Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (PlayStation)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  James Mielke
• Reviewed on: 06/22/1999
• Updated on: 04/28/2000
• Released on: 03/02/2000
• Originally published on GameSpot: Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (PlayStation) Review

Namco's Ace Combat has a reputation for quality that is practically unassailable. The first game was a flawed but functional arcade-style shooter (which is Namco's forte, after all), but the second episode was such a substantial leap in quality (comparable to the leap from Ridge Racer Revolution to Rage Racer) that everyone sat up and took notice. Ace Combat 2 was extremely playable: It had a multitude of missions, branching paths, and a wide array of planes to earn depending on the paths you took and your level of success, for which you were given a score at the end of each level. Seeing as how Ridge Racer Type 4 was the expected logical step forward in terms of playability and graphic expertise, surely then, so too must Ace Combat 3 be.

Yes, the game reeks of high production values, this much is true. However, the double-disc set of high-quality animation, as evidenced by the import version's stunning opening cinema, has been chopped from the American release. Considering the copious lead time Namco Hometek (Namco's US division) had with the game, one would have assumed that translation of the dialogue was taking place. Sadly, this is anything but the case. The original animation featured throughout the game showed cutscenes and mission briefings outlined in glorious detail between each successful sortie. Now, the game merely offers a text-only screen that gives you a simple outline of your mission objectives. While most US gamers will never know what they're missing, to someone who's played the import version and hoped to enjoy the storyline in English, this is nothing short of heartbreaking.

The graphics have taken an incremental step forward over the second game, with lush light sourcing, cleverly hidden horizon draw-in, sexy aircraft designs (once you've unlocked the better jets of course), and nice environmental effects. Due to the wide-open nature of the game, the graphical upgrade has less of an impact than that of watching the Ridge Racer series mature, but the game is pretty, there's no doubt about that.

The sad thing is how predictable the game turned out. Despite the presence of certain path selections, the game is primarily a linear experience. Unfortunately, despite the efforts made to create the complete Ace Combat experience, the game suffers in spite of them. Here's why.

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