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Summary

• Release Year: 1995
• Genres: Shooter, Simulator
• Platforms: Arcade, PlayStation
• Developers: Namco
• Publishers: Namco

Air Combat (1995): The Ace Combat Series Takes Flight

Released in 1995 for the PlayStation, Air Combat was the first game in the Ace Combat series, and it set the template for the successful franchise that followed. A combat flight simulator, Air Combat puts players in the cockpit of a mercenary pilot who hires his combat skills to various corporations and governments. The game progresses through a series of linear missions, and features a two-player split-screen deathmatch mode, as well as a variety of hidden planes and mini-games.

Gameplay

Air Combat is a fast-paced and action-packed flight simulator. Players control their aircraft from a third-person perspective, and can engage in a variety of maneuvers, including rolls, loops, and dives. The game’s combat is intense and challenging, and players must use all of their skills to survive.

Air Combat features a variety of different aircraft, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Players can choose from a variety of fighters, bombers, and attack aircraft, and can customize their aircraft with a variety of weapons and upgrades.

The game’s missions are varied and challenging, and take players all over the world. Players will fly through canyons, over mountains, and across oceans, engaging in a variety of combat scenarios. The missions areどれもlinear, but they offer a lot of replayability, as players can try to complete them with different aircraft and weapons.

In addition to the single-player campaign, Air Combat also features a two-player split-screen deathmatch mode. This mode is a lot of fun, and it allows players to test their skills against each other.

Graphics and Sound

For a PlayStation game, Air Combat’s graphics are impressive. The aircraft are well-modeled and textured, and the environments are detailed and realistic. The game’s draw distance is also impressive, and players can see for miles in all directions.

The game’s sound is also top-notch. The sound effects are realistic and immersive, and the music is stirring and exciting.

Reception

Air Combat was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and impressive graphics. It was also a commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.

Air Combat has been followed by a number of sequels and spin-offs, and the series is still going strong today. The latest game in the series, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, was released in 2019 to critical acclaim.

Legacy

Air Combat is a classic flight simulator that helped to define the genre. The game’s fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and impressive graphics made it a must-play for fans of the genre. Air Combat also helped to launch the Ace Combat series, which is still going strong today.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Air Combat

1. Air Combat was originally developed as a tech demo to showcase the PlayStation’s 3D graphics capabilities.
2. The game’s soundtrack was composed by Keiki Kobayashi, who would go on to compose the music for the entire Ace Combat series.
3. Air Combat was one of the first PlayStation games to feature a two-player split-screen deathmatch mode.
4. The game features a number of hidden planes, including the X-29 and the F-22 Raptor.
5. Air Combat was a commercial success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
6. The game was followed by a number of sequels and spin-offs, including Ace Combat 2, Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere, and Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
7. The Ace Combat series is still going strong today, with the latest game, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, being released in 2019.
8. Air Combat is considered to be one of the best flight simulators ever made.
9. The game has been praised for its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and impressive graphics.
10. Air Combat is a must-play for any fan of flight simulators.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

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