., dead zones, linearity) for optimal performance. Players are encouraged to adjust these settings early to improve the flight experience, especially for newcomers.
- Time and score attack mechanics (weight 0.01): Some missions feature time-limited objectives or score attack mechanics, where failure (e.g., crashing or running out of time) restarts the mission from the beginning. This adds challenge for players aiming for high ranks.
- Iconic aircraft and characters (weight 0.01): The game includes well-known fictional aircraft (e.g., ADF-01, ADFX-01) and characters (e.g., Pixy) from the Ace Combat series, which hold significance for long-time fans and add nostalgic value.

Performance notes:
- Excellent optimization and performance (weight 0.08): The game is widely praised for its strong optimization, running smoothly on a variety of hardware, including older systems, mid-range GPUs, and the Steam Deck. Players report high FPS, stable performance, and improved visuals/sound compared to older versions. Battery drain on Steam Deck is noted as a minor drawback.
- Limited native ultrawide/VR support (weight 0.03): The game lacks native support for ultrawide resolutions, multi-monitor setups, and VR/flight stick peripherals. Players must rely on mods (e.g., UEVR) or third-party fixes to enable these features, which can introduce technical hurdles.
- Minor performance issues on specific setups (weight 0.01): While generally well-optimized, some players report micro-stutters causing control issues or high temperatures on high-end hardware (e.g., 4060ti). These issues are isolated but impact user experience in specific scenarios.

Recommendations:
- Strong sale recommendation (weight 0.26): The majority of reviewers emphasize that the game is worth purchasing, but almost exclusively during sales or at a discounted price. Many suggest it is not worth the full MSRP, citing better value at lower price points. This sentiment is highly consistent across clusters, particularly Cluster 1.
- Low full-price value (weight 0.24): A significant portion of reviewers explicitly state that the game is not worth its full price, recommending it only during sales or at steep discounts. This aligns with the broader trend of sale-based recommendations but highlights dissatisfaction with the game's value at MSRP, as seen in Clusters 1 and 19.
- Mixed reception for newcomers (weight 0.2): While the game is often recommended for newcomers to the series (especially if purchased on sale), some reviewers caution that it may not live up to the expectations set by older titles in the series. This creates a divide in recommendations for first-time players, as seen in Clusters 2 and 4.
- Target audience: arcade flight fans (weight 0.18): The game is repeatedly recommended for fans of arcade-style flight combat, aviation enthusiasts, and long-time series fans. Reviewers highlight its appeal to those seeking a fun, fast-paced experience without the complexity of realistic flight simulators. This is a core strength of the game, as noted in Clusters 2 and 11.
- VR and hardware limitations (weight 0.17): The game is highly recommended for VR users seeking immersion, but reviewers note technical limitations such as poor HOTAS support, performance issues on Steam Deck, and overheating. These hardware-related frustrations are mentioned in Clusters 2 and 7, but they are not universal experiences.
- Alternatives suggested (weight 0.15): Some reviewers recommend alternatives like *Project Wingman* or older Ace Combat titles, particularly for players seeking better HOTAS support, realism, or value. This suggests that while the game has strengths, it may not be the best choice for all players in the genre, as noted in Clusters 2 and 17.
- Series loyalty and nostalgia (weight 0.11): Long-time fans of the Ace Combat series overwhelmingly recommend the game, often calling it a must-play or a return to form for the franchise. Newcomers who enjoy the game frequently express regret for not engaging with the series earlier. This sentiment is prominent in Clusters 3, 8, and 15.
- Minimal replayability concerns (weight 0.04): A few reviewers note that the game is primarily worth buying for its campaign, with limited long-term replayability outside of multiplayer. This is a minor but recurring critique, particularly in Cluster 5.
- Multiplayer is divisive (weight 0.04): Multiplayer receives polarized feedback: some recommend it for casual or friend-based play, while others strongly advise against it due to issues like cheating, skill imbalance, and DLC-related frustrations. This inconsistency suggests the multiplayer experience is highly dependent on player expectations, as reflected in Cluster 6.

Other player notes:
- Nostalgic appeal and series loyalty (weight 0.17): Many players express strong nostalgia for older Ace Combat titles (e.g., AC4, AC5) and view *Ace Combat 7* as a continuation of the series' legacy. The game's appeal is heightened for long-time fans who appreciate its callbacks to classic entries, though some feel it falls short of expectations set by predecessors like *Project Wingman* or *Ace Combat 3*.
- Grinding unnecessary for progress (weight 0.1): Players note that grinding is not required to complete the game, though some engage in it for payouts or replayability. This design choice is praised for catering to both casual and dedicated players.
- Value and pricing concerns (weight 0.1): The game's value is debated, with some players feeling it justifies its price (especially during sales) while others criticize the volume of DLCs (22 total) and high cost of the Ultimate Edition. Replayability is noted as moderate, with 1-2 additional playthroughs possible.
- Accessibility and controls (weight 0.07): The game is described as easy to learn but hard to master, with difficulty varying by player skill. Beginners are advised to adjust controls (e.g., 'Beginner' flight mode) and use a controller for the best experience. Some players express frustration with the lack of VR support.
- Generational and social appeal (weight 0.05): The game resonates across age groups, with older players sharing nostalgic memories (e.g., playing with parents) and introducing it to younger generations (e.g., children). Its themes and content are deemed suitable for teens and adults, though some note it may not engage casual players.
- Japanese aesthetic and style (weight 0.01): Players appreciate the game's Japanese-inspired storytelling, music, and cutscenes, comparing it to *Final Fantasy*. This aesthetic is seen as a defining feature of the series, though it may not appeal universally.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.22): The primary causes of frustration stem from repetitive and restrictive gameplay mechanics, such as tedious mission design, unskippable dialogue, and poor checkpoint placement. Players also express frustration with unfair difficulty spikes, obstructive weather, and the prevalence of cheaters in multiplayer, which disrupt the experience. Technical issues like lack of ultrawide monitor support, poor control customization, and frequent crashes further exacerbate this emotion.
- Excitement (weight 0.19): Excitement is driven by the game's thrilling flight mechanics, immersive visuals, and dynamic weather systems, which create a cinematic and adrenaline-filled experience. Players appreciate the variety of aircraft, engaging mission designs, and the satisfying combat mechanics, particularly in dogfights. The VR experience and nostalgic callbacks to the franchise's history also contribute significantly to this emotion.
- Joy (weight 0.17): Joy arises from the game's ability to evoke nostalgia, particularly for long-time fans of the series, and its engaging, arcade-style gameplay. Players enjoy the immersive storytelling, beautiful aircraft designs, and the emotional connection to the game's characters and world. The overall high-quality presentation, including the soundtrack and visuals, enhances the sense of joy and fulfillment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.17): Satisfaction is derived from the game's polished gameplay, strategic depth in aircraft customization, and the rewarding experience of mastering flight controls. Players appreciate the smooth performance, lack of bugs, and the game's ability to meet or exceed expectations, particularly in its storytelling and mission variety. The replayability and modding community further contribute to this emotion.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Disappointment stems from the game failing to live up to expectations, particularly in storytelling, mission design, and technical execution. Players criticize the rushed or underdeveloped story, repetitive missions, and lack of innovation. Technical issues like poor optimization, absence of ultrawide support, and a dead multiplayer scene also contribute to this emotion. Some players feel the game does not align with their preferences for realism or arcade-style gameplay.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom is caused by repetitive mission structures, lack of depth in gameplay, and unengaging storytelling, particularly in the latter half of the game. Players find the missions overly easy or technical, leading to a dull and uninteresting experience. The absence of replayability and shallow gameplay mechanics further contribute to this emotion, especially for those not already fans of the genre.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from the game's fragmented and unclear storytelling, particularly for newcomers unfamiliar with the franchise's lore. Players struggle with inconsistent progression systems, unrealistic mechanics, and poorly explained controls. The reliance on prior knowledge of the series and lack of introductory tutorials exacerbate this emotion, making it difficult for some to follow the narrative or gameplay mechanics.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is primarily directed at unfair or immersion-breaking design choices, such as exploitative DLC policies, poor mission design, and unrealistic enemy behavior. Players express frustration with save file corruption, unskippable cutscenes, and the game's perceived lack of consideration for player time. The exclusion of certain hardware support and disruptive storytelling also contribute to this emotion, often marked by strong emotional language.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is a strong emotion for long-time fans of the Ace Combat series, driven by the game's return to the beloved Strangereal world and arcade-style gameplay. Players appreciate the callbacks to older games, such as iconic aircraft and emblems, which evoke fond memories of childhood or past experiences with the franchise. The 30th-anniversary celebration and franchise history further amplify this emotion.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is experienced by players who find the game serves as a stress reliever or an escape from reality. Some appreciate the game's accessibility for newcomers or its discounted price, which makes it more approachable. The ability to resolve technical issues, such as texture problems, and the game's challenging yet rewarding difficulty level also contribute to this emotion.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement arises from the game's over-the-top and unrealistic elements, such as exaggerated storytelling, humorous dialogue, and creative mission designs. Players enjoy the absurdity of certain gameplay moments and the comical aspects of the game's bad writing, which add a lighthearted and entertaining dimension to the experience.
- Regret (weight 0): Regret is expressed by players who feel they wasted money on the game or wish they had played it earlier. This emotion is often tied to unmet expectations or the realization that the game does not align with their preferences, leading to a sense of missed opportunity or poor value for money.
- Gratitude (weight 0): Gratitude is directed toward the developers for their effort and passion in creating the game, particularly after a 12-year gap since the last mainline entry. Players appreciate the fulfillment of personal dreams, such as experiencing a new Ace Combat game, and the game's ability to reignite their passion for the series or genre.
- Sadness (weight 0): Sadness is primarily caused by the deaths of beloved characters in the game's story, which evoke an emotional response from players. Some also express sadness over the franchise's perceived lack of popularity, feeling a sense of loss or longing for its broader recognition and success.
- Annoyance (weight 0): Annoyance stems from minor but persistent issues, such as limited missile ammunition, ineffective machine gun mechanics, and a few frustrating moments during gameplay. These issues, while not game-breaking, create moments of irritation that detract from the overall experience.
- Adrenaline (weight 0): Adrenaline is triggered by specific missions that test flying skills, such as intense dogfights or challenging combat scenarios. The fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay and immersive flight mechanics create a thrilling and exhilarating experience that heightens this emotion.
- Anticipation (weight 0): Anticipation is driven by the potential for future DLC, such as F-35 variants, or the hope for additional content that expands the game's aircraft roster or mission variety. Players express excitement about the possibilities for new experiences within the game.
- Stress (weight 0): Stress is primarily caused by the difficulty of the final mission, which tests players' skills and patience. The high-stakes nature of this mission, combined with its challenging mechanics, creates a tense and stressful experience that some players find overwhelming.
- Hope (weight 0): Hope is expressed by players who wish for the series to continue, despite this game potentially being the final title. They appreciate the game's strengths and look forward to future installments or content that builds on the franchise's legacy.
- Curiosity (weight 0): Curiosity is sparked by the game's hidden details, subplots, and lore, which encourage players to explore the storyline more deeply. The intricate world-building and narrative twists invite players to uncover secrets and better understand the game's universe.}