Recommendation lists for games like ace combat usually throw twenty titles at you and explain none of them. This one is shorter on purpose and says what each pick borrows from Ace Combat.
The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. The community figured most of this out through repetition, and the pattern has held up well. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem.
The short answer
If you want the closest match to Ace Combat in feel rather than genre, start with the first pick below and treat the rest as branches from it.
Worth a look if you want something lighter
The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Price and platform narrow this faster than any taste-based argument. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing.
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. The community figured most of this out through repetition, and the pattern has held up well. If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update.
What people actually miss about Ace Combat
Length matters too — a sixty-hour game is not a replacement for a tight ten-hour one. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago.
- Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
- Back up your save if the game gives you the option.
- Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
- Restart fully after a change rather than trusting a quick reload.
- Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
- Keep a spare loadout for the attempts that go badly.
The closest matches
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. Treat the numbers as a guideline; your exact result depends on your setup and current version. The obvious picks are obvious for a reason, but the third or fourth suggestion is usually the one people remember.
Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse. The obvious picks are obvious for a reason, but the third or fourth suggestion is usually the one people remember. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
- Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
- Trusting a video thumbnail over the actual patch notes.
Frequently asked questions
Which one is closest to Ace Combat?
The first pick, if you care about the loop. If you cared more about the writing or the atmosphere, the second one lands closer.
Is there a faster method?
Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.
Are any of these free?
Some have free demos or trial weekends, which is the cheapest way to find out whether the comparison holds for you.
If you take one thing away about games like ace combat, make it the preparation step; everything after it becomes much easier.