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Ace Combat
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| Genre(s) | Arcade / Combat flight game |
| Developer(s) | Namco |
| Publisher(s) | Namco Bandai |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Xbox 360, iPhone OS |
| First release | Ace Combat June 29, 1995 |
| Latest release | Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion December 3, 2009 |
| Official website | Official Site |
Ace Combat is an arcade style Flight Action video game series published by the Japanese company Namco Bandai Games. Emphasizing action and dramatic plots rather than any sense of reality, the series has established itself in Japan, and the world as a prime example of the non-realistic fast paced mass-media friendly flight action genre.
The games of the series all take place in the same fictionalized world populated with fictional countries with details loosely based on real-life location, events, and wars. One of the main selling points of the series is the ability to pilot a range of aircraft that include slightly modified representations of present day military aircraft, prototypes that never saw actual battle, and completely fictional boss-type superweapons. Long time fans of the series are rewarded with small hints of the continuity between the games, as some characters and events are referenced from one game to another.
The first three titles were released on Sony's PlayStation platform, while three subsequent titles were released on the PlayStation 2 (Ace Combat 4, Ace Combat 5 and Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War). One title, Ace Combat X, was released on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) platform, another title Ace Combat 6, was released on Microsoft's Xbox 360 platform. The most recent title released Ace Combat Xi was released on Apple's iPhone platform
Contents |
Development
Setting
The Ace Combat series takes place in an alternate history version of Earth, with different geography and countries. Antarctica covers the planet's South Pole. At Antarctica's peak, an archipuelago shaped like new Zealand is there. One of only two landmasses in the game world that is identical to the real-life Earth (the other, the Wellow Island Nation, is shaped like Greenland). The Osean main continent is the central continent of the Ace Combat world and has had many conflicts throughout its history. Ace Combat's "Earth" is apparently located in the same solar system as in reality, with the same moon and sun. Also, apparently constellations seen in the sky are visible here as well. One particular constellation, Crux, plays a major part in Ace Combat X.
The world of Ace Combat is home to several major oceans and large seas that separate the main continents. The Ceres Ocean separates Osea from Yuktobania, and it is the smallest of all the oceans. This is where a majority of the Circum-Pacific War of Ace Combat 5 was fought. The Pacific Ocean separates Osea from the southern Verusean continent. Despite the fact that no known battles were fought here, the Circum-Pacific War was still named after this ocean. The Atlantic Ocean is the largest ocean, it touches Osea, Usea, and Verusea. Battles in Ace Combat 2, Ace Combat 3, and Ace Combat 4, were set in Usea. The Cascade Ocean is the second largest ocean, touching the continents of Osea, Anea, and Verusea. The Arctic Ocean covers the North Pole.
Games
Main series
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Original release dates: JP 1995-06-30 NA 1995-06-29 PAL 1995-10 |
System release: 1995—PlayStation |
| Notes:
The first installment in the series, it was released as Air Combat in the North American and European markets, but the original Japanese title of Ace Combat was used for all sequels. |
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Original release dates: 1997-5-30 |
System release: 1997—PlayStation |
| Notes:
Introduced the fictional continent of Usea that would feature in most sequels. |
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Original release dates: JP 1999-5-27 NA 2000-3-20 EU 2000-1-21 |
System release: 1999—PlayStation |
| Notes:
The only science fiction-themed Ace Combat game. The Japanese version of the game is very story-driven, featuring 52 missions, multiple endings, and anime-style characters. The North American and European versions feature fewer stages and a more linear storyline. |
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Original release dates: JP 2001-10-23 NA 2001-10-23 EU 2002-2-8 |
System release: 2001—PlayStation 2 |
| Notes:
Also known as Ace Combat: Distant Thunder in Europe or abbreviated as AC04. |
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Original release dates: JP 2004-10-21 NA 2004-10-25 EU 2005-2-18 |
System release: 2004—PlayStation 2 |
| Notes:
Also known as Ace Combat: Squadron Leader in Europe or abbreviated as AC5. The game features improved graphics and a new wingman command system. |
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Original release dates: JP 2006-3-23 NA 2006-4-25 EU 2006-9-15 AUS 2006-9-14 |
System release: 2006—PlayStation 2 |
| Notes:
Also known as Ace Combat: The Belkan War in Europe serves as the prequel to Ace Combat 5 as well as all the other games according to the timeline and explains in further detail the fictional Belkan War that preceded the events of Ace Combat 5 by 15 years. This is the first game to feature rival aces, which can determine the player's path through the game. |
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Original release dates: JP 2007-11-1 NA 2007-10-23 EU 2007-11-23 AUS 2007-12-13 |
System release: 2007—Xbox 360 |
| Notes:
The player is able to assist multiple independent land, sea, and air battles using the "Dynamic Operation System". The first in the Ace Combat series to include options for online play, which is available through Xbox Live. Players can choose from a variety of game modes, including classic deathmatch, team-deathmatch, and co-op mode.[1][2] |
Other
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Original release dates: 2005-2-22 |
System release: 2005—Game Boy Advance |
| Notes:
The first Ace Combat game developed for portable systems. It is set a few years before the events of Electrosphere. |
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Original release dates: JP 2006-10-26 NA 2006-10-24 EU 2006-11-8 AUS 2006-11-16 |
System release: 2006—PlayStation Portable |
| Notes:
Set in 2020, the player is a pilot in the Gryphus Squadron of the Federal Republic of Aurelia, who almost single-handedly defends the country from the invading forces of Leasath. The game offers 31 missions (including alternate missions and the special mission) and wireless ad-hoc play for up to 4 players. |
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Original release dates: 2009-12-3 |
System release: 2009-iPhone |
| Notes:
Set during the events of Ace Combat X, the player is a pilot of the Falco Squadron of the Federal Republic of Aurelia, the story will take place in his point of view. It is the first Ace Combat game made for cellphones and will use both touch and tilt controls. [3] |
Title differences
The Japanese Ace Combat was renamed Air Combat in the North American and European releases.
In NTSC territories, the fourth installment of the series is known as Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies, while in PAL territories the game is known as Ace Combat: Distant Thunder. Another change was done in the Spanish version of the game, being renamed Ace Combat: Trueno de Acero, that can be translated as Ace Combat: Steel Thunder. The fifth installment of the game is known as Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, while the PAL release was renamed Ace Combat: Squadron Leader. In PAL territories, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War had a slight rename to Ace Combat: The Belkan War making it the first game since the series introduction to not have a significant name change in PAL territories.
It is unclear why PAL versions of the games have different titles.
The PAL territory boxart for Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation has kept the same name and has included the number, the only difference between it and the other covers is the illustration. [1] [2]
The PlayStation 2 games offer 16:9 anamorphic widescreen images and scenery.
Music
The Ace Combat series is known for its dramatic soundtrack, particularly in later installments of the game where full orchestras, such as the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, are used. Each installment of the series usually uses one style of music as the basis of its soundtrack:
The main composers for the game series soundtrack are Keiki Kobayashi, Tetsukazu Nakanishi, Ryuichi Takada, Junichi Nakatsuru, and Hiroshi Okubo.
- In Air Combat and Ace Combat 2, the music is heavily influenced by rock and gained popularity with fans of the genre.
- Ace Combat 3 uses a electronic soundtrack similar to that of Namco's Ridge Racer series, but with more focus on atmosphere and dissonant synth instruments than electronic beats.
- Ace Combat 04 mixed orchestra, guitar, and synth tracks.
- Ace Combat 5 also uses mixed orchestra, guitar, and synth tracks composed by NAMCO's in-house sound team, and features the song "Blurry" by Puddle of Mudd, as well as several orchestral performances by Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Ace Combat Zero uses similar techniques to Ace Combat 04 and Ace Combat 5 but incorporates a Spanish flair through the use of classical, electric, and even acoustic guitars.
- Ace Combat X uses electronic music similar to Ace Combat 3, although it maintains the more cinematic synths from the Playstation 2 games as well.
- Ace Combat 6 is the most orchestral soundtrack to date, and is similar in style to Ace Combat 5 and Zero. There is significantly less electronic elements throughout the score, although they have not been removed entirely - remaining for several key tracks, including one of the game's two overtures, "Fires of Liberation" (The second theme, "Liberation of Gracemeria", does away with the core electronic elements almost entirely, marking only the second time this has been done in the series, the first being "The Unsung War" - the title overture of Ace Combat 5). Several soundtracks were done by Trinity Boys Choir and Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra.
References
- ^ Klepek, Patrick. "Double Whammy: Ace Combat 6 Confirmed for 360". IGN. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158102. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ "Ace Combat Set for 360". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/774/774129p1.html. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Buchanan, Levi. "Ace Combat Soaring to iPhone". IGN. http://wireless.ign.com/articles/102/1025612p1.html. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
External links
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Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Ace Combat |
- Ace Combat official website
- Ace Combat series at MobyGames
- http://acecombatskies.com/ Ace Combat forums
- http://acecombat.wikia.com/ Ace Combat Wikia
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