The third game in the Ace Combat franchise, it was released in Japan on May 27, 1999, and internationally the following year. Players fly fighter aircraft and must complete a variety of mission objectives, such as destroying squadrons of enemy planes or protecting a base from an invading unit.

The Story Behind Ace Combat 3 - Electrosphere

Namco announced Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere in August 1998. This led to the game's futuristic, science fiction setting and world, which was created through combining 1970s city designs and modern-day architecture. The console had difficulties rendering maps due to their size, which made the game difficult to program.

Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere began development in 1998 following the critical and commercial success of Air Combat and Ace Combat 2. While previous games mostly featured melodic upbeat music akin to funk rock, the soundtrack features more emphasis on sound design than melodic elements, which Nakanishi felt fits the game's atmosphere and design. Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere was published on May 27, 1999, in Japan by Namco Inc.

How Ace Combat 3 - Electrosphere Plays

Obtaining all five endings opens up the "Mission Simulator", a mode which allows the player to replay any mission with any aircraft and weapon that they have unlocked. Players pilot one of 23 aircraft in both releases. An automatic search engine which documents relevant information on the game's organizations, locations, characters, and technology, can be accessed between missions.

On the Japanese release, they may fight across four factions and complete a selection of the game's 52 missions depending on their faction. The selection of flyable planes is limited by progress and the player's faction. These missions range from destroying squadrons of hostile planes to protecting bases from enemy attacks.

Why Players Still Load It Up

Zombie specifically pointing out its realism to actual aircraft. Mielke presented a radically different response to Electrosphere from his preview, writing that its removal of content from the Japanese version and linear approach made the game feel inferior to its predecessor Ace Combat 2. Critics agreed that Electrosphere posed "gorgeous" graphics with plenty of detail.

Jeuxvideo.coms Kornifex said that it had the same refinement as Ace Combat 2, with a large selection of fighters and varied missions. An Official Czech PlayStation Magazine reviewer had a similar response, enjoying its futuristic approach, realistic graphics, and refined gameplay. Electrospheres soundtrack, usage of instant replays, and considerable lack of slowdown were also the subject of praise.

Ace Combat 3 - Electrosphere — Frequently Asked Questions