I'm not such a big fan of all these flight sim games and was a bit weary of tackling Ace Combat 6, but I needn't worry. It's not really about getting all of the technical controls accurate as much as it's about ACTION! As the first of the Ace Combat games to be released on a next-gen console, Atari have certainly given their best effort at using the XBOX 360 to the max.
I'm not the best when it comes to controlling games but the gradual increasing complexity of the game eases you into it nicely. But less about that and more about the graphics. Though far from being an avid video-gamer, I have been playing video games since the mid-80s and it's no exaggeration to say that Ace Combat 6 literally has the BEST graphics I have ever seen. They are so incredibly photo-realistic that you'll think you're actually in control of a real fighter plane.
Most of the aircraft are actual licensed fighter planes though there aren't as many to choose from this time around. The stunning environments and landscapes are so gorgeous and believable you'd be forgiven that they are lifted from Google earth (albeit an extremely high-resolution Google Earth). It's the kind of game where simply flying around and buzzing over the mountains and oceans is its own kind of fun. In some ways I wish I had my own plane so I could soar into the heavens like I did with this game. Terrific escapism indeed.
But this game isn't actually set on Earth. To avoid any serious political subtext (I assume) the good guys in the game are from a country called Emmeria, where all is well and happy and the bad guys from from Estovakia. At the risk of sounding xenophobic, Estovakia is where evil comes from. The good guys refer to them as 'Stovies' but here in Scotland that word means 'Corned Beef Hash'. So that is quite funny for me.
I can't play online, as I don't have that capability. But the single player is splendid on it's own. With great graphics, impressive visual effects, an awesome sound design and a thumpingly good score (where is the CD?), what more could you want from a game? Be nice to your XBOX and buy it some eye candy.