Best 3D air/space combat games in the last decade?

TheDreadBaron said:
I want to like Ace Combat but I find it too arcadey for my taste. VTOL VR looks dope but I haven't had the chance to try it.
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I probably getting old but I found AC7's campaign incredibly difficult mostly when needing to rack up points on ground targets.
 
bender said:
I probably getting old but I found AC7's campaign incredibly difficult mostly when needing to rack up points on ground targets.
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Oh yeah, I actually tapped out on the mission where you need to shoot a ton of ground targets flying under the radar in the mountains. It feels silly to me how they dramatize the action in ace combat games because I grew up playing boring hardcore flight sims. I want the tension to be about spending 30+ minutes taking off and flying to the target then trying not to get shot down and wasting all that time, those are some real life stakes! The ace combat approach probably sells more games though, I just love being snobbish about flight sims, it's kinda all I have 😓
 
I really like Ace Combat, but for space combat the most recent I played is Star Wars Squadrons. Not great on flat screen, but much better in VR.
 
It's one of those games the more you put into it, the more you get out of it, but the combat in Elite Dangerous is satisfying and epic at times.
 
I know I'm just repeating the choir here but

For Air: DCS
For Space: Elite Dangerous

I have an entry level flight stick set attached to my chair, the Logitech X52 Pro and both of these are great with that.
 
STARSBarry said:
I know I'm just repeating the choir here but

For Air: DCS
For Space: Elite Dangerous

I have an entry level flight stick set attached to my chair, the Logitech X52 Pro and both of these are great with that.
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Oh, so Logitech bought Saitek, didn't know that. I have the Saitek X52 nonpro version. It's great but it can produce blue screens when you are using the Software and have too many characters for naming the function or something (can't remember anymore since i use it without software)
 
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amigastar said:
Oh, so Logitech bought Saitek, didn't know that. I have the Saitek X52 nonpro version. It's great but it can produce blue screens when you are using the Software and have too many characters for naming the function or something (can't remember anymore since i use it without software)
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Yeah a good few years, I believe the Saitek X56 Rhino's are superior to those built under Logitech which makes those original models quite the collectors item, however the X52 Pro they improved on. I keep seeing then in Sci-Fi shows using it to for sets, while I like the split throttle the Rhino comes with as I am not a hardcore sim player and mainly use it for Elite the X52 Pro is fine for my purposes even if its just a single throttle, the extra metal parts really do make it feel great too, the dials have this satisfying click you don't get with plastic.

KX5N9DF.jpg


However if you are a fan of the likes of Microsoft flight sim, I would advise the x56 Rhino, as it's a slower paced sim with a multitude of multi engine aircraft, the split throttle will really add to that. Some twin engine aircraft on DCS like the Warthog will also benefit from this, as you can easily shut down a damaged engine if you take a hit without a complicated button combination.
 
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Most of the best air/space games have been mentioned already, Elite Dangerous would be my pick.

Another game to consider is Kerbal Space Program. Nothing I've played comes close to simulating what it takes to get into space and manoeuvre around a solar system. There is a sequel in the works which hopefully lands 2023. Don't let the simple cartoon art style lull you into thinking the gameplay is simple and dumbed down.
 
STARSBarry said:
Yeah a good few years, I believe the Saitek X56 Rhino's are superior to those built under Logitech which makes those original models quite the collectors item, however the X52 Pro they improved on. I keep seeing then in Sci-Fi shows using it to for sets, while I like the split throttle the Rhino comes with as I am not a hardcore sim player and mainly use it for Elite the X52 Pro is fine for my purposes even if its just a single throttle, the extra metal parts really do make it feel great too, the dials have this satisfying click you don't get with plastic.

KX5N9DF.jpg


However if you are a fan of the likes of Microsoft flight sim, I would advise the x56 Rhino, as it's a slower paced sim with a multitude of multi engine aircraft, the split throttle will really add to that. Some twin engine aircraft on DCS like the Warthog will also benefit from this, as you can easily shut down a damaged engine if you take a hit without a complicated button combination.
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Two things:

  1. Does the HOTAS come with the chair?
  2. And, where can I get one of these?
 
TheThreadsThatBindUs said:
Two things:

  1. Does the HOTAS come with the chair?
  2. And, where can I get one of these?
Click to expand...

Sadly not but the good news is that as most gaming/office chairs are built to a specific uniform spec its not hard to get the attachments...

As from where...

Chair Mounts – MTSIM – MONSTERTECH

Make your chair into a full flight sim cockpit. Fully adjustable joystick, throttle and mouse mounts.
www.monster.tech www.monster.tech

It's quite expensive sadly as are most niche things, but I would well recommend them as long as you buy the quick release and swivel adaptor, it allows you once mounted to easily remove or just swing back your chair mounts.

As for the HOTAS

Logitech G Saitek X52 Pro Flight 3M System with Metal Part Gas Control and Simulation Joystick, LCD Display, Dual Suspension, Illuminated Buttons, 2 USB Connections - Black : Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games

Logitech G Saitek X52 Pro Flight 3M System with Metal Part Gas Control and Simulation Joystick, LCD Display, Dual Suspension, Illuminated Buttons, 2 USB Connections - Black : Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games
amzn.eu

X52 Pro

Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S Throttle and Joystick Flight Simulator Game Controller, 6 Dregrees of Freedom, 4 Spring Options, +189 Programmable Controls, RGB Lighting, 2x USB, PC - Black : Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games

Logitech G X56 H.O.T.A.S Throttle and Joystick Flight Simulator Game Controller, 6 Dregrees of Freedom, 4 Spring Options, +189 Programmable Controls, RGB Lighting, 2x USB, PC - Black : Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games
amzn.eu

X56 Rhino

For anyone wanting to "enter" the world of flight sims and HOTAS I could not recommend the X52 Pro enough as a first stick, the regular X52 is out there too and cheaper, but it's all plastic which makes me worry on the longevity of some of the switches and the thumb stick however that too could be option if £130 is above your budget.

One thing to note, HOTAS are power hungry, so I recommend plugging them into a USB hub with its own power supply to avoid ghost inputs rather than directly into your PC. When people have a negative first experiences with a HOTAS and I find that this is often why.
 
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STARSBarry said:
I know I'm just repeating the choir here but

For Air: DCS
For Space: Elite Dangerous

I have an entry level flight stick set attached to my chair, the Logitech X52 Pro and both of these are great with that.
Click to expand...

Funny this topic came up.......I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to play Air/Space games so did some research and wound up buying these beauts....

N7tKFpj.jpg


I used a Thustmaster Hotas 4 in the past which were ok, but decided I wanted something more. I went a little overboard on the price though. Costs more than a PS5.

These are great with Elite Dangerous. Had to adjust a bit with the yaw and roll since this doesn't have the twist yoke. I put roll on the stick hat and X-axis is roll. Works fine now that I've gotten used to it.
 
Since no one mentioned it yet, Project Wingman




Its basically Ace Combat, however opinions over which one is better are generally divided.

From what i've read, Project Wingman is very combat focused and with more ininterrupted missions and action, while Ace combat 7 has more mission variety, but for better and worse. I've seen people saying PW also has better handling and AI too.
 
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Topher said:
Funny this topic came up.......I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to play Air/Space games so did some research and wound up buying these beauts....

N7tKFpj.jpg


I used a Thustmaster Hotas 4 in the past which were ok, but decided I wanted something more. I went a little overboard on the price though. Costs more than a PS5.

These are great with Elite Dangerous. Had to adjust a bit with the yaw and roll since this doesn't have the twist yoke. I put roll on the stick hat and X-axis is roll. Works fine now that I've gotten used to it.
Click to expand...

Funny story I did consider that exact model I can't remember the exact reason I went for the X52 Pro in the end, but as soon as I see that I just think "quality" and the fact its based on the actual cockpit and stick of an A-10C Warthog is the icing on the cake.

Also sorry OP for derailing slightly to talk about HOTAS, but I can't think about good flight sims without thinking about a good HOTAS.
 
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Another game to keep an eye out to is Everspace 2, though its still in early access but should be releasing at least until next year.

 
STARSBarry said:
Funny story I did consider that exact model I can't remember the exact reason I went for the X52 Pro in the end, but as soon as I see that I just think "quality" and the fact its based on the actual cockpit and stick of an A-10C Warthog is the icing on the cake.

Also sorry OP for derailing slightly to talk about HOTAS, but I can't think about good flight sims without thinking about a good HOTAS.
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Yeah, HOTAS and flight/space sim games go hand in hand so I don't think anyone should mind these side bar conversations.

Guilty_AI said:
Another game to keep an eye out to is Everspace 2, though its still in early access but should be releasing at least until next year.

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I've bought that during the last Steam sale. That is going to be a kick ass game when it is done. I'm holding off playing it anymore until it releases next year.

Another couple of gems I love....

The first Rebel Galaxy has naval style combat. Think AC 4: Black Flag in space. So there is no Y axis. No roll. Just yaw. More arcadey than sim, but still fun as hell and you get to upgrade to some truly awesome capital ships.



The sequel is pure space dogfighting. Also more arcadey than sim.



The music in both these games are simply fantastic.
 
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Really enjoyed Starlink.

Chorus is great too. Pity it has an absurdly overwrought story. The protagonist is an emo clown. But the gameplay is hugely fun.
 
Ace Combat no question.
The problem is AC7 still doesnt match the heights of AC 4, 5, and Zero which are still stuck on PS2.
 
DCS has the graphical edge, but if you want dynamic campaigns where your actions actually make a difference then there is only one choice - Falcon BMS. It costs you next to nothing to buy Falcon 4.0 online and then download and install this labour of love.

 
amigastar said:
DCS is awesome but i've bought the DCS F18 years ago and i don't know but i think it's still in beta which sucks.
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Nah, it's not really in beta anymore, it close to feature complete for all practical purposes. F-16 has some way to go to reach the maturity of the F/A-18, thogh.
 
Since VTOL VR and Project Wingman have been mentioned, and you limit to this decade only, this one was decent.
 
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mitchman said:
Nah, it's not really in beta anymore, it close to feature complete for all practical purposes. F-16 has some way to go to reach the maturity of the F/A-18, thogh.
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I don't have the F/A-18 not the F-16 module yet but yeah, the F/A-18 is often in the top list of the best modules. F-16 got a huge revamp of its flight characteristics not long ago and coming patches to its avionics.

A-10 honestly occupied so much of my time in DCS and it's a blast with the warthog HOTAS. I bought the F-14 module but I don't have the time to put hours into it so far, but what I tried looked awesome.
 
bender said:
I probably getting old but I found AC7's campaign incredibly difficult mostly when needing to rack up points on ground targets.
Click to expand...
I loved the challenge of the ground attack point missions, but I agree they're generally the toughest missions in the game. I found certain combinations of loudouts made all the difference on those maps. For example, one of the Russian fighters has a Gauss Cannon optional secondary fire that can be unlocked and equipped, it's an unguided single shot but it will sink just about any naval ship in the game with one or two shots and works wonders for any ground attack mission at sea.
Guilty_AI said:
Since no one mentioned it yet, Project Wingman




Its basically Ace Combat, however opinions over which one is better are generally divided.

From what i've read, Project Wingman is very combat focused and with more ininterrupted missions and action, while Ace combat 7 has more mission variety, but for better and worse. I've seen people saying PW also has better handling and AI too.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say Project Wingman is better than Ace Combat 7 in any form, but it gets close enough to make it a strong recommendation for any fan of the Ace Combat series.
 
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