Ace Combat is a dogfighting game for the Game Boy Advance. Does the title keep what it promises?
Ace Combat Advance
Ace Combat Advance is a game in the Ace Combat series, which was developed by the Hungarian studio Humansoft. Namco acted as publisher.
The game
The game has a game mode in which twelve missions are completed in a single player campaign. Each mission has an approximate duration of 4 to 8 minutes. Your tasks are dogfights, bombing raids, escort missions and reconnaissance flights. You have the option of choosing ten different planes. To commit, you have access to the MiG29 model. In the course of the game you can unlock more planes. In the briefing you will receive instructions as to whether you need to hit ground or air targets. Depending on the job, you will have to equip your plane with various bombs and bombs. Assemble missile types. Compared to other Ace Combat games, the equipment with aircraft, missions and weapons is very small.
Graphics and sound
Your perspective on planes and opponents. The backgrounds are in 2D. This gives the graphics a more traditional look. You can rotate and fly freely within your mission area. The graphics could be a little more colorful. A big drawback is that it is a bit problematic to find your way around the map. What helps in this case is the on-screen radar. It shows with red and yellow dots where enemy aircraft and ground targets are. Arrows show you where the enemy bases are. There is no voice acting or clips. Music and sound effects are easy to listen to and built in appropriately.
The control
Despite some shortcomings, the game is fun. The controls are designed to be very intuitive. In addition to the directional keys, you need the A and B buttons to which new weapons can be assigned. You can shoot your opponents with, for example, heat-seeking missiles. Because you are able to move freely on the map, you can, for example, turn and open fire on a base again.
The missions
Most of the missions are relatively easy. The aim is mainly to destroy targets within a certain time. To support you, you have the option of diving under enemy aircraft or requesting a fighter aircraft on command. It lives after your weapons and repairs any damage you have.
The story problem
One problem the game has are the few stories that have been built in. During the console game of Ace Combat, the rival parties were introduced via voice output. Characters were introduced and the specifics of the conflict described. In the Game Boy Advance version, this could have been compensated for with text and image sequences. Unfortunately, in this version there is only a hint in the history of Ace Combat.
Conclusion
Ace Combat could have been more. It is an entertaining action flying game that unfortunately does not reach its full potential. Fans of the Ace Combat games will be disappointed with the Gameboy Advance version. The game thus only deserves a conditional recommendation for air game fans.
Originally posted on 2018-05-20 09:25:00.