Customer Reviews

Ace Combat 3 Electrosphere

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Put simply, this is the best flight simulator I have ever played. The controls are exact, but do take some getting used to (about a half hour was needed for me), and the graphics are wonderful. The first thought that crossed my mind was...this is a Playstation game? Along with the beautiful graphics and crisp controls is a soundtrack that blends into the background, providing just the right amount of ambient noise so you don't drift off into la-la land during play. Also, the story, though rather simple (good vs. bad) is set up nicely and provides just the right excuse for us to want to get inside the cockpit and blast every thing visible out of the sky. A definate winner, and a must-have for any fan of the genre - also a good game if you are a first-timer with the flight simulator type game.

Or as it should be titled. It seems that everyone is sacrificing quality for excitment. Acecombat 2 was more exciting than Acecombat 3 for one main reason, speed. In Ace2 you had better handling, you can always count on your plane turning when you wanted to. You had the option of configuring your joysticks so you can utilize all the buttons, I don't know about anyone else but when I think of shooting a missle or guns I think "Trigger". I really enjoyed Ace2 because it was always a challenge, you always had to work really hard to get to the next level or get new planes. Ace2 planes moved so well that my wife could not watch the television during dog fights or she would get nauseous. Now lets look at the flipside of that, Ace3 has great graphics. That should be all but I can add a few more credits. I thought it was great how they added the directional ring on the HUD which tells you which direction you're facing and even if you're upside down. The sound is better and it did have a few surprises locked away. I was blown away with the plane/spaceship which was totally unexpected but a nice addition. The total downside to Ace3 was the lack of joystick configuration, how badly the planes handle and did I mention how slow it is. It's even amazing to me that I can say all this about this game and I only had since this morning. I waited so long for this game to come out and I must say I was greatly dissapointed. I always thought that when something comes in series, the next number is better that the last, not the case here. This game though it may look good does not deliver the same adrenaline pumping excitment Ace2 did. It's so mind-numbing my wife can play it. ACE3 should have been the training game to prepare for Ace2 and even though I'm only halfway through the game I still wouldn't be ready.

I have been enjoying the ace combat series for sometime now. But this one leaves alot to be desired. The mission briefs were dull and very uninspired. The missions themselves were very similar. It didn't take long before one mission seemed the same as the next. The aircraft designs were very cool and that was the best part of the game. Some of them were nigh brilliant. Although most of them were enemy aircraft.

I finished the game in around 3 hours which makes its lasting appeal minimal. I am waiting to see what they are going to do on the PS2.

If you played the others then give it a play. It's still an okay way to spend a couple of hours.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere - Circa 1999

GOOD:
- Fun and unique missions (especially later on in the game)
- Lot's of planes to unlock

BAD:
- Graphics may looked dated, to today video game players
- Controls can be tough
- Learning curve is high
- Story is a little on the dry side

IF IT FITS YOUR TASTE:
- Arcade type jet fighter game with some simulation elements

GAME ITS MOST ASSOCATED TOO:
- Air Combat
- Ace Combat 2

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- All of the planes are real ones, or based on the concepts of future ones

Considering I got a used copy for (dollar amount) I am thrilled with it. The graphics are excellent, the sound effects authentic, the electronic music score outstanding, and this game is an overall 9.5!! I never played any of the previous Ace Combat games, so I can't say how much of an improvement this one is. Check it out!

Well.... after long awaited last, the highly anticipated sequel to Air Combat and Ace Combat 2 arrived on the shelves. I was one of the first to play it when it hit the market, and I must say: I was a little...... disappointed. After taking nearly 2 years to master Ace Combat 2, I completed Ace Combat 3 in a matter of hours. I have been Namco's biggest Air & Ace Combat fan, until now. Granted, the graphics and effects are highly improved and the depth is greater, but the gameplay leaves much to be desired. The enemy planes are much slower than your own fighter's idle speed, so you constantly whiz past your enemy. Hit the brakes for too long and you will stall - very frustrating! Earning an "A" rating on these missions is nearly impossible sometimes. Some people may rant & rave about this game, but after 2 years of edge-of-my-seat anticipation, I must say that the disappointment far outweighs the excitement - so much in fact that I haven't even bothered purchasing the game yet. Maybe someday, just to make my trilogy complete - but buying this game is NOT on my list of priorities!

Now,I've been playing the Air/Ace Combat series since I got my hands on a PSX.2 continues to juice me up even today.When I first heard Ace Combat 3 was being made,I stormed over to media sections for it.I was in complete awe of the anime scenes and complex story of the Japanese version,spanning 2 disks.Seeing how it took Namco quite some time to bring it over to our American shores,I thought they were taking extra time to dub it w/ great american voice talents.Instead,I got the product of reckless slashing.
Ace Combat 3:Electrosphere maintains little if none of its increadible cinematic elements,now spannng only 1 disk.W/ the loss of its great story,the new storyline seems incomplete,confusing,and outright boring.What in the he!! is an electrosphere,anyway?One will never know unless they take a look at the game's stunning Japanese counterpart.The HUD has been redisgned in an odd and unapeeling way,as some instruments have been cut,leaving u blind to their functions.I will admit though:The graphics of this game are breath taking.AWSOME afternoon water affects can be seen in the 1st sortie of the game.The jet models,from the g-pulling bad boys we have now a-days to the awkward yet sexy designs of the futuristic fighters have no rival on a 32 bit console.The soundtrack can have mixed responses.While some are pretty well balanced Japanese dance tunes,the other slow electronica pieces can EASILY put you to sleep in the middle of flying.Any of you wanting another Top Gun style soundtrack found in the previous games,your prayers have not been answered.Just turn it off and slap "Danger Zone" into ur player.Anime fans,however,may find a few of the tracks extremly driving.Many start up slow,but they can kick it up later on.You also now have the ability of selecting numurous types of missles,guns,bombs,and even laser cannons depending on what your missions call for.The plane's abilities,though,have been altered for the worst.You no longer purchase your own aircraft,nor are you awarded $ at all in your missions.Instead,you are given aircraft depending on yur performance per mission,which can be very frusterating in some missions.No more wingmen are availible,however in about all of 3[(out of 36)(Its Japanese original had 52,based on 4 different alliances)] missions u are given a buddy to turn and burn w/.Those people would have much more meaning had the plot been left undamaged...Mid air refueling has been added to the game,buts its seldom seen.Plus,all landings & such can be automatically avoided by pressing the "Autopilot" button.In dogfights,your enemies are either piloted by a senior or by a steroided air god,as seen in the last missions.You have the ability to look around your canopy for enemies now,but anyone skiled enough in using their radar has no need for this.Aircraft wise,my biggest complaints:The F-22 has lost its dominance(although it is 47 years old in the story...)Stealth jets aren't stealth,AND THERE'S NO F-14!!!
With that being said,Ace Combat 3 is a beatiful,yet extremly dissapointing game for any follower of the series.Import the JPN version,play more Ace Combat 2,an increadible game in itself,or wait a couple more weeks for Ace Combat 4:Shattred Skies,availible for the PS2 late october 2001,which if unscrathced(or even if snipped a little)will be the DEFINANT cosole flight sim.Just dont waste a wallet full of $ on this,for it's truley a "Crash & burn,huh Mav?"

If you are going for a good flight-sim than turn elsewhere. If you want a good flight-shooter than this is for you, almost.
This game is just meaningless shoot this and then blow this up. Every mission plays almost the same. I was bored out of my mind very quickly but forced myself to play thinking that Namco could not have ... up so bad. Just one more step over the hill and then it's all clear. Nope. Do yourself a favor and find yourself a copy of Ace Combat 2 instead. At least Namco cleared it's name with Ace Combat 4. Get either 2 or 4 and don't bother with 3.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere is the best flight simulator ever made for the Sony Playstation. It has wonderful graphics. The cockpits are so real if you put your mind to it. It can be a very good game if you want to be a pilot someday.

I bought Ace combat 3 a little while ago and hated it at first because it was hard to get used to but then I got better and loved it. It is really awsome if you have an airplane joystick. If you like jet fighter games youll love this one.