Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception

Did You Know?

• Yuji Takenouchi was initially approached to compose music for the game but could not due to managing a school; he suggested Akira Yamasaki and acted as supervisor.
• Bandai Namco Game Music published a digital soundtrack for the game on January 7, 2026.

Gameplay

In the campaign mode, the player acts as flight lead of Gryphus Squadron in the Aurelian Air Force. Missions involve attacking ground targets, air targets, or a combination of both. Free Mission mode lets the player replay unlocked levels to earn a higher rank or points for purchasing planes and equipment. Multiplayer mode uses ad-hoc wireless to connect up to four players across six modes: Dogfight, Base Attack, Air Superiority, Beacon Battle, and Escort Mission. The game blends arcade action with flight simulation, offering novice controls for an arcade feel and normal controls that use both the analog nub and d-pad for a more realistic experience. Players choose from many real planes and over ten fictional ones, with advanced aircraft requiring unlocking. Viewpoints include a third-person behind-the-plane perspective and a first-person view from the cockpit or with a HUD. Single-player unlocks new planes, medals, weapons, parts, paint schemes, and bonus missions, purchasable in the hangar. After each mission, a rank and points are awarded based on completion time and enemies destroyed. Points buy planes, special weapons, or unique parts that alter performance stats: Speed, Air-to-Air, Air-to-Ground, Mobility, Stability, and Defense. Medals are earned by meeting conditions such as causing damage or destroying a number of enemies. Each mission contains a star unit and an ace unit; destroying the star unit unlocks weapons and equipment, while defeating the ace unlocks a paint scheme.

Plot

The story is narrated by Albert Genette, a reporter covering the conflict, who also reported on the Osea-Yuktobania conflict of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of Leasath, led by Diego Gaspar Navarro, invades the peaceful Federal Republic of Aurelia. Using the Gleipnir Flying Fortress, Leasath overwhelms most of Aurelia in ten days. The remaining Aurelian forces gather at Cape Aubrey Airbase and achieve a Pyrrhic victory by destroying a flight of Leasath bombers, but Gleipnir wipes out most deployed Aurelian aircraft. The ace pilot Gryphus One, bearing the Southern Cross symbol, survives and leads an offensive to recapture Port Patterson, a critical supply base. Gryphus One inflicts heavy damage on enemy forces. After liberating Port Patterson, the Aurelians aim to free Santa Elva and destroy Gleipnir. Depending on the player's choice, either the Aurelian navy or ground forces engage Gleipnir. Gryphus One downs Gleipnir over Santa Elva, earning the nickname Nemesis among Leasathians. The demoralized Leasathians withdraw to Griswall, the occupied capital, where they have set up a defensive ring with Meson Cannons firing particle beams. The player has two strategic choices: destroy the Skylla unit by surprise and face the Meson Cannons at full or half potential in Griswall, or sneak under enemy radar jamming, destroy Meson Cannon components, and battle enemy units outside Griswall's perimeter. Griswall is liberated, but Navarro escapes, though the battle's course has changed irreversibly.