The ERS aid is always optional, and the G limiter is the only thing really removed when you go "ASSISTANCE OFF". There is, however, no way to keep the limiter off and maintain an in-cockpit view.

Could have fooled me. It was most certainly not difficult to do. I did it to see if it could be done one of the times I played through it and it was fine. Maybe on the harder difficulties, but the easy peasy shit of normal mode that the demo offers made this not a difficult task.

After playing the demo seven or so times, I can confirm that while it's complete shit, you eventually figure it out. It's still the absolute worst exterior lock on cam I've ever seen, but at least it's eventually usable.

The assistance off mode definitely pissed me off the first time I tried it out. I really wish that the camera view was positioned behind the plane or retained whatever perspective you were in. Other than that I did have a blast playing it and plan on picking it up.

If anyone wants to do a co-op on the demo, shoot me a message.

Team Deathmatch trailer (GameTrailers.com)

Aside from showing off the MiG-29 and YF-23, this does give us a couple of important pointers:

• the EMP strike is similar to its EndWar counterpart in that it crashes its targets' systems temporarily. As far as I can tell from this video, that means instant-stall, and probably disables targeting and missiles; and
• the missile tracking system does, in fact, let you know just what kind of unpleasantness is trying to introduce itself to you

Another thing I'm curious about: whether the host of a competitive match can configure it in such a way that, for instance, no special weapons are available (or, indeed, no missiles of any sort for a 'Winchester match'). Or determine which support powers, if any, are available.

A gun match would be pointless in this game. Between the assistance off mode where manually aiming is exceptionally difficult from a required precision standpoint, but entering it would make it hard for those trying to aim to keep up in performance. It would 10 minutes of no one getting shot since no one on the offensive could get a kill and no one on the defensive would be able to counter before the other player went into bullshit mode to evade. Yeah, no. Fuck that.

Gun matches work better when you're not intentionally gimped.

You want gun matches? Wait until Sturmovik comes out in summer.

I downloaded the demo for the psn version, and I must say it's not too bad. The lvling is cool, got myself the Su-35 ;D. Id love to play this game with someone if they got it on PSN. Its definitely a game id like to play for real thats for sure. But the whole 'advanced' thing is a little weird...I guess it would be good for real ace matches...but I dont think id ever use that mode otherwise. Ace Combat style FTW, sorry.

Or play Blazing Angels with the rockets turned off.

Finally got around to trying the demo for this. Like everyone else I find the "off mode" to be pretty hilarious, but I also find it fun. Since it's not much like flying a plane I'm probably a lot better at it than I'd be at the game if I only had conventional controls.

It really feels more like powersliding a missile firing car more than anything else. Powersliding in three dimensions.

It depresses me greatly that anyone might actually look back at that experience fondly.

Behave, the online dogfights were awesome fun, although that had a lot to do with the fact that most of the kids playing it had no fucking clue about basic aerial combat tactics and just tried to loop round you at minimum speed all the time, meaning you could merrily slaughter them for hours. An online game I'm actually very good at is a rare thing you know.

Zaku over at Ace Combat Skies was kind enough to share his attempt at identifying all the plane silhouettes show in this image:


The provenance of this image is currently unclear; it is believed to be a collection of the silhouettes associated with that portion of the HUD dsplaying your craft's health and weapons status. If this is indeed so, the list of playable craft is considerably larger than claimed in this official blog entry.
On another note, I thought the opinion shared in this thread on the official forum might be of interest.

Seems like most of the extra ones are just airframe variants though. The only two new ones I spotted were the X-29 and the Tornadoes.

Also of interest: I don't see it on the trophy lists anymore, but there was an award called "defying gravity." It was awarded for being in "off mode" in a fighter with the unstable perk for 10 minutes in a multiplayer match. Sounds like there are planes that behave better in "on mode". Good news for the people that hate what off mode plays like.

"Unstable" is probably analogous to "stall happy". Probably has less to do with increased performance in "on mode" and more to do with watching the fuck out with what you're doing instead of being all willynillyfaggot. The CFA-44 in AC6 is a similar concept.

The three "preorder exclusive" planes are luckily similar to Burnout Paradise's store themed cars in that they can be unlocked with an in-game code instead of some shitty DLC unlock key, fucking over the rest of us.

For those interested:

* FB-22 Strike Raptor - Hold Left Trigger and press Right Bumper, X, Right Bumper, X, Right Bumper, Y
* A-12 Avenger II - Hold Left Trigger and press X, Left Bumper, X, Right Bumper, Y, X
* F-18 HARV - Hold Left Trigger and press Left Bumper, Y, Left Bumper, Y, Left Bumper X

I think I'm forgetting one but I couldn't find the code for it.

I would assume the codes are the same for the triple version, just replace with respective triggers/shoulder buttons/face buttons, but don't quote me on that.

Nope; that's all three 'preorder exclusives'; the others - the J35 and XA-20 - merely require a valid Ubisoft forum account. Note that all but the J35 have level requisites for use in campaign missions.

Having played through the entire campaign, I will have to modify this statement. There are two missions portions of which require ERS... all I will say here is that one has been likened to 'worms eating through an apple', and the other has you chasing something... unpleasant... through a major city.

Yeah, I adapted them to the PS3 pad and they worked just fine. You forgot to mention they'll only work while you're on the hangar screen though.

For those two lazy to work it out:

• FB-22 Strike Raptor - Hold L2 and press R1, square, R1, square, R1, triangle
  
• A-12 Avenger II - Hold L2 and press square, L1, square, R1, triangle, square
  
• F-18 HARV - Hold L2 and press L1, triangle, L1, triangle, L1, square

Been playing HAWX since I got it, and Im sorry...but I fucking love it. The experience bar really adds an addicting flavor to it, and trying out a Co-Op game was absolutely awesome. Id love to play with anyone here on ps3. :)

Alredy beaten it.
the final mission was a bit of dissapointment .

the variety of planes are awesome and I had a blast with this game.