Edited By
Julia Forester

A surge of excitement surrounds the launch of Aces of Thunder, which went live this morning. Players are sharing their experiences across forums, highlighting everything from graphics quality to gameplay challenges. Many are eager to learn more about this flight simulator's early reception.
Players are praising the crisp graphics of the game, especially on the base PS5. "It feels higher than GT7," one player noted, emphasizing the importance of resolving objects at a distance. The game's dynamic foveated rendering appears to enhance performance, providing a smoother experience with minimal frame drops. Users remarked on how the lighting and terrain textures stand out, while some low-resolution textures were noted, particularly on plane wings.
The flight simulation aspect isn't a walk in the park.
One gamer pointed out, "This game is a sim, so itโs fairly challenging to pick up". The transition to using the Thrustmaster HOTAS controller has been complicated for many, and maneuvering can lead to crashes.
Players have reported a learning curve as they must adjust to flying techniques, especially for those using motion controllers. The simple interaction methodโtapping to grab and releaseโhas drawn criticism from some who hoped for more intuitive controls. However, it seems this can be adjusted in the settings.
There are reports of bugs that disrupt gameplay, mainly tied to head tracking. Players have noted that turning their heads sharply sometimes causes the flatscreen interface to appear unexpectedly in their headset. While it doesn't occur every time, it disrupts focus during flight.
"The sense of flight and scale is truly fantastic," stated one player, sharing their enthusiasm despite these technical issues.
Overall impressions are leaning positive, with gamers excited about honing their skills and spending more time with this title. Players feel the game is worth the $30 price tag for the immersive experience it offers.
๐ฌ "This game is hard af" - Captures sentiment on the difficulty level.
๐ Impressive graphics quality noted, particularly dynamic foveated rendering.
๐ Players praise controls but want more intuitive options to enhance gameplay.
As conversations continue to unfold in forums, gamers are eager to share tips and tricks, suggesting a tight-knit community forming around Aces of Thunder. What will emerge as players dive deeper into the gameplay?
There's a strong chance that as players continue to tweak their controls and adapt to new flying techniques, those initial frustrations will transform into skillful mastery. Experts estimate that within a month, community-guided tutorials and tips will substantially decrease the learning curve. Moreover, developers are likely to prioritize addressing technical bugs, especially those related to head tracking, given the positive sentiment surrounding the graphics and gameplay. Gamers who invest time now could foreseeably find themselves part of a rising competitive scene, similar to past flight simulators that grew into eSports arenas.
The situation surrounding Aces of Thunder echoes the early days of Guitar Hero back in 2007. Initially criticized for its steep learning curve, it soon developed a loyal following as players shared tips and tricks on various forums. Similar to the shared experiences in gaming today, players found community through struggle, leading to an unexpected boom in concerts and competitions. Just as that rhythm game paved the way for an entire genre, Aces of Thunder is on track to create a vibrant ecosystem focused on shared passion and collaborative learning.