IGN: We also know you can now command other land, sea and air units. What are some of the vehicles that you will have at your disposal?
Natsuki Isaki: In the air, there are fighter planes similar to the one you operate. They can fly fast enough to respond to a call in a matter of minutes. There are fighters which are good at air battles, attack aircrafts which are superior in ground attacks, and also multi-purpose fighters which can do both. Helicopters are good for attacking enemies on the ground even if they fly slowly because their accurate attacks at point-blank range can be executed repeatedly. Large bombers whose size exceeds 50 meters can be there, too. They are useless against the aerial enemies, but they are powerful enough so that they can wipe out a large number of land targets by dropping multiple bombs. This is something that you don't want to miss. Electronic Support Measure (ESM) is also a unique plane. They are slow and they are not loaded with any missiles or machine guns to attack the enemy, but they are equipped with an advanced technology called Electronic Support Measure (ESM). ESM gives the player the ability to analyze the adjacent enemy data and send the info to the allies' tactical computers. By flying close to the ESM, the player can obtain an access to more accurate detail on the enemy forces, gaining a crucial advantage in battle.
On land, there is a variation of tanks, anti-aircraft artillery, anti-air missiles, and long-range artilleries. They will create a formation to destroy their opponents. Since they don't fly or go across rivers, they are not effective against the fast-moving opponents. However, they can be very effective in taking control of the enemy hubs.
On sea, there are destroyers and cruisers as hubs of the ocean. They are loaded with powerful artillery guns, antiaircraft machine guns and anti-air missiles which are superior in both destructibility and firing range and are equipped in the destroyers. Also, as a control tower on the sea, they also have EMS. However, they can only battle on water.
IGN: What type of commands can you issue? Is there a way to control any of the units yourself?
Natsuki Isaki: Through a game system called "Allied Support," you can request support from your allies far beyond your wing men. The system has two types of support, one is the aggressive "Allied Attack" and the other is the defensive "Allied Cover." You can use this feature by using the d-pad so that you can instantly use the function even in the middle of an intense battle.
Aim the nose of the plane to the enemy group that you want to attack and use the "Allied Attack." Allies launch fierce salvo against all enemies on screen. You can use the "Allied Attack" against an enemy group or you can use it against the enemy ace pilot. The friendly AI's of land, sea and air will wisely select their targets by applying their unique abilities; therefore, unorthodox strategies such as large bombers launching dogfights to the enemy fighters won't happen.
By using "Allied Cover," friends will attack all enemies shooting at the player, whether they are on-screen or not. This support is effective when you get attacked by multiple enemies and it is difficult to escape. This is not a typical move by an ace pilot, but an ace pilot must be able to pick and choose their battles.
In using both types of "Allied Support," the units responding to your call are the ones involved in the operation(s) where you have succeeded. By being rescued by friendly aircraft saying, "Roger! I'm coming" as if it were in return for you helping them in a previous mission, gives the player the feeling of being the main character in the battlefield. Also the powerful spectacle proceeded by salvos with various weapons such as missiles, machine guns, artillery guns, and so forth can be a memorable feature in the game.
Also, the players don't board the tanks or vessels, or operate them. Unlike RTS, you don't give detailed instructions such as, "Go that way and come this way." In this game, being a hero as an ace pilot in the battlefield is important; therefore we didn't want you to also be a tank operator, captain, or general… We have concluded that unless you play a steady character, you may become confused of who you are and even though you could get a simple sense of accomplishment of clearing stages, you would never be able to get the emotional sense of achievement of being a hero. Providing an opportunity of becoming a hero who not only feels the joy of beating his/her foes, but also feels the pleasure of helping friends in need is one of the key benefits of "Allied Support."
IGN: Are the allied units' static or can you bring them with you throughout the living battlefield, if the geography allows it?
Natsuki Isaki: Most of the time, ally aircraft are able to follow the player without any geographical restrictions, although there still is an issue of how fast they can reach you. For instance, it might take large bomber(s) a while to arrive when "Allied Support" is requested, though once they arrive, they show their immeasurable strength.
Land units and fleet can't help facing geographical restrictions. Even so, they can come where you are likely to call for "Allied Support." Nevertheless, fleet is reliable and will support you even with limited mobility because they have a long firing range.
. But good for Xbox owners that they finally get this game!
Why are there so many good games coming out so soon? I am gonna be sooo broke by christmas 
