If you've ever wondered "How Long to Beat Ace Combat 7," you're not alone. That question sits at the center of many conversations among gamers deciding whether to dive into epic dogfights, try VR missions, or chase every ace rank.
This guide breaks down typical campaign times, extra modes, replay value, and strategies to speed up or stretch your playthrough. By the end you'll know realistic hour estimates, how difficulty and playstyle change those numbers, and concrete tips to make the most of your flight hours.
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Typical Campaign Length
Many players ask one simple question: how long does the core experience take? The main campaign of Ace Combat 7 typically takes about 8 to 12 hours to finish for most players. This covers the story missions from start to credits on a normal playthrough without grinding for perfect ranks.
Of course, skill matters. Newer players who stop to retry difficult missions or explore different aircraft may spend more time. Conversely, seasoned pilots who focus on objectives and avoid retries can shave hours off that estimate.
Additionally, the game includes about 18 main story missions and several optional tasks that can add time. These optional missions and secondary objectives are what push some players toward longer totals.
Next, we'll look at the key factors that make those hours vary so you can estimate your own playtime more accurately.
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How Difficulty and Playstyle Affect Time
Difficulty setting changes enemy toughness and mission length in subtle ways. Playing on a harder difficulty will likely add retries and careful planning, which increases total hours.
Different playstyles also matter. Below is a quick list of common approaches and approximate impacts on playtime:
- Casual/Story-focused: Finishes closer to the 8-hour mark.
- Balanced play (some side objectives): Around 10–15 hours.
- Completionist (all ranks, side tasks): 20+ hours.
For example, someone who prioritizes narrative and skips replaying missions for S-ranks will finish much faster. Meanwhile, a player who experiments with many aircraft and tries to perfect each mission will add playtime through retries and grinding.
Therefore, when estimating your own time, think about how much you enjoy repeating missions to improve scores versus just seeing the story through.
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Side Missions, DLC, and Completionist Time
The base game’s main story is one thing, but extras add meaningful hours. Many players want to know how side missions and downloadable content (DLC) change the total playtime.
To compare, here’s a small table showing rough hour ranges for each completion level:
| Playstyle | Estimated Hours |
|---|---|
| Main story only | 8–12 hrs |
| Main + VR + extras | 12–18 hrs |
| Completionist (all ranks + DLC) | 20–30+ hrs |
Note that downloadable missions and free DLC can add a few missions or aircraft to try. These additions often increase playtime by several hours if you explore them rather than skipping.
So, if you want everything — story, VR, extras, and perfect mission ranks — expect the upper end of those estimates or more depending on how much you repeat content.
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VR Mode, Multiplayer, and Optional Activities
VR missions are a distinct part of Ace Combat 7. They’re short but immersive and can add a few focused hours to your total playtime.
Here’s a quick ordered list to help you plan time for optional modes:
- VR missions: about 1–3 hours total for all VR missions if you play straight through.
- Multiplayer: varies widely; matches can be 10–30 minutes each depending on mode.
- Side ops and replaying missions for ranks: add several hours depending on goals.
Multiplayer doesn’t affect the single-player "time to beat" but can easily extend your overall time spent with the game. Some players log dozens of hours in online matches even after finishing the campaign.
Furthermore, VR play requires compatible hardware and can feel more intense, so some players take longer per mission in VR due to the immersive experience and slower pacing.
Replayability: Grades, Challenges, and Mastery
Ace Combat 7 uses mission grades and leaderboards that encourage replay. If you like chasing S-ranks, expect to replay tough missions several times.
Replayability comes from multiple sources. For clarity, consider this short list of common replay reasons placed within the paragraph:
- Improve mission grade (S, A, B)
- Try different loadouts and aircraft
- Complete optional objectives for unlocks
Grades and scores matter for many players. Achieving top ranks often involves memorizing enemy placements, using optimal aircraft, and perfecting routes — each of which can multiply your overall hours by two or more depending on how picky you are.
Therefore, if you plan to master the game rather than finish the story once, multiply the base campaign time by the number of expected replays to estimate a realistic total.
Aircraft, Unlocks, and Collectibles
Unlocking aircraft, skins, and special weapons gives players more reasons to return to missions. Some aircraft you unlock early; others require completing specific challenges.
Below is a simple breakdown in paragraph form that includes a small table to illustrate common unlock types and how they affect playtime:
| Unlock Type | How it affects time |
|---|---|
| Aircraft by progression | Encourages replay to test new planes |
| Cosmetics and skins | Minimal time, mostly optional |
| Weapon unlocks | Can change approach, add replay value |
Collectibles and secret unlocks often require specific mission outcomes, which can lead to more replays. If you aim to unlock everything, budget extra hours beyond just finishing missions once.
In short, looking to collect and test every plane and loadout will stretch your time with Ace Combat 7 considerably compared to a simple playthrough.
Tips to Speedrun or Stretch Your Playthrough
If your goal is to finish fast, certain tactics reliably cut time. On the other hand, if you want to stretch the experience, different choices help you savor it longer.
Try this short ordered list of practical tips depending on your goal:
- Speedrun: Pick a powerful, well-handled aircraft and focus on objective markers only.
- Balanced: Play on a medium difficulty and aim for decent ranks without perfectionism.
- Extend: Replay missions for S-ranks, try every aircraft, and play VR and multiplayer modes.
Additionally, use quick saves between missions when available and learn mission checkpoints to avoid full restarts. Watching brief guides for difficult missions can also cut frustrating retries and save time.
Finally, if you enjoy the game and want to extend its life, consider setting personal challenges such as "no missile" runs or trying low-tier aircraft for a tougher, lengthier experience.
Overall, these tips help you control whether Ace Combat 7 takes a weekend to beat or a much longer hobby to master.
To summarize, the core campaign will usually take 8–12 hours, extras push that to around 12–18 hours, and true completionists should expect 20–30+ hours depending on skill and goals. Your difficulty choice, replay goals, VR use, and interest in collectibles all influence where you land in those ranges.
If this guide helped you plan your time, try it out and then share your actual playtime in the comments or with friends — it's a great way to compare styles and tips. Happy flying, and may your sorties be decisive.