Don't be surprised if the urge to go out and buy a flak jacket, a pair of old sunglasses, and the Top Gun soundtrack kicks in after playing Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception. Namco Bandai's latest flight action game happens to be the best yet, probably since the old days of Ace Combat 2 on the PlayStation. That's a pretty big statement, and Ace Combat X backs it up in so many ways.

Let's start with the story. Instead of branching out with a continuation of the running story from Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War or Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, Skies of Deception covers new ground. A pilot has joined a rag-tag team of hot shots who are defending the troublesome nation of Aurelia. As if the politics surrounding the nation aren't enough, the fellow country of Leasath has begun its own invasion, and it's up to the pilots of Aurelia to keep their country safe.

The nature of the aerial combat stays about the same throughout each mission, and players probably won't find room to complain. The gameplay, like in previous chapters, relies on the fine balance between simulation and arcade. The game's not going to run so fast that the player relentlessly needs to catch up, but it's also not going to put them to sleep with technical jargon. It's all about the meat of the missions here, whether the squadron chases enemy planes in the air or fires missiles at a group of ground targets.

Although the control scheme for Skies of Deception remains about the same, the selection of jets included in the game is impressive. Players will be able to take the skies with a number of sleek little numbers, including the A-10 Warthog, the classy F-14, and many, many more. Most of them are unlocked during the Campaign mode, providing some extra drive to get the missions completed. Parts also become available within the game, and players can add them to their jets to give them an advantage in the skies.

The visuals fit the PSP perfectly. There have been some slight sacrifices, including some details on the aircraft and a slight hitch to the frame rate (down from 60 to around 30), but the game still looks great. There's plenty of varied terrain, and flying through the clouds and hunting down enemy aircraft generates lots of excitement. The heads-up display is nothing new, and it's very operable, notifying the player of where their targets lie and giving them the option to change to closer targets with the press of a button. Missiles fly through the sky, leaving a puff of white smoke behind them as they home in on their fateful target. The camera angles will suit most players, as there's three to select from here, including a cockpit view that's just like the real thing- even if it means some pieces of plastic block parts of the screen. The replays are phenomenal, giving several angles to check out as the mission is completed or failed.

The sound is equally sufficient. Between the authentic jet noises, the mid-air banter between members of the squadron, and some impressive rock music, the audio experience of Ace Combat remains intact. Players can hear the nervousness of some of the squadron members, complete with "uh" from time to time to give them a less than confident feeling. That's good- it depicts realism and how dangerous these skies really are. The enemy pilots are also convincing, creating a genuine threat that has to be blown out of the sky.