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Challenging, not for dummies.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: December 21, 2005
Author: Amazon User

In scanning over the reviews, I can't believe no one mentioned that you basically work your way up to better planes and equiptment in this game and what that really means. In my view, this is one of the best aspects of the game because, at first, you're pretty much of a sitting duck in the crappy plane and weaponry you start out with; but then when you've kicked butt to the point that you have a greater wealth of choices in aircraft capability it starts getting as if you really are investing something in your choice and might actually go with a less 'capable' plane because of some particular aspect of a mission only that one is good for--outfly or out dogfight, better strategy or just sheer adrenaline, ....

Some of the planes are too manueverable, too fast, no good in tight spaces or no good at low altitude runs. No one superplane is good for even one third of the missions. This is basically what keeps playing the same missions over and over interesting and fresh, because as you try to accomplish the same mission in various planes you find there are drastically different advantages / disadvantages and that it influences how you go about the mission.

This game makes you use your head to succeed.

One thing I wish the Ace Combat series would come out with--I've only played Ace Combat 4 actually--is flight school. I don't think they need to give away top gun secrets to give people just a few pointers from experienced pilots.

Fun? Yes. Realistic? Not by very, very long shot.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 6 / 10
Date: August 20, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I think there is a reason why accurate flight simulators are few and far between on the consoles. With only a few buttons, a d-pad, and thumb-sticks on a controller, there isn't a great deal of input choices that would make up for a keyboard and full-blown flight stick. Flight sim developers are plane nuts and they strive for accuracy, many gaining access to the real aircraft, even taking test flights in them. Ace Combat 4 is not such a game. It's a fun romp through a campaign across a fictional nation that much is certain, but it has all the depth of a wading pool. Combat is a simple matter of simply getting close enough to lock up an enemy plane and firing a missile while evading an incoming missile is as easy as turning and breaking. Also I know for a fact that real world aircraft do not carry upwards of 82 missiles.

Flight dynamics are a joke; there is little difference between piloting an A-10 Thunderbolt or a F-15, characteristically, both air craft handle pretty much the same, save that the F-15 is faster. Realism goes out the window as one can usually out-maneuver an F-16 in an F-4; whereas in reality an F-16 would fly circles around the venerable Phantom. Aside from carrying five or six times the missile load out, missiles themselves are equally good at shooting down aircraft as they are blowing up tanks and hardened targets like bunkers. Fire a Sidewinder or a Sparrow at a modern battle tank and even providing you could hit it, the missile might scratch the paint. There's a great difference between aircraft aluminum and layered and ablative chobham tank armor. Bombs are equally weird, Mk-82 500 lb GBs seem to shoot out of your aircraft as if launched from a cannon. When doing a bombing run you can actually see them fly on ahead of you towards their target.

What also got me was how useless the M-61 20mm gattling gun is on most aircraft. I did a little research a few years ago and found that the cannon is incredibly accurate. Its spread pattern of 1-3 meters, even at two or three thousand meters range, indicates a 60 to 90% hit ratio. In Ace Combat 4 however, it's a bullet hose with all the accuracy of Fox News. The real weapon is so accurate because its muzzle velocity is so high, and thus overcomes gravity and wind resistance to a greater degree. In other words, shooting down another aircraft is very difficult, because you have to hit it so many times and providing you can maintain a close target lock long enough to pump enough rounds into it. This includes the A-10s 30mm Avenger cannon, the depleted uranium slugs of which will chew up battleship hull armor.

These are pretty glaring faults for a game, but despite these, I found myself enjoying the game a great deal on my first play through. I liked the story as told by a young boy whose village is under enemy occupation. I generally like games that let you pick and choose what aircraft and weapons you wish to fly for each mission that is if you have earned enough money to buy such aircraft to give yourself that kind of choice. Each mission gives a series of objectives that must be met to earn cash, a little like anime `Area 88' where mercenaries on both sides battle in the skies over Africa, and use earned money to buy new planes or repair their existing aircraft. You also get a boatload of weapons; various bombs- guided and otherwise, laser guided Mavericks, and Phoenix missiles- which are actually really cool, because when armed, they lock up everything in front of you. And when you fire, you launch as many missiles as you have targeted aircraft.

So, from a realism aspect, Ace Combat 4 misses the carrier deck by such a wide margin that it's in a completely different ocean. I can accept that; because it's fun. And fun is the name of the game. Going after the massive guns of the Stonehenge base and racing down the Death Start II tunnel system to wipe out Monolith, is darn cool. The lack of mission outline, the fact that missions are timed, and the fact that mission's objectives are handled pell-mell; is not. The plane graphics are great, and the landscape images are good from a distance. The combat chatter is fun, but you don't get to hear enemy in your cockpit in real life. Ace Combat 4 is a fun game, but a long, long way from being a real flight simulator or even accurate.

Go for it

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: December 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

No rival ,hands down one of the best flying simulator since Top Gun Fire at will(not counting the cheeze videos of fly crew talking to you).AC4 is highly addictive the the controller are sweet and easy to get the hang of it the graphics are top notch with a decent story line.the diversity of planes you acquired as you play along gives you a brand new experience in new and previous missions ,which by the way are quite a few with a killer awesome last mission that would keep your eyes glue to the tube as tilt your whole body making you believe you are in that plane trying to survive a stars wars like run on a missile bunker.I personally enjoy it to the point adquiring s ranking in all difficulty and still when back for more.in short if you dont want spend $49.99 on the sequel get this one, believe me Mobious One will make Maverik park his plane in the hangar and make Top Gun School file for a Chapter 11

Perfect Combination of Beautiful Graphics and Great Gameplay

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 01, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I decided to take a chance when I picked up this title but I haven't had a single regret. A lot of games fail to keep my attention for long, but this one has kept me hooked. What first drew me to this game were the beautiful graphics but after I stopped drooling over the visuals, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was a story with depth and excellent gameplay to go along. There are times where you actually feel as if you're Morbius One and as the story builds, it gives more meaning to the missions. Namco has made a true gem. I've loved fighter planes since I first watched Top Gun and this game has been able to create the same excitement I felt when I first watched the movie. Definitely check this one out!

Great freaking game - skip the storyline unless your 11

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 25, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I've been waiting for a quality air combat simulation for PS2 and this title was well worth the wait. The graphics rival most PC games and the gameplay is smooth and deep. Scenery is incredible - landscape doesn't lose much quality as you fly close as with many flight sims. Only real detraction is the story-line. It's fine for the adolescent in the house, but if you just want to get to the action and skip the melodrama, get used to pressing Start to get through the "my-family-killed-by-evil-pilot" animations. Overall, one heck of a game though.

One of PS2's Best

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: October 16, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Whenever a dog-fighting sim comes to mind I always have to think back to the old days on the Nintendo 8-bit when I first tried out "Top Gun". I was a force to be reckoned with...at least for the first level. I made my way through all those bogeys with ease, and then I was given the order to land. Beads of sweat rolled down my face, a lump grew in my throat...and you can bet a steak dinner I nose dived my multi-million dollar F-14 into the carrier, again and again. Sure it may be a fossil of a game by now but I always had to applaud it for adding that extra depth of realism by requiring landings, even though I sucked at it.

I must admit I never got a chance to try the very popular Ace Combat 2; I instead tried the obsolete Air Combat that was bad enough to make me hold back from trying other flight games for Playstation. So when Ace Combat 3 made its way into a used CD store, it didn't take long to find its way it Jobe's sticky fingers. After playing through it now, three times, trying out all of the ships and other modes I can say without a doubt in my mind, this is the best dog fighting game I've ever played. Playing this one makes all others seem like toys in a discount rack, Ace combat 4 is like a dream, this game can't be real.

Instead of shoving "no chance in hell levels" and monstrous mechanical enemies like Air Force Delta, down players throats to try and make an electrifying game during every second. Ace Combat 4 sticks to what it's really about, dog fighting. Sure there are multiple air-to-ground levels, but when you're not putting towers or satellite dishes in your sights, you're probably cranking your plane as sharp as it can turn to avoid one of a missile on your six.

Flight combat here is, no joke, just as it should be. You take two hits, maybe even one perfect one and its curtains. Just like in real-life piloting, half of your time is going to be dodging missiles from bogeys, who will stick on you like a bum on a bologna sandwich. No enemy can be deemed irrelevant here, it's when you pass that missed SAM site that you'll have immediate missile lock, so kiss targeting any other enemies goodbye, because you're times going to be spent pulling G-Force blackouts to avoid missiles. Over the course of 18 missions you'll also encounter an elite group of fighters called "Yellow Squadron", and going up against these pilots manages to create a tense heat as you fight for a perfect missile lock while avoiding a Yellow already on your tail.

Another point I have to bring into view is the storyline, granted there are no CGI's or movie clips between missions. Instead the story is told through still hand drawn pictures, and is so well written that it makes even some of the RPG's stories look like Creative Writing in Kindergarten. Ace Combat 4's story isn't a crazed general hell-bent on world domination, but in fact a superbly written narrative about the recollections of a young boy during a war who befriends an enigmatic pilot "Yellow 13" who strives during the war to find a worthy opponent, and you are that opponent he speaks of during the storyboards. The war is between the Eursian's and the Allies who fight over a devious weapon originally designed to shoot down meteors falling to earth called "Stone Hedge"

The story not only is a huge and creative departure from your everyday gaming stories, but also adds in a smart commentary on trials and tribulations of those involved in war as well. It also doesn't hurt that the opening moments of the final level is one of the greatest cinema scenes in gaming history, I won't spoil it, but coming from a movie reviewer for over 5 years I can say it even rivals the silver screens moments.

Ace Combat 4 is one by far this year's biggest sleeper hit. I had no idea of what to expect when I purchased it, and what I found was a dog fighting paradise. Flight simulator fan or not, I still recommend this one highly to all PS2 owners, after playing through it 5 times and already on my sixth I still can't find anything bad about this game, and believe me that truly means that this game is something special. One of 2001's 10 best games, another must have title, right alongside Metal Gear Solid 2 and Grand Theft Auto 3.

This game is why everyone should buy a ps2

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Full of detailed graphics, smooth flight controls, and challenging missions, this game is one you will play over and over again. Once you've mastered and defeated the game on the normal difficulty, you have an uncontrollable urge to go back and beat hard, expert, and ace; not only to unlock more fighters but just to prove you can outfly and out dogfight every pilot you go against. This is the best flying game out yet, it beats Top Gun, Lethal Skies, and Dropship by 150%. If you own a PS2 this game HAS to be in your collection of games.

Super addictive, non-stop gameplay

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: January 18, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I've looked for years for a good flight simulation game for my Playstation/Playstation 2 console so when I bought Ace Combat I hoped it would be good. The truth is, it was awesome. From training sequences to the final heart pounding mission this game is full of high profile action and adventure. When I started playing it I couldn't put it down. Even after beating it three times on increasingly harder difficulties I still find myself putting it in the console and blasting some enemies out of the sky. The duel background story is awesome. In one part there is a little kid in a city that is occupied by the enemy and he befriends an enemy pilot even though the pilot shot down a plane that crashed into his house. At the same time you begin to feel a great respect toward the pilot, the best in the FEAF. On the other side of the story is the character you play, Mobius 1, a new kid in the ISAF who must rise to become a hero and fight off the Erusians. From the beginning mission to the final end of the war there are twists, turns, and surprises as you try to complete the mission objectives. Outside of the mission mode there is an awesome multiplayer mode in which you and your friend can duke it out one-on-one, dogfighting other planes, or seeing who can take out the most stationary targets. The amazing graphics, sound, and controls add to the experience. In cockpit view you feel like you are actually chasing down enemies from the cockpit of your fighter. The constant radio chatter leaves you wanting to yell back at your comrades. The game's addictiveness will keep you coming back for more and more. Overall this game is rated at 5 stars because I can't rate it at 100. Buy this game today you won't regret it.

Don't Be Fooled By Its Price: You won't be disappointed!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: May 31, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I personally do not buy 'flight simulator' games because I am not simply interested in them. However, I gave Ace Combat 4 a try simply because it was cheap. Frankly I just don't like these 3D 'shooter' games; I'm a hardcore 2D shooter fan-

however...

Wow... this game just blew me away since from early missions to the very AWESOME last mission... I didn't expect much from this 'flight simulator'... This game literally reminded me of Ridge Racer R4 after finishing it. Ridge Racer R4 was a great game because they added this simple story to an already great driving game with perfect jazzy music; Namco did exactly same thing to Ace Combat 4 by adding this narrative story aspect, which seems to be the winning combination for Namco. Game would've been a great mission-based game without the story. However, it would take this incredible 'experience' aspect away from the game.

Early missions are easy enough for anyone to engage...however, it becomes harder toward the end (I had to retry COUNTLESS times..ok, may be it's just me..) Once you get to the half way, you have to face 'updated' objective after accomplishing first objective. And I clearly remember this one mission where you have to destroy all the solar panels. You get updated objective after done so, which is that you have to fly below 2000ft in order to survive...(and the only way is to fly through the valley, while being chased by enemy jets) and oh my gosh- my palms were sweating and my eyes were literally glued to the screen with my utmost concentration- and let me ask you this; how many games have ever made you to give your 100% concentration these days? It's becoming harder and harder for me to finish a game to the very end these days yet I found myself coming back to this game again and again. Everything is there; gameplay, graphic, music, fun factor, and last but not least; experience.

Well, I wouldn't write this review unless I was compelled to do so... and I also want to simply 'beg' you to play this game if you happen to have any doubt.

DON'T MISS IT- REALLY.

Dont forget your pilot's gloves...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: October 26, 2001
Author: Amazon User

because your hands are gonna be sweatin'....Im an adult gamer who has been playing military flight sims for 15 years...and Im telling you this game is a knockout! This game strikes a really good balance between simulation and action....and is perfectly satisfying withou some of the details in realistic sims like long distance navigation, ECM's and flares, and raising and lowering landing gear and flaps, etc...and you know what? My hands never sweat like this before! Let there be no misunderstanding, this game WILL absorb you and you WILL forget that you are sitting on your couch (that is, if your TV is big enough). And how could I not mention the graphic and audio detail of everything in this game.....it is simply f'in awesonme. You name it, scenery, terrain, targets, weather, aircraft, water, ships, jet engines, explosions, cockpit and 3rd person views, radio transmissions...all impecable. Combine this with ultra smooth frame rate and a 32" TV, and Ill take it over any PC game out there.

My only significant criticism of this game is the time limit for missions...its the only thing that reminds you that you are playing a video game while you are flying. I could also do without the cartoon story of some boy Im supposed to feel sorry for...forget about it, its a f'in cartoon! Its like they were trying not alienate all the little kiddies out there, but make no mistake, this is a pretty grown-up game in-flight. Personally I would like to see future versions of this game trend MORE toward the realism/simulation side and add some of the aspects I mentioned before or at least make them options, because this IS an AWESOME platform.

The fictional land of Eugea or whatever its called, well, it might as well be Afganistan (youll will be surprised at the likeness). Stars and Stripes FOREVER!!

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