With the European and Australian launches of Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception, the game developed and published by Namco has conquered the skies. It was released late in October in the US and Japan.

The game is the eighth (and hopefully not the last) installment in the popular Ace Combat series, but it's the first (and hopefully not the last) for Ace Combat game for the PSP.

The game is set in a fictional world, where you, as a member of Gryphus Squadron, control one of the last few planes left in the decimated air force of the peaceful nation of Aurelia (you know, for a peaceful nation, Aurelia has a lot of military hardware). Aurelia has been occupied by the military might of the neighboring country of Leasath. Now only you and your small group stand between defeat and freedom [insert dramatic music].

The game is realistic, but isn't really realistic because there are some planes with dozens and dozens (and dozens more) of missiles and there's no limit on afterburner use. In the game, you'll encounter dozens of different kinds of aircraft; some of them were made-up for the game by Namco.

Fast-paced. High-flying. Amazing technology. Better than the real thing? As long as you're a teenager or older (and can handle the mild violence of air combat and mild language and references to alcoholic drinks), you can get this ESRB Rated T game at the recommended selling price of about 40 US bucks.