Ace Combat: Joint Assault hit the PSP and it delivers exactly what the title offers, a 2 to 8 player online or Ad Hoc experience. So if you can’t find 7 friends to sit in a room full of PSP units just hop online and get your dogfight on. If the campaign is where your heart is set, don’t worry as you can also compete with up to 4 person co-op play. This title promotes you playing with others more than most MMORPGs even do and that is a good thing.

This title offers a great deal of depth with over 30 customizable licensed aircrafts for you to choose from. Not only can you pick different vehicles but you can also modify them and your load-outs for weapons. Not only will you get to fly these unique machines but you will get to fly them over locations that you will recognize like flying over Tokyo, London, and San Francisco.

The weakest portion of Ace Combat: Joint Assault is the generic plot of a terrorist group named Vahalia trying to take over the world. The story isn't terrible but it also can be skipped and you would still enjoy the game just the same. Of course you are part of a squadron sent in to stop Vahalia and so the dogfights and missile lock-ons begin. As you rack up more kills you will unlock different emblems for your fighter as well.

Graphically Ace Combat: Joint Assault was very impressive on the PSP and exhibited zero slowdown even with multiple planes on screen. The backgrounds can be a bit dull but again the game is focused on the air combat and not as much in the mountainous background. You have the ability to fly in 3rd person mode with full view of your aircraft, in the cock pit with full view of your instrument cluster or via your HUD which I personally enjoyed the best as it gives you the best views and the strongest feeling of flying. Another very nice touch are the awesome replays post each stage which allow you to view your entire match in a bevy of different angles, very impressive for a PSP.

Joint Assault is a must have for any wanna-be pilot with a PSP and an urge to blow things out of the sky. I really felt like I was flying a real jet at times and had multiple Top Gun flashbacks while playing. This game really has a lot to offer as far as content and game-play in a small portable size while allowing for great co-op fun. The only way for this game to have been better would be if it came with a pair of Aviator sun glasses and a flying scarf.

• Title: Ace Combat Joint Assault

  

• Platform Reviewed: PSP
• Developer: Project Aces
• Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
• Release Date: August 31, 2010
• MSRP: $39.99
• Review Copy Info: A review copy of this title was provided to DualShockers Inc, by the publisher for purposes of this review.