Aero Elite: Combat Academy

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Mar 10, 2003
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
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  1. PSM Magazine
    80
    Visually stunning and incredibly complex, Aero Elite is a work of art that takes time to appreciate. [Apr 2003, p.34]
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  2. Cheat Code Central
    80
    The gamers that it will appeal to most of all are those beginning or dabbling in flight sims and/or for those looking for a game that presents a very realistic challenge.
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  3. GameSpy
    77
    It may be on a console, but don't let that deter you: it's actually surprisingly deep.
  5. GameNow
    75
    The missions are somewhat predictable. [Apr 2003, p.50]
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  6. Village Voice
    70
    While cheesy flight simulation goes back to the original PC, this incarnation's technical detail brings CNN's gee-whiz graphics-and-stats fighter plane descriptions—indicative of our fascination with death from above—to life.
  7. GMR Magazine
    70
    Graphical shortcomings aside, hardcore fans shouldn't fret. AE is easily one of the most full-fledged flight sims available on any console. [Apr 2003, p.71]
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  8. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    70
    Stringent pilot-training courses and competitions seem dull at first, but as you unlock cooler aircraft, the fun blossoms. [Apr 2003, p.111]
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  9. Game Informer
    68
    An excellent flight simulator, but a poor action game. [May 2003, p.83]
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  10. IGN
    65
    The whole package seems to have been constructed to drift onto retail floors, sit around for a while and then fade quietly into history.
  11. GameZone
    64
    A realistic flight sim. Sometimes realistic games can drive people away, which is what Aero Elite did for me. Most of the time I was doing nothing but trying to get in range of my target, then shot a missile.
  12. GameSpot
    62
    The controls are just a little too sluggish, making it feel as though you're driving a run-down school bus instead of a quick and nimble jet fighter or helicopter.
  13. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    60
    The main problem is that there's just no sense of speed. You can be going Mach 1.2 and it feels like you're driving a charter bus. Uphill. Against the wind. In a foot of snow. Towing another charter bus. [Apr 2003, p.84]
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  14. G4 TV
    60
    Why are so many missions so dull? Why is the combat-radio voice work so insipid? And which unemployed sports commentator and soccer mom did the tutorial and combat voices, respectively?
  15. Yahoo!
    60
    The game tends toward actual-world realistic, but in a fancifully dull way.
  16. XGP Gaming
    60
    This game can only be recommended to flight fanatics or those into self-abuse.
  17. PSX Nation
    60
    As good as the control and visual re-enactment of the real-life planes come across in Aero Elite, AM2 and Sega drop the ball somewhat when the players become proficient armchair pilots and start itching for new challenges beyond those of the Training missions.
  18. Armchair Empire
    50
    More of a simulation than arcade, which may seem good at first, but it's not.
  19. GamePro
    40
    Aero Elite’s true failure, though, is its boring gameplay. Dog fighting and attacking ground forces just isn’t entertaining.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. Dingytheman
    May 19, 2019
    10
    Forget the bad reviews, this game is by far the best sim on console, I played Wing Over 2 back on PS1, Energy Airforce and also Birds of SteelForget the bad reviews, this game is by far the best sim on console, I played Wing Over 2 back on PS1, Energy Airforce and also Birds of Steel on PS3. Aero Elite beats each one of them when it comes to flight physics. Cockpits aren't too special that's its biggest downside and BoS does that better but If what you're looking for is the best simulation of flight then look no further.

    Each plane feels different and they take practice to land, specially carrier landings, there's also a pretty decent roster that includes some popular planes like the F86, Mirage2000, F104, Harrier, and so many more, there's also a couple choppers and heavy planes. You can change the loadout of your craft too effectively changing its weight and feel, for example, landing an F4 Phantom fully loaded on a carrier is really difficult. If you compare it to Energy Airforce, in EA it's a walk in the park.. this is the ultimate sim for console and a real shame SEGA abandoned the series.    … Full Review »
  2. Flyer
    Sep 13, 2010
    5
    The game is truly held back by it's frustration factor. The game itself tries to be a more realistic sim, in which it does succeed. TheThe game is truly held back by it's frustration factor. The game itself tries to be a more realistic sim, in which it does succeed. The scramble missions are a lot of fun and the flight model itself is fairly responsive. However, the arbitrary speed limit is a huge downer. Even in electrical system failures which knocks out your airspeed indicator and altimeter (Something that wouldn't happen in a real aircraft as the pitot-static system is mechanical) you still have that asinine speed limit. To make matters worse, there's an aircraft that needs you to hit Mach 2 to acquire it. Have fun constantly going into free flight over and over and over again trying to break mach two, but not go over the speed limit. This strikes me as the developers attempt to add challenge and it just comes off as inane. The murky scenario descriptions do nothing to aid you at all and the finicky system in which the completion of objectives comes off absolutely arbitrary as well. This is especially an issue in the Recon missions. The rotary winged vehicles are beyond awful. Why did they even bother adding them to the game? To try and squish down the complex workings of a helicopter's throttle collective into two buttons is, in itself, unrealistic and stupid. They should have either just kept the controls simple (as they did with a jets and not include a spool up time) or not include the choppers at all. The visuals are lack luster but given it's age that is to be expected. The aircraft are modeled very accurate and it doesn't look so bad as to repulse, so the visuals have aged in a satisfactory fashion. What good can be said about the game is often over shadowed by the bad. Enemy aircraft all seem to handle the same and enemy ground targets see you through mountains and hills (yet another reason why the rotary winged section is not worth your time. The developers should have spent more time with making missions for the utility craft (US-1A and C-1) and perhaps a campaign as opposed to even including helicopters. In the end, AECA tries to appeal to both Ace Combat and Sim fans, and fails at both. AC fans will cling to their great trilogy on the PS2 and sim fans are incredibly better off with Lock On: Modern Air combat.… Full Review »
  3. EfeB.
    Jul 14, 2006
    8
    The score i gave is pretty high, im considering the game for what it is and grading it on that premises, being a console flight sim. this isThe score i gave is pretty high, im considering the game for what it is and grading it on that premises, being a console flight sim. this is not a fun game, it is a fun simulation. there is a huge difference. your avarage joe will play this one maybe for 5 minutes and hate every minute of it. but flight sim lovers who have a ps2 must own this game, this game seems very basic and dumb at first but as you play it, the game makes you feel dumb thinking that you only had a rental in your hands. this is the best console flight sim out there no daubt. i just wish the graphics were better...because in the end...thats all that matters, i mean...if you are joy flying over a canyon...that canyon must be pretty damn nice looking...right? i must say this...if they ever make a ps3 version of this, using all its technology...it will make gaming history. so, see past the horrible presentation and package design and horrible sound and mediocre graphics...this is a good and deep game.… Full Review »
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