AX:EL - Air XenoDawn

--REVIEW UPDATED AS OF 07/07/15-- (click the "recommended" to see the screenshot thumbnails) Do you like arcade flight simulators? Think back to the great games in the genre: Ace Combat, Crimson Skies, Fury 3, Lylat Wars, YAGER; what would you like in a game like that? Do you want pretty? Pretty you'll have. While explosions don't have the best effects by far and environment textures could use some work, AX:EL is one of the prettiest flight games out there in light, colors and environment. The camera and the moving planes give also a great sense of action alongside with non-annoying but very nice touches like lens flares, glows, refraction and lots of tiny details like some destructible structures, flora and waves. http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=478227199 http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=461741816 http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=364959399 Do you want campaign? The "Mercenary missions" mode currently offers 10 missions that need to be unlocked progressively, with objectives varying from destroying squadrons, running search and rescue operations, transporting sensitive cargo through storms, and fighting huge boss-like enemies. While the number might seem a bit small, they are highly replayable, fairly long, include their selection of music (also composed by the author, really nice music, too.) and feature no lives, meaning you'll have to do them on one try, which adds to the difficulty but doesn't make them especially frustrating. Do you just want to shoot stuff down? The Arena mode features deathmatch and team deathmatch, both with customizable bots. It also has multiplayer support, but only ip-to-ip or LAN modes. AI can get pretty intense on the higher levels. Do you want customization? Every kill in either game mode, Arena or Mercenary, or Mercenary Mission completion, will earn you MsM. You can use that MsM to purchase a variety of body, weapon, wing or tail modules, with specific bonuses to each one. Do you want spectacle? Not only AX:EL's visuals will keep you engaged, the planes control really nicely, and the combat soon gets close and personal, with planes struggling to shake missiles while avoiding explosions and pulling insane-G maneuvers. It would be safe to say it's a game one will want to come to time and time again. Did I mention the planes can go underwater at any time? And that once there they switch to an underwater configuration? And that there's underwater missions, as well? And that there's sonic booms, working in-cockpit first person view and different atmospheric densities? Now, while still weak at the finer points of the game and control (I feel like the weapon system should be more fleshed out and general presentation is still a bit lacking), if what you want is to fly planes and shoot stuff up, I couldn't recommend a better game to do so with. Easily over War Thunder if you don't mind the limited multiplayer, and easily over Ace Combat Assault Horizon, period. 8/10. Not perfect, really *really* friggin' good. For a studio made game. For a one-man project such as this one, it's outstanding. GAMEPLAY VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbXAmqgsazA&feature=youtu.be

I've been playing this game for a few days at this point, and here's my first impression after finishing the main campaign (with the alt. ending). [b][u]PROS:[/u][/b] -Game adjusts to your movement style -Controls are easy to change -Extreme customizability (main wings, tail wings, guns, body, and skins for each of those) -Decent framerate (with more than 4GB memory) -Aerial AND underwater fightin?! AT THE SAME TIME?! -Decent plot for single player -Option for Single player and multiplayer (although I haven't tried multi yet) -You can replay missions any number of times -The developer is very kind and has quickly replied to (at least my) concerns (bugs and the like), and is generally a very nice person in my experience. -The game is pretty challenging, which is good because that means that it takes that much longer for you to finish teh campaign [b][u]CONS:[/u][/b] -It can take a bit for the game to adjust to your style -If you're dealing with a lot of enemies, your FPS can drop from a relatively smooth 30-45FPS to 7-15FPS -Some of the ships are quite expensive (they're worth it tho) -The main campaign [i]is[/i] a little bit on the short side [b]RATING: a solid 8.5/10. Very good game, with support easily within 24hrs (dev contacted me within like 5 or 6 hrs). Controls are easy to learn, the fighting style is fast-paced and will leave you on the edge of your seat with your butt clenched tighter than it's ever been clenched before (trust me, your mom said so ;) ).[/b]

Incredible work for a game done by one person Oo The flight feeling is really well done, it doesn't feel like a regular plane but more like a real spaceship who can go underwater. Because yes, I totally know how a real spaceship who can go underwater drives. The customisation is great and the graphics are beautiful. They may be less beautiful under the sea, even if a certain singing crab called Sebastian could disagree on that point. The solo mode at the moment is really satisfying, I still didn't tried the online multiplayer but I already have a lot of fun. If you want to craft your own personnal amphibious Starfighter and pilot it in an awesome world, take this game.

A fun, if sometimes clunky, game. The looks of the enviroment are awesome and the fighters (usually) fly pretty well. I honestly wish there was more options to customize your fighters, more than just a wing/tail changes for the creatable fighters, and more maps

This game sounds awesome; something like a more customizable Ace Combat. At least, that's what I imagined. Unfortunately, the game doesn't really deliver on that. I really enjoy flight sim games, but this one was pretty frustrating in that regard; there were times when I would spawn into a match dead, because I became targeted before I had the controls, the enemies do high amounts of damage that is largely unavoidable, and the controls are clunky and sluggish. As for the customization, you can only pick from about a dozen aircraft, with different options for tails, wings, and weapons, and that's it. The weapons and customizations are identical for all vehicles (except for the few that can't be customized at all), so they can all only look slightly different, and fly slightly different, and play slightly different. I was so excited by the idea of this game, but it has done nothing but disappoint me.

Update: The Developer responded promptly and resolved the issue with the framerate. The game is promising, and plays somewhat like War Thunder with smoother mouse controls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFlApz3hXds Old review: Well I tried and failed to play the first mission multiple times. Some horrific optimisation issues broke the framerate and it sat like a fat dog stubbornly at 1FPS. I want to love it, but it seems I can't even play it yet. My system specs can run Crysis 14 at 12k. I suggest not buying Early Access games if you want them to work instantly. I even made a video about it because I'm that salty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH-5-Ji-Gx8

I bought this BEFORE it was free... so I am kind of annoyed that it is free now which means the one card I got is the only one I will ever get... it also disappears from my library every time I switch computers because that's how free games work... Seriously devs, if you want to make your game free, don't screw the people who already paid for it. That being said however, a very decent little game that is free to try.

I'm giving this a Postive review because its awesome in a way of the Idea of the game its Different I like the fighting style in it. The only issure I have is I have a hard time seeing in it even with the settings maxed this may because of my system but no reason for a negative review for something that could be my system in general. Keep Up the great Work!

I never write reviews, but y'all should check this one out. The grafix need work but the gameplay is awesome already. Ship customization is very cool already and in time this is gonna be amazing. best new concept ive seen in ages

Like pretty mutch the rest of the reviews. the concept is a really good idea and should be worked on! But for now my main complaint is the run speed! i have a decent computer and im forced to use the lowest graphics and i still only get around 18 FPS! But like i said, this game has a really cool thing going!

So far I feel this game could become somthing good, however as of right now feels like a Demo, though I like the idea behind building your own aircraft. Really wish there was in inbetween choice besides a yes or no

i found it fun with the customisation of the fighter being one of the better parts of the game and in genral just great game over all

neat concept, poor execution. the controls and graphics are wonky and I would not reccommend this to anyone

awful game, lousy controls, bad menu settings, fps dies once you hit water, generic flying sim, nothing new, nothing interesting.

unless youve got joystick, dont even try to play this, the controls are already unbareable, especially for a flight sim, and the key binds are totaly unmanagable, if you play with a mouse you have to reset your hand 50 times in one turn, or your stuck with arbitrary controller settings that cant be rebinded due to lack of input recognition

this game is complete garbage and i dont reccomend it at all. all the controlls did was turn and go in a downward left and crash, your dead. even remapping it all, still only downward left crash your dead. 0 out of 10

PLEASE FIX BASIC CONTROLS IF I HAVE TO DO IT IN EVERY GAME WITH AIRCRAFTS IT GETS OLD!!!! FLight is pretty difficult when you can't even fly its easyer to stall in the air and just rotate and fire than actually fly the air/water craft.

Now that this game is Free fakin go for it mate

HOTAS supported last time I checked

A great concept.

good

Its AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This game SUCKS never buy it