The Osean Federation is under siege. The Kingdom of Erusea has launched a cowardly surprise attack against us. Join our brave Air Defence Force and help to push back the invader!
To get you ready for take-off, we’ve gathered together all the key intel. From the release date and pre-order info to the high-octane gameplay and more. So, strap in - things are about to get bumpy.
What is Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown’s release date?
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown blasts onto Nintendo Switch on July 11, 2024. We hope you’ve been practicing those evasive manoeuvres.
Can I pre-order Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown?
Absolutely. You can pre-order your copy of the game right now and get it through your letterbox on launch day. Just a warning though. If you’re scared of heights, this one probably isn’t for you…
How much will Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown cost?
You can join the battle for just £54.99. And that’s a whole lot less than buying an actual F-18 fighter jet – which would set you back about $13.7 million dollars, if you were wondering.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown platforms and crossplay
Ace Combat 7 is set to land on Switch only this time round. But don’t worry if you haven’t got Nintendo’s handheld. The game originally came out on PS4, Xbox One and PC back in 2019, so you can still get in on the action, no matter what platform you’re playing on.
There’s no word on a crossplay feature just yet though. So, if you were hoping to line up a friend in your crosshairs who’s playing on another console, you probably won’t be able to.
How to play Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7 is one of the most realistic military flight sims out there. You’ll take part in adrenaline fuelled aerial battles over mountains, cities, and other cool landscapes. It’s not just other fighters that’ll be gunning for you either – unmanned drones, battleships and missile silos will all be trying to take a chunk out of you.
But what makes it so lifelike? Well, every plane you jet off in comes with its own unique handling, weapon loadouts and characteristics. You’ll also be dealing with the effects of G-force (try not to pass out), altitude management and the aerodynamics of whatever you’re piloting too. There’s a lot to think about.
Your objectives are just as varied as the aircraft and locations. You might be ordered to escort a unit of bombers to their target in one piece. While sometimes, you’ll be running sneaky recon operations to find out what the enemy is up to. Just make sure you try and stay under the radar – literally.
Keep an eye on the weather forecast though. Dynamic conditions like thick fog, snow, rain, and lightning can have a real impact on how your jet handles. And you won’t be able to see very well either. So, don’t let it cloud your judgement during the heat of combat.
And when you’re getting shot at, you’re almost definitely going to get hit at some point. This is where the authentic damage system kicks in. If you take a heat-seeking missile to the wing, you won’t be able to turn as well. While a shot to the engines is going to really slow you down. When dodging and weaving your way out of trouble are so important, that’s a big issue!
How many hours of gameplay will Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown have?
We’ve hacked into the enemy comms to find out this mission critical info. And from what we’ve found, you’ll need to be in the cockpit for 12 hours to achieve victory and complete the story. But if you’re going for that 100% completion stat, it’ll take you at least 18 hours to become a proper fighter ace. Either way, those gaming sessions are going to absolutely fly by.
What type of planes can you fly in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown?
You’ll be able to choose from a huge range of authentic, fictional, and futuristic military aircraft. Here are a few that you can get behind the controls of:
Fighter jets – The go-to machine of the Ace Combat arsenal. Lightning quick, they’re built for air-to-air combat.
Attack aircraft – Rocking rockets, these planes have been designed to take out ground targets – like tanks, trucks, and artillery - from the air.
Multirole fighters – They’re exactly what they sound like – all rounders that excel in dogfights, or attacking enemy soldiers and vehicles on the ground.
Bombers – These heavy aircraft are stuffed to the brim with bombs. And they’ll flatten any base. They’re pretty slow though, so watch the skies.
Electronic warfare aircraft – Using electronic gadgets, they can disrupt enemy radar systems and messages. Say watt!
Reconnaissance aircraft – Equipped with special cameras and sensors, they’re perfect for gathering photos of enemy positions and identifying targets for your next attack.
Which Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown features are player customisable?
No highflying pilot wants a plain old plane. Luckily, you’ll be able to customise and tweak every single part of your jet. And by that, we really mean every single part.
As you complete objectives and shoot down your enemies you’ll unlock more gear. So, by the end of the campaign, you’ll be armed to the teeth. And have an aircraft that’s completely your own.
Here are just a few of the customisation options:
Aircraft skins – Fancy a new lick of paint? Pick from a bunch of unique skins – from fictional designs to historical sets of camouflage.
Emblems – Add emblems and logos to your fighter for some extra flair. When the enemy sees that skull and crossbones on your wings, they’ll know they’re in for a rough time.
Nicknames – Give your jet a custom callsign. Need some inspo? How about Maverick? Or Goose, maybe?
Performance parts – Modify the engine for a boost of speed. Bolt on thicker armour to take a bit more punishment. Or tweak the wings so you’re harder to hit. And don’t forget to upgrade your radar – then you’ll spot enemy fighters before they see you!
Weapon loadouts – Rockets. Bombs. Miniguns. Air-to-ground missiles. There are plenty of deadly tools in your armoury. Whatever you choose, you’ll have a blast.
All this will let you tune up your fighter to suit your playstyle. Don’t get too comfy with it though. Sometimes you’ll have to change up your loadout for different kinds of operations. After all, that heavy bomber isn’t going to be much use when a lightning-fast jet is on your tail.
What are the different Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown game mode options?
Whether you prefer to play as a lone wolf, or want to squad up instead, Ace Combat 7 has you covered…
Campaign – As Trigger – a pilot in the Osean Air Defence Force (OADF) – you’ll fight through a cinematic story, leading the charge in epic aerial scraps.
Free mission – Replay any level you’ve completed already in the campaign. Take a different route to your objective this time round. Or practice the mission until you know it like the back of your hand. And there’s always that high score to aim for too!
Multiplayer – Fancy yourself as the top gun in your squadron? Face off against your mates and other pilots online in fast-paced 2-8 player dogfights. Play a classic team deathmatch or be the last person standing in the free for all battle royale mode.
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