Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

{
"short": "Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, a combat flight simulator, thrusts players into intense aerial warfare across diverse global locations. Developed by Namco Bandai Games, the game offers single-player, multiplayer, and co-operative modes.",
"long": "## Introduction\n\n*Ace Combat: Assault Horizon* is a combat flight simulator game that plunges players into the heart of aerial warfare. Developed by Project Aces and published by Namco Bandai Games, the game offers a blend of single-player, multiplayer, and co-operative modes, allowing players to experience the thrill of flight combat from both first-person and third-person perspectives. A key feature is the "Dogfighting Mode" (DFM), designed to heighten the intensity of engagements. The game departs from the fictional Strangereal setting of previous *Ace Combat* titles, opting for real-world locations and a narrative focused on modern warfare.\n\n## Development & Release\n\nDeveloped by Project Aces, a team within Namco Bandai Games, *Ace Combat: Assault Horizon* was released on October 11, 2011, for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game's score was composed by Hiroshi Okubo, with Kazutoki Kono serving as the director. The game later saw a PC release in January 2013 via Steam and Games for Windows – Live. A notable aspect of the game's development was the involvement of non-Japanese writers in crafting the narrative, including author Jim DeFelice. The game's setting is the real world, unlike the fictional setting of Strangereal in most *Ace Combat* games.\n\n## Gameplay & Content\n\nThe core gameplay loop revolves around intense aerial combat missions, offering both "Optimum" and "Original" control schemes for players. The game features various modes, including single-player campaigns, multiplayer deathmatches, and co-operative missions. Players can engage in aerial combat across diverse locations like Miami, East Africa, Moscow, and Dubai. The single-player campaign offers an estimated completionist playtime of 76.6 hours. The game's narrative follows the United Nations' 108th Task Force, a joint NATO-Russia military organization, as they combat a rebellion spreading across East Africa. New modes such as "Capital Conquest" and "Domination" were added for a diverse multiplayer experience.\n\n## Critical Reception\n\n*Ace Combat: Assault Horizon* received a generally positive reception upon its initial release. The game holds a Metacritic score of 77/100, indicating favorable reviews from critics. Reviewers praised the game's settings, graphics, and soundtrack. However, some critics pointed to repetitive gameplay and scripted elements as potential drawbacks. The game garnered praise for its intense combat and engaging environments."
}