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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsProject Wingman is the closest modern match for Ace Combat’s campaign-led, arcade flight combat. It combines fighter-jet missions, a single-player story set on an alternate scorched Earth, a large aircraft and weapon roster, and a separate territory-capture mode. Sky Rogue is the better choice if you want procedural runs, loadout experimentation, and two-player local split-screen play instead of a conventional authored campaign.
The comparison below uses features listed by the developers and storefronts, not hands-on testing. Store support, editions, and regional availability can change, so verify the live listing for your platform before buying.
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What makes a game feel like Ace Combat?
Ace Combat’s official product catalog describes the series’ foundation as arcade-style flight shooting: aircraft are the means of delivering fast, accessible combat rather than a realistic flight-training exercise. That distinction matters when choosing a substitute. A game can feature jets and missiles yet still feel wrong if it is built around simulation procedures, open-ended sandbox flying, or short independent challenges instead of mission-focused action.
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For this guide, “like Ace Combat” means a game should satisfy as many of these reader priorities as possible:
#1 Best Overall
- Military-grade Space and Flight Sim Precision. Customizable options including all the control surface options required to achieve the exact level of performance that aspiring combat pilots demand.System Requirements : Windows 11,10,8.1,7, 2x USB 2.0 Port
- New Mini Analog Stick Control Surfaces: Control pitch, roll, yaw, backwards, forwards, up, down, left and right as well as gimballed weapons that are controlled separately from the space craft
- RGB Backlighting: Many PC peripherals now feature RGB backlighting and the X-56 is no exception. Use the software to set the color of the lighting to match the rest of your gaming rig
- Ideal for VR: The X-56 places controls perfectly under your fingers where subtle distinctions in button feel and shape help you navigate the control set with ease
- Fully Featured HOTAS: Accurate 16-bit aileron and elevator axis with hall-effect sensors. Adjustable Stick Force via Advanced 4-Spring System. Twin Throttles with Friction Adjuster and Throttle Lock
- Arcade-oriented handling: controls that prioritize combat decisions and immediate action over real-world cockpit workload.
- Air-to-air and air-to-ground combat: a fighter is used to attack multiple target types, not merely to explore scenery.
- A reason to keep playing: either a structured campaign or a repeatable progression loop.
- Distinct aircraft and weapons: equipment choices should change how missions are approached.
- A fitting presentation: an alternate-history war setting or a compact, stylized action format can both work, provided the game remains focused on flight combat.
The scale of interest in this formula is reflected by Bandai Namco’s official Ace Combat 7 page, which states that the title has surpassed 7 million units worldwide. The page does not establish a publication year for that milestone, so it should not be treated as a current sales total or dated market measurement. The figure simply helps explain why readers continue looking for similar arcade flight combat.
Quick comparison
| Game | Best fit | Core structure | Aircraft and weapons | Co-op and immersion | Cited platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Wingman | Closest Ace Combat-style campaign substitute | Single-player campaign plus Conquest territory capture with roguelike and RPG elements | More than 20 aircraft and more than 40 weapons, according to its Steam listing | PC VR support and full HOTAS compatibility for DirectInput-supported peripherals are listed; no co-op feature is established in the cited listing | Windows; the listing details PC VR |
| Sky Rogue | Procedural replay, experimentation, and local co-op | Roguelite missions on procedurally generated islands | Customizable aircraft and weapons | Two-player local split-screen co-op is listed; online co-op is not established | Windows, macOS, and SteamOS/Linux requirements are listed |
These are not two versions of the same design. Project Wingman is organized around a named single-player campaign and then offers a separate mode for repeat runs. Sky Rogue makes procedural generation and roguelite progression its main structure, so it is a different flavor of arcade flight combat rather than a direct story-campaign replacement.
Project Wingman: the closest match
Why it fits the campaign-first player
Project Wingman’s Steam description identifies an engaging single-player campaign set on an alternate, scorched version of Earth. That combination—mission-led action, fighter aircraft, and an invented wartime setting—is the strongest match here for someone who wants to play through a sequence of authored scenarios after finishing Ace Combat.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe store description also says the game is suitable for people who do not want a simulator, while still supporting players seeking fast-paced and challenging flight action. The wording is the developer’s own description, not an independent difficulty assessment: “Perfect for those who aren’t looking for a simulator experience, with the ease of pick up and play, all the way to those who want a fast-paced challenging flight action game.” This makes the intended position clear without claiming that every player will find its controls or missions easy.
Aircraft and weapon variety
The listing advertises more than 20 aircraft and more than 40 weapons. Those are vendor-listed quantities, not a laboratory count performed for this article. They nevertheless answer an important buying question: the game is built around a broad selection of airframes and armaments rather than a single fixed aircraft.
For a campaign player, that variety can support different approaches to the same broad fantasy: selecting a machine and loadout that suit the targets or the kind of combat you want to attempt. The available evidence does not establish comparative balance, individual aircraft performance, mission difficulty, or whether every weapon is useful in every scenario, so those details should not be assumed from the headline numbers.
Rank #2
- The T.16000M FCS is compatible with PC via USB in Windows (32-bit and 64-bit).
- 16 action buttons with braille - style physical button identification
- Exclusive Precision: Hall effect accurate Technology 3D (Hall effect) magnetic Sensors located on the stick (US patent: Us08471815)
- 4 independent axes, including twist rudder (controlled by rotating the stick)
- 14 action buttons - 8-way POV hat: two 4-Way switches - 3 Buttons - One 2-position slider - 1 push mini-stick - One 8-way point of view hat Switch
Conquest for a second loop
After the campaign structure, Project Wingman provides Conquest. Its listing describes Conquest as a territory-capture mode with roguelike and RPG elements. That makes it the option to examine when you want a repeatable layer rather than a one-time story progression.
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Conquest should not be confused with a second traditional campaign. The territory-capture framing and roguelike progression indicate a mode built around repeated decisions and runs. The source does not specify its map size, exact progression rules, enemy scaling, or whether progress carries between every run, so those mechanics should be checked in the current store description or game documentation before being promised to a reader.
VR and HOTAS support
The Steam listing specifies VR support and full HOTAS compatibility for DirectInput-supported peripherals. These are PC-specific features in the cited listing. A HOTAS—hands-on throttle-and-stick—is optional hardware, not a requirement for playing the game. A conventional gamepad remains a sensible default for anyone who wants to start without buying flight equipment.
Compatibility is conditional: the listing refers to DirectInput-supported peripherals, so a particular stick, throttle, headset, or adapter should not be treated as guaranteed without checking its own documentation and the current game listing. VR support also does not establish a particular headset model, rendering resolution, frame-rate target, or performance level.
Release and attribution
Project Wingman released on Steam on December 1, 2020. The cited store page identifies Sector D2 as the developer and Sector D2 and Balor Games as publishers. The store page is the appropriate place to confirm the current edition and operating-system support because storefront information can change.
Use Project Wingman as your first recommendation if your priority order is: an authored single-player campaign, fighter jets and unusual weapons, arcade-oriented combat rather than a simulator, then an additional mode for replay. It is also the only one of these two listings to identify VR and HOTAS support.
Rank #3
- COMFORTABLE ERGONOMIC HOTAS DESIGN - Fly for hours without fatigue thanks to the wide hand rest and real size ergonomically shaped throttle control that keeps your hands in a natural position. Every flight sim session feels as immersive as sitting in an actual cockpit with your favorite flight simulator controller setup.
- FULLY PROGRAMMABLE FLIGHT CONTROLS - Customize all 12 action buttons and 5 axes to match your preferred flight sim setup, giving you instant command over every function in your joystick for flight simulator games, whether you are navigating civil aviation routes or engaging in intense military combat maneuvers across your favorite titles.
- DETACHABLE THROTTLE FOR FLEXIBLE SETUP - Separate the full size throttle from the joystick to create your ideal flight sim cockpit mount configuration, or keep them connected for a compact desktop arrangement, giving you the versatility to build the perfect hotas flight stick arrangement that suits your space and play style.
- PRECISION JOYSTICK WITH ADJUSTABLE RESISTANCE - Enjoy pinpoint accuracy with a high precision flight joystick featuring a resistance dial that lets you fine tune stick tension to your liking, plus dual rudder control via handle rotation or progressive tilting lever so your aerial maneuvers feel smooth and perfectly responsive every single flight.
- PLUG AND PLAY INSTANT TAKEOFF READY - Skip complicated configuration and start flying immediately with preconfigured controls, an exclusive preset button to swap profiles on the fly, and built-in memory that saves your custom programming even when the flight stick is disconnected, ensuring you are always ready for your next mission.
Sky Rogue: the replayable, lighter alternative
Procedural missions instead of a conventional campaign
Sky Rogue’s Steam listing describes a roguelite action flight game with procedurally generated islands and missions. In practical terms, the mission layout is generated for repeated runs rather than presented solely as a fixed sequence of authored chapters.
This structure answers a different question from Project Wingman’s campaign. Choose Sky Rogue when the appeal is starting another run, seeing a new arrangement of objectives, and adapting to the next generated situation. The cited material does not establish a named story campaign, so it should not be marketed as a direct narrative substitute for Ace Combat.
Customization as the main progression appeal
The listing highlights customizable aircraft and weapons. That gives Sky Rogue a clear experimentation angle: the aircraft and equipment you select are part of the run-to-run decision making. The available source does not provide a complete aircraft list, weapon count, upgrade tree, or numerical statistics, so no specific build or performance hierarchy can be stated responsibly.
Local two-player play
Sky Rogue explicitly lists two-player local split-screen co-op. “Local” is important: the cited listing does not establish online co-op, cross-play, or a shared-server mode. Plan for two people playing on the same supported setup rather than promising that a friend can join remotely.
Local split-screen also makes controller planning more relevant than it is for a solo campaign. Check how many compatible input devices your platform recognizes and confirm the current requirements before purchase. The source confirms the mode exists, but does not specify its exact control assignment, display layout, or whether every mission type supports two players.
Visual and tonal difference
Where Project Wingman uses advanced fighter jets and alternate-history battlefields, Sky Rogue is presented as a more colorful, compact roguelite experience. That is not a quality ranking; it is a way to predict whether the tone will match what you want after Ace Combat. Readers seeking a large-scale war narrative should start with Project Wingman. Readers who enjoy a lighter presentation and repeated procedural sorties should put Sky Rogue first.
Rank #4
- REALISTIC FLIGHT SIMULATOR CONTROL - Experience true hands-on flying with a precision HOTAS joystick and throttle system designed for immersive flight simulator gameplay. Ideal for flight simulation.
- ERGONOMIC FLIGHT STICK DESIGN - Comfortable flight stick joystick with adjustable resistance, responsive trigger, hat switch, and multiple programmable buttons for smooth aircraft control during takeoff, landing, and combat maneuvers.
- DETACHABLE THROTTLE FOR VERSATILE SETUPS - Modular design allows the flight stick and throttle to be used together on a desk or separately on your lap, ideal for cockpit, desk, or casual flight simulator setups.
- PLUG & PLAY FOR PC & CONSOLE - Easy USB connection delivers instant compatibility with Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S. This flight simulator controller requires no complex setup and works seamlessly with most popular flight sim software.
- ADAPTED FOR ALL FLIGHT SIMULATION TYPES – Adjustable joystick resistance and ergonomically placed buttons deliver precise control across all aircraft categories. Ideal for commercial aviation, combat jets, and helicopters, making it perfect for both beginner pilots and seasoned flight sim enthusiasts.
Platforms
Sky Rogue’s Steam page lists requirements for Windows, macOS, and SteamOS/Linux. Those are the platforms identified by the cited listing. It does not establish PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo availability, and storefront support may change, so console buyers should verify the live store for their system.
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Which game should you choose?
Choose Project Wingman when campaign continuity matters
Start with Project Wingman if you want a beginning-to-end single-player campaign, an alternate-world war setting, and a roster large enough to make aircraft and weapon selection part of the experience. Its Conquest mode gives you a second structure after the campaign, but the campaign remains the defining reason it is the closest Ace Combat match.
Choose Sky Rogue when every run should be different
Choose Sky Rogue if procedural islands and missions are more important than an authored story. Its roguelite format is suited to short repeated attempts, while aircraft and weapon customization gives those attempts a decision-making layer. The listing’s local split-screen support is the deciding feature for two people who will play together in the same room.
Choose by co-op requirement
If local two-player play is mandatory, Sky Rogue is the supported choice in this comparison because its listing explicitly names two-player local split-screen co-op. Project Wingman’s cited listing does not establish a co-op mode, so do not infer one from its campaign, Conquest, VR, or HOTAS features. If you need online multiplayer, neither cited source provides enough evidence to promise it.
Choose by hardware
For a standard gamepad setup, both games can be considered without assuming extra flight hardware. For PC VR or a DirectInput-compatible HOTAS, Project Wingman is the relevant listing because it explicitly names those features. Treat the hardware as optional: buying a stick or headset is a preference decision, not a prerequisite stated by the source.
Platform and availability checks before buying
Store pages are the most reliable place to confirm a current edition, operating-system requirement, controller support, and regional availability. The cited Project Wingman page is a Windows listing with PC VR details. The cited Sky Rogue page lists Windows, macOS, and SteamOS/Linux requirements. Neither source should be stretched into a claim about every console or handheld.
Best Value
- AUTHENTIC A-10C COMBAT REPLICA - Immerse yourself in every mission with a flight stick modeled after the real U.S. Air Force A-10C attack aircraft, giving you the same grip, ergonomics, and control layout trusted by military pilots so your flight simulator experience feels undeniably real from takeoff to landing.
- ALL-METAL DETACHABLE CONSTRUCTION - Command authority with a detachable handle crafted entirely from metal that delivers a premium, weighted feel at over 6 lbs, keeping your flight joystick rock stable on your desk or cockpit setup during the most intense combat maneuvers and space sim sessions.
- HALL-EFFECT PRECISION THAT LASTS - Experience surgical accuracy with H.E.A.R.T. hall effect joystick sensors providing 16 bit resolution per axis, ensuring zero drift and no degradation over time so every subtle input translates perfectly whether you fly combat or flight simulator scenarios.
- 19 BUTTONS FOR TOTAL COMMAND - Take control with 19 action buttons, three 8-way hats, a 4-way hat with push button, a metal dual trigger, and pinkie switches that let you map every critical function at your fingertips, eliminating the need to reach for your keyboard during demanding hotas flight stick missions.
- PROGRAMMABLE WITH FREE SOFTWARE - Customize every axis and button using Thrustmaster T.A.R.G.E.T. software with drag and drop programming across Basic, Advanced, and Script levels, making this flight controller the perfect centerpiece for your flight simulator setup and fully compatible with HOTAS Cougar bases.
- Open the live store page for your platform. Confirm that the edition is sold for the operating system or console you actually use.
- Read the input section. Look for gamepad, keyboard, VR, or HOTAS notes that match your equipment. For HOTAS, check whether your device uses the supported DirectInput standard.
- Verify multiplayer wording. “Local split-screen” means same-location play; it is not evidence of online multiplayer.
- Check the current requirements. Operating-system versions, headset support, and peripheral compatibility can be revised after release.
- Confirm the edition and region. Storefront packages and availability can differ by territory, and the research-backed listings do not establish a permanent global catalog.
What older-console players should know
A community post uses the wording “What are some games similar to Ace Combat?” and mentions PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, and PSP. That post is one example of how fans phrase the search; it is not evidence of overall demand or proof that either recommendation runs on those systems.
The cited store pages establish current PC-oriented listings for these two games, not support for those older PlayStation platforms. If you are specifically replacing an older-console Ace Combat experience, treat platform verification as the first filter rather than assuming that a PC listing has a console equivalent.
How to evaluate claims about these recommendations
The useful facts here are feature and platform claims made on official or storefront pages. They do not establish relative quality, completion time, frame-rate performance, difficulty curves, current prices, review scores, or personal enjoyment. A responsible comparison therefore uses language such as “listed,” “described,” and “supports according to the store page,” rather than presenting untested impressions as fact.
Project Wingman’s release date, developer and publisher credits, campaign setting, aircraft and weapon counts, Conquest mode, VR support, and HOTAS note all come from its Steam listing: Project Wingman on Steam. Sky Rogue’s procedural structure, customization, local co-op, and listed operating systems come from its Steam listing: Sky Rogue on Steam. The arcade foundation of Ace Combat is described in Bandai Namco’s Ace Combat product catalog, while the 7-million-unit milestone appears on the official Ace Combat 7 page.
A practical decision checklist
- Do you want an authored single-player campaign? Start with Project Wingman.
- Do you want procedural islands and missions that support repeated runs? Start with Sky Rogue.
- Do you need two-player same-room co-op? Sky Rogue is the one whose listing explicitly provides it.
- Do you want PC VR or DirectInput HOTAS support? Check Project Wingman’s current listing and your device compatibility.
- Do you want to avoid buying extra hardware? Use a gamepad and treat HOTAS or VR as optional additions.
- Are you choosing for an older PlayStation system? Verify platform support first; the cited listings do not establish those versions.
For most Ace Combat fans, the order is straightforward: play Project Wingman first for the nearest campaign-led arcade flight experience, then consider Sky Rogue if you want a procedural format, loadout experimentation, or local split-screen sessions.
Quick Recap
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