That 3rd mission struck a nerve
I've been playing Ace Combat all my life. I was so young that I couldn't comprehend the story line or manage basic controls when I first started.
I played through 4,5, Zero and X as a kid/teenager. I then played all of them again plus 6 and 7 as an adult and these games live rent free in my head and remain in my game collection.
I came here wondering if any other long time Ace Combat player felt the same way and so I'll ask this without trying to spoil anything story wise.
But um, did anyone get chills down their spine while playing the 3rd mission of AC8? Everything about this mission absolutely screamed "WE ARE F***ING BACK" to me. The type of mission, the dialogue, the type of enemies and their spawn sequence/threat level and the soundtrack. Dear God the soundtrack going from a morale/confidence boosting country/rock mix PERFECTLY fading into the usual mission specific Ace Combat style music, I felt the adrenaline rush through my veins.
All this combined with updated graphics, improved movement, smoothness (etc.). I just love that I know this is that same game I played more than 20 years ago. The developers litterally stuck to their roots and produced whatever masterpiece this is.