Review | Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown lands on Nintendo Switch

Hey there, elite pilots! Have you ever dreamed of being an ace in the skies? Well, now's your chance! Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has finally arrived on Nintendo Switch, and it's time to fly high with this version that promises lots of action and adrenaline.

Accessibility and Controls

One of the great advantages of Ace Combat 7 is its accessibility. Even though it is a flight simulator, it does not require hours of training to get used to the controls. On the Switch, this is even more evident with the Novice and Expert control modes. In Novice mode, you can fly your plane with ease using only the left analog stick, making the experience more arcade-like, similar to Star Fox 64. In Expert mode, you have full control over the plane, adjusting pitch, roll and yaw, perfect for air combat veterans.

Visual and Performance

Despite the hardware limitations, the Switch port is impressive. The game runs at 720p in docked mode and around 540p in handheld mode, with a stable frame rate of 30fps. Sure, there are some cuts in shadow quality and pop-in of nearby details, but the essentials have been preserved. The weather effects and cloud visuals are particularly impressive, providing an immersive experience during combat.

Campaign and Missions

The campaign of Ace Combat 7 It's the same old thing, anyone who played on the first PlayStation knows what it's all about. It's simply varied and exciting. You go from total destruction missions to intense aerial battles against swarms of drones. The mission structure ends up getting repetitive in the end, but the diversity of objectives and the aircraft customization system keep the game fresh. Oh, and there's the addition of clouds as a mechanic, which adds a layer of strategy, as they affect visibility and missile tracking.

Multiplayer

The multiplayer mode of Ace Combat 7 on the Switch offers modes like Team Deathmatch and Battle Royale. This is where aircraft customization really shines, meaning you'll really feel the weight of the changes you've made to your plane, allowing you to tweak specific parts and weapons to gain an edge in combat. Unfortunately, some DLCs will give you unfair advantages, but the overall experience is quite balanced and rewarding.

Pros:

• Control Accessibility: Novice and Expert control modes allow both newbies and veterans to enjoy the game.
• Impeccable Port: Even with the Switch's limitations, the game maintains impressive visual quality, especially in the weather effects and clouds.
• Variety of Missions: The campaign offers a good variety of objectives, from total destruction to intense aerial combat against drones.
• Engaging Multiplayer: Modes like Team Deathmatch and Battle Royale provide a balanced and personalized combat experience.
• Immersive Sound: Exceptional sound design that increases immersion during combat.

Cons:

• Reduction in Graphic Quality: Some drops in resolution and detail, especially in handheld mode.
• Repetitiveness in Missions: The mission structure can become a bit repetitive over time.
• Expensive DLCs: Some DLCs can provide unfair advantages in multiplayer, in addition to being expensive.
• Reduced Frame Rate: The game runs at 30fps, which can be a significant downgrade for those used to 60fps on other platforms.

Final Grade: 8/10

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown on the Switch is one of the best aerial combat games you'll find on the console. It combines accessibility, a campaign full of varied missions and a multiplayer that keeps you engaged, all of this running smoothly, even with the Switch's limitations. If you enjoy flight simulation or are just looking for a fun and challenging airplane game, this one is the right choice.