Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation

Aug. 19, 2008

I've heard a number of things about this game, mostly it's weird DLC (skinning the jet you fly around in), so I decided to check this out.

Category

Aeriel Dogfighting

Pros

• The early missions are not too hard but not too easy either - you get a chance to get comfortable with the controls right off the bat. The game doesn't throw tons of customization at you in the beginning, either, so you can just concentrate on learning how to fly.
• Easy versions of the controls are good for starting, although I found myself quickly switching to normal cockpit controls so that I could turn super fast.
• The game isn't too bogged down with reality physics, which means you don't have to think too much about stalling your plane or wonder if your plane can really handle that 180 you're planning on doing to turn around.
• The ambient radio chatter really sets the mood during dogfights in a perfect way. Instructions still ring loud and clear when you need to hear them, though.
• The targeting system is well executed and easy to use.
• Dogfighting in this game is just plain fun. Dodging missiles is great, and being able to fight in all three dimensions is fun.
• This game is absolutely gorgeous. All the smoke effects and missiles flying through the air are great, and the ground looks pretty too (when you fly close to it).
• Backstory is interesting and well thought out, and explained well enough to be understood easily.

Cons

• WHO. AM. I. I wish that these games would tell me sometimes! The cutscenes deal with people who may or may not be related to you. I understand that some games purposely step aside so you can create your own character, but I want to know in the first place that I am, say, a single person. If the game gives me nothing to work off of, I can't even come close to identifying with my pilot.
• The long cutscenes are long, and while they tell an interesting tale they don't seem to personally relate to you at all.
• The voice acting in the cut scenes sound awful to my ears. Thankfully the voice acting while fighting is great.

Verdict

I find it strange that the only part I felt negatively about was the cutscenes, which I think could have been just a little more concise and a little more relevant to you, the pilot. Still, I thought the game was great fun to play, and I would happily continue my dogfighting career.