Air Combat (PS1)


 * For the arcade release, see Air Combat (arcade).

Air Combat is the first title of Namco's Ace Combat series. The original Japanese title for the game was Ace Combat; this became the series' official title from the sequel onwards.

Plot
In an island nation, a well-armed coup d'état force arises, quickly overwhelming the legitimate government. Attempts by the "loyalist" forces to fight back have been foiled by repeated surprise attacks from the terrorist forces, preventing any possible chance of retaliation. As a last resort, the government hires a group of mercenary fighter pilots from across the world, known as the "Phoenix Squadron". In exchange for their services, they would be compensated with economical rewards, as well as being recognized by the government as the "premiere top guns of the world."

Thus, the mercenaries begin their liberation mission. Led by Phoenix One, they go on several missions across the country, raiding vital insurgent-controlled sites such as oil refineries and liberating areas such as cities and military ports. Eventually, they make their way towards the enemy's main stronghold at Scorpion Island, severing the base's connection to the mainland by destroying its airbase and main suspension bridge.

After an infiltration operation at a ravine in the country's northeastern region, the loyalist forces discover that the rebels have a final trump card: a gigantic airborne forward base, which was detected approaching friendly territory. The Phoenix mercenaries launched in their final sortie, intercepting the airship over the eastern ocean. After an epic battle, the heavy command cruiser came into grief, and started falling into the sea. The Phoenix team was then contacted by a government official, who thanked them for their efforts in liberating the country and restoring the legitimate government, becoming national heroes.

Gameplay
Air Combat is, in nature, an "arcade" style game, due to the fact that aircraft can carry an unrealistic number of missiles and ammo for the gun. The game's main goal is to destroy all designated targets (marked "TGT") in each level. As they destroy targets, the player will gain money to buy new aircraft; as well, there are non-vital targets that will net the player with extra cash. The player can select a number of aircraft for each mission, including the F-4E Phantom II, the A-10A Thunderbolt II and the MiG-31 Foxhound. Due to the game's semi-realistic nature, it is perfectly possible to launch with aircraft not fit for certain missions (for example, launching in an interception mission with a ground attack aircraft.)

From mission 04 onwards, the player will be able to deploy alongside a wingman. In the briefing screen, the player can give one of three orders to the AI ally, these being "Cover Me" (aircraft flies cover for the player), "Commence" (mission objective) and "On your own" (aircraft separates from the player and engages enemies at will.)

Aircraft
Air Combat has several planes to choose from. Each plane has different strengths and weaknesses and it is up to the player to determine which aircraft best suits each mission. Unlike its sequels, Air Combat applies a themed mercenary paint job to each plane (see cover art) once it is purchased.

Air Combat designation followed by real designation inside brackets.

Playable Aircraft Wingmen Allies vehicles and equipment
 * F-4 (F-4E Phantom II)
 * F-14 (F-14A Tomcat)
 * F-15 (F-15C Eagle)
 * F-16 (F-16C Fighting Falcon)
 * F/A-18 (F/A-18C Hornet)
 * F-117 (F-117A Nighthawk)
 * F-22 (YF-22A Lightning II)
 * YF-23 (YF-23A Black Widow II)
 * Su-27 (Su-27M or Su-35 'Flanker-E')
 * MiG-29 (MiG-29S Izdelyie 9-13S 'Fulcrum-C')
 * MiG-31 (MiG-31B 'Foxhound-A')
 * SF-39 (JAS-39A Gripen A)
 * R-C01 (Rafale C)
 * TND-F.2 (Tornado F.2)
 * EF2000 (Typhoon F.2 at the time designated Eurofighter 2000/Typhoon DA.2)
 * A-10 (A-10A Thunderbolt II)
 * F-4 'William'
 * F-14 'Sergio'
 * F-15 'Joe'
 * F-16 'Bill'
 * F/A-18 'Riho'
 * F-117 'Barron'
 * F-22 'Hal'
 * YF-23 'Martin'
 * Su-27 'Yang'
 * MiG-29 'Timothy'
 * MiG-31 'Yully'
 * SF-39 'Fritz'
 * R-C01 'Ana'
 * TND-F.2 'Phillip'
 * EF2000 'Juliette'
 * A-10 'Sally'
 * C-5 (C-5A Galaxy)
 * M151A1
 * Kalashnikov AKM

Coup d'état Air Force Bombers Fighters Attackers AWACS Transport Helicopter Coup d'état Navy Coup d'état Army
 * B-1 (B-1B Lancer)
 * B-2 (B-2A Spirit)
 * B-52 (B-52H Stratofortress)
 * F-4 (F-4E Phantom II)
 * F-14 (F-14A Tomcat)
 * F-15 (F-15C Eagle)
 * F-16 (F-16C Fighting Falcon)
 * F/A-18 (F/A-18C Hornet)
 * F-22 (YF-22A Lightning II)
 * YF-23 (YF-23A Black Widow II)
 * Su-27 (Su-27M or Su-35 'Flanker-E')
 * MiG-29 (MiG-29S Izdelyie 9-13S 'Fulcrum-C')
 * MiG-31 (MiG-31B 'Foxhound-A')
 * SF-39 (JAS-39A Gripen A)
 * R-C01 (Rafale C)
 * TND-F.2 (Tornado F.2)
 * EF2000 (Typhoon F.2 at the time designated Eurofighter 2000/Typhoon DA.2)
 * F-117 (F-117A Nighthawk)
 * AV-8 (AV-8B Harrier II)
 * A-10 (A-10A Thunderbolt II)
 * E-767
 * C-5 (C-5A Galaxy)
 * RAH-66 (RAH-66 Comanche)
 * Kongo-class AEGIS destroyer
 * Nimitz-class aircraft carrier
 * M1A1 Abrams MBT
 * T-80BV MBT
 * MP5

Trivia

 * A background magazine for Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies makes mention of a military commander named Michael Riass, who "crushed an anti-government stronghold in the southern island of Scali" in 1995, implying that the events of the game are canon.
 * Air Combat is the only game of the series not to have ranks in any way whatsoever. As well, it is the only game to have no fictional fighter designs, unlike other games.
 * Originally, Namco planned to implement replay and landing/take-off features to be included in the game. Namco finally got the replay feature working the week after the game was submitted for approval. The landing and take-off feature was up and running in a limited fashion just three weeks after that. Afterwards Namco actually tried to implement both of these features in the game afterwards, but they didn’t make cut before the launch. In the end, a copy of Air Combat with the replay and landing/take-off features is something only the development team has.
 * There are a bunch of unlockables hidden within the game which allows the player to active a selection of cheats and the Phoenix mini game.

Game Editions and Release Dates

 * Ace Combat (SLPS-00061) 30th June 1995
 * Ace Combat (PlayStation the Best Edition SLPS-91005) 9th August 1996
 * Air Combat (Long Box Edition SLUS-00001) 13th September 1995
 * Air Combat (Greatest Hits Edition SLUS-00001)
 * Air Combat (SCES-00007) 10th October 1995
 * Air Combat (Value Series Edition SCES-00007)
 * Air Combat (Platinum Edition SCES-00007)