Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown brought PC players the long-awaited continuation of the arcade aerial combat series that combines spectacular, cinematically staged dogfights with a fictional wartime story set in the world of Strangereal. As a fighter pilot, the player progresses through increasingly demanding missions filled with enemy fighters, huge aircraft carriers and futuristic weapon systems, while the plot combines political intrigue with the personal story of the main character, whose past is gradually revealed.

The gameplay builds on an accessible yet satisfying flight model that focuses on smooth maneuvering, target locking and the spectacular use of special weapons rather than full simulation accuracy. The missions offer great visual variety, from storm fronts through mountains to space elevators and other grandiose structures, lending the series its typically spectacular character and sense of drama. Virtual reality support for part of the content further heightens the feeling of immersion in aerial battles and flying the aircraft from the cockpit, a rather rare feature for purely arcade aerial combat.

The musical score and cinematic cutscenes have long been among the series' strongest points, and Skies Unknown continues this tradition, with bombastic orchestral pieces accompanying key battles and dramatic story turns. At release, the title was well received as a return to the series' roots after detours into more realistically styled spin-offs, and it is often cited as one of the best entries in the series, comparable to the franchise's earlier high points. For fans of arcade aerial combat, it offers one of the most cohesive and visually striking experiences of the genre on PC, thanks in part to its engaging audiovisual treatment of individual missions and their carefully constructed dramaturgy.

Why play it: For fans of arcade aerial combat craving bombastic music, cinematic cutscenes and a return to the series' roots after detours into more realistic spin-offs.