Aces of the Luftwaffe: Squadron - Extended Edition, from HandyGames, places players in an alternate-history aerial conflict where squad leaders defend the American coast. It mixes vertically scrolling arcade combat with two full narrative campaigns, letting you play both the original squadron and the Nebelgeschwader expansion. The package pairs cinematic, voiced storytelling with an orchestral score, haptic feedback, and pilot progression systems. It suits fans of classic arcade shooters who prefer shared-screen party sessions and character growth.

What kind of game is Aces?

So you enter an alternate 1940s frontline, thus every engagement ties action to a narrative consequence: missions advance a voiced storyline while you fight down waves of enemy aircraft. The title is a vertically scrolling arcade shooter that frames the core loop as repeated sorties, mission objectives, and boss encounters. Playing through both campaign perspectives expands the narrative, which changes how individual sorties feel and why you target specific objectives.

Does it have a multiplayer mode?

Local cooperative play is central to the experience, with support for up to four players on a single Switch screen. The shared-screen design encourages coordinated positioning and friendly-fire avoidance, making short sessions social and hectic. The game also supports all Switch control variants, and the implementation includes haptic feedback to give physical cues during heavy combat. These design choices make it a strong option for in-room group sessions.

What does the game look and sound like?

The presentation pairs modern visual effects with orchestral music and fully voiced cutscenes, which lift the arcade action into a cinematic register. Sound drives pacing during boss fights, while visual effects highlight explosions and weapon flurries. Reviewers have noted a mobile-inspired look in the menus, a stylistic choice that contrasts with the richer in-battle graphics and the soundtrack’s scale.

How steep is the learning curve?

Difficulty is adjustable, so both newcomers and veterans find a starting point; multiple settings are provided to tune challenge. Progression uses an RPG-lite system where leveling grants skill points to spend on individual wingman trees, which concretely change loadouts and survivability. Thus mastery requires understanding both flying patterns and how pilot upgrades alter combat roles, adding a tactical layer beyond raw reflexes.

How long does it keep you coming back?

The Extended Edition increases replay value by combining the base campaign with an expansion, expanding mission variety and alternate perspectives. Achievements and distinct boss encounters provide short-term goals, while the pilot progression system invites return play to test different builds. Local co-op matches and the stacked campaign content give social and solo incentives to replay sections with different strategies and teammates.

Aces rewards cooperative players who like arcade combat with progression

Aces is a practical choice for players who enjoy brisk shared-room shooting sessions with a measurable advancement path, though the presentation occasionally leans toward a mobile-style interface in its menus. Some players seeking a deeper solo drama or online multiplayer may find those expectations unmet. For anyone wanting compact aerial action that benefits from in-person teamwork, it is a well-targeted pick.