Staging hui, mood Pooh

First of all: I have made the AC-only series "Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation" played (several times) and put it today like another.

The first small disappointment: Contrary to the initial announcement by Namco, is the "Limited Edition" is not delivered in a Steelbook, but in a cardboard box, in which the DVD case is. By contrast, it has promised the soundtrack (14 tracks, 68 min.) Made in the shell, as well as the bonus aircraft (DLC) and the (as expected not really) autographed notebook (paper waste).

Tip: AC veteran should change the jet control on "Original", thereby rolling the aircraft is possible.

Gameplay:
The traditional (and also criticized) "Pixel Shooting" the series is available in "Assault Horizon" only a fraction. In the air battles must turn especially to the main objectives of a mission, called the. "Dogfight mode" are changed (DFM), which is activated with appropriate proximity to enemy aircraft by key combination. Your aircraft is maneuvering in DFM almost of its own accord, but the persecuted opponents to be targeted by crosshairs and followed in order to maintain the DFM. Depending on the opponent and the flying skills, especially in later Mission is not always as easy as the game starts. The shooting down of the targeted pixel as previously successful only in very rare cases.

For me, the DFM was an enormous change at the beginning. After playing through the campaign makes it for me now but little difference more, whether I like before the "red pixel" abschieße or DFM activate to bring order to track opponents. It is anyway mainly busy his plane in the optimum DFM position to bring or to shake off their pursuers, which can also track the DFM the player by the way. In DFM is available in each mission several scripted passages that lead the player into a wild ride through urban canyons or refineries. Is acknowledged an enemy firing in DFM with corresponding firing animation. A DFM-like mode for ground targets there are, incidentally, also this an appropriate entry point must be approached in order to activate this.

Unfortunately, there is no wingman commands more and no commands to "allied support" request, which have facilitated the fly in AC6. Ever one gets from the supportive benefactions of his colleagues with little, if they occur at all.

Every now and then there is also a small "QuickTime Event" to "master", which, however, is by simply pressing the Y button no hurdle.

Missions:
Total expects you 16 missions, of which 2 by helicopter, 1 bomber and Gunshipmission and 2 missions as Gunner in Black Hawk (unless you count the intro). The rest of you are flying with the fighter jet, thus mutes enemy squadrons and / or combat ground targets (3 missions). The missions came to me compared to AC6 long time ago and are linear (while you could choose between different tasks within these in AC6). Thus, the emissions do not fall quite so varied like the predecessor.

The two missions to the Apache attack helicopters, I found surprisingly fun, even with the control I had - contrary to many reviews - no problems. Eventually it runs out but on simple sighting of the target and fires. The Black Hawk missions as Gatlingschütze are too confusing and an unnecessary interludes, as well as the comparable with CoD Gunship Plink.

The aircraft can be selected at the beginning of each mission (Bomber / Jet), a sale of these and those additional weapons is not necessary. Depending on the game progress widens this selection.

The difficulty level increases rapidly in the later missions make especially the followers quite often from DFM use what a few flying skills demanded.

Graphics and sound:
Graphically has "Assault Horizon" a few treats (eg, airplanes, enemy kills), but also affords some gaffe. While the AC-typical blurry ground textures are also included, are disappointing for me against the unclean modeled characters in the cutscenes - the better off today. The total package is right, however: The towns look authentic modeled graphically wear sky, terrain, weather and clouds, much to the flight mood. Praise goes to the soundtrack, which (now also in German adjustable English but mandatory!) Contributes his part coupled with the cool radio messages to the sound staging.

Story:
However, contrary to the big announcements the story degenerates into a sideshow. Above all, it has been neglected - in contrast to the graphics and the sounds - to convey an atmosphere. I had during the missions never feel to be part of a team which has impressed me particularly in AH6. The reason I give the little existing Jet-ground defense mission, the player's frequently changing role. In the skin of other protagonists and the sometimes hectic running and successive missions Immersed in the story I really have never and I have not (yet) found after the first play my role as a character in the game.

Conclusion:
The successful staging of graphics and sound, can not disguise the extent emotionless story and nonexistent relationship with the characters. I never felt as a part of the whole, which has dragged me in AH6. The culprit is the less often criticized as a "rail shooter" Dogfight mode, but the fact that really comes through changes in different aircraft and characters, never mood. This is indeed tempted by the hiss sequence, but with me was unsuccessful. This one his colleagues in the game are actually indifferent, because you feel alone to fight against all (by missing wingman commands and significant allied support). (1 star deduction)

The nearest star is subtracted for static missions, here I would have liked more choice I would deny that portions of a mission. This one would at least be able to suggest a bit more variety.

Fun has given me the flier Action nonetheless prepares (hence the higher fun factor). Perhaps the mood of the game matures after repeated playing through something, as is the case with a good music CD. All in all, it has been attempted by the hatching of the player in different roles and their flying machines too much to accommodate a AC6 typical atmospheric mood thereby failed to establish.