Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is an arcade-style aerial combat game that places players in the cockpit of advanced fighter jets for fast-paced dogfights and mission-based sorties across photorealistic skies. The experience emphasizes full 360-degree aircraft movement and responsive controls that reward precise maneuvering in both single-player and multiplayer settings. On Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, the title delivers the core loop of selecting aircraft, equipping weapons, and engaging enemy forces while dealing with dynamic environmental factors.
Gameplay
Players control jets with two primary control schemes. Standard mode offers intuitive turning similar to most action games, while Expert mode provides greater precision by separating roll and pitch inputs for advanced maneuvers. Difficulty options range from Rookie to Elite, allowing adjustments to enemy aggression and damage output. Missions incorporate air-to-air and air-to-ground objectives, with machine guns, heat-seeking missiles, and special weapons forming the arsenal. Each aircraft supports up to three special weapons alongside standard loadouts.
Progression centers on the Aircraft Tree, where Military Result Points earned from missions unlock new planes, parts, and equipment. Upgrades are limited to eight parts at a time with weight restrictions that influence performance. Weather conditions such as clouds, wind, and storms visibly impact visibility, aircraft handling, and the heads-up display, adding layers of challenge during sorties. The campaign consists of 20 missions that mix interception, escort, and bombing runs with increasing complexity.
Game Modes
The single-player campaign forms the main experience, guiding players through a sequence of structured missions with briefing screens that outline objectives and enemy placements. Missions can include optional minigames like in-flight refueling or landings for extra points, though these remain skippable.
Multiplayer supports online matches with up to eight participants. Team Deathmatch pits squads of two to four players against each other in score-based battles, while Battle Royale operates as a free-for-all where individuals accumulate points by damaging or destroying opponents. Matches end when a player or team reaches the score limit or the timer expires, with higher-scoring targets awarding bonus points. Environmental hazards from the campaign carry over into these modes, and aircraft customization remains available throughout.
Aircraft and Progression
A wide selection of jets becomes available through the Aircraft Tree, each with distinct handling characteristics suited to different roles. Parts enhance speed, survivability, or weapon performance, though certain upgrades apply only to multiplayer. The included F-104C: Avril serves as a bonus aircraft unlocked with purchase, expanding early options for sorties. Players earn points across both campaign and multiplayer to expand their collection steadily.
Is It Worth Playing?
The campaign delivers consistent mission variety and satisfying aerial combat that holds up well for players seeking focused single-player content. Multiplayer provides straightforward score-based dogfights that suit quick sessions, though population levels vary by time of day. Reviews highlight strong visuals, responsive flight mechanics, and replay value through mission rankings and customization. The game suits enthusiasts of arcade flight combat who prioritize pilot skill over simulation realism, with the campaign offering the strongest draw and multiplayer adding competitive variety for those with stable online access.
