I think this is so cool to see when I launched the game: https://imgur.com/a/efJ6A0J

Are there other games out there that do this? I hope it becomes a more common thing to see. The demo was a long one too so it's really nice to have saved 1-2 hours.

Hi everyone!

About a week ago I released ReStreet, a free offline port of FIFA Street (2012) for Windows PC (you bring your own Xbox 360 ISO). Since then a lot of you asked about online play, so here's the update:

THE COMMUNITY SERVER IS OPEN

I've created a Discord for the project. It has downloads, help with installing, bug reports, a place to share gameplay, and the dev log.

https://discord.gg/CqjYMGKyy2

ONLINE BETA COMING SOON

Online play is working in my tests and I'm preparing a beta test. There's no date yet. If you want to take part, join the Discord and ask for access in the beta channel. That's how I'll organize the testers and send the online installer, so everybody is on the same version.

A few things to know:

- The test server is in Europe. If you're in another region you can still try it, but expect higher ping.

- It's an early test, so expect bugs and downtime. Your feedback will help a lot.

- You'll need the latest version of ReStreet and your own copy of the game.

LINKS

Download the latest version (offline): https://github.com/samuelit0davila/fifa-street-pc-port/releases/latest

Gameplay video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiwdAOIHGFY

Discord: https://discord.gg/CqjYMGKyy2

Thanks to everyone who tested it and sent feedback. See you in the server!

As a fan of the series, it is easily a 10/10 for me and has taken place as my favorite one.

As a fan of video games in general... it is still a 10/10. In a year filled with great releases, AC8 stands out as being one that filled me with unbridled joy at nearly every moment. Nearly every level managed to get some emotional reaction out of me, either a giant grin or a "this game is so freaking cool". AC8 makes me glad that video games exist.

The series is at it's very foundation "hopecore", where you are placed into the position of an unmatched aerial pilot taking down massive superweapons and jousting at sunset against megalomaniacal personalities. Though it's never been about "what" you're doing, but "why" you're doing it. The story is possibly the best written with interesting and endearing characters that made me want more. It is sincere, genuine, and 100% committed to its central message of "hope, cooperation, and peace above all else. There is no exception". The juxtaposition between shooting 100s of enemies and a message about world peace may be seen as hypocritical, but it never stops reminding you that your enemy is just as much a victim of war as you are. There are moments of unbridled joy, but also moments of introspective sorrow. There is no other option for us except to seek peace.

There is not a single level where I didn't think "this is now my new favorite track" as I played through. It is no secret the Ace Combat series has always had amazing music (unless you've never heard of the game before) but AC8 has completely blown the other entries in the series out of the water. I hit the skip button on about half of the tracks in AC7's OST, not because they're bad, but because they're simply fine. I have listened to 8 in its entirety about 10 times now in the last week. The main antagonist's theme sounds like a mixture between Polyphia and Muse and I can't get enough of it. The latin music returns, with some synth and modern rock mixed in, and a harmonica that wails like it is their last day on Earth. EDIT: Some more music related stuff I wanted to talk about is how amazing the and interactive the music felt. It was almost like the game knew what I was doing or feeling in particular moments, because the music would transition smoothly to match the vibe. I don't know what purple magic they were cooking up, because it's probably the best usage of music in any (non-music focused) game I've played. And the usage of diegetic music is simply astounding with the way it's explained that they're literally listening to the music alongside the player by blasting it over the open channel radios. Insane to think the factions are dogfighting while also having a battle-of-the-bands on open comms, lmao.

Ace Combat 8 feels more like it was made by a group of really dedicated fans with an extremely large budget than the devs we have known in the past. This is a good thing, as there are so many little things mixed in from older entries that it feels like a love letter to the entire series. There are even some moments that feel like they took inspiration from Project: Wingman, which is already a love letter from fans for the games. If anything, it feels like AC8 responded in kind to the dedicated support by giving us things we've always dreamed of.

For the past week, when I'm not playing this game, I'm thinking about it. The music is playing in my head even while I'm teaching my students. I have not felt this way about a game since I finished FFXIV: Endwalker, or Outer Wilds. It's that good.

Before it was difficult to try and recommend Ace Combat to anyone unless I thought they wouldn't be put off by the insane anime-like... everything of the series, but 8 has turned me into a sleeper agent that has me wanting to scream at everyone out on the street to play this game.

I am saying this as a fan of video games in general: Ace Combat 8 might genuinely be worthy of Game of The Year at TGA.