Ace Combat

This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, see Air Combat.

Ace Combat
The logo used from 2004 to present
Genre(s)	Arcade, combat flight simulator
Developer(s)	Namco, Access Games, Project Aces
Publisher(s)	Namco Bandai
Platform(s)	Arcade, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Xbox 360, iOS, Nintendo 3DS, Microsoft Windows
First release	Air Combat 1992
Latest release	Ace Combat: Northern Wings December 2011

Ace Combat(エースコンバットĒsu Konbatto) is a hybrid arcade-simulation flight action video game series featuring 12 games, published by the Japanese company Namco Bandai Games, and produced by Project Aces, an internal development team. The series emphasizes fast-paced action and dramatic plots, and has established itself as one of the most successful arcade flight action franchises.

Most games of the series 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 accurate or slightly modified representations of present day military aircraft, prototypes that never saw actual battle, and completely fictional boss-type superweapons. Longtime 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, while another title, Ace Combat 6, was released on Microsoft's Xbox 360 platform. Ace Combat Xi was released on Apple Inc.'s iOS in 2009, while Ace Combat: Joint Assault was released for the PlayStation Portable in August 2010. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon was launched on October 11th, 2011 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Namco Bandai later revealed working on a new Ace Combat title for the Nintendo 3DS, which has been revealed to be Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy.

Setting

For more info see List of Ace Combat characters

The Ace Combat series, with the exception of Ace Combat: Joint Assault and Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, which take place in the real world, takes place in an alternate history version of Earth (dubbed Strangereal), with different geography and countries. Antarctica covers the planet's South Pole and an archipelago shaped like New Zealand is located at its peak. Along with the Democratic Federation of Wellow, shaped like Greenland, these are the only two landmasses in the game world which are identical to the real-life Earth. The Osean mainland is the central continent of the Ace Combat world and has seen many wars throughout its history. Ace Combat's "Earth" is apparently located in the same Solar system as the real one, with the same Sun, Moon, and apparently constellations. One particular constellation, Crux, plays a major role in the Ace Combat X plot.

The main continents of the Ace Combat setting are separated by several major oceans and large seas. The Ceres Ocean that separates Osea from Yuktobania is the smallest of all oceans. It is there that the majority of the Circum-Pacific War is fought in Ace Combat 5. The Pacific Ocean separates Osea from the southern Verusean continent. The Circum-Pacific War was named after it despite the fact that no battles were actually fought there. The Atlantic Ocean is the largest ocean, touching Osea, Usea, and Verusea. Ace Combat 2, Ace Combat 3, and Ace Combat 4 are all 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.

A main historic event that takes place in that world and is a main catalyst for the events of Ace Combat 4 and Ace Combat 6 was the fall of the "Ulysses" Asteroid which split into hundreds of fragments upon entry into atmosphere causing severe damage on several nations and claiming millions of lives. Some countries developed powerful superweapons to protect themselves against the Ulysses fragments, that were later used for warfare.

Games

Main series

Title	Details
Air Combat Original release date(s): 1992	Release years by system: 1992—Arcade
	Notes: A cockpit arcade game that simulates an F-16 aircraft.
Air Combat Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 1995—PlayStation
	Notes: The first console 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.
Air Combat 22 Original release date(s): 1995	Release years by system: 1995—Arcade
	Notes: A sequel to the 1992 arcade game.
Ace Combat 2 Original release date(s): 1997-5-30	Release years by system: 1997—PlayStation
	Notes: Introduced the fictional continent of Usea that would feature in most sequels.
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 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.
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 2001—PlayStation 2
	Notes: Also known as Ace Combat: Distant Thunder in Europe or abbreviated as AC04.
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 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.
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 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 also the first game that feature rival aces as an integral part of the story line, which can determine the player's path through the game.
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 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.
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 2011—PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 2013—Microsoft Windows
	Notes: This is the first multi-platform game in the series, and the first home console game featuring combat with other aircraft besides airplanes. Just like "Joint Assault", it is also set in the real world.

Other

Title	Details
Ace Combat Advance Original release date(s): 2005-2-22	Release years by system: 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.
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 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.
Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion Original release date(s): 2009-12-3	Release years by system: 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.
Ace Combat: Joint Assault Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 2010-PlayStation Portable
	Notes: This is the first game in the series to be set in the real world, featuring locations such as London and San Francisco, and not on the fictional planet of Ace Combat. It also features a new battle system known as the Joint Assault Mission System. Also included "boss" aircraft Spiridus similar to the large aircraft Gleipnir from "Ace Combat: Skies of Deception".
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 2011—Nintendo 3DS
	Notes: First game of the series featuring stereoscopic 3D graphics. It revisits the country of Usea, and brings back the boss from the final mission of AC2 with a new name.
Ace Combat: Northern Wings Original release date(s):	Release years by system: 2011—Mobile phones
	Notes: Second game in the franchise for mobile phones. A vertical shooter, the game is set in the Nordennavic Kingdom, a country in the Anean continent, five years before the events of Ace Combat 04 and the end of Ace Combat 6.

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.

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 an 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 are significantly fewer 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.

• Ace Combat X2 uses songs from previous installments (2, and Electrosphere) with new music composed by Inon Zur, Go Shiina, and Kanako Kakino. This is also the first time some Oriental & Persian music is thrown into the mix.

• Ace Combat: Assault Horizon brings back the rock style music like in the PlayStation 1 titles and mixes it with music similar to Ace Combat 5 and Zero.

• Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy uses a few songs from previous installments (2, 3, Zero, and 6), but also includes over thirty original songs composed for the game. The overall style is split between orchestra, electronic music, and hard rock.

Models

Although typical aircraft model kits can be customized and detailed after specific planes in each game, the Ace Combat series also has its fair share of specially produced model kits, with a number of them sold as resin garage kits. In the late 1990s, the garage kit firm Reebhu Club joined forces with Tokiwa Aircraft Create to produce a 1/144 kit of the XFA-27 Phoenix from Ace Combat 2, following up with the R-101 Delphinus 2 in 1999, and then the ADFX-01/2 Morgan from Ace Combat Zero in 2007. These kits were sold at Japan's Wonder Festival model kit convention.

Hasegawa sold 1/144 resin kits of Ace Combat 3's Delphinus 1 and 3 in December 2000. It continued the trend with a 1:72 F-14 Ace Combat 5 limited-edition kit modeled in a cherry blossom paint scheme in April 2011 and a similarly-scaled kit of Assault Horizon's main superfighter, the ASF-X Shinden II, in July 2012. Various items in the company's line of model aircraft kits are also available in special color schemes depicting characters from The Idolmaster animated series. These schemes are available as downloadable content for Ace Combat 6.

In March 2006, Bandai produced a 1:100 kit of the ADF-01 Falken superfighter from Ace Combat 5.

External links

• Ace Combat official website