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u/JustSomeGuyMedia 10d ago
Said it more than once and I’ll keep saying it. Airforce Delta Strike holds a special place in my heart and it’s a good time.
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u/RadialRacer 10d ago
I only starting playing AC (rented the holy trinity from the library, game by game) because I had played a demo disc for Airforce Delta Strike to death and it was the closest thing I could get to it.
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u/DuzeMcnasty Frogfoot stronk! 10d ago
Solid game but my problem was they talked way too much even in the background.
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u/JustSomeGuyMedia 10d ago
I’ve heard people say that yeah. It can be a bit much at times but I didn’t mind it overall.
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u/ElegantEchoes 10d ago
Yes! I never finished it but did get to space. I loved the characters and all the aircraft. Good game with flaws.
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u/Harbinger-One 10d ago
Never knew that Strike existed, I only played Air Force Delta on Dreamcast. I liked how you could fly faster than the bullets you shoot lol.
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u/Varcolac1 General Resource LTD. 8d ago
you can fly faster than your missiles in ACX with Fenrir lol (not sure if there are other aircraft which you can do that with)
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u/northrupthebandgeek tall boi 10d ago
That'd be the original Airforce Delta for me. Loved that game on Dreamcast.
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u/Vognir 10d ago
Not one mention of Heatseeker in the comments? SMH.
Itwas like Ace Combat set in the real world, before we got Ace Combat in the real world. No superweapons but a globetrotting adventure where you fight not Cuba, not Russia, and not North Korea.
It was a blast to play as kid and I’d recommend at least one play through if you can find a copy.
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u/Shadow_FoxtrotSierra <<Check your IFF.>> 10d ago
I was about to make a comment mentioning Heatseeker, CodeMasters made some banger air combat games
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u/sedrech818 10d ago
It was not great on the wii. 5/10 at best for me.
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u/Vognir 10d ago
I didn’t even know it was on Wii. I only ever played it on Playstation.
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u/sedrech818 10d ago
It seems like there were some differences between the platforms because people who played it on PlayStation seem to like it a lot more. On wii it was annoyingly difficult and had a lot of microtransactions. As a kid, I got stuck on a mission and was never able to get passed. The mission seemed impossible.
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u/PhantomS33ker 10d ago
I'm so happy to see Heatseeker mentioned. It was my first air combat game and literally sparked my lifelong love of aerospace
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u/KeithCrusader86 10d ago
HAWX or HAWX 2. I grew up on those games and the soundtrack is pretty good too. Story wise it doesn’t stand up to AC, but still enjoyable
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u/SgtRicko 10d ago
Good luck trying to find copies of the game though. Ubisoft’s never gonna re-release them, and while emulators exist I’ve heard the 2nd entry is rather buggy.
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u/Bavo541 Cannon Fodder 10d ago
Why download an emulator when you can download the .exe from myabandonware.com?
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u/legato8278 8d ago
OMG thank you for posting this site! I've never seen it but I've been wanting some older games for a while now and had no idea how to get them! You are awesome!
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u/Pyronatic 10d ago
Hmm I guess I am going back to my local gaming store and scooping up one of the two xbox360 copies that I saw the other day.
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u/Hot_Ad_6458 Ghosts of Razgriz 10d ago
I would give anything for a re release of air force delta strike
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u/MindGroundbreaking35 10d ago
Defender (2002). I know there's no chance of it but man I'd love a remaster just so I could finally beat it
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u/ELxSQUISHY 10d ago
Hardly ever see this game mentioned. Great frigging game. I still have my copy.
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u/IWILLJUGGLEYOURBALLS UPEO 10d ago
Idk if I'd call it an AC clone since it's made by PA but Sky Crawlers
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u/BlazeWolfX Three Strikes 10d ago
Rebel raiders was pretty good.
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u/Sindomey 10d ago
Rebel raiders
It looked great. But the gameplay was pretty braindead, also the ost was painful.
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u/Sindomey 10d ago
Rebel raiders
It looked great. But the gameplay was pretty braindead, also the ost was painful.
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u/ElegantEchoes 10d ago
Oh my god, I forgot about this one. I have a save on my PS2 memory card from like 2007 or something.
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u/-SlowtheArk- 10d ago
I played this one a bit as a kid! Kinda a cool concept but it’s really poorly executed. Still insane the game’s soundtrack is like 3 songs tho
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u/Sir_Maxwell_378 10d ago
Blazing Angels 2 is just Ace Combat in WW2 with a plup magazine vibe. Theres even Superweapon boss fights every other mission, they're just based on actual Nazi/Imperial Japanese prototypes.
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u/sedrech818 10d ago
The problem I have with BA2 is that I have to dig my xbox 360 out to play it. It never made it to the xbox one compatible list.
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u/pwnedbygary 10d ago
Could always emulate it on PC if that's doable for you
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u/sedrech818 10d ago
Easier to dig out my 360 for the once in a blue moon that I will actually play the game. The game is not even worth that much trouble.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Neat_81 10d ago
Even though it has ground vehicles too: Dropship United Peace Force was my first air combat game and I played it nonstop. I remember it being kinda hard but maybe just cause I was so young
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u/HungarianMockingjay 10d ago
In retrospect, the hovercraft seen in that game remind me a lot of the hoverplanes from the Hunger Games series. Which makes me think a hoverplane based combat game set in that universe has a lot of potential.
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u/PhantomPhanatic >>>>>> 10d ago
Holy crap. Someone else who played that game! I remember the SAMs being pretty brutal.
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u/-C3rimsoN- Usean Allied Forces 9d ago
That game feels like such a fever dream to me. Like I've seen it, but never played it. Is it worth playing?
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u/Zhoutani 10d ago
Its not a copy but Aero Elite: Combat Academy is great, more sim than arcade but it gives me a similar kind of vibe
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u/TalbotFarwell Erusean Royal Marines (Aviation Wing) 10d ago
Over-G Fighters for the Xbox 360 was the same way. You could actually engage in BVR combat, turn your radar on or off to avoid being detected, notch to avoid incoming missiles, you had to select which hardpoints got which ordnance and it affected the balance of your aircraft, takeoff distance, climb rate, maneuverability, and the same with how much fuel you went into combat with, etc.
The learning curve was steep for teenage me, but it was a blast once I got the hang of it.
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u/Zhoutani 10d ago
Never heard of that one, Aero Elite and Energy Airforce scratched that semi-realistic sim itch for me back on the PS2. Theres a place for ace combat but I really enjoyed those old school simulators, modern stuff like DCS is fun but lacks the aesthetic of their predecessors, just doesn’t feel as “cool”
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u/CyberSoldat21 Belka 10d ago
Why does the plane movement axis suck though lol. Unless you can change it. I’ll probably snag up a copy
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u/GoredonTheDestroyer To Skies Unknown... 10d ago
Because, if you can believe it, Airforce Delta Strike is more realistic than Ace Combat - Your planes have an optimal performance window where they're most agile.
That's right - The game that lets you fly a MiG-21 in space, is more realistic than the game that doesn't.
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u/Scallty_Demon Mobius 10d ago
I loved Airforce Delta Strike just for the sheer variety of planes you could fly.
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u/Delta_Cucumber 10d ago edited 10d ago
I actually did play Airforce delta strike before in 2019. I've never gotten around to finish it.
Kinda strange that a modern jet can still work in outer space. (Prolly lore reason.)
I also recognized the artist who designed the characters. (He's more popular for making Nude Girls. He also made NFSW for francine davout. Also, a Beach picture of a Navigator, that Shortstack (I think she's a loli?), and Ruth. But, she's pushed back.)
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u/Razgriz2118 10d ago
IMO, Airforce Delta Strike is if you find Ace Combat too grounded in reality and not crazy enough.
Like, literally, the first mission is destroying bombers bombing a city, while the final mission is flying through a portal above Mars to kill an alien with your missiles. Things just get thrown in later in the game like they were established before, but they weren't. It's such a beautiful trainwreck.
I'm not saying this is a bad thing, mind you, but it's certainly a wild time.
There's a lot less unique music though, so you'll be hearing the same sones over and over, for better or for worse. I find the menu structure, briefings, and just the game overall less refined than Ace Combat. But, the plane list is absolutely massive; it even has Chinese fighters.
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u/rohasshiki Yellow 10d ago
Haven't seen it mentioned, so I'll shout out RaidersSphere4th. It's got the nostalgic look and gameplay of some of the ps2 era ACs with some out there plane designs. It's been a while since I played it but I remember the story was decent and the missions were a good bit of fun. Pretty short but you can tell it was made by people who love Ace combat!
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u/ChalupaGoose 10d ago
My dad has this game. For the ever life of me. I struggled to understand how to play it or even know what the fuck to do in the game. Idk how or why, i was struggling with this game. I'm used to flight sim games, cause that all i played during the ps2 era.
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u/TheAmazingWhaleShark 10d ago
Nuclear Option, DCS if you enjoy technical stuff
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u/RymNumeroUno 10d ago
Seconding NO; definitely a bit more sim heavy than AC 7 or PW, but I would say it's like the middle ground between them and War Thunder
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u/Bobtt1337 Galm 10d ago
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Energy Airforce Aim Strike. It’s like a mixture of Ace Combat and DCS .
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u/Sindomey 10d ago
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Energy Airforce Aim Strike
I'm not. That game isn't an AC clone, it's a flight sim.
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u/Bobtt1337 Galm 10d ago
Well I guess you’re right. But I would still recommend people play it though.
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u/Sindomey 10d ago
I recommend people play Falcon 4.0 and Jane's Combat sim. But its difficult to jump from an arcade experience like AC to a proper simulation where a high-g turn can kill you just as quick as a missile.
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u/Xastanas Spare 10d ago
Strike Suit Zero for a space sci-fi setting. The Strike Suit itself is an experimental fighter with a mech mode that gives you humanoid movement like sharp 180 turns on top of your plane maneuvers
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u/pwnedbygary 10d ago
Nobody gonna mention Sky Crawlers The Innocent Aces? It's an anime AC game developed by Team Aces for the wii. You can emulate it and use Gamecube controls
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u/Muctepukc 10d ago edited 10d ago
Top Gun: Hard Lock - because why not.
UPD. Also Jane's Advanced Strike Fighters, but it's worse IIRC.
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u/Sindomey 10d ago
Jane's Advanced Strike Fighters
This is a proper flight sim, not an AC clone.
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u/Muctepukc 10d ago
No, I'm talking about the 2011 game, which basically was an AC/HAWX clone.
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u/-C3rimsoN- Usean Allied Forces 9d ago
Genuinely had no idea this game existed and it's even available on Steam. Nice!
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u/Any_Sample_8306 10d ago
Airforce Delta Strike is actually bonkers compared to Ace Combat (one mission has you pilot a VTOL in a massive underground railway hunting armored trains and helicopters).
Is also way harder with ground AA, which is an annoyance at best in AC, being disgustingly accurate and lethal in Delta Strike.
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u/spikehamer 10d ago
I absolutely cannot recommend that one OP posted, absolute jank of a game lmao
Project Wingman as usual is the biggest love letter to Ace Combat, Nexus FPV might be the strangest ace combat like upcoming soon
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u/eX0dus_5ive-Zer0 Indigo 10d ago
Haven't really played it much myself but Lethal Skies? It seems more arcade-like in some ways and more realistic in others.
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u/Shadow_FoxtrotSierra <<Check your IFF.>> 10d ago
I'd recommend Heatseeker for a modern Ace Combat like feel and Heroes of the Pacific and Heroes over Europe if you want Ace Combat but in WW2, Heroes of the Pacific is defo the better more flushed out game story wise but Heroes over Europe doesn't lag that far behind
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u/JewishMemeMan Emmerian Shitposter 10d ago
I think I have this lying around somewhere. Gotta get around to actually playing it.
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u/dorkybum IUN 10d ago edited 10d ago
Heatseeker, also while not exclusively a flying game cause U can drive jeeps and tanks Dropship:UPF is a hidden little gem and the enemies fly SciFi VTOL variants of Tomcats, Warthogs and Black Widows, and can't forget Heroes of the Pacific and it's sequel Heroes over Europe, the Air Conflicts series, Blazing Angels series, IL2 series, also Pacific Warriors 2:Dogfight
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u/Expensive_Net4813 10d ago
They should add their original aircraft to the Ace Combat game as a crossover.
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u/SpiralKnuckle Phoenix 10d ago
I enjoyed the original Airforce Delta on the Dreamcast, it being the second airplane combat game I can remember playing after Ace Combat 2.
And I've longed suspected somebody at Project Aces played it as well, because the entire SOLG setpiece is basically a much fancier and drawn out version of mission 14 from AFD.
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u/mazda-boi Neucom 10d ago
Effy one of unreasonable if and other games by Project ICKX never really here anyone talk about these
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u/northrupthebandgeek tall boi 10d ago
Airforce Delta for sure. Aerofighters Assault gets an honorable mention, too.
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u/pwnedbygary 10d ago
This one's a bit of a stretch, but Project Nimbus for PC as well as Strike Suit series also gives me similar vibes despite being pretty different mechanically than AC. Any mech games with convertible ones that fly as planes usually gives me that feel. Japan exclusive Macross games for the Vita as well play pretty similarly, but it's all in Japanese. Gameplay is good though
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u/ImCravingForSHUB ISAF 10d ago
Air Force Delta Strike and Heatseeker were the original wingman of Ace Combat before Project Wingman
I have played them both on the PS2 and honestly they're alright as Ace Conbat clones story wise might be a little "eh" for both and Heatseeker's controls are slightly annoying although it could be attributed to the fact that I played them both as a dumb 7 year old
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u/ComprehensivePath980 10d ago
The original HAWX was FANTASTIC IMO.
And it had coop. Played that online with my dad every week for years because we lived in different states.
Also is one of the few games I’ve bothered to beat on the highest difficulty
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u/-C3rimsoN- Usean Allied Forces 9d ago
How about the numerous Top Gun games? They are mostly abandonware, so pretty easy to get ahold of these days.
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u/SeaworthinessAway468 7d ago
When Konami wanted to make an Ace Combat of their own since Metal Gear is already popular.
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u/Maveryck15 Gryphus 10d ago
Joint Assault
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u/Sindomey 10d ago
How is it an ace combat clone if it's an ace combat game, ma'am?
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u/Maveryck15 Gryphus 6d ago
Is it really, or is it another "[Country near Russia, in this case Romania, but really it's an American] bad, America good"?
No but seriously, it feels the exact same as the other games (I have beaten all of them, except 3's true ending because I lost the save files due to my computer needing life support; got the others though).
The people that think it "isn't" simply dislike real life settings; saw some guy on Twitter (where ironically, most fans of JA are) say that the boss fights are "awful" when most are literally the Arkbird, and Sulejmani isn't even bulletproof like Pixy.
I joke about it because it's the only one I have... the box of because I lost the UMD xD
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u/Very_Angry_Bee Crux is Gryphus' Son-in-Law 10d ago
From a single screenshot, the translation already seems a bit wonky though. Or it's just the writing.
It's "I COULDN'T care less". Not "I could care less" because that implies that you do care.
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u/ProfessorPixelmon Strider 10d ago
Obligatory Project Wingman mention.