flyingjohn
Arcane
- Joined
- May 14, 2012
- Messages
- 2,944
Continuing my ace combat retrospective,it is time to move on to the ps2 games.Here is my opinion about ace combat 4.
-EMULATION
The only way to play this game without any annoying graphical glitches is to play in software mode.No matter what settings you fiddle with in hardware mode(direct x or opengl) you will get annoying graphical glitches or missing effects,so just stick to software mode.
-STORY
The game befits from not having any central story line minus "enemy nation invades another country",which will appear in later games.
The story is presented in two forms.
The first are the mission briefings .They are simply solid and basically explain the situation in a very short manner.
The second part of the story is presented by animated cut scenes and it shows the life of a orphaned child living in occupied territory.
This is actually pretty well done.There is no cringe or melodrama,it feels very natural and is a nice way to present and give information about the enemy ace.The voice acting is boring since the narrator uses the same tone for everything.It is quite interesting too see something like this in a ace combat game.,shame the later games don't follow up on this style.
-Quality of the mission briefing screen
The mission briefing itself is boring(no models,can't evens elect enemies) but the after mission briefing is quite nice.It shows your entire movements in form of a red arrow which looks nice.
-Mission variety and gameplay
Well,this takes quite a setback compared to the previous games. 1/3 of the missions are score based missions,another 1/3 are gimmicks and the last third are the actually fun missions.
The score based missions are the worst offenders.You are given this huge map and a lot of targets(more then 80 mostly) and you have to gather the needed amount of points before the time runs out.It doesn't matter which targets you destroy.
This goes directly against ace combat guided mission nature and just fells like somebody made a big map,put a lot units on it and forgot to actually structure it accordingly.
Also,there is way too much ground targets in these missions for a air combat game.
Just not feeling this type of missions as fun or interesting,which is a shame.
The gimmick mission are either annoying or way too easy.Searching for small balloons in a fog without radar is not fun.
The good missions are mostly those focused on air combat,which are rare.
Now i wouldn't mind the mission variety if it also din't remove some stuff from previous games.There are no secret or branching mission whatsoever,which feels like a step back.
The score system is back and now it is much more simpler then ace combat 3.Just destroy a lot of enemies and you get s rank,which is fine by me.
-Planes
Awesome,it builds upon ace combat customization options and planes having designated roles.
Planes roles and subsystems all now combine to make each plane have its own set of identity.Choosing the multi role version of f15 feels actually different and worth it.
And since you can change your second weapon in missions,you don't have to worry about choosing the wrong plane.
Buying planes to unlock them is back,thankfully.
Secondary weapons are mostly missiles and bombs.But their difference is mostly delivery methods and range,which means all weapons are viable which adds nicely to the customization theme they are going with.
--Difficulty
Missiles have been given small but needed speed boost followed by their arc begin more straightforward then ace combat 3 upper lunch arc.They are still somewhat easy to evade,but now they close their distance more quickly and you actually have to dodge them.A nice and needed change.
Enemy planes have their ai reworked.Dome of them will actually change their course if you are getting a lock on them and they are more maneuverable..Also most of them are in a squadron,and they will target you relentlessly.
If you are fighting 3-4 enemies,2 will always be shooting missiles and targeting you,trying to stop you from shooting down their ally.
Air combat is extremely satisfying thank to these changes. Unfortunately there isn't a lot of enemy planes int his game.
Also the game add two difficulties above hard for people who feel the game is easy on hard.They change missile count,enemy behavior,etc.
Ace planes are now hidden on the map and you have to find them,which makes sense.
-Unique stuff and extra content
Fist ace combat game where you don't need to fidle with multiple saves to unlock stuff.All the typical extra modes are back(music,free mission),but they have added a time attack mode as well as having a campaign continue option.You also now the have the option of unlocking plane colors.So plenty of stuff to unlock.
-Overall verdict
A solid game,but i think it is overrated.The mission variety kinda kills any replay ability unfortunately.But i would still recommend to play the game if you are a fan.
-EMULATION
The only way to play this game without any annoying graphical glitches is to play in software mode.No matter what settings you fiddle with in hardware mode(direct x or opengl) you will get annoying graphical glitches or missing effects,so just stick to software mode.
-STORY
The game befits from not having any central story line minus "enemy nation invades another country",which will appear in later games.
The story is presented in two forms.
The first are the mission briefings .They are simply solid and basically explain the situation in a very short manner.
The second part of the story is presented by animated cut scenes and it shows the life of a orphaned child living in occupied territory.
This is actually pretty well done.There is no cringe or melodrama,it feels very natural and is a nice way to present and give information about the enemy ace.The voice acting is boring since the narrator uses the same tone for everything.It is quite interesting too see something like this in a ace combat game.,shame the later games don't follow up on this style.
-Quality of the mission briefing screen
The mission briefing itself is boring(no models,can't evens elect enemies) but the after mission briefing is quite nice.It shows your entire movements in form of a red arrow which looks nice.
-Mission variety and gameplay
Well,this takes quite a setback compared to the previous games. 1/3 of the missions are score based missions,another 1/3 are gimmicks and the last third are the actually fun missions.
The score based missions are the worst offenders.You are given this huge map and a lot of targets(more then 80 mostly) and you have to gather the needed amount of points before the time runs out.It doesn't matter which targets you destroy.
This goes directly against ace combat guided mission nature and just fells like somebody made a big map,put a lot units on it and forgot to actually structure it accordingly.
Also,there is way too much ground targets in these missions for a air combat game.
Just not feeling this type of missions as fun or interesting,which is a shame.
The gimmick mission are either annoying or way too easy.Searching for small balloons in a fog without radar is not fun.
The good missions are mostly those focused on air combat,which are rare.
Now i wouldn't mind the mission variety if it also din't remove some stuff from previous games.There are no secret or branching mission whatsoever,which feels like a step back.
The score system is back and now it is much more simpler then ace combat 3.Just destroy a lot of enemies and you get s rank,which is fine by me.
-Planes
Awesome,it builds upon ace combat customization options and planes having designated roles.
Planes roles and subsystems all now combine to make each plane have its own set of identity.Choosing the multi role version of f15 feels actually different and worth it.
And since you can change your second weapon in missions,you don't have to worry about choosing the wrong plane.
Buying planes to unlock them is back,thankfully.
Secondary weapons are mostly missiles and bombs.But their difference is mostly delivery methods and range,which means all weapons are viable which adds nicely to the customization theme they are going with.
--Difficulty
Missiles have been given small but needed speed boost followed by their arc begin more straightforward then ace combat 3 upper lunch arc.They are still somewhat easy to evade,but now they close their distance more quickly and you actually have to dodge them.A nice and needed change.
Enemy planes have their ai reworked.Dome of them will actually change their course if you are getting a lock on them and they are more maneuverable..Also most of them are in a squadron,and they will target you relentlessly.
If you are fighting 3-4 enemies,2 will always be shooting missiles and targeting you,trying to stop you from shooting down their ally.
Air combat is extremely satisfying thank to these changes. Unfortunately there isn't a lot of enemy planes int his game.
Also the game add two difficulties above hard for people who feel the game is easy on hard.They change missile count,enemy behavior,etc.
Ace planes are now hidden on the map and you have to find them,which makes sense.
-Unique stuff and extra content
Fist ace combat game where you don't need to fidle with multiple saves to unlock stuff.All the typical extra modes are back(music,free mission),but they have added a time attack mode as well as having a campaign continue option.You also now the have the option of unlocking plane colors.So plenty of stuff to unlock.
-Overall verdict
A solid game,but i think it is overrated.The mission variety kinda kills any replay ability unfortunately.But i would still recommend to play the game if you are a fan.