The Ace Combat franchise has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and in that time there have been a number of titles released across a multitude of platforms. Each game has introduced us to an ace pilot we would make our own thanks to the use of a silent protagonist. Well, except for Ace Combat: Assault Horizon which introduced a more cinematic approach to the franchise, for better or worse, depending on who you ask. Each protagonist got to see a unique conflict and experience and I decided that I wanted to rank all the playable protagonists, so here it is: my list of how all the playable characters in the Ace Combat franchise stack up!

Spense and Guns - Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon had a lot of problems in my mind, and one of which was the number of throwaway characters you had to play as. While I applaud that the franchise was trying to reinvent itself during the height of the Call of Duty hysteria by implementing new door gun mechanics and AC-130 gunplay, these two characters didn’t get the justice they deserved. Spense is an operator of the infrared detection system aboard the AC-130 Spooky 01, piloted by Janice Rehl, who we will discuss momentarily. Spense’s gameplay is completely on rails as you use the AC-130’s weapon systems to take out hostile targets.

Spense is given no time to develop a personality or a reason we should care about him, and only appears in one mission during the entire game. Likewise, Guns is a character whose gameplay is on rails, being a door gunner for Nomad 61. Guns is one of the first playable characters in the game, being controlled during the opening title sequence. After a Trinity explosion, Guns sustains numerous third-degree burns, and later door gunner missions are actually played as a different character. At least thanks to Guns’ injury and the skull mask he wears, he tends to be a bit more memorable than poor ol’ Spense.

Ace - Ace Combat Advance

Ace has an interesting plot and is a character you don’t really get to know much about. Due to Ace Combat Advance being released on the Gameboy Advance, there were some limitations when it came to the game's storytelling. There are no cutscenes in the game and mission briefings play out in a text form. Unlike Ace Combat 3 however, you can actually finish reading these ones and get an understanding of what is going on. Ace, along with the resupply craft Mother, were integral in taking down General Resources' forces on the Usea continent. I would love to see more games set in this era so that one day we might be able to get a more fleshed-out version of the story!

William Bishop - Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

Oh Bishop… Where do I even begin with you? Being the main protagonist of Ace Combat: Assault Horizon, you would expect Bishop to be a bit more likable. Sadly, this really isn't the case as the Lieutenant Colonel lacks any sort of charisma to let him truly stand out. His relationships with his wingman, Guts, and other supporting characters, Janice Rehl and Doug Robinson, are highlights, but they will always be the standout characters of the game in my mind. Unfortunately, when it comes to Bishop he will always be that stereotypical soldier found in games of the time. Oh, and who could ever forget his big memorable speech near the end of the game: “Markov is far beyond good, but we can beat him. That’s all I have to say.” Really, that’s your big rallying call to arms to battle a dude who has been wiping the floor with you over the course of the game?! Man, truly a lost opportunity to turn the character into something more memorable, and by extension make the whole of Assault Horizon just that much better. Oh well…

Nemo - Ace Combat 3

Now, for clarification on this placement for Nemo, I am basing my opinion on the North American version of Ace Combat 3. This version of the game didn’t have the funding to be properly brought overseas from Japan in its original 2 disk, 50+ mission glory with anime cutscenes to boot. Instead what we got was a gimped version of the game that had its alternating storylines removed in favor of one single long mission path. The problem with this was that the story was nearly entirely removed as well, along with all the anime cutscenes. Mission briefings became so long with the text moving too fast for you to even clearly understand what was going on at all! Oh, and all the trademark radio chatter of the franchise was also removed to fit the game onto a single CD. The biggest casualty of this conversion was Nemo, who now has no plot or real story associated with them. I am hoping to one day get a Japanese version of the game so I can finally experience Nemo’s true story!

Janice Rehl - Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

One thing Ace Combat Assault: Horizon did give us was our first playable female pilot with Janice Rehl. Janice was an interesting character thanks to her relationship with both Bishop and his wingman Guts. Moreso the latter thankfully, and thanks to enough jokes and flirtatious moments between them, her limited screen time was more bearable compared to the likes of Bishop. Sadly, Janice is only playable in one mission of the game, while the other mission her plane is featured in has the player assume the role of Spense. At least the mission she is in is one of the more memorable ones of the entire game. It is also the first time the series has ever let you pilot a bomber!

Doug Robinson - Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

I actually like Doug Robinson in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon! Leading the Shooter Squadron of attack helicopters, Doug has far more charisma than Bishop. Doug can often be heard over the radio talking to different members of his and other squads so you really get to know the pilot. Sadly, there aren’t many missions you are in direct control of Doug. But, the ones that you are in control of Doug make me wish that Bandai Namco and Project Aces would make a dedicated helicopter style game! Make it happen guys, for Doug!

Reaper - Ace Combat Infinity

Reaper is an interesting character in Ace Combat. Ace Combat Infinity was mainly focused on multiplayer and co-op modes, but that didn’t stop it from getting its own single-player story mode. Unfortunately, the story was a sort of rehash of Ace Combat 04 and other Strangereal games, featuring many similar missions and story points. These events played out well with Reaper, but I could never feel totally connected to the character, as it just felt like a fan fiction take on the franchise's lore. Unfortunately with Ace Combat Infinity shutting down back in 2018, I can no longer replay it and see if my opinion of the character could change...

Falco One - Ace Combat XI: Skies of Incursion

Ace Combat XI: Skies of Incursion was a side story of Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception, released for the iPhone/iPod touch back in 2009. Assuming the role of Falco One, players got to witness the invasion of Aurelia and the destruction of an Aurelian fleet he was assigned to protect. Through the course of the title, Falco One helps turn the tide of the battle against Leasath and even brings down the craft responsible for destroying the fleet he failed to defend earlier in the war. Falco One was also instrumental in helping Gryphus One in taking down a number of enemy ships attempting to deliver weapons and supplies to Leasath's final base. Sadly the game has been delisted for years and newer iPhones aren’t even able to play it, making this game nearly unplayable in today’s world...

Antares One - Ace Combat: Joint Assault

While the story of Ace Combat: Joint Assault, or the game in general, isn’t one of my favorites, I do like Antares One. A former member of the military who joined a PMC mercenary outfit, Antares One was set to prove his value when he and the company he now works for were betrayed by the company’s top fighter squad. Now Antares One has to show that he was always a top fighter and take down all his former comrades. He also had to show he could fly more than jets with one intense canyon flight segment taking place in a 747; if that doesn’t scream “I am the world’s best pilot” I don’t know what does!

Talisman - Ace Combat 6

Talisman is a rather new pilot at the beginning of Ace Combat 6, having only been a member of the Emmerian Air Force for ~2 years by the start of the game. After having been a part of the mass retreat from Gracemeria after the Estovakian invasion, Talisman quickly became a pilot others looked to for guidance and leadership on the battlefield. During operations, others would see Talisman as some sort of deity that kept them from harm and allowed them to carry out their missions safely. Thanks to Talisman, the Emmerian forces were able to thwart the advance of the Estovakian invasion and take back their capital before it was leveled by the invading forces. To prevent further conflict, Talisman was even able to destroy the powerful railgun, Chandelier, with the help of his allies.

Gryphus One - Ace Combat X: Skies Of Deception

Gryphus One is the Aurelian ace who would be key in winning the conflict with Leasath forces. After keeping a flight of bombers from destroying Aurelia’s last Air Force base, the remaining troops left alive were able to slowly begin retaking their country. Gryphus One would be tactically responsible for choosing the route the Aurelian forces would take to more effectively take back their country. By the time the war was over, no other pilot would be as widely recognized or revered in the nation than Gryphus One!

Cipher - Ace Combat Zero

During the lead up to the Belkan War, Ustio could tell that Belka was preparing for an invasion. To help bolster their strength, Ustio hired many mercenaries to bolster its air defense force. Cipher was one of these pilots, and worked closely with another well-regarded mercenary named Pixy. Cipher and Pixy would be key in helping a number of critical operations succeed and push back the Belkan invasion. It was Cipher, however, that began to build a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten. At a place designated Area B7R, or the Round Table, Cipher was able to take down many skilled enemy aces, earning the title Demon of the Round Table. These encounters left a lasting impression on the aces that survived their duels with Cipher. Even years after the war and Cipher disappearing from the public eye, these aces would share the tales of their encounters with reverence!

Trigger - Ace Combat 7

Trigger is the newest ace to join the ranks of the Ace Combat franchise, and my, oh my, what an interesting story he has! Beginning as a new transfer to the Mage Squadron of the Osean Air Defence Force, Trigger quickly shows off enormous potential to be a driving force in stopping the war with Erusea. Sent in to help rescue former president Harling from danger, Trigger is framed for murdering the man and sent to prison. While in prison, Trigger’s talents didn’t go to waste, as he was assigned to the 444 Penal Unit’s Spare Squadron. After a number of successful missions, Trigger's case was reopened and commuted.

Trigger was reassigned to the Long Range Strategic Strike Group as leader of Strider Squadron. With the help of Strider Squadron and Cyclops Squadron, Trigger was able to help defend the last Stonehenge railgun to defeat one of Erusea’s arsenal birds. At the end of the war, Trigger was able to take down the second Arsenal Bird and a number of advanced drones that were programmed to send Triggeer’s flight data to manufacturers all over the world in hopes of perpetuating the war. During the course of these events, it became known Trigger had been innocent of Harling’s murder the whole time!

Phoenix - Air Combat, Ace Combat 2/Ace Combat: Assualt Horizon Legacy

Phoenix was a legendary mercenary who helped quell a number of rebellions in his time. Phoenix was most notable in stopping the Skully Island Insurrection that saw the government there toppled by terrorists. Leading Scarface Squadron, Phoenix was able to take down a large aerial fortress, new for the time period, but would become ever more present as time would go on, to restore peace in the area. After completing his mission, Phoenix ended up retiring for three years before being called back into service to stop a coup that had broken out over the continent of Usea. Phoenix manages to defeat these rebel forces and take down their cruise missile aimed at the city of St. Ark. The fortress Intolerance is now all that stands between Phoenix and victory. After destroying the fortress, it is unknown what Phoenix went on to do.

Blaze - Ace Combat 5

It actually hurts to put this one here in second place, since Ace Combat 5 is my favorite game in the series. Players assume the role of Blaze, a newer pilot in the Osean Air Defense Force. After Blaze’s flight lead is shot down, he becomes the leader of Wardog Squadron. Being stationed on the closest piece of land between the warring countries of Osea and Yuktobania, Wardog thwarted a number of invasion efforts, one of which resulted in the sinking of a super submarine called the Scinfaxi. Wardog had become so prominent in their abilities that they were sent after Yuktobania's second super sub, Hrimfaxi. After destroying the Hrimfaxi, Wardog would be given the nickname of “The Demons of Razgriz.”

Fearing that Blaze and his squad were ending the war too soon, the true culprits behind the conflict arranged to have the members of Wardog branded as traitors and shot down. After escaping Blaze and the remaining members of Wardog, plus naval pilot Captain Snow, were able to rescue the President of Osea. Learning that the true culprit behind the war was Belka, a combined force of Osean and Yuktobonian fighters moved on Belka to end things once and for all. Seeing the end was near, Belka launched one last-ditch effort to crash a satellite into the capitol of Osea. Thanks to Blaze, the satellite was destroyed and peace was restored. It is said that Blaze never flew in another combat mission after this.

Mobius One - Ace Combat 04, Ace Combat 5, Ace Combat 7

The famous ISAF pilot Mobius One takes the top spot on today’s list. Mobius One is an ace pilot who helped win the Continental War for the ISAF against Erusea. In the early days of the war, Mobius One would stop a bombing run on an ISAF base and take out a number of enemy installations, allowing for troop movements and evacuations to proceed. One of Mobius One’s first widely acknowledged achievements was the sinking of Eruseas’ "invincible" Aegir Fleet. After this, the Legend of Mobius One continued to grow as the ace was able to provide close air support for an allied invasion and fly escort to rescue a number of Erusean scientists responsible for creating the Stonehenge railgun.

With the help of these scientists, the ISAF is able to come up with a plan to destroy Stonehenge once and for all. Leading the assault was Mobius One who was able to fly in under the installations line of fire and destroy a series of jammers preventing missiles from being used on the structures. After the destruction of the jammers, Mobius One quickly dispatched the Stonehenge installation and one of the members of Erusea’s ace Yellow Squad. Erusean troops feared the appearance of Mobius One after this point, and the remainder of the war drew to a close within a matter of months. A week after the war’s official conclusion, Mobius One once again had to prove he was a legendary pilot by taking out the last remaining Erusean fighters in the Megalith missile-launching facility, thus truly ending the war once and for all.

Mobius One would stay on with the ISAF and the year following the war would be instrumental in dealing with a rebellion carried out by the last remaining Erusean extremists. It isn't known what the pilot did after this but at some point, Mobius One joined the IUN Peacekeeping Force. 8 years after Mobius One's last mission, the pilot once again took to the skies to quell the forces of a resurgent Free Erusea. After dealing with the forces last WMDs and ace pilots, the forces of Free Erusea might finally be gone for good!

So there we have it, my rankings of the Ace Combat franchise’s playable protagonists! What did you think, and how would you have ranked them? Leave a comment below!