Topic: Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy

First things first, I'm really surprised I haven't commented here yet, because I love this game! (I got it the month it came out, BTW)

Now, sorry for reviving such an old thread, but I've gotten the urge to get back into it after watching The World Wars on History (good documentary, BTW).

Anyhow, I got the "Falken" (already possibly the game's strongest aircraft even at default status) all decked out with some cool additions, such as a powerful new engine, more durable armor, enhanced missile range, and a freakin' lazor canon, lol. Only played through the story mode twice (once on each path) on "Easy" when I first got the game, but since I've came back I've been tackling my favorite missions on "Normal", and am surprised how much of a breeze they are with my enhanced "Falken" (I can even easily rundown the F.O.E. like a normal enemy in the final mission, which feels so empowering).

Will probably actually play through the whole story again though (in "Normal"), because I still have 10 planes left to unlock, and I can't unlock them no matter how many times I replay missions in "Free Mode", which means I can probably only unlock them through the story mode. (already have 20 planes unlocked)

Nice. I still like this game. Still trying to finish it. I do a mission here and there every year lol

This game is hidden gem in 3DS library. And it costs only 10 euro! I just finished story mode once but I am sure I'll come back to unlock everything.

So this is a pretty good game? I tend to pass it up all the time at used game shops. Perhaps I shouldn't?

It's definitely worth it. It was released in the shadow of SM3DL, so it was overlooked, but it's a great game if you can find it.

"Story Mode": A 23 mission campaign with 3 difficulty settings (Easy, Normal, Hard) and branching paths (you'll only play through 18 missions in one go around, so to play them all you need to go through it at least twice).

Other Modes:

• "Free Mode": replay any previously completed missions (in any difficulty) to best your high scores.
• "Survival Mode": 6 missions (pulled from story mode) that you have to tackle with limited ammo and 10% health.
• "Extra Missions": 4 missions with unique objectives (Ex. In one you have to take on a total of 100 enemies, in smaller waves).

Unlockables:

• 30 different aircraft. Most are real world licensed fighters (modern ones like the F/A-22 Raptor & F-16 Tomcat, as well as a few classics like the F6F Hellcat), but they also throw in a couple of exotic "near future" aircraft for fun.
• Each aircraft has a few unlockable color pallets (some of which are fully customizable), and you can tweak their stats with different SP weapons, engines, armor, etc.
• There are 20 in game Medals (achievements) to unlock, as well as character profiles, soundtest, etc.

Graphics: Really quite good for a 3DS game (the snowy mountain environment is particularly beautiful, IMO), and the 3D is fantastic, especially in cockpit view (you can play in either 3rd person, or cockpit). Careful detail is paid attention to even in cockpit mode, where each one actually matches the interior of the plane you're using.

Is it linear paths (like Star Fox), or free range flight?

If you mean on-rails (like SF), then no.

Missions all take place in wide open spaces, and you always have full control over your aircraft.

As a matter of fact, each mission always has one special enemy that's either really far away from the main center of action, only briefly appears, or both, and no matter how many times I play through it, I still haven't found all of them... (they're also usually hidden from radar, until you get close). So, it's worth going out and exploring the mission's map.

Missions are on a time limit, BTW, but they're all something like 15 or 20 minutes, and I've never been in a scenario where I've cut it close, so don't worry about that.

i would like to get this game because i loved ace combat 3 on the playstation when i was younger. but those weird special moves look game breaking for me. it looks like all the skill is taking away and you just have to press Y to AUTOMATICALLY!!! get behind the enemy and then fire a missle: INSTANT WIN.

is it really that bad?

TBH, I just ignore it, and I haven't had a problem outmaneuvering enemies via normal means.

That said, when I did use it on my first runthrough, it wasn't always an insta-kill. Sure, it made normal enemies a breeze, but members of enemy "Ace Squadrons" (especially the leader), and the mysterious "F.O.E." aircraft quickly bank out of view if you try using it on them, or (if you're particularly unlucky) they'll avoid your missile and do it to you. (and this was on "Easy" mode)

I got this game too! Too bad no online play

Just completed my first run on "Normal", so next up is "Hard". Also, you unlock the "Ace" difficulty setting after beating "Normal", so it looks like there are 4 difficulty settings in total.

@Hy8ogen, yeah, multiplayer would have been fun in this one.

@RR529 If you have a PS3, the F2P Ace Combat Infinity is pretty sick.

Switched to cockpit view and disabled all the HUD graphics.

It just makes you feel so baddonkey when you complete even the earliest missions, when the only things you have to go on are the radar on the lower screen & your own vision. There are no graphics to indicate whether or not you're close enough for a missile lock on or close enough to use your machine gun, so it's all on your own instinct.

Also, there's no warning whenever an opponent has a missile lock on you (other than the alarm sound), so you completely have to guess at which direction to pull the analogue pad to evade it! I haven't made a right guess yet...

@Hy8ogen, that sounds cool. How does the F2P work in that?

Is it like Steel Diver: Sub Wars where you get unlimited online with the base fighter, or does it work differently here?

@RR529 Each match you play you will use up 1 fuel point. It takes 4 hours to replenish 1 fuel point and your account will hold up to 3 max. OR you can buy those fuels with cash. For me I'll just play 3 match per day and call it quits

So Nintendo announced Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy PLUS for North America yesterday. I have to say that $40 seems a bit steep, but maybe that's just because I bought the original game for 6 dollars used at Gamestop.

I have to say though, I LOVE this game. It's really close with to overtaking Steamworld Dig as my favorite 3DS game.

Did not expect this to come over! Can't wait for it!