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Ace Combat 3 Review
Noel Brady
00/12/0000
Hopes were high when Namco released news that a new version of top flyer Ace Combat with news spreading quickly across the internet.
After missing out on an update in 1998 and with no news of a new version fans were beginning to worry when Namco finally saved their nails some bother by announcing Ace Combat 3.
A major part of this third generation of the game is built around the use of a core group of characters to involve you in a plot with human consequences attached to your airborne antics. While you're passing through the streaming tunnel that represents your neutral connection to the aircraft, the stylised anime faces of these top guns, and of newscasters, pop up on screen, revealing vital parts of the story that let you know exactly what you're flying for in a plethora of emotions. This is Namco's newest and proudest part of the Ace Combat series. As their press release says. it really does add a new dimension to the storyline.
Like Ridge Racer Type 4, the general appearance of Ace Combat 3 is more grown up and increasingly realistic than the previous games in the series. Flying at dawn, noon or night feels right because the muted colour tones and larger breadth of palette paint a believable sky in each situation. Light sourcing makes the plane's exterior brighten as you bank in the direction of the sun, and soft lens flare arcs into the cockpit when you face it.
There's even realism in the air, with little translucent wisps of cloud sweeping past to give the sensation of speed, and very pretty vapour trails from the occasional wing tip. With all that's going on, it's annoying and disorientating to suddenly see chunky letters from the words ''Bullseye'' or ''Bingo'' appear every time you shoot down an enemy.
The truth is that much of the arcade play has survived too. There's almost nothing in the way of take-off and landing, and autopilot can take care of that for you if you're not up to the task. Setting up the payload is a simple, two-choice process, and your aircraft's generous supply of missiles works on both air and ground targets so you don't have to switch between several weapons with their peculiar targeting and methods and confusing acronyms.
The game's simplicity is a huge bonus if all you want is to get on with the shooting, but those waiting for a simulation will be frustrated yet again by more meticulously planned strikes. It is immensely enjoyable to lock-on to a troublesome foe and send him to the ground is a ball of smoke and fire, though with only mild variation mission after mission, simplicity can be monotony. An impressive collection of planes doesn't help- they all feel the same to fly.
It's the smaller touches though, that keep Ace Combat 3 interesting. The use of the right Dual Shock stick as a head camera is brilliant, letting you look out in any direction (perhaps to spy a target or check how your pals are getting on) while continuing to control your plane with the left stick. There's also a great thrill to be gleaned from high action moments like re-lighting your engines just in time during a potentially fatal stall, or swooping between the glimmering buildings on a dead-of-night mission.
Ace Combat 3 is a corker of a flying game, and beats any other flying sim that the Playstation has to offer- not that there are many. A cracking game that should be owned by all flying fans.
Anonymous
Date Added:Tue 14th Nov 2006 11:47