Ace Combat 3

Pros • REAL-TIME PERSPECTIVE CAMERA (RPC) LETS YOU SEE WHO OR WHAT’S COMING FOR YOU • COOL LOOKING REPLAYS • GREAT SELECTION OF FIGHTER PLANES, EACH WITH ITS OWN STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES LIKE FIREPOWER AND MANEUVERABILITY • EASY TO LEARN AND WELL PLACED CONTROLS • LEVEL BY LEVEL PERFORMANCE RATINGS • STORY BRANCHES DOWN DIFFERENT PATHS-ADDS TO REPLAY VALUE	Cons • NO REAL DEVELOPMENT OF PLOT • AT NO POINT IN THE GAME DOES THE PILOT (YOU) EVER OPEN HIS MOUTH • UPDATES GIVEN DURING THE MISSION ARE ALSO TEXT BASED • LACK OF IDENTITY, CHARACTER OR PURPOSE OTHER THAN TO DESTROY APPROPRIATE TARGETS • LACK OF BETWEEN-LEVEL ANIMATION AND CUTSCENES MAKE FOR A DULL PROGRESSION THROUGH LEVELS • TEXT BASED MISSION BRIEFINGS ARE BORING • SOUNDTRACK IS VERY WEAK
Bottom Line AC3 lets you test your dogfighting skills to the max with awesome gameplay and graphics. The game's lack of story and purpose put a damper on an otherwise great air combat simulator. As a PlayStation flight simulator, Ace Combat 3 is indeed one the more realistic games. The various levels offer a nearly unlimited expanse of airspace in which to operate the Fighter planes. The Heads Up Display provides clear and readable information as to the speed, altitude, damage and elapsed time. The radar is more than adequate in locating enemy planes and other targets. The radar zooms between a wide-angle view and close-up depending on the proximity of enemy craft. Also, with a simple push of the square button, one can view the whole level and all targets, which is much the same as Ace Combat 2. Ace Combat 3 is certainly not just another sequel. You are flying some of the world’s best air combat fighter planes through wickedly detailed environments. Although there is a lack of a good plot, the gameplay and control compensate for this somewhat. The inherent challenge comes from trying to be the best rated in each level. This is dependent on how well you do in each mission, with the ultimate goal being Ace dogfighter status.

Ace Combat 3 is a great looking game that is a lot of fun to play. The graphics are exceptional. The fighter planes look great and are quite detailed, as are enemy craft (if you can get close enough). This, coupled with wide-open and detailed levels, provides an excellent simulation experience. When flying close to the sea, land or mountains, it feels as if you could almost reach out and touch them.

The gameplay in Ace Combat is top notch. Although it takes some getting used to, the fighters are very maneuverable, especially the superior ones that are opened up as the game progresses. Using the Typhoon in the first few levels can be frustrating, but the F16 comes along pretty quick and you are ready to do some extreme dogfighting. And when I say extreme that is exactly what I mean.

With respect to flying, there is no part of any level that can not be explored. With some of the better fighters, you can take them cruising from a few feet off the canyon floor to upper limits of the atmosphere. The later levels send you up into the stratosphere and even into space. Once mastered, the controls offer virtually limitless dogfighting moves. Banking and spinning can be used to effectively avoid enemy fire and get in position to waste your opponents. The buttons themselves are laid out logically and are easy to use.

An awesome feature of AC3 is what is called, "Real-Time Perspective Camera" (RPC). When a missile is approaching or if another fighter is tracking you, the HUD gives you a warning signal and tone. To find out who or what it is press the Triangle and the camera rotates to show you who or what it is and their position relative to your plane. You can watch as a missile closes in on you and, at the right moment, pull off a roll and hard bank to avoid being hit. The feature is easy to use even in the heat of battle. There is also a feature where you can see an exterior view of your fighter from any angle with the right analog stick, but this is not very practical and you're better off using RPC when in need.

As the levels progress, the better fighter planes are opened up. Each fighter carries two types of weaponry, one of which is usually a machinegun and the other a homing missile. Depending on the fighter, you can sometimes load more powerful weapons. Although the selection is very limited, there is more than enough firepower to take out all the bogies.

Although the graphics and control are exceptional, AC3 falls short in virtually every other category. There is a confusing plot (if you can even call it that) with generic characters. It is something to the effect of a general wanting to take over the world and you having to stop him. I'm not sure who the agency is that you work for, but they appear to be the good guys. The missions take you to various locales where you destroy enemy forces. Depending on your success in the levels, the story branches off down different paths. In all there is a total of 33 levels.

Mission briefings are text-based guidelines explaining who you are going to be destroying. Not much consideration is given to why. With the exception of a few sound bytes such as "stall," "pull up," and "mission completed," there is really no voice communication. This is a huge step back from Ace Combat 2 where players were briefed by an officer, kept in communication with HQ, and even had a co-pilot! In AC3, every once in a while you are shown cutscenes, but they have little to do with plot and usually just show a plane or building blowing up. Not very exciting at all. This is quite unfortunate considering that the Japanese version of AC3 had animation, detailed mission briefings, and dialogue.

The sound effects in AC3 are average. The various tones give you an indication of things such as lock-on, whether you are being shot at, or if you are being tracked. The machine gun and missile sounds are average. What you have to do is turn the bass up in order to feel some earth shattering sound effects. The music also leaves a lot to be desired. The stock techno beats are quite boring and even put a damper on the gameplay as they drown out the sound. You are better off getting rid of the music and putting your own tunes on your stereo while you play.

Ace Combat 3 is certainly not just another sequel. You are flying some of the world’s best air combat fighter planes through wickedly detailed environments. Although there is a lack of a good plot, the gameplay and control compensate for this somewhat. The inherent challenge comes from trying to be the best rated in each level. This is dependent on how well you do in each mission, with the ultimate goal being Ace dogfighter status.

Mandip Sandhu

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