Air Combat/Getting Started

Ace Combat is mostly considered an "arcade style" flight game due to its semi-realistic physics and the fact that many planes can carry 65 missiles. The goal of the game is to destroy enemy targets dispersed throughout the various levels and earn money (something that continues with the current Ace Combat games). There are non-target enemies that the player can also destroy to earn some extra cash. The player can choose from several different planes in the game ranging from F-4 Phantoms to Su-27 Flankers and Stealth aircraft; optionally the player can select a wingman to accompany them during a mission, the player can "instruct" the wingman to perform one of three actions:

1. Cover Me
2. Commence (Mission Objective)
3. On your own (fire at will)

Aircraft

Ace Combat has several planes to choose from. Each plane has different strengths and weaknesses and it is up to the player to determine which aircraft best suits each mission. Unlike its sequels, Ace Combat applies a themed mercenary paint job to each plane once it is purchased.