Assault Horizon (New Ace Combat)

[Spagetti69]

Why would developers choose to ignore flight stick users?

 

[mmpotroast]

I am enjoying it.

I totally agree with Leonidae@MFT's first comment up there.
Scripted moments detract from what I'm trying to do, and that's a bit of a letdown.

As for the Heli mission.......

I figured I was useless for the first 10 minutes, as all I did was get shot down, a lot.
I tried a few tactics, but as soon as I ran out of special missiles and had to use the standard ones, I was toast.
I began to think that I was just a poor player, and the helicopter missions were not going to work for me, and therefore I wouldn't be buying the game; as there's no sense buying half of one is there?

But then I started to get in amongst the streets, and use the buildings for cover, and take stuff out with the guns. Getting in close and dodging and weaving really worx with the chopper, and using the gunner at close range to take out the guys running about with RPG's is effective.
Before you knew it I was confidently finishing the level, and going back in for more.
I think I will look at my finances when it comes out, as this will probably fill the week before MW3 releases.
Always liked the AC games, and I think this one will join the collection at some point, even if I only rent it first....

👍

I didn't like the jet mission that much. The dogfight mode was too annoying.

As for the chopper mission, it was a walk in the park (until you have to face the other choppers). The real problem is that there's almost zero reason to use the rockets or the A2G missiles. If you use the guns and rotate around the target areas, you will avoid being hit by much of anything. Use the special rockets for the larger items, like tanks, and just shoot the rest with the guns.

 

[Madbigdog]

To be honest... I really thought the game would be much better, not compatible with flight stick, DFM is annoying to the bone as you can't shot down thoes "TGT_LEAD" without it, even if you hit them with 12 Special Missiles (I managed to hit one of them those 12 times with pacience, resitance to the DFM and some luck ). I love the Belkan War and Squadron Leader (the ones I have, I never tried the others) and it was really fun, it wasn't a simulator, but it was really good anyway (my point of view). This Assault Horizon didn't convince me... I'll be looking for the next Ace Combat hoping the DFM dissapears!

 

[RACECAR]

One of the first DLC Planes has been revealed today, Officially called the ASF-X Shinden II:

My initial observation based on the blueprint I posted on another site (which is the Ace Combat equivelent of GTP):

To start off, I'd like to begin with its current design at present. Some intent studying of it gives me some bits and pieces from other Aircraft, The nose and cockpit section as well as the Canards remind very me much of the X-02. Now its easy and stupid to assume its ripping off one aircraft just because it too has forward swept wings without looking at the many others that have it as well but when I look at them, first plane specifically that comes to mind as perhaps possibly influential to them is the Su-47. The particular contours are what strike me as very similar specifically to that aircraft. Finally, the engine intakes (the ones on the bottom) appear very similar to the F-35. One of the most intrigiung parts for me when it comes to possible function is the Fins. They appear to fold down at supersonic speeds reducing drag just like the X-02's does, but they go abit further: Instead of the entire fin acting as rudders at high speed, these fins appear to have rudders on there own which yaw in vertical at low speeds but are flat flaps at Supersonic speeds.

And here's my updated observation now that I've seen the aircraft in the flesh:

It for the most part came out exactly as I thought abd imagined it would. I've noticed a few things though based on the 2nd picture and have developed a theory about it. This appears to be a VSTOL aircraft. The biggest giveaways for this are the fins, the wing tips, the Engine on the back, the two horizontally positioned thrust vectoring nozzles and the vents in the underbody. The Tail fins and rudders serve as vertical stabilizers for all flight speeds, especially for hovering along with the wingtips. The vent underneith the fuselage serves the same purpose as the ones on the Harrier by expelling thrust to the grond to lift up the front of the aircraft, while the bottom Nozzle works in conjunction by expelling thrust to the ground and lift the back. And exactly what is the purpose of the intake on the top you ask? think about the VSTOL variant of the F-35. Notice when it hovers, a small door opens up and shows a fan which appears to suck air from the top and feeds the engine while hovering. The Back intake on the ASF-X serves the same purpose, but instead does it with a forward facing intake.

So there's my 2 cents on this aircraft after seeing it as a complete machine.
Anyone else?

 

[Roush_fan_99]

So, I just got it, and I'm wondering whatASM is, I'm assuming it's not active stability management haha.... Is it like DFM?

And about the above post I think you mean (If I'm not mistaken) STOVL (short takeoff, vertical landing). And does the F-35 have this capability in game, I haven't seen it

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Is it good, cause I love the AC series and really want to get this but must know if it is good first.

 

[Roush_fan_99]

This is my first ace combat and to me it seems very good, although I will add that online is difficult being I only have 30 minutes of total online time

Also, the F-4 seems to do just as well as the F-16,15, and others.... Which doesn't make complete sense, but the mirrors work! LOL

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Thanks, then it might be good so I'll go buy it and if I don't like it I'll return it. Thanks for your help and hope you enjoy Ace Combat. I've played it since AC 2

 

[Roush_fan_99]

Thanks, then it might be good so I'll go buy it and if I don't like it I'll return it. Thanks for your help and hope you enjoy Ace Combat. I've played it since AC 2

Thanks, I'm sure I will

 

[Jav]

Just a good film I thought you guys might enjoy:

 

[RTSolvalou]

I meant to get Ace Combat 3 on PS1 but it never happened, so the last modern aerial combat game I played was on NES.
I'd really like to get into the aerial combat scene but I want a purpose built rig/frame to sit in with some special control units, but I don't think any dev is going to go all the way with that.
I guess I could just buy a car one and attach a joystick instead of a steering wheel and add 2 long armrest bars, then put a USB numpad on each? lol.

And the genre could benefit from a proper online squardons/economy system.

 

[Flex0r]

I got my copy yesterday.
I'm not really fond of that DFM thing in the game, it's a to much Hawx thing.
Also the controls are different can't exactly explain what yet, but it does not feel like the previous ace combat games.
And the sense of speed is lousy.

This is based on the first three missions.

 

[RACECAR]

After playing it on release day (Thank you, Gamestop ), I only have two small complaints:

1. Controls feel abit slow in response and you can't roll the aircraft like you could in previous games before. Just baffles me on why that is.

2. 30 FPS. I thought they would've did this at 60 FPS. Guess thats where H.A.W.X. truly spoiled me.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

You can roll it, oyu just have to tinker with the settings of the game just like in the demo. I'm balancing on the edge of getting and not getting this game.

 

[Akira AC]

Finish with it and I really enjoy it, CRA which seems to be the most immediate concern among players is actually quite cool(it also has to be said that is not a complete autopilot, is just a flight assist that improves the experience of dogfight for newcomers).

The game plays exactly like any other AC game(in fact it shows improved physics from AC6), the game can also be beaten mostly without the usage of CRA or DFM or whatever(but some battles against Markov will require this) and some missions of it are really cool.

The online mode is now fair and balanced(unlike AC6's QAAM craptor nonsense), the story is actually quite interesting, in fact is very good but the problem is the character for some characters(sadly some of them are quite stereotypical, which spoils the story a little bit). The lack of strangereal and massive aerial fortresses are quite noticeable, however the mad dogfighting pursuits and wacky destruction scenes makes up for it, the gunner/AC-130 missions fits well for the flow of the storyline but one big gripe is the helicopters controls. The enemies and the combat scheme, the missions and the locations are really well planned are well designed.

Two problems that should be acknowledged from the game are the characterization for some of the main characters(stereotypical Americans/Russians), and the heli controls. The problem with the heli controls is that they feel way to arcadish because the helis maintain altitude automatically, helicopters need constant thrust control to maintain the same altitude, the problem is that the thrust is maintained by the game instead of the player, making it as some sort of altitude changer instead of an actual thrust control, which takes some appeal because the mission for helis are actually really cool.

Apart from that, the game is fantastic, the cities are incredibly well modelled, the missions are by far more interesting that the last game and overall is a gratifying experience, many people bitch about the lack of strangereal, but that is the same people who didn't play AC6(which had many flaws and really did take some of the strangereal value). For me this is one of the best games I have played recently(Arkham city is near thought), and it reminds me of the good old AC2 days. People tent to believe that AC games are only background story, what this game demonstrates is that a good experience can be based on gameplay.

I personally put this game in the same level as AC5, this is way better than AC6 but it isn't better than AC4 or AC ZERO(which I consider as best AC game, and best game I ever played).

With that said, people who liked previous AC games will like this one, the mechanics are there and they work better than ever, there is the lack of strangereal but I prefer this to another strangereal failure like the one that AC6 was.

And yes, you can roll the plane on expert controls(which is the right way to play the game, unfortunately the demo showcases very different stuff from the final product, which is a shame because the full game is way better than that).

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I've spent this morning watching gameplay videos, looks good BRILLIANT.👍 I will buy this one soon.

 

[Roush_fan_99]

So, I just got it, and I'm wondering what ASM is, I'm assuming it's not active stability management haha.... Is it like DFM?

I don't think this was answered, does anybody know?

Also is it possible to put counter-manuever on a seperate button, sometimes it doesn't work with R2 + L2 when I need it to, and I happen to out corner them.....
In an F4? seriously, what fighter can't outmanuever an F4 in game besides a mig, and if I'm not mistaken I believe it too is more manueverable, just less powerful irl, (at least I think that's what olds said in his book, from what I can remember..... good book too)

 

[oqvist]

How is the story? I read that it don´t have much here. I loved the corny over the top story in AC6 involving flying into a 1 km long gun barrel, alien hangar ships and what not silliness. Is that still here or are they opting for more "realism"....

 

[Akira AC]

I don't think this was answered, does anybody know?

Also is it possible to put counter-manuever on a seperate button, sometimes it doesn't work with R2 + L2 when I need it to, and I happen to out corner them.....
In an F4? seriously, what fighter can't outmanuever an F4 in game besides a mig, and if I'm not mistaken I believe it too is more manueverable, just less powerful irl, (at least I think that's what olds said in his book, from what I can remember..... good book too)

ASM(Air Strike Mode) is a mode in which the game shows you an optimal path for bombing runs, it was develop for the bombing missions to increase the accuracy of the bombing runs and their kills, it can be used with B1/B2 bombers but it can also be used with A-10s/Su-25s and Multi-role aircraft like the F15.

One advantage of it is that it reduces the time in the bombing runs, you can also try or not try to follow the path, but is recommendable since it eliminates some of the tedious bits of bombing runs.

Regarding the DFM button, I don't think it can be assigned into other button combination and yes is a little bit ridiculous that an F4 outmanoeuvres a F22, but it only occurs on DFM since it was designed for that very purpose, outside DFM the turning circles and aerial abilities stay on "reasonable" levels.

How is the story? I read that it don´t have much here. I loved the corny over the top story in AC6 involving flying into a 1 km long gun barrel, alien hangar ships and what not silliness. Is that still here or are they opting for more "realism"....

It depends, unfortunately this AC doesn't have Chandelier and Aigagon, but thgey story is way better than what AC6 presented because there are more varied missions, yes there is a couple of gunner mission that are taken straight from MW games, but that is by beaten the madness of some of the missions. There are also moments in which you have to use real skill to beat some bosses and there are very interesting missions and bits that involve more player skill, Storyline wise the game lacks character development but it isn't as bad as AC6's complete silliness, apart from that the game allows you to use a semi-tactical nuke which is awesome, specially for those bombing missions and Capital Conquest online.

 

[Roush_fan_99]

ASM(Air Strike Mode) is a mode in which the game shows you an optimal path for bombing runs, it was develop for the bombing missions to increase the accuracy of the bombing runs and their kills, it can be used with B1/B2 bombers but it can also be used with A-10s/Su-25s and Multi-role aircraft like the F15.

One advantage of it is that it reduces the time in the bombing runs, you can also try or not try to follow the path, but is recommendable since it eliminates some of the tedious bits of bombing runs.

Regarding the DFM button, I don't think it can be assigned into other button combination and yes is a little bit ridiculous that an F4 outmanoeuvres a F22, but it only occurs on DFM since it was designed for that very purpose, outside DFM the turning circles and aerial abilities stay on "reasonable" levels.

Thanks, I got circles lining targets with the f4 once with UGB but i didn't know how I did it, thanks

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Can the DFM be turned completely off?

 

[Roush_fan_99]

Can the DFM be turned completely off?

Don't use it If you dont like it, but it puts you at a disadvantage, thats all I can say

But the only reason I'd want to turn it off is if they something like a hardcore mode, b/c 2 missiles for a shoot down is dumb and unrealistic.... At least I'm pretty sure, not totally, and flak seems light also

But nevertheless no game is perfect, and it's still fun

 

[VEXD]

Can the DFM be turned completely off?

Dog Fight Mode is used by you, when you choose to.

You can play through the game without it, and attempt to shoot everything down using missiles and guns etc, but there will come a time when you have to enter DFM.

For example, you are in a Raptor, and on your way to intercept something that is flying.
Along comes 10 enemy planes, to upset your coffee on the dash.

You notice that when targeting them with a 4 into 1 missile, that some of the enemy have TGT_LEAD above their radar boxes, whereas the others just have TGT.

You can shoot down the TGT planes with your guns, a missile, or a few peas and a shooter, if you can stand the wind when you open your cockpit, but the TGT_LEAD planes will only go down by you getting close enough, chasing them, and activating DFM when you are in position to.

The game will force you into doing this by freezing the action to explain that "You can enter DFM to take down TGT_LEAD enemies, Do this by pressing L2 and R2 at the same time."

How do you un-freeze the gameplay? You press L2 and R2 at the same time, and enter DFM.

The only way to take the TGT_LEAD guys out of the theatre, is to DFM their asses. This will cause you to kill some by missile, and will cause you to interact with some of the area's buildings and furniture as you fly 'on rails'.
Example, one TGT_LEAD is taken out by you DFM-ing him, then chasing him in between buildings, and finally he flies straight through a billboard and explodes all around you as you fly out of there, triumphantly unscathed.

None of this applies to Online, I might add, where the rules are set by the Host.

I am talking about the campaign here.

While I'm on the subject, it's too short.
I had it done in 5 hours or so, on the default difficulty setting.
I have no desire to play through it again, even though some of the set pieces were nice.
There was one mission that stood out, where you took a bomber through some radar fields, without being detected, and then did a bombing run, but the rest were just rinse and repeat, and some were very frustrating, due to restart points being waaaaaaaaaaay back.

The radar mission I eluded to stood out for one reason for me: You had to fly something with some skill.
You actually had to control a plane, through the air, and make sure you missed the ground, the radar scopes, and a river, which would have gotten you wet.
The rest of the game I played in cockpit view, and all I looked at for 5 hours was a green box with TGT written in it, either on the ground, or in the air.
If it was on the ground, I shot at it till it was fire.
If it was in the air......., I shot at it till it was fire.

Sometimes, the TGT would shoot back at me, and I would have to circle around until I had a clear view of its green box, and then I would shoot at it till it was fire.
I literally spent ages chasing a green arrow that led me to a green box around something that I shot at.
Till it was f..... oh ok, you get the picture.

I remember doing an escort mission on one of the AC games, whereby I flew alongside a bomber, and took out agile fighters that flew in to intercept.
I loved that mission, it had weather, it had enemies that came from miles away that you could rush toward to intercept, or stand your ground and wait for them to come to you, it had another ally, that was defenceless and was relying on you to keep it in the sky, and you had to fly about, do your job, and then come back to the bomber at the end, and stay alongside it.
I remember feeling part of the team, and a sense of achievement when I'd got that mission done.
These things I did not feel through AC AH.
I just got annoyed when I couldn't get a mission finished because I'd chosen the wrong plane to sortie, or I'd had ten attempts at it, but the last ground target hadn't quite blown up before the ground troops on my side gave up due to being outnumbered.
It was a case of 'get it done VEXD, just get it done, then we'll see what's next!' until there wasn't anything next.
Apart from Online.
Which is one long headache of "missile" "missile" "missile" "missile" "missile" "missile" "missile" "missile" "missile" "missile" "pull up" "missile" "missile" "missile".

I hired it on Friday night, but got an X-box version, so that went back saturday morning. I got home with AC AH on saturday and started it about 5pm.
Played some COD at around 7pm, then some GT.
Put it back in on sunday, and took the game out to play some GT by 2ish in the afternoon, and I have just taken it back today, despite having it rented till thursday. I just know I won't put it in, so I took it back to the shop.

It's visually very impressive, it's action all the way, the story is OK, but predictable, the planes look silly in pink with baby blue noses.

If you are certain, buy it. If you are unsure, rent it first, I guarantee if you have 5 hours to spare, you'll have it done, or mostly done at least.

Sorry if I've burst anyone's bubble, but the above is my opinion, and I'm entitled to it.

I am VEXD after all........

👍

 

[Roush_fan_99]

How do you switch the arrow's targets? There have been many times where I want to go into asm or dfm but my arrow is focused on another target

Also, the delayed counter manuevers just suck, is there anyway to fix that too? I have figured out that you have to be level but sometimes it blatantly doesn't work

Also glitch freezes, I'll be flyin along and go to make a turn and it freezes for a split second, just enough for me to over turn and hit the ground or I'll perform a counter manuever end up behind the guy and then be killed by him from the glitch freeze. Is that common or an internet issue?

 

[VEXD]

Triangle to switch targets I think....

You can only use counter moves when you see the large green flashing arrow in the middle of your HUD, otherwise, the game thinx you are trying to level your aircraft.

Your internet.

👍

 

[Roush_fan_99]

Triangle to switch targets I think....

You can only use counter moves when you see the large green flashing arrow in the middle of your HUD, otherwise, the game thinx you are trying to level your aircraft.

Your internet.

👍

Thanks

 

[dr3w]

dude, I need some help, I couldn't get pass through mission 4/5? the one that the russians gone bad? They keep shoot me down =.=

 

[VEXD]

Use your counter moves when the green arrow flashes....

Use DFM to get them pesky TGT_LEAD's out of the sky first, as they are your main problem.

Use your throttle to speed up and slow down when you turn, as both will turn your plane faster/slower and hopefully confuse your opponent.

Fly better.

Use a better plane.

Good luck.

👍

 

[Driving Park]

Well I read VEXD's review and it looks like I won't be buying this AC game. The only ones I've played/owned are 4 and 5, and let me say that AC5 is one of the best games I've ever played. Realistic at a simulator level? No way. But the story is movie-quality IMO and the missions are fun and diverse. It also has an absolutely killer soundtrack. Shattered Skies is great too, but lacks the gut-wrenching story line of The Unsung War. I've heard good things about Zero and might eventually get that one, but as for Assault Horizon or AC6 (especially considering I don't have an XBox)? Not a chance.

 

[marchi]

I just wish developers would stop changing a winning formular. Thing about ace combat of old, was that for me, it felt like I was playing TopGun. You could be maverick racing around, beating the **** out of everybody and generally feeling like you were making a difference with your expert flying etc. Don't feel it in the new one at all. All I see is a cod wannabe with too much flash and not enough substance.