ACE COMBAT™ 7: SKIES UNKNOWN Reviews

I really enjoyed this game's campaign mode. There are 20 missions and each mission has something different to offer. Some missions you think it's over and then something else happens. There are plenty of air crafts to choose from and customize to suit your needs for each mission (such as bomber vs dog fighter or balanced). Online play was a little rough due to connectivity issues with any of the players. I played a few online games where it was laggy and was hard to deal with. Other than that great game!

This game rocks! Most fun I've had in a combat flight game since I played Rogue Squadron as a kid.

This is a great game with great gameplay except when you get stuck on a mission and keep failing. If you want realistic flight however, play War Thunder or DCS instead as this game has the most unrealistic graphics and combat.

I have not played much of the game yet but it performs well and is fun. It works great on Linux through Steam and the controller support is flawless. I will edit my review if I change my mind and or to review it in more detail.

This game perfectly captured all of the nostalgia I have surrounding this series. That's it. That's the review.

Ace Combat 7 is a blood-pounding, cinematic return to the Strangereal skies, and it absolutely soars when it leans into spectacle. I grew up playing these games on console, so finally seeing the series available on the PC was exhilarating. The controls are sharp, responsive, and feel incredible once you get the hang of them. It’s one of those systems that’s easy to learn but super rewarding to master. Visually, it’s a stunner. The weather effects are intense and immersive, and the clean, simple UI keeps the focus on flying. I will say, the upgrade system is oddly tucked away, I was halfway through the game before I even realised it existed. While the story starts off slow and its early beats are a bit forgettable, things pick up emotionally in the second half. Recurring characters and some solid late-game moments give it weight, but not all of it lands. Some characters clearly matter to the writers, but it doesn’t always translate to the player. My biggest gripe? Scripted moments inside live play, scripted waiting rooms than actual challenges. Just when you’re in the zone, locked on, ready to land that perfect shot, hearts pumping, boom: scripted immunity kicks in, and the moment’s gone. It’s frustrating and really breaks the immersion during otherwise epic encounters. That said, the soundtrack, aircraft variety, and the thrill of dog fighting in stormy skies are enough to keep pulling you back, whether it’s for another campaign run or just to mess around in free play or modded missions. If you’re craving high-speed aerial action, cinematic set pieces, and a sky that feels alive with weather and war, Ace Combat 7 absolutely delivers. It falters a bit in story depth, progression design, and long-term replayability, but it nails the core experience where it counts.

Ace Combat 7 is a great addition to the franchise, don't go expecting simulator, this is an arcade game. Has some interesting missions and banger OST.

pretty good flight combat sim. early game is kind of a hassle but once you get better planes in the mid-to-late campaign, it gets alot more easier and fun. never played multiplayer and never will negative points for forcing 1080p aspect ratio though. japanese devs really need to optimize for ultrawidescreen

A mute psychopath destroys the entire military while enduring unending missile alerts, and enough g's to physically disintegrate a person, featuring nickleback vocalist as your emotional support, because he does nothing else.

✈️ Gameplay – 8.5/10 Ace Combat 7 delivers exactly what longtime fans want: intense aerial dogfighting, cinematic drama, and stylish over-the-top missions. The controls strike a good balance between arcade accessibility and enough depth to reward skill, especially on the higher difficulties. The missions are varied—from high-altitude battles above thunderclouds to stealthy bombing runs at night—and the weather effects (especially lightning and turbulence) actually affect your handling, adding strategic challenge and visual flair. Multiplayer offers fun PvP modes, but it lacks the depth or progression systems to keep most players hooked long-term. Still, it’s a great test of skill when you’re itching for real-life rivals. 📖 Story – 7/10 Set in the familiar fictional world of Strangereal, Skies Unknown spins a tale of war, redemption, and the blurred line between hero and villain. You play as “Trigger,” a mostly silent protagonist accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and thrust into a war between Osea and Erusea. The narrative is told through a mix of in-game briefings and beautifully rendered cutscenes from multiple perspectives. While it sometimes stumbles into melodrama or vagueness, the story hits some surprisingly emotional beats. The world-building is rich, the themes of loyalty and morality are surprisingly mature, and it all crescendos into an operatic finale worthy of the series. 🌩 Graphics and Sound – 9/10 Visually, Ace Combat 7 is stunning. The skies are dynamic and beautiful, with breathtaking cloudscapes and atmospheric effects that enhance immersion and strategy. Aircraft models are highly detailed and explosions are satisfyingly cinematic. On PC and next-gen hardware, the game really shines in 4K. The soundtrack is a highlight—grand, orchestral, and thrilling. It perfectly supports the game’s emotional highs and adrenaline-filled moments. Combine that with the roar of jet engines and the constant chatter of allies and enemies, and you’re deep in the thick of a modern air war. 🧠 Verdict – 8.5/10 Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is a triumphant return to the skies for the series. It’s nostalgic without being stale, ambitious without losing its core identity. While the story and multiplayer aren’t perfect, the moment-to-moment gameplay is exhilarating, stylish, and emotionally charged. Whether you’re a veteran ace or a new recruit, Skies Unknown is a mission well worth flying. 👍 Pros: Gorgeous visuals and weather effects Tight, satisfying flight controls Emotional, engaging story Killer soundtrack 👎 Cons: Multiplayer feels underbaked Some missions suffer from unclear objectives Story can be overly dense for newcomers Final Score: 8.5/10 – A high-flying, missile-dodging, sky-shattering thrill ride.