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FLIGHT ARCADE


Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve - Announcement Trailer Thoughts
Thoughts on Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve with three decades of context from two life-long fans of the series.

Skyward Staff
Dec 13, 202516 min read


Rotor Sim: Whirlybird Adventures
This helicopter focused indie flight game simcade is a non-combat experience that prioritizes rotary-wing operations in a well-rounded setting.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Dec 3, 20255 min read


Ace Combat 04: A Modern Day Retrospective
A critical eye of an Ace Combat series classic. Is the story of AC04 something that still resonates today?

T.J. "Millie" Archer
Nov 1, 202510 min read


Indie Highlight 005: Delivery Must Complete, Zakon
The fifth entry of the Indie Highlight Series with Mishanya (Zakon) and Yoyoyollie (Delivery Must Complete).

Matthew "FlyAwayNow" Nguyen
Oct 25, 202511 min read


VRChat Aviation Journal: Gliders and Airships
First article in a new series focused on VRChat Aviation puts the spotlight on gliders and airships.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 22, 202511 min read


Steam Next Fest October 2025
A compilation of our thoughts on a handful of flight focused games with demos at Steam Next Fest October 2025.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 18, 20258 min read


Air Pico: A Micro Flight Simulator
Air Pico by Mot is one of the latest flight games on a "fantasy" retro game console that never existed.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 8, 20254 min read


Flying in VR: Is it a must? Or still a gimmick?
As immersive as it can be, is flying in VR now a must? Or is it still just a gimmick?

Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos
Sep 27, 20253 min read


Indie Highlight 004: Kirk Woodes, ZhakamiZhako
The fourth entry in the Indie Highlight Series with indie developers Kirk Woodes and ZhakamiZhako.

Matthew "FlyAwayNow" Nguyen
Sep 20, 202511 min read


First Impression: Sky Aces (August 2025 Demo)
Our first impression of a scrappy new indie dogfighter with decent AI and a solid amount of detail.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aug 27, 20255 min read


Skywriter Academy: A Gust of Creativity
Skywriter Academy is an intentionally clumsy skywriting game created in just a few days for GMTK Game Jam 2025.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aug 20, 20253 min read


Indie Highlight 003: Nova Squadron, Supermaneuver
The third entry introduces the still in early development game Supermaneuver and checks in with Nova Squadron following update 0.4.0.

Matthew "FlyAwayNow" Nguyen
Aug 16, 202511 min read


After Burner Climax: An Arcade Swan Song
Let's reminisce about a game that gets your blood pumping: Afterburner Climax! Too bad you can't buy it anymore, though.

T.J. "Millie" Archer
Aug 13, 20255 min read


G-Rebels (Games Forged In Germany 2025 Demo)
Thoughts on the July 2025 demo for G-Rebels by Reakktor Games.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 30, 20257 min read


Arcade Archives Air Combat 22: A Deeper Dive
A long-time Ace Combat fan experiencing Air Combat 22 for the first time thanks to the July 2025 console release.

T.J. "Millie" Archer
Jul 23, 20256 min read


Dancing Wings: Aerobatic Aspirations
Aerobatic flight simulators are a rarity. We take a look at what is available for this new in development indie game and give our thoughts on its spiritual predecessors and potential future.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 16, 20254 min read


ScrapWings (Steam Next Fest June 2025 Demo)
The Steam Next Fest June 2025 demo for ScrapWings by AmadeusCraft shows a slice of what the solo developer is trying to achieve. With a semi-open world concept, dedicated story missions and collecting scrap to create items, the game has potential.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jun 11, 20256 min read


Indie Highlight 001: Series Start
The start of a long-time coming series. Indie Highlight focuses on current, past and still in development indie flight games.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 17, 20257 min read


The Form and Function of Clouds and Weather in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Skies Unknown is the first entry in the Ace Combat series to introduce clouds in a way that is both visually stimulating and a game mechanic that directly effects gameplay.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 14, 20257 min read


Nuclear Option: Open Ocean SAMs
The second map for Nuclear Option features dedicated surface-to-air missile sites that offer a welcome long-range threat to complicate missions.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 7, 20255 min read


Aviassembly Revisited: A Journey of Redemption
Aviassembly has come a long way since we looked at its demo last year - follow us as we take a look at what's changed, and why you shouldn't let it slip under your radar!

Caio "Hueman" Barreto
May 4, 20259 min read


Ace Combat: Assault Horizon - Death by Name Association?
Being alive for a while gives the privilege of perspective if you pay attention close enough Let us go off of the beaten path for a bit....

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Apr 16, 20257 min read


Zero Profit Margins: The High Praise and Low Sales of Ace Combat Zero
A critical look at the most influential yet financially unsuccessful Ace Combat game: Ace Combat Zero.

Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos
Mar 22, 20255 min read


Test Pilots: The Birthplace of VRChat Aviation
Test Pilots by Sacchan, the original VRChat Aviation world, has been the most popular VRCA world since the beginning. Join us for a visit.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Mar 15, 20257 min read


Aurora Flight: I Can See the Light
Okay, dead honest—my first impressions when I saw the first screenshots of this game were “what kinda blatant Ace Combat ripoff am I...

T.J. "Millie" Archer
Mar 5, 20255 min read


Pre-Release Interview: Exosky (2025)
A pre-release interview with the indie developer of Exosky shortly before its release on March 7th, 2025.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 26, 202517 min read


War Thunder: The Sim-Lite Killer
War Thunder is extremely popular, but has unknowingly killed a genre of flight games? Let's discuss this.

Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos
Feb 20, 20253 min read


Couch CO-OP Flight: Mirage, A Biplane Adventure
Thanks to an offer from its developer, two Skyward writers try Mirage: A Biplane Adventure during Steam Couch CO-OP Fest February 2025.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 12, 20257 min read


Ace Combat 5: What it Meant for the Franchise
Ace Combat 5 shaped the way for all future games in the franchise. Was this for good or bad? Let's talk about it!

Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos
Feb 1, 20253 min read


Exosky 2025 Demo Update
Your favorite (only?) flight game with an AI cat assisting humanity's stellar aviation endeavors is back with one-hell of an update.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 29, 20255 min read


Review: Paper Planes (Early Access Release)
"The squirrels are now fully targetable, as intended."

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 11, 20259 min read


Nuclear Option: Tactical Tarantula
Our introduction to the quad proprotor VTOL tactical airlifter you did not know Nuclear Option needed.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 4, 20255 min read


Frontline 59: Project Wingman's Overdue DLC
Project Wingman 2.0 is OUT, and it comes with the release of its DLC: Frontline 59. Let's check it out!

Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos
Dec 8, 20246 min read


GroundFall: Optional Survival
A signature part of GroundFall bush flight simulator is the survival game mechanics. However, its recent major update now makes it optional.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Nov 16, 20245 min read


Aviassembly: The Pursuit of Payload - An account of our descent into madness
We tried out Aviassembly's newest demo, here is our descent into madness!

Caio "Hueman" Barreto
Oct 10, 202414 min read


VRChat: F-14A Tomcat Naval Interceptor 1.2.0 Release
Out now! Our thoughts on the new large update for this F-14A Tomcat focused VRChat aviation world.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 5, 20247 min read


Flight Games at Planes, Trains and Automobiles Fest 2024
A quick look at flight focused titles from this September 2024 game festival.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Sep 19, 20249 min read


The Storm: How the barrier system affected our VRChat Aviation tournament
What will happen if you implement a battle-royal encroaching circle in a VRChat dogfight tournament? Let's find out~

Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos
Aug 31, 20244 min read


At Skies Edge: Reaching Decision Height
At Skies' Edge update 0.09a has pushed the project towards a point where a serious decision must be made about its future.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 27, 20246 min read


Thunder Helix: Tornado S.A.R!
A classic example of a developer side project producing an interesting scenario.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 10, 20244 min read


ASF-X Shinden II: One-of-a-Kind Ace Combat Aircraft
Designed by Shōji Kawamori of Macross fame, this tailor made aircraft for the Ace Combat series has survived eras of change.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 11, 20247 min read


Review: Airforce Delta Strike
A passionate review of Airforce Delta Strike. Remember the title for what it was, and wondering if it indicated the future of the genre.

T.J. "Millie" Archer
May 8, 202411 min read


At Skies' Edge: Soaring Higher
A recent flurry of activity around At Skies' Edge brings us back to see how it is progressing in version 0.008a.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Apr 17, 20246 min read


An Honest-to-Goodness Sky Odyssey
Appreciation a hidden flight gaming gem that describes itself as Indiana Jones adventure with flight simulator physics.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 21, 20245 min read


The Most Powerful Aircraft Cannon in Ace Combat
Is the aircraft cannon in Ace Combat 6 the most powerful in the Ace Combat series?

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 14, 20245 min read


Blue Sky Aces (Steam Next Fest 2024 Demo)
Stumbling upon a stylized, retro inspired World War 1 indie flight game during Steam Next Fest February 2024.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 7, 20246 min read


Review: Yawman Arrow (2024 Release Version)
A long review with a critical eye about one of the most unique handheld flight controllers we have ever seen.

Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 3, 202414 min read


War Thunder: Our First Experience
Our first experience in War Thunder as beginners! How did we fare?

Santiago "Cubeboy" Cuberos
Jan 31, 20245 min read
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