Should Sony have bothered with the PSP’s analogue nub? It’s an important question as while games such as the brilliant Killzone: Liberation work wonders with the thing, Ace Combat X just doesn’t. This is a series that has proven popular on the PS2 in part thanks to how controlling jets feels on a DualShock. But trying to emulate a game that could work brilliantly on the PS2’s controller on the PSP is clearly too much for Namco… and the PSP.

That said, one still can’t hide the beauty of swooping fighter jets hundreds of miles an hour through the air. Which really is the game’s saving grace. But despite Namco cramming as much of the franchise staples as possible into the PSP version, Ace Combat X suffers from a number of idiosyncrasies – namely, the control layout.

Speaking specifically of manoeuvring the jets themselves (and like previous games you earn points to buy more jets as the game progresses – as well as upgrades), the game makes use of all four buttons on the D-pad (tilt and yaw), the analogue nub and the two shoulder buttons (left for break, right for increased speed). To move left you must move your thumb up from the nub and hold the left D-pad button. But instinctively you’ll move the analogue left and most likely open up a world of trouble.

Instead of veering to the left you’ll go into a barrel roll. And then you’ll start cursing. And then you’ll crash and will have to restart again – much like we did during Mission 3A (where you have to stop fleets of ships entering a harbour, as well as contend with enemy fighter jets and ground emplacements). But as we mentioned earlier, despite these idiosyncrasies – and despite the fact fluidity is not this game’s forte – one can’t escape the rush you get from dog fighting.

The simple process of setting your sights on an enemy, getting close enough to lock on and then unleashing two missiles for a successful hit feels suitably rewarding. As does lining up Apocalypse Now-style bombing runs.

It’s for these reasons alone that, despite its rather obvious faults, Ace Combat X still manages to entertain. You’ll swear a lot and think of smashing your PSP through sheer rage, but those moments when you successfully nail an enemy are worth it. That said, its problems really do come down to that bloody nub.

Craig Gilmore