Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Trailer from TGS

The upcoming action-arcade flight video game developed by Bandai Namco was shown off again recently at the 2017 Tokyo Game Show. Some would not call this anything new; Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown was first announced back in 2015 at the PlayStation Experience event. While it was a mere 1 minute and 11 seconds in length, the trailer revealed a number of not easily realized features that seasoned players will recognize.

While those unfamiliar with air combat will just see a fighter jet defeat an enemy, what is actually being demonstrated is the Pugachev's Cobra. An aircraft maneuver, it is a demonstration of the pitch control authority, high angle of attack stability and engine/inlet compatibility at high angles of attack of the aircraft. This trick allows for very quick turns which can make an attack against the pilot falter or put the pilot in a position to execute an attack of his own. The maneuver is known to be difficult to master.

It is unclear how the player is to perform this move, though there are rumors that it is not a quick time event, but a move one has to perform manually. The demonstration of this technique shows the depth of the physics in the game, and how it will have an impact on the strategies therein.

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is expected to release in 2018 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. There will be PSVR support, though it's not yet clear how. You can watch the TGS trailer for yourself below.