Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown review

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is the most polished arcade dogfighting game here, and the one most likely to suit players who want a story. Bandai Namco's Steam page describes a flight shooter with realistic handling, a large selection of real aircraft and 360 degrees of movement, set in the fictional nations of Strangereal where unmanned aircraft threaten the balance of power. Each aircraft can be customized with parts and ordnance, and weather changes matter: thunderstorms and sun glare can affect your HUD and instruments. Online, teams fight in Battle Royal and Death Match modes. Player reviews are Very Positive at 89% of 23,483, and Steam lists full controller support. It ranks below Project Wingman mostly on value, because $59.99 is more than twice the price of that game for a release from 2019. It is also an arcade game, so simulator fans will find its physics forgiving.

Who it is for

Players who want a cinematic jet combat campaign and online battles with a controller.

Price

$59.99 on Steam (US store), one-time purchase.

Aerial combat has never looked or felt better! $59.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Story campaign set in the fictional Strangereal world
• Real aircraft with customizable parts and ordnance
• Weather that can affect your HUD and instruments
• Online Battle Royal and Death Match team modes
• Full controller support

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Very Positive on Steam: 89% of 23,483 English reviews
• Strength: Easy handling that the publisher pitches at new and veteran pilots
• Strength: Runs on a modest PC with 4 GB of RAM
• Weakness: $59.99 is high for a game first released in 2019
• Weakness: Not a simulator, with arcade flight physics
• Weakness: Windows only on Steam

Key facts

• Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
• Price: $59.99
• Released: January 31, 2019
• Steam reviews: Very Positive, 89% of 23,483 (English)
• Metacritic: 78

Where it ranks

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is No. 5 in our Best Flight and Dogfighting Games verdict.