http://www.thebore.com/forum/index.php?topic=44954.0And to answer your question. No you don't. Different missions require different planes and different approaches.
Some missions I chose a more air combat jet that's fast and has a large amount of missiles because the mission requires you to be well aware of the enemies bombing run bombers that come in quick succession to attack the target, but also in this mission I still needed some air to ground capability as the ground troops could easily be overwhelmed. This mission required a balance of defense and some offense as the defense could be so easily overwhelmed, yet the desire to go on the offense to attack the bombers before the strike is there. So this mission requited some actual thinking beyond simple dog fighting.
One mission required you to destroy these sea platforms, but see lock on missiles were too slow to do the job because you're on a time limit. So you'd be doing a lot of strafing runs that would take too long. Even when you realize you can attack these core points. So what I realized after failing was that I had a jet with a rocket barrage attack that sent multiple non-lock on rockets. Sure I had to be careful as I had to manual aim in my strafing runs, but still one barrage was enough to take out the cores. So again this was more then simple dog fighting.
Another mission took place in a very mountainous region which required me to fly through jagged terrain to take out small missile installations. So chose a slower aircraft for more careful movement or a quick one and just be an ace pilot? Oh this leads to a pretty intense dogfight with a boss.
So really what makes these more then simple dogfights is the mission design. It's varied and requires some actual prep on your end. The unlocking of aircraft thanks to the tree I think also gives you some actual insight on what the planes do and thier roles.
Beyond that the core gameplay and dog fighting is always fun and intense. The planes are well realized. The stories are melodramatic fun. The music is at times epic. It;s just another example of awesome Japanese games with confident style.
7 is honestly a really good game and it just looks cool. The AC games just have that sleek and cool Namco art design. You know that feels like stylized Japanese art, but not super anime.
6 people seem to dislike? I don't know, I thought it was fun. The story was whatever, but some of the ace battles were really fun.
0 I did'nt play.
5 has a really good story and is maybe the best presentation wise and like 7 has really good and varied mission design. The story is more engaging, because there are actual centralized characters you follow.
4 is a fan favorite, but it's been years since I played it.
You may like the Japanese version of 3. It has a very cool 90s as fuck Ghost in the Shell/Macross cyperpunk asthetic and story. Also, a very cool ending twist. But it's pretty simple gameplay wise. The series has really moved past it, but it's unique.
The stories are very melodramatic, but one thing I think people don't realize is the stories are told by multiple characters and kind of in third person. They don't follow your "character" who is more of a plot device inside the story where the characters react to them. Even in three where your character is a bit more involved. And 5 where your a member of the story important squad.
But most importantly, you gotta like jets.