History VideoGame / AceCombatAssaultHorizon

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[[caption-width-right:200:[[{{Tagline}} Make Metal Bleed]]]]

The twelfth game in the ''VideoGame/AceCombat'' series, intended as a ContinuityReboot for the series. Like ''VideoGame/AceCombatJointAssault'', it is set in the real world. Released on UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation 3}} and UsefulNotes/{{Xbox 360}} in 2011. A PC version (the first one in the series) was released in January 2013.

*** On a related note, in the same mission, the base you defend is called Belyi Base. [[note]]For reference, Belyi (Original spelling "Белый") is the Russian word for white.
** The first two helicopter missions unabashedly give off ''Film/BlackHawkDown'' vibes. As a matter of fact, an NPC Blackhawk gets downed in almost the exact same way as Super 61. [[note]]In the movie, Super 61 takes a direct hit to the tail rotor by an RPG. Nomad 62, the NPC Blackhawk, goes down in much the same way. [[/note]]
** The helicopter gunner of Nomad 61 Blackhawk wears a skull mask that strongly resembles Simon 'Ghost' Riley's iconic mask from ''VideoGame/ModernWarfare''.

* SugarWiki/SurprisinglyGoodForeignLanguage: Both the NRF propaganda broadcast in the level "Motherland" and the song "Mrs. Krista Yoslav" are in completely accurate Russian.

** A pair of Japan-exclusive DLC paint schemes for the F-14D are based on those of the VF-1 Valkyrie and Strike Valkyrie from ''Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross''.

* PointDefenseless: Averted in one mission where you must destroy a number of naval vessels. The larger ships, such as cruisers and carriers, will shoot down your missiles with [[MoreDakka lots and lots]] of [[GatlingGood Gatling guns]]. The only way to get past this defense is to coordinate with your flightmates and shoot [[MacrossMissileMassacre tons of missiles at the ships]]. Also averted in the missions where you play as "D-Ray", the Apache helicopter pilot: you can shoot down infantry-launched SAMs and Hind rockets.

It's [[TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture the year 2015]], and an unusually large rebellion named 'SRN' surges in East Africa. The governments of the region are quickly overwhelmed, and decide to request the UsefulNotes/UnitedNations for help, who in turn call upon NATO. Given the situation, NATO decides to commission the [[BadassCrew 108th Task Force]], a special unit comprised of fighter pilots & military commanders from several nations, including America and Russia. However, things get worse as the rebels are revealed to be in command of a weapon of mass destruction named "[[FantasticNuke Trinity]]". Enter main character and 108th Task Force leader [[ColonelBadass William Bishop]], who sees himself and his friends involved in an escalating conflict over control of Trinity, which quickly spreads from the deserts of East Africa to the entire planet.

** In the tutorial level Markov tries to ram the already-defeated Bishop with his Flanker.
* ViolationOfCommonSense: In Dubai, it is possible to engage a DFM on an enemy that will lead you through the arch of the ''Atlantis The Palm'' hotel, giving you an achievement along the way. Guts calls you out on it. {{This|IsReality}} invokes a bit of FridgeBrilliance by realizing that the game takes place on Earth, and therefore the earlier ''Ace Combat'' video games exist in-universe.

* ViolationOfCommonSense: In Dubai, it is possible to engage a DFM on an enemy that will lead you through the arch of the ''Atlantis The Palm'' hotel, giving you an achievement along the way. Guts calls you out on it. This invokes a bit of FridgeBrilliance by realizing that the game takes place on Earth, and therefore the earlier ''Ace Combat'' video games exist in-universe.
-->'''Warwolf 2:''' [[BreakingTheFourthWall This ain't Ace Combat, bro.]]

* AluminumChristmasTrees:
** Yes, the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTtX6GF6D3I can do an Aileron roll ("barrel roll")]].
** Real-life aircraft have many damage control systems and back-ups allowing damaged aircraft to continue on their mission despite taking direct hits from ground fire. These measures include things like self-sealing fuel tanks, fire suppression systems, back-up hydraulics, the list goes on. And yet people tend to think that aircraft hit by a missile should go down with just one or two hits despite the stories of modern fighters being able to return to base after receiving horrendous damage - famous examples include the A-10 Thunderbolt II, which is designed to survive sustained ground-to-air fire, and the F-15 Eagle, of which one operated by the Israeli Air Force [[https://theaviationist.com/2014/09/15/f-15-lands-with-one-wing/ managed to return to base with only one wing still intact.]] This latter incident is highly likely the inspiration for Solo Wing Pixy's claim to fame in ''VideoGame/AceCombatZeroTheBelkanWar''.
** Although the developers were right to remove Bishop's once-prominent facial hair, Air Force regulations ''do'' allow for trimmed mustaches.
** American bombers do actually have equipment that show them the radar coverage they're coming into, allowing them to minimize the danger of detection. Remember, while a B-1B can outpace a pursuing fighter (it can hug the terrain while holding its afterburners for much longer than a fighter could), a B-2A is basically a big black Dorito chip with the maneuverability you'd expect - that is, none at all - and an easy gun kill if spotted. The weaknesses of the B-2 Spirit bomber actually make the B-1 Lancer a better choice for the mission in which it is available, since [[spoiler:detection is unavoidable]].