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RipTen Review: Ace Combat Assault Horizon (Xbox 360)

Stephanie Gutowski — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:30:57 +0000

The earliest dream I can remember is of flying. I’m soaring over rooftops, climbing above the collected chaos of city life. Every time I awoke from these moments, an intense sense of deflation immobilized me. I was, and always would be, earthbound. Sadly, this is how I was made and this was how it would stay. But man and his ingenuity outsmarted nature and forged machines to defy gravity. Those like me, sky-starved, but unable to sate that hunger for flight find solace in the safety of commercial airlines, and through windows to that world we imagined, like Namco Bandai’s Ace Combat series . If you don’t understand this need to be airborne, then you have no business in Assault Horizon. Now sit down and shut up while I tell you about how amazing it was.

"I want my callsign to be 'Spaghetti.'" "... What?!" "SPAGHETTI!"

I fell in love with Ace Combat 4 during the glory days of the Playstation 2 and sunk hours into it, challenging my friends to dogfights and losing myself in the convoluted, Japanese plot. I didn’t care much for what was going on. Frankly, I thought there was a great disconnect between the still cut scenes and hectic radio banter blasting in my ears during missions. This is not the case in Assault Horizon. American author Jim DeFelice who wrote Rogue Warrior (the great book not the shitty game) is behind the story on this one, delivering a good ole fashion tale of Americans versus Russians. No fictitious Eurasian nations or impossibly dramatic wars. There’s something about these Cold War-esque plots that appeal to me. Perhaps it’s my intense love of “Hunt for the Red October,” but any movie or game that involves some kind of conflict with the Russians immediately has my attention. You play primarily as Colonel William Bishop, leader of Warwolf Squadron, a U.N. task force comprised of international unit. Bishop is a damn good pilot, but when a Russian crime syndicate mobilizes and reveals its deadliest asset, Andrei Markov, Bishop must face his greatest adversary yet. Worst of all? Markov has a super-powered warhead called “Trinity” and he’s dead set on using it. Players will alternate between multiple mission types. Jet combat puts you in control of Bishop, while helicopter missions will have you playing Captain Doug “D-Ray” Robinson and his gunners. Lastly, you’ll actually have a chance to carry out bombing and fire support missions from larger aircraft, like Nighthawks and AC-130′s as Major Janice Rehl, ~~the coolest pilot ever.~~

I don’t want a ridiculous Japanese plot standing between me and my aerial combat experience. Perhaps that’s what the franchise was known and lovingly mocked for in the past, but what was the point? Key story elements were delivered in the heat of combat, leaving me completely confused as I was too busy fighting for my life to listen to some wingman try to feed me exposition. This story was refreshingly simple and, while not entirely original, provided me with all the fuel needed to spur me on, to make me understand why I fought. I knew better than ever the consequence of failure. If I don’t stop this man, he will destroy me and my home. Kill him and his supporters, or everything I love will cease to exist. It incites emotion on the basest of levels. You are threatened. You must defend yourself. Why would you want a ridiculous plot to get in the way of that?

It's much cooler in cockpit view. Trust me.

These pilots bring with them three distinct types of gameplay. Bishop will put you in the cockpit of a standard fighter, attacker, or multirole plane. I personally stuck with the Typhoon unless the mission called for anti-ground measures, but I was able to quickly pinpoint my preferred style. This is where things are going to feel vastly different from previous Ace Combat games, but I assure you, it’s all for the best. The left stick controls all your plane’s movements. Pitch and yaw are determined by the degree of your turn and your speed. Decelerate for sharper, more accurate turns. Right thumb stick lets you look around the cockpit and get a better idea of what’s in your peripheral. Roll control is virtually nonexistent unless you’re playing on Expert difficulty (which then allows you to roll rather than turn harder), but seems to have been assimilated into Assault Horizon’s newest feature, CRA (close range assault). Players press LB and RB simultaneously to change attack perspectives and begin close-range combat. CRA is broken down to two variations. DFM (dogfight mode) can be activated when the player is within range of an enemy. A green assault circle appears, signaling the player to press the bumpers. The game then becomes semi-on-rails and the player must focus on keeping the plane within the target reticule. Missiles become deadlier and machine gun firer packs a much greater punch at close range. When an adversary is defeated, a mini, slow-mo cut scene plays, and Bishop zooms through the wreckage. It’s an incredibly satisfying system that also works on the defensive. Players can perform a reversal when pursued by enemies. Decelerate until the red and green arrow overlap, then tap the shoulder buttons. You’ll either barrel roll, cobra, or do a complete 360 degree vertical loop until the hunter becomes the prey. You can chain several enemies while in DFM and it provides a satisfying means to properly decimate your foes. Rather than watch your 4AAMs detonate from far, you can get right up their aft and shred’m. I found myself tailing three bandits through Dubai, weaving between skyscrapers while trying to track down the last remaining bomber on an impact course. It gets intense, I mean intense. You’ve got five things to do and five minutes to do it, but the sensation of getting it done is wholly rewarding.

Mmm, jet carngae.

CRA has another mode, ASM (air strike mode) that you won’t use nearly as frequently as DFM, but it offers a very different combat experience. Players target the triangular entry point for the bombing track and trigger ASM similarly to DFM with a bumper tap. Your aircraft decelerates and descends as you attempt to eliminate all ground targets in as few attack runs as possible. Think Death Star trench run, except slower. While ASM isn’t nearly as exciting, it does have a few poignant moments during some naval missions later in the game. The helicopter scenarios are perhaps the grittiest, thrusting you into the heart of combat as you provide aerial support to the ground forces. A lot of the time, you’ll be gunning down poorly-armed men with machine guns, which takes little to no effort. When the situation escalates, you’ll find yourself blowing Hinds out of the sky and turning Howitzers into scrap metal. Major Rehl’s air support missions are probably the least exciting, but offer the best weaponry. It gets a little ridiculous when you’re suddenly packed inside a stealth bomber at night, weaving between radar cones en route to the facility you’re supposed to carpet bomb, but the end result is always the same: “Holy crap, I just owned everything.”

For those of you who absolutely must have your classic Ace Combat controls intact, rest assured. The kind devs at Project Aces have included an”Original” control scheme in addition to “Optimum,” the default setting. Original puts roll control back in your hands, giving you the ability to fly sideways, upside down, or just… whatever you want to do. While it’s great to see that there’s still some Ace Combat inside this otherwise realistic spinoff, Optimum really starts to sing its siren song when you realize just how difficult it is to initiate CRA while using the original controls. It’s not impossible- I managed to snare a couple of bandits, but keeping them in my sights was incredibly frustrating.

Ace Combat Assault Horizon Online Modes Revealed and Detailed

Dave Oshry — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:30:10 +0000

Namco has finally revealed all the juicy details about the multiplayer modes in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. They include Co-op, Capital Conquest, Deathmatch and Domination. When I say they’ve given details, I mean ALL the details. Wall of text alert.

The first mode is Co-Op:

Namco has detailed it as such:

CO-OP MULTIPLAYER

In CO-OP mode, players team up with friends to take on deadly AI opponents. A total of eight missions from the Campaign mode have been specially re-designed and optimised for CO-OP play to maximise the enjoyment for 2-3 players sharing the adrenaline-pumping fun online.

Team up with friends for a variety of missions around the world

As in the Campaign mode, the CO-OP missions take place in different real-world locations with a rich variety of maps and situations, such as dog fights, attacking ground targets, protecting cities, escorting and even an attack helicopter mission.

Team play kicks in when players decide between themselves what different types of aircraft and weapons to use. For example, the player who chooses the aircraft best suited to dog fights will be assigned the role of intercepting enemy aircraft in the air, whereas the one who chooses the aircraft better equipped for ground attacks will be given the job of attacking enemies on the ground. Alternatively, everyone can choose the same aircraft and take to the air in formation.

Use DFM and teamwork to attack strong enemy aircraft

The enemies encountered in CO-OP are stronger than those in the normal Campaign mode. In addition, there are a number of enemy ace pilots that appear only in CO-OP mode.

The Dog Fight Mode (DFM) support comes into play against strong enemies that players can’t take on alone.

While an ally is attacking the enemy at close-range using DFM, the player moves in closer, and at a certain point will be able to go into DFM against the enemy quicker than normally, gaining a combat advantage. By using DFM support with 2 or 3 aircraft there is more chance of inflicting serious damage against fast, powerful enemies.

Have fun cooperating with friends in the chaotic aerial battlefield surrounded by a whirlwind of allies and enemies!

Attack massed enemy ground troops using ASM support

Similar to DFM in the air, in CO-OP players can use the Air Strike Mode (ASM) to fight against massed enemy ground troops.

When an ally has entered ASM and the player subsequently initiates their ASM support, they can enter the attack flight path right behind their ally. Up to three aircraft can attack close to the ground one after the other, raining down a ferocious bombardment on enemy ground forces.

And that’s just the first mode!! Next up is Capital Conquest:

Basic Rules

1. Players are divided into 2 teams and attempt to destroy the other team’s HQ within the time limit.

The team that destroys the other team’s HQ first within the time limit wins.

If neither team destroys the HQ within the time limit, the team with the most remaining on their HQ durability gauge wins.

Each HQ is defended by NPC ground objects and is resistant to non-ASM attacks (Attack power is increased when in ASM).

2. Secure TGTs to earn the right to go into ASM (Air Strike Mode) against the opposing HQ.

Destroying all of the TGTs on each map gives players the right to go into ASM.

Once the right has been obtained, an ‘ASM box’ for the enemy HQ will be displayed and the player can enter ASM via that point.

In the initial state, the right to go into ASM is given to the first team to destroy all applicable enemy TGTs.

Once one side gains the right to go into ASM, all enemy units are revived.

The right to go into ASM is transferred when all of the revived TGT enemies are destroyed.

3. Respawning lets you sortie again in a different aircraft, recover from all damage and replenish ammunition.

Players will return to the sortie screen if shot down or if Respawn is selected from the Pause Menu.

Respawning allows players to change aircraft, recover from all damage taken and replenish ammunition for weapons.

Players can respawn from their own HQ or any of their own bases.

4. Capturing respawn bases increases available respawn points.

They must belong to one of the teams, and they change sides if they are destroyed.

In Capital Conquest, the following rules can be set up / adjusted:

Map: Washington D.C., Paris, Moscow, Miami, Tokyo (DLC), Hawaii (DLC)

Time limit: 10min. / 15min. / 20min. / 25min. / 30min.

Players: 4vs4 (one squadron in team) / 8vs8 (two squadrons in team)

Selecting teams: Automatic / Manual (if manual is chosen, the players can choose their squadron)

HQ durability: High / Medium / Low

AI aircraft: ON / OFF　(When ON is selected, AI aircraft will be put into play)

Aircraft limitation: (Can limit the aircraft usage of Jet fighter / Multirole / Attacker / Attack helicopter)

Skill usage: With skill / Without skill

Respawning

After being shot or crashing, players have to wait a certain amount of time before respawning as a penalty.

The better the aircraft’s performance, the more penalty time the player incurs.

There is no penalty time if the player selects Respawn in the pause menu.

Respawn in the pause menu is not available if the player’s aircraft is in DFM (Dog Fight Mode) or ASM

Use of Bombers

Once the durability of a team’s HQ falls below 20%, that team can then choose to sortie in bombers (B-1B / B-2).

Once the right to use bombers has been obtained, bombers will be added to the aircraft list when players return to the Respawn Screen.

Bombers are used under the following conditions.

They have no attack power during regular non-ASM flight.

Bombs cannot be used until in ASM flight. Only flares can be used during regular non-ASM flight.

Once in ASM, the MUGB (multi unguided bomb) can be used.

Capital Conquest is the only online mode in which bombers can be used.

But that’s still not all. Of course there’s also Deathmatch:

Four More Planes Revealed for Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

Stephanie Gutowski — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:01:14 +0000

Last week, we showed off five of the new aircraft in Namco Bandai’s arcade flight sim, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. Now we’ve got four new planes to add to the list and screenshots to boot. Three fighters and an attacker are coming your way!

Su-24MP Fencer: Large-scale, armored fighter with electronic warfare capabilities
Su-33 Flanker-D: Carrier-based fighter, makes up in maneuverability what it lacks in speed
Su-35 Flanker-E: Exceptional air-to-air fighter, highly capable on long or short distance missions
Su-25TM Frogfoot: Older attacker created by the former Soviet Union, withstands all weather and sports on-board radar

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon is still cleared to land on your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 by October 11, 2011.

New Screens and Aircraft Revealed for Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

Stephanie Gutowski — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:17:06 +0000

Namco Bandai’s latest and first multi-platform installation of the action flight simulator series isn’t touching down on consoles until October of this year, but we’ve got a bunch of screens and five new planes to show you while you wait. The Ace Combat games have always offered players a wide variety of aircraft based on actual jets (with maybe a handful fictional modifications) and Assault Horizon looks to perpetuate the series’ legacy of realism with these five additions to your aerial arsenal:

F-2A: Based on the frame of the F-16, easy to maneuver and ideal anti-warship jet
Typhoon: Ideal dog-fighter, multi-lock weapons system, incredibly agile
Griphen C: Aka, JAS-39C, great multi-purpose fighter and scout
Mirage 2000-5: Lightweight, fast fighter, multiple targeting capabilities
RafaleM: Carrier-based aircraft, heavy damage dealer, adaptable to air-to-ground and air-to-air missions

Players will be able to not only assemble a fearsome air force, but also outfit planes with various weapon systems and color schemes. Check out the gallery below to see these beasts in all their glory.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon is cleared to land on your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 by October 11, 2011.

Ace Combat Assault Horizon Gamescom Trailer Features a Full Blown Assault

Chris Carlson — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:35:44 +0000

NAMCO BANDAI has released their official Gamescom trailer for Ace Combat Assault Horizon. Prepare for a FULL BLOWN ASSAULT as the 108TH task force battles anything and everything on the ground, over sea and in the sky. The battleground is everywhere and the barrage of action, destruction and explosions climb to an epic intensity. The showdown is closing in and almost here! Gotta stay fly. Gotta stay strong.

Ace Combat Assault Horizon is set to release on October 11th for Xbox 360 and PS3.

E3 2011: Ace Combat: Assault Horizons – Thrilling New Trailer

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:43:08 +0000

Aeriel Combat at it’s finest. The Ace Combat series has ruled the genre for well over ten years with exciting air to air combat.

Check out the the thrilling trailer below.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizons is scheduled for a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 release in October.

Top Ten Developers – #2 Namco

James Fleming — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:16:09 +0000

The golden era of videogames is a hot topic among gamers, mainly because many game enthusiasts don't agree when the gaming utopia took place.

Some feel that it occurred in the mid to late 80s with the introduction and domination of the NES. Others found the 16-bit epoch to be their own personal Shangri-La. Younger gamers feel that this current “next-gen” period we find ourselves in, with its online capabilities and cutting-edge graphics, is the pinnacle of gaming paradise.

Everyone feels differently because everyone has a different collection games that define them and their age bracket. But when bringing up the topic of arcades and the era in which they thrived, there is little room for debate. The golden era took place in the 80s and the king of the cabinets was Namco.

Like many other videogame companies, Namco's early beginnings can be found in business completely unrelated to the gaming industry. Started in the 1950s, the company scraped up its capital by selling mechanical rocking horses and kiddy rides. Namco first started making videogames in 1974 after they snatched the Japanese division of Atari. A few early games followed, but they were all just a preamble to the bomb that would be dropped in 1980.

Apparently inspired by a pizza pie (sans one slice) by Toru Iwatani, Pac-Man would arguably become the most famous videogame in the world. Every respectable arcade would house a Pac-Man machine.

The game would become instantly recognizable to all who heard that opening jingle, felt its battle-worn joystick, and guided that simple little sphere to strategically munch those delicious dots in a quest to tame his paranormal enemies. Pac-Man would do a lot more than build a videogame fan base the world over. It would bring videogames into the mainstream.

Having a background in amusement parks, Namco focused on developing its arcade library, which was the main vehicle to carry a gaming fix to the consumers of the day. If you were to take a stroll through a gallery displaying these works of art you would see an assortment of masterpieces.

There is Galaga, the superior sequel to 1979's Galaxian that would have kids around the world risking alien abduction in order to get a chance at doubling their firepower. Pole Position was a hugely successful racing game for the company. Dig Dug and Xevious (the world's first vertical shooter) would both be released in the same year.

Namco had a lot of “firsts” in the gaming industry, many of which have become clichés within the community. King and Balloon was the first game to use synthesized voices. Rally X was the first game to include the ever-popular bonus round. Dragon Buster introduced the idea of a life bar, and Splatterhouse was the first game to be branded with a parental advisory warning.

Arcades are still Namco's territory. Like their amusement parks, they continue to make fantastic rides for people of all ages and preferences. Tekken, Soul Calibur, and Time Crisis continue to push the envelopes of their respected genres, and Ridge Racer continues its legacy on the PS3.

The transition to consoles came initially with ports of their coin-op successes, but original games like the Ace Combat series and the Xenosaga series offer a nice alternative to the frenzied action of your standard quarter cruncher.

Namco Cybertainment Inc. has become the largest arcade company in the world, with roughly 30,000 games in their inventory. Two years ago Namco merged with the toy manufacturing giant Bandai. They now stand as the 3rd largest videogame entity in Japan.

The merger will deliver Namco's classics to a whole slew of fresh-faced customers. By developing versions of their classics for operation on either cell phones or Xbox Live, they are guaranteeing the longevity of their product.

We will be seeing Namco for generations to come, mainly because their great videogames tap into a digital fountain of youth, preventing them from ever getting old.

Must Haves:
Pac-Man Championship Edition (Xbox Live),
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation (Xbox 360).

Have Nots:
Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 (PS2)
Dead to Rights (Multi)

Top Ten Developer List: 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1