Project Wingman Review Summary

Fun gameplay experience: The game is frequently described as fun, with enjoyable gameplay mechanics, addictive qualities, and high replay value.

True to Ace Combat style: The game captures the essence and style of the Ace Combat series, making it a recommended choice for fans of the franchise.

Superior to Ace Combat: Players consistently note that the game offers a more immersive, polished, and enjoyable experience compared to Ace Combat 7, with better gameplay, setting, plot, and graphics.

Engaging storyline: The game features an amazing and captivating storyline that is fun, emotional, and well thought out, adding depth to the gameplay experience.

Best arcade flight sim: The game is considered one of the best in the genre of arcade flight simulators, offering high-energy, arcade-style flight gameplay.

Comparison to Ace Combat 7: Many players feel that the game falls short in comparison to Ace Combat 7, particularly in terms of graphics, music, story, and overall polish. The aircraft selection is also considered sparse.

No mid-mission checkpoints: Players are frustrated by the lack of mid-mission checkpoints, which makes retries time-consuming and can lead to frustration during difficult missions.

Graphics quality issues: The graphics are frequently criticized for being average or below expectations, with some players noting that they could be better or are not as good as in other similar games.

Limited aircraft options: Players feel that there are few aircraft options available, limiting the variety and choice in gameplay.

Poor targeting system: The targeting system is often criticized for being poor and difficult to use, with players experiencing issues in selecting the correct targets.

Arcade-style flight combat: The game features arcade-style flight mechanics and combat, blending simplistic controls with engaging aerial dogfights. It includes elements of flight simulation and supports VR and flight stick controls.

Similar to Ace Combat: The gameplay and style are frequently compared to the Ace Combat series, with many players seeing it as a spiritual successor or inspired by Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.

Intuitive and customizable controls: The game offers straightforward and intuitive controls that are easy to learn. Players appreciate the ability to rebind and customize controls to their preference.

Challenging difficulty levels: The game offers a range of difficulty settings, including an ultrahard mode that challenges even experienced players in the genre.

VR and controller support: The game supports VR, providing an immersive cockpit view experience, although VR support is noted to be limited. It also supports various controllers, including joysticks.

Good performance on various hardware: Many players report that the game runs well on different types of hardware, including low-end machines and Linux systems. Some mention stable 60 FPS and decent PC requirements.

VR performance problems: Multiple users have highlighted issues related to VR performance, including control issues, framerate drops, and general performance problems. VR mode is noted to require more resources and may not work well on all devices.

Frame rate inconsistencies: There are reports of frame rate drops and choppy performance in specific areas or situations, such as during the final boss fight or on maps with clouds.

Mixed optimization feedback: Players have reported varying experiences with the game's optimization. Some mention efficient optimization, while others point out specific issues with clouds and overall performance.

Mixed graphics feedback: Opinions on graphics quality vary widely. Some players find the graphics gorgeous, while others note that they aren't as good or reflect the game's indie status.

Highly recommended for Ace Combat fans: This game is frequently recommended as a must-play for fans of the Ace Combat series. It is often considered a better and cheaper alternative to Ace Combat 7, offering a similar arcade-style flight combat experience.

Positive general recommendations: The game is highly recommended for a wide audience, including fans of the genre and those looking for a fun experience. It is praised for its reasonable price and enjoyable gameplay.

Recommended for flight sim beginners: The game is suggested for those new to aerial combat games, providing an accessible entry point for beginners. It is also recommended for fans of arcade flight combat and aviation enthusiasts.

Recommended DLCs: Several clusters recommend getting the Frontline-59 story DLC for an enhanced experience. However, some reviews suggest that the base game is sufficient and the DLC may not be necessary.

Mods and settings recommendations: Some reviews recommend installing specific mods, such as the WSO Everywhere mod, and adjusting interface settings for a better gaming experience.

Community fair range: $20.00 - $25.00.

Game completion: 25.0h.

Story completion: 13.0h.

Session length: 0.5h.

Endgame: 10.0h.

The game has a steep initial learning curve and control setup issues, but once these are overcome, players find it engaging and enjoyable.

Reported time to anchor: 1h.

Completionist Veteran: Grinding and replaying missions to unlock all aircraft and achieve high difficulty completions. Motivation: Mastery and completion of all game content. Stance: buy.

Story-Driven Casual: Playing for fun and story, avoiding high difficulty settings and complex mechanics. Motivation: Enjoyment of the game's story and casual gameplay. Stance: sale.

Audio Enthusiast: Playing to enjoy the game's soundtrack and audio effects. Motivation: Immersive audio experience. Stance: sale.

Steam Deck: The analysis of user feedback reveals several key issues with the game on the Steam Deck. Controller support and VR compatibility are major pain points, with users reporting poor menu navigation and performance drops. Graphics and performance are generally acceptable with compromised settings, but there are notable bugs and crashes that affect the user experience. Despite these issues, the game runs well on Linux, which is a positive aspect.

Monetization: The game has received praise for its detailed story and gameplay. However, there are significant concerns about the pricing and value of the DLC and season passes, which are seen as overpriced and essential for the full experience. Additionally, there are indications of manufactured difficulty, which may push players towards additional purchases.

Mod installation guidance needed: Players are requesting clearer instructions on how to install mods for the game.

Chinese patch suggestion: Some players suggest finding and applying a Chinese patch before starting the game.

Key binding recommendations: There are recommendations to swap the translation and speed keys for better gameplay experience.

Steam Deck compatibility: Mentions of the game being played or compatible with Steam Deck.