[PSP] Ace Combat X (PSP)

So Namco dropped the bomb and stated in the recent issue of Famitsu that they're developping an Ace Combat game for Sony's PlayStation Portable handheld console scheduled for a fall 2006 release.

I couldn't dig up any other official source besides GameFront.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

It's going to be a solid game. Not quite the epic scale of 5 and Zero, but a satisfying experience at least. I'd love to have Ace Combat on my PSP. I can also imagine that the controls will be just fine.

A dynamic campaign with strategy elements sounds good, too.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Game Watch now has a bunch of high quality screenshots up:





















List of aircraft in the game now includes the F2-A, F-14D, MiG-31 and Tornado.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Did anyone notice the target selection box in the upper left? It also seems like you can select individual groups of targets (indicated in the upper right display). I'm willing to bet that these are elements of the "strategic A.I. system" mentioned by IGN.

Maybe you can focus on various targets during a mission and affect the way the current or consecutive missions will unfold. Additionally, you might be able to help your allies (air, ground and naval forces) by prioritizing targets.

Anyhow, this feature sounds very interesting and surely will make Ace Combat's handheld debut a unique experience.

As far as graphics are concerned, they show the obvious flaws of the PSP hardware: blurry and undefined textures. On the other hand, it manages to display a comparably high level of detail and number of objects (I haven't seen an equally detailed bridge in any of the PS2 AC games).

I think this will definitely be on par with AC4's graphics by the time it comes out.

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Still, I can't see an Ace Combat game not sharing the same universe with its PS1 and PS2 brethren.

It might not be directly connected with the events taking place in AC4 or AC5 und Zero, but I'm pretty certain it will be part of the bigger AC universe.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Snatched a couple of awesome screenshots off the official Namco site depicting cutscenes:









Looks like the people of Aurelia speak French and the story is going to be told AC4-style. Seriously, I can't wait for this. Ace Combat X is easily my most anticipated PSP game ever.

Oh, and it looks like we've got our first squadron insignia:



What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Everything about that trailer was excellent. The storytelling seems right up there with AC04, graphics are awesome and the music was great.

Again, can't wait to have this on my PSP. I'm sure this will be a sweet experience.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Shonos

I thought it took place in another world? Now it seems it takes place in the same one?

I think this was a misinterpretation of a Namco spokesperson. I guess they just meant that the story of ACX isn't in any way connected to the other games in the series, so to emphasize that this is an entirely new game and not some lame expansion or add-on.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Heaven forbid AC6 is going to have such futuristic planes all over the place. AC3 was essentially the worst game in the entire series. What would Ace Combat be without our familiar planes such as the F14, F22 and Su-37s?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

'Project ACES' is Ace Combat 4, 5 and Zero, right?

So why don't they just state that it's in the same universe as all previous Ace Combat games?

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I searched all over the web, but everyone seems to be giving contradicting release dates for this games. Sorry, but does anyone have some sort of solid confirmation on Ace Combat X's debut in the States?

In other news, some new screenshots released by IGN:















Damn, this game is shaping up to look fucking awesome. Still can't imagine how it will be to play a "real" Ace Combat game on my PSP, though.

Question: Did the F-16XL (first and fourth image) ever appear in the series prior to ACX?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

According to GamePro.com: September 19 (lol)

According to IGN and GameSpy: October 17

According to Amazon.com: October 23

According to Wikipedia: October 24

According to Playstation.com: Sometime in October

What's the fucking release date for this?

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Haha, IGN just changed the release date for this game to October 24.

I was speaking idiomatically.

If I find the time and required tools, I'll attempt to rip some music this time again.

Five days to go.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Where is that UK site at?

How ya doing, buddy?

Track 1
Track 2
Track 3
Track 4
Track 5
Track 6

All digitally recorded from website, because I didn't feel like messing with the HTML source and Flash decompiling. Enjoy.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Yeah, this game seems to be in fucking stealth mode, although it's been officially released today.

I've been looking all over the place for a retail copy, but as of now, it hasn't even surfaced on P2P networks. Damn you Namco, I need to play this, now!

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Does it require the latest 2.81 firmware? Oh please don't tell me it does ...

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Mobius One

I'm off to buy a memory stick so that I can SAVE REPLAYS. That's right, you heard me.

I came.

Also, the ISO that's out now reportedly works with DevHook 0.46. ;-)

First impressions:

God, this game is wonderful. Ace Combat X is definitely the best the PSP currently has to offer. It's shockingly close to the PS2 installments of the series in terms of ... everything.

Controls, graphics, instensity, fun, drama, soundtrack. It's there. It's all there. Everything you would have expected from AC6 (if it was released on the PS2 now) is packed in this utterly amazing game.

Seriously, this is a game worth buying a PSP for.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I've made a few screenshots myself while playing, just look at what the PSP is capable of in terms of graphics:



The Sleipnir under attack by the Aurelian fleet.




Tomcat in the snow.




Preparing for the attack on Griswall.




Final mission, right after taking down the Fenrirs.




Shock cannon going down in flames.


Don't be confused by the German texts, this game comes in multiple languages (speech is English, though) and there seems to be no option for changing this.

Also, I'm doing a line in analog recording of the music from the music player (unlocked once you complete the game). 24 tracks total, about halfway through. Expect some nice music here soon ...

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

www.nullpunktseite.de/acxrip/

Have fun.

Don't expect perfect quality, though. It's an analog line recording with cracks, hisses and distortion all over the place. If you can help with properly identifying/naming the tracks, be my guest.

I was speaking idiomatically.

The game comes with a 2.81 firmware upgrade on the disc, but it's perfectly playable on 1.5 with DevHook emulating 2.71.

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Originally Posted by Mobius One

Anyone try X Link yet? Once my brother leaves town, I'll have nobody for cannon fodder.

Last time I tried using Xlink for my PSP, it required some sort of special wireless adapter and mine wasn't supported. I need to do some further reading on this, though.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Firefly

You, sir, win for sharing this. Do you mind terribly if I let the folks over at AceCombatSkies.com in on this?

I don't mind. Would be nice of you if you gave credit where it's due, though. Also, try to link to the URL only, not the files directly.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?