XBOX 360 Game Review: Ace Combat 6 - Fires of Liberation

XBOX 360 Game Review:

Ace Combat 6 - Fires of Liberation

     For over a decade the "Ace Combat" series has been one of the heavy contenders for flight simulator supremacy. From the early days of true arcade gaming to modern day, the "Ace Combat" series has drawn gamers in like moths to flame, and "Ace Combat 6 - Fires of Liberation" is among one of the greatest titles.

     So what exactly is it that separates Ace Combat 6 from the rest of the Ace Combat titles? Well for starters it is the first of only two tiles (out of 18 possible) that were actually released for XBOX 360. That is a statement in and of itself simply because the Ace Combat series has been somewhat of a "Sony Playstation" staple. This was huge in the fact that it broadened the customer base, and gamers such as myself who have played other titles, were not exactly disappointed.

     The gameplay of Ace Combat 6 is exactly as one would expect: the high flying aerial maneuvers and intense dogfights edged out by the very real risk of stalling or crashing is what etched Ace Combat's name in stone.  While still holding true to this fun factor/realism hybrid of gaming, the plot of Ace Combat 6 only heightened the experience. The dialogue of all characters involved meshed with the story-packed cinematics bring the struggle between two warring factions to life. Throw in a target-rich environment and it's any high-paced action shooter's dream.

     While the gameplay holds a lot of the gold to AC6's success, it should also be noted that AC6 has a wonderfully designed "unlockables" section. It basically requires the player to retry all of the missions on different difficulties, or try different paths, or even scout out the area for a codename designated enemy to shoot down. There is absolutely no possible way to get bored with this game's single player mode.

     On the flipside, however, it is the multiplayer mode of Ace Combat 6 that is far less than impressive. With only a handful of missions to fly, plus limitations on said missions, the thrilling idea of PvP dogfighting all but crashes and burns. The multiplayer phase of AC6 was clearly not a fully developed idea, and then if this wasn't enough, all it really takes to own the field is the choice of any Su plane and the deathmatch is locked down. However, what if everybody is choosing the "Su-33 Flanker D"  or the "Su-47 Berkut?" Then all of a sudden the player will find themselves in an endless loop of unimaginative fights that don't really lead anywhere.

     All in all, Ace Combat 6 holds true to its predecessors by delivering that "edge of your seat" combat style mixed with some threatening flight realities, such as stalling or crashing. However, if the consideration for buying this game is real, please make sure to buy it for the right reasons. The single player mode of Ace Combat 6 is absolutely phenomenal and the replay value is undoubtedly limitless; just make sure you stay completely away from the multiplayer mode, which is nothing but disappointment.

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