Namco Bandai has published new Ace Combat Assault Horizon screens showing off more plane models as Gripen C, F-2A, Typhoon, Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale M.
Downloaded and played the demo for this last night. This was my first time playing an Ace Combat game, and I must admit it was pretty fun. I might need to seriously consider buying it.
The demo was great, although the helicopter really only plays well from the first person view but as a long time fan I am impressed with the new direction and will definitely be picking this up.
The online also looks like it might be a welcome dose of originality in the FPS infested world.
The graphics are really nice, especially looking at the much larger amount of geometry and foliage on the ground in comparison to previous titles of the series (though jets now have less detail with simpler shading it seems which is imo a wise trade).
Concerning the demo I'm really disappointed with the direction the gameplay took. In the demo you are forced to use the CRA (the dogfight mode) to get rid of the leads. If you ignore the CRA system and try to fight them with conventional methods (like in the prequels), you'll soon find out that the leads have infinite flares and also won't go down, even after about 30 hits by normal or special rockets (i tried it out). So you have to use the at times enormously scripted and almost on-rails-like CRA "mini game" to trigger the scripts. Could have lived with it, if it was at least an optional feature to lure in the COD (yeah, sorry for bringing that stupid analogy up again) crowd, but forcing even players, who just want a classic AC experience without giving away two thirds of the controls when going into a dog fight, to use the feature is a bit much. It's even more tragic considering the games controls which are as always quite good outside of CRA. The focus on CRA can also be seen when looking at the machine gun which now won't activate the moving crosshair when closing in on an enemy. It's now exclusive to the CRA mode...
Also I'm not very confident concerning the story of the game, which will be written by some Tom Clancy like author. Hope it won't end up being as "exciting" as the story of Hawx was.
The graphics look great in those screens, but the demo looked pretty average in my opinion. I guess massive landscapes will probably always look pretty crappy up close in games like this. The aircraft looked pretty decent, but the gameplay just didn't hook me.
This just felt like an even more arcadey version of the Ace Combat I have played for 15 years. Being able to "bounce" off the ground and buildings mutliple times with little to no damage? Really? I know it isn't a hardcore sim or anything, but how do you explain that? They even start you with you the crappy default control scheme that won't even let you roll the plane.
Loakum
@Driftwood Awesome! I’m loving it! It does show a much crisper picture and the frame rate looks good! I was playing Stella Blade and Dragonball Soarkling Blast! :) (2 Weeks ago)
Driftwood
@Loakum: enjoy, the one Sony sent us will be there on launch day. Coverage will follow asap. (2 Weeks ago)
Loakum
*takes a large sip of victorious grape juice* ok….my PS5 pro arrived early! So much winning! :) (2 Weeks ago)
Driftwood
@reneyvane: non ils l'ont publié le 1er octobre et je crois que tu l'avais déjà linkée. ;) (5 Weeks ago)
reneyvane
Factornews à joué à KingdomComeDeliverance2 au Gamescom 2024 mais ne publie sa preview que maintenant ? [url] (7 Weeks ago)
CraCra
Y a un souci sur les forums ? (8 Weeks ago)
nostradamus
very few with religious beliefs are naive or zealots, but for sure don't find amusing their beliefs being thrown in for clout. maybe STFU with that discourse? (11 Weeks ago)
Driftwood
Download is now functional again on Gamersyde. Sorry for the past 53 days or so when it wasn't. (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
Another (French) livestream today at 2:30 CEST but you're welcome to drop by and speak English. I will gladly answer in English when I get a chance to catch a breath. :) (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
GSY is getting some nice content at 3 pm CEST with our July podcast and some videos of the Deus Ex Mankind Divided preview build. :) (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
For once we'll be live at 4:30 pm CEST. Blim should not even be tired! (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
More Quantum Break coverage coming in a few hours, 9:00 a.m CEST. (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
We'll have a full review up for Firewatch at 7 pm CET. Videos will only be tomorrow though. (> 3 Months ago)
Driftwood
Tonight's livestream will be at 9:15 GMT+1, not GMT+2 as first stated. (> 3 Months ago)
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All comments (5)
Commented on 2011-09-23 05:13:59
Commented on 2011-09-23 12:06:42
Commented on 2011-09-23 14:26:29The online also looks like it might be a welcome dose of originality in the FPS infested world.
Commented on 2011-09-24 13:11:14Concerning the demo I'm really disappointed with the direction the gameplay took. In the demo you are forced to use the CRA (the dogfight mode) to get rid of the leads. If you ignore the CRA system and try to fight them with conventional methods (like in the prequels), you'll soon find out that the leads have infinite flares and also won't go down, even after about 30 hits by normal or special rockets (i tried it out). So you have to use the at times enormously scripted and almost on-rails-like CRA "mini game" to trigger the scripts. Could have lived with it, if it was at least an optional feature to lure in the COD (yeah, sorry for bringing that stupid analogy up again) crowd, but forcing even players, who just want a classic AC experience without giving away two thirds of the controls when going into a dog fight, to use the feature is a bit much. It's even more tragic considering the games controls which are as always quite good outside of CRA. The focus on CRA can also be seen when looking at the machine gun which now won't activate the moving crosshair when closing in on an enemy. It's now exclusive to the CRA mode...
Also I'm not very confident concerning the story of the game, which will be written by some Tom Clancy like author. Hope it won't end up being as "exciting" as the story of Hawx was.
Commented on 2011-09-25 03:25:32This just felt like an even more arcadey version of the Ace Combat I have played for 15 years. Being able to "bounce" off the ground and buildings mutliple times with little to no damage? Really? I know it isn't a hardcore sim or anything, but how do you explain that? They even start you with you the crappy default control scheme that won't even let you roll the plane.