Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies

"This is without a doubt, one of the finest games I've ever played!"

First off I'd like to start by saying that AC4 is the only game in the AC series that I've played, but I consider myself an avid, looooong time veteran gamer. I purchased my ps2 around xmas time and AC4 was one of the first games I purchased... and I haven't regretted it!

Gameplay: 10

I found that the controls for game were very easy to get used to, even though there are so many things you can do, I find the control scheme to be spot-on perfect. The physics engine and smooth animation make for absolutley AWESOME gameplay, especially when dogfighting. I can honestly admit that making a kill in this game the most exhilirating exciting experience I've ever had in any game. Also there's sooooo many different evasive manuevers that you can actually initiate off the top of your head, AND THEY WORK, (well not always in the higher difficulties of course...) The menu interface is a bit jittery, but not enough to affect the rating. Also during the game you're kept in almost constant contact with your wingmen AND with enemy and radio transmissions. This drastically pumps up the mood of gameplay and also, believe it or not, none of the transmissions or commentary is really annoying nor does it ever get old, mainly because it's FUNCTIONAL.

Story: 9

The story is simple, yet really sets the mood for gameplay, with a NICE surprise about halfway through the game. The only flaw I can find (some might not consider it a flaw) is that the cutscenes are all in stills, rather than FMV, which personally I think would have been the icing on the cake. (Hence the 9)

Graphics: 9

The graphics are so stunning with such attention to detail that you sometimes forget you're playing a game. The jets are modelled after real aircraft complete with user-responsive moving parts, i.e.: tailfins, afterburners, flaps, the whole 9, plus all the aircraft are real-time shaded, which is why I strongly suggest that if you ever play this game, just try climbing to about 25-30000 ft and slowly do a barrel roll in 3rd person view, and you'll see what I'm talking about. !) Why the 9 you ask? Well the ground and terrain itself looks great until you fly at about 2-3000 ft, then things start getting a little pixellated.

Sound: 10

The sound is as good as it can be with very realistic sfx, and radio chatter, and it kicks a** when another jet soars close past you, because not only does it sound great, but it's real time sound, so no 2 jets sound the same, and no 2 fly-bys sound the same either.

Replayability: 10

Well, since I purchased it, I havn't been able to put it down. I've already beaten it several times on several different difficulty levels, and I just can't seem to get tired of it, which is actually a first for me.

To buy or to rent?

BUY BUY BUY!!! Even if you don't like flight sims, BUY THIS GAME!!! Trust me you will NOT regret it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/13/02, Updated 02/13/02