ACE COMBAT 8: Wings of Theve
(yes the presence of series mascot Nugget is a ploy to attract @TheChicken )
What a game.
I was smiling half the time.
(Bopping my head an other half, and concentrating a third half. There were overlapping moments)
GAMEPLAY
I like the new flying physics.
It’s heavier compared to AC7, and all of the previous ones.
It make the gameplay feel intentional, and not just reactive.
It felt like it transformed the game from AC7 “5-10 seconds long decision and projection, agile, quick reaction, most of your gameplay will be of seizing opportunities, the opposition has the tempo”,
to a better-to-me “you can project yourself for 30 seconds, tempo is shared, your gameplay will be to merge and catch flows”.
A lot of “best of”/callbacks.
While still keeping its own identity and flair.
- Mission 14 felt like a mix of AC5 Final Option and Solitaire, trainer craft use included,
- Mission 22 felt like a AC5 Arkbird pursuit / ACX Gleipnir callback.
- Mission 21 felt like AC4 Shattered Sky mission (location, soundtrack, and script). It is my personal favorite. Yay for Forward Supply.
- Etc…
And then there are the mechanic callbacks, some for entire missions (ex: evading radar, improved with the modern cloud system), some for beats (ex: Dog-Fight Mode, the prodigal).
The devs wanted to make AC8 a definitive Ace Combat, and they did.
I truly appreciate the return of “this mission is only 5-10 minutes long, one phase, and a bit of a gimmick, but you are going to love it on replay of a full campaign”.
While keeping the lessons learned from the previous games of not making them too restricted and scripted.
(AC4 Deep Strike is my platonic ideal, and still my favorite)
A lot of “protecting the ground assets” missions though.
I wouldn’t have minded swapping one of them for a no-gimmick-just-have-at-it annihilation mission.
Not that the game makes it too pressing.
I do miss the old game missions of “you have only 3-5 actual targets if you want to be efficient, but ten times more around if you want to have fun, yet beware on harder difficulty those non-TGT will damage you”.
I guess they only made sense when payout was more of a pressure. AC8 is a single permanent profile, not the PS2 trilogy multiple-and-can-be-deleted save system, and even less AC2 starting from scratch every time.
The one issue I have is how underutilized the forward supply mechanic is.
I do not understand why it was not integrated to the missions where the aircraft carrier Endurance is present on the map if you have a carrier-based craft.
Especially during mission 25, Rocky Island 2.
(unless it’s hidden and I missed it)
I appreciate the EW crafts. (Growler with ESM and MSL parts is extremely fun to play)
Not enough SAAMs though. (you will not make me use a Firkin)
To end my first play ramble:
As a “AC2 is one of the best AC to replay actually” player, I was so happy to see the Rocky Island and the turntable.
The one thing I would add to the game:
A way to replay the campaign from 0 MRP and a wiped aircraft tree.
As an instanced option.
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The game reproduces this exact circumstance, Rafales protecting a space rocket launch.
STORY (NO SPOILERS)
No notes.
Mostly because it is good, and there are better people than me to talk about it.
I like it.
I still prefer ACZero structure, approach, atmosphere, references though…
I love that Ace Combat somehow founds itself being the best franchise to explore the idea of “what if the concept of Nation-States as the primacy foundation of modern politics did not hold?”. From ever evolving and changing supranational entities, to stateless community, to corporation…
Music: they did it again.
On the last mission. (spoilers)
First: it felt like a love letter call back to Ace Combat 2 baseline ending.
A submarine emerging after the war end, and you having to intercept missiles.
But due to canon obligation to AC3, contrary to AC2 you cannot extend from it to a further redoubt.
It makes sense too, Strangereal is now a world with corporations above your reach, with no singular place to take down.
I actually like it. It’s a good story beat. It’s a “goddammit why can’t you leave peace alone” mission.
Besides, as far as “Ace Combat climaxes with a mega-fortress with tunnel/canyon/precise run, a furball, and/or a bossfight”, that’s what missions 27, 28, and 29 are respectively.
And as I said, it’s AC2 last missile interception ending, I couldn’t stop smiling when I saw it. With a bonus for it being at AC04 first mission location of Newfield Island.
It also goes well with the sense that history isn’t nations to write anymore. It’s a hollow victory, and it’s clear that corporations will not even sense it and move on. As D.D. they are organized to not feel impact from singular blows.
Special mention to Tasha who gives the entire thesis of Ace Combat:
“If you just love to fly, why pick fights? It makes no sense.”
paid just under 40$ for a new 80$ game yippee
