Released in Japan over a year ago, the UK finally released a PAL version of the game, fully translated into english. While the US probably won't see the game at all (perhaps licensing problems), here's some basic game info from the UK version.


Just got the PAL version of "Energy Airforce: Aimstrike!" in the mail about 20 minutes ago. The intro movie got buggy on me and stopped playing after 20 seconds, and I feared the worst, but luckily the game continued, until the screen starting getting all scrambly on me. Something appeared amidst the scramble, and after deciphering it, realized it was the option for PAL/NTSC video mode.
Magnavox smart!

After starting up, I headed to the options menu to see what the control config was (no manual included, case was sleeveless! YARGH!), but from the looks of the controls, it's a slightly advanced version of what we got with AECA. One of the first flaws came to mind when messing with flight options- there's only a few jets you can fly. Off my memory, F-16, an updated F-16, F-22, F-35, XF-35 (carrier capable), F-18, A-10, and F-15. (doesn't look like the E model)

I picked the '15 from the get go, and immediately checked from Training: FLIGHT or BATTLE mode, flight mode. The only option available thus far was "LANDING". I selected it, and got smacked in the face when I saw the HUD. First off, the HUD guages all fit in the HUD, and only in the HUD. Second, I COULD SEE MAH LEGS! Thighs, and knees, in the olive green flight suit. Third, I could see all the instruments. I rolled and pitched all over the place, and noticed various instruments moving in accordings with heading/speed.
Fourth, while rolling like a madman, I noticed, the gameplay was ultra smooth! Already it had slapped AECA on the wrists. Graphically, it's the perfect blend of Ace Combat's smooth framerate and atmospheric beauty, and AECA's 'goes-on-and-on-and-on level designs. There was a six page tutorial preceding the landing flight, telling you when and what will happen during the landing, though I had to refer to the button config (start menu) a few times to figure out what the buttons were.

After a little bit, I had closed in on the landing zone and glided to a stop near the end of the runway, completing the landing mission. Afterward there was a replay, with similar camera options like Ace and Aero, some using 'shaky cam' like Airforce Delta Strike (BWK).

Next up, I tried out the F-18, and noticed the next option available in the category was carrier landing. Same bag of tricks, with the option of lowering gear and tail hook.

Found out about the tailhook only after I touched and went.

When on the deck, and coming up to the carrier, I noticed a lot of ship detail on the side hull, rear hull, and command structure that I still have only seen in PC flight games.

Also noted that the control vibrates for more reasons than other PS2 flight games. For one, when pulling too many G's, or slightly more than 4.7, your heartbeat/rate can be felt. Just in case you're in 3rd person, you'll know when to ease up. Also, creating vapor trails also gives a slight jitter feedback, and there's sound effects for it in 3rd person. That's about as far as I got, i'll be glued to it all day. You can bet i'll put up some screenies. If any of you flight lovers in the UK can, check this one out, definitely!

It's like a sequel to AECA we never got, only problem is, we still kinda can only get it if we can play UK PAL games.


Added:
Combat downpoint... guns suck!
Instead of being able to target and gun down an enemy via matching the reticle on the enemy approach point and firing away, you auto kill enemies if they are within gun range an inside the circular target zone. Reminds me of Topgun for the PSX. Horrid gun combat aside, everything else kicks arse. Enemy positions are provided to you via ally AWACS (Starburst), but aside from that, you have to be in the same vacinity, or in their approach/retreat path (12/6 o' clock) to get a local signal.

You have to play it by eye at this point, and if you miss the first shot, or are forced to evade, you'll enter a modern dogfight, and have to use the right stick (view) to locate the enemy in the local sky, and get the jump on them.


There's no combat training in terms of manuevers, though you can get by if you know a lil' somethin' about flight combat, or have played through AECA's training missions.

In that aspect, combat can get pretty intense. From the start, you fly with a wingmen (Gargoyle 2), and usually are in the sky with another ally formation flying the same, or an alternate CAP nearby (Unicorn squadron, 1-4).

Some missions you will choose an alternate flight role, either flying a cap around the base, or switching roles with Unicorn to engage enemies in an intercept role while U' flies cap.

Battles are started from the ground. You'll taxi onto the runway, and get into formation with your allies. Ahead of you, you'll see Unicorn taking off in formation, and eventually you get the go-ahead to take off. Once in the air, you follow waypoints (cap missions) around the base on the lookout for enemy fighters. After the threats are eliminated, you complete the waypoints required and RTB/taxi to a stop.

One of the best parts of the game IMO, is the radio chatter. Very flight sim. I'll add dialogue from mission 1 eventually.

Few minutes ago a finished "africa mission" and - so far - this game seems pretty good.
Instruments and "legs" inside cockpit are very cool!
Tricky landings (till u get used to), taxi and tkoff are a must too!
Guns, definitelly sucks!
But, it is more realistic than AC series and - as Raijin said - it seems (sometimes) a PC game. Lots of movies to see, good accurated info about aircrafts...
As for me, despite no great number of aircraft that we are able to fly - this game is as good as AC series.

Yeah, I wish this would come out in the states because I feel it would do well over here. I'm still finding the gun mode (taking out enemies in the sky with just guns) really tricky and strange. I can't find the piper half the time, and other times I fire like a madman at near point blank range and never bag the enemy. But regardless, putting a skirmish with a team with just guns against enemies with guns, and hunting them down in the sky going by eye, that's freakin' awesome.

SORRY, REALLY SORRY GUYS!
In fact, "Energy Airforce" (the first one) has been sold in Portugal as "Energy Airforce - Aim Strike"! I bought the first one thinking it was the second - EVEN being released in 2005' may around here!
Things made no sence when my game has no "Strike mode", but "Dogfight mode"...
HOWEVER the game is still cool! I finished Mission mode, Dogfight mode, Arcade mode thinking new licenses would be added, but... unfortunatelly they did not.
...........

Hang on a sec; I'm not sure if that's entirely correct. I think the UK version may have these extras only. It wouldn't make sense to release the first game with the sequel's name. >.<

I know the Japanese version of EA:AS! is missing some extras that the UK version has, or so i've read. You've probably got the original version; though I think the bulk of the main game's missions are the same.

Oh yeah! No doubt on first version!
I am really sure I got the very first version of the game, cause this fact was detected by the company that distribute it in Portugal... that was a mistake and they kindly change old version for new one.
We have Aim strike around here now!
I am happy again!

AHAAA! I got Aim Strike today!
Yeah! It's cool!
The problem I faced (buying the first Energy Airforce as the second (Aim Strike) proved to be very useful, now I have them all and I am proud of it...
This game really is "deep and fun as it gets".
I don't understand why people keep NOT talking about it.
But the heck... gonna play a lot!