Ace combat thread

[saturn-gamer]

I recently started with Ace Combat 3 Electrosphere, the NTSC-J 2 disc version. A game I always rejected for the sole reason it was butchered during translation. I had played it before, an illegal copy way back in spring 99 I guess. But only for a few minutes because I wanted to wait for a translated release... Well that came in the form of a piece of suck: AC3 PAL/US. The NTSC-J version is fantastic, you can even defect to the enemy, and from there defect to another enemy. With a grand total of 5 conclusions, and 52 missions. The steering however, is significantly weaker than that of AC2. Its kind of hard flying good in this game.

I've never played the first one (shame on me) so my first AC was AC2 on the PSX, which I also still own a copy of. When I replayed this last week, I was actually shocked to find out how good it still is. Its almost the same as the Ps2 versions, with just worse graphics and a lower framerate. AC is also a series that made the transition into the next-gen well, unlike a lot of franchises such as, I dare to say it, Final Fantasy. AC04 was just as great as AC2. And so are Unsung War and Zero. Soundtracks of all games are also very pleasing to the eye (try to find Zero.mp3, the boss music of ACZ!). My favorite game is probably AC2, the whole atmosphere etc.. it was just good. Earlier I would've said AC5, but AC2 is just pick up and shoot without too many chatter which is nice.

And looking at the trailers, Fire of Liberation will yet again be a great next-gen transition. It seems it keeps everything that makes this series so cool. Fast gameplay, great music (in the trailer anyway), drama and now online play!

What are your thoughts on this series, First game? best entry?

[DeathAdder]

I've played the first PlayStation game and the more recent PSP version. I find the series a bit dull, I must admit, but I'll read the comments on here and if they praise the PS2 versions I might pick one up if I can find it cheaply. Not really arcadey enough for me - like racing games I tend to favour arcade acrion over realism.

[Akihabara]

I find the series a bit dull, I must admit, but I'll read the comments on here and if they praise the PS2 versions I might pick one up if I can find it cheaply.

I think you couldn't be more wrong my friend, the Ace Combat series kick ass and can easily be considered arcade style games. Especially comparing to PC sims. Just do yourself a favour and get Ace combat 4 and 5 for the PS2, they can be found easily cheap and are right up there in the top 10 most underrated games ever.

[Duddyroar]

I loved the second PSX game, it looked amazing for the time, brilliant visuals and a fantastic graphic design style, typical Namco class. I never played the third one, but AC4 was also excellent.

[DeathAdder]

I think you couldn't be more wrong my friend, the Ace Combat series kick ass and can easily be considered arcade style games. Especially comparing to PC sims. Just do yourself a favour and get Ace combat 4 and 5 for the PS2, they can be found easily cheap and are right up there in the top 10 most underrated games ever.

I can see the appeal for some people. For whatever reason, I just can't get into them, but I will pick up a PS2 version and have a bash.

[J0e Musashi]

The first one sucked, three out of the first five Namcot titles did. Only RR and Tekken were any good.

AC2 however was excellent. I bought AC2 originally just to take advantage of the rumble feature offered by the first analog pads that came out, but I ended up really getting into it.

I never really got into AC3 as it seemed a bit too jazzy, what with the "space" theme and all.

AC04 I bought to take advantage of the direct HDD saving feature on the PS2, but I played it so often. One of my favourite PS2 games.

Not played AC5 or ACZero.

The PSP one is pretty sweet, but I sold my PSP before I really made a dent in it.

DS owners should check out Jet Impulse, which rivals the AC series IMO.

[Duddyroar]

DS owners should check out Jet Impulse, which rivals the AC series IMO.

Expand my friend, expand!

[J0e Musashi]

It looks as good as AC2, it has 15 missions, Wi-Fi play (perhaps co-op, can't recall) many aircraft and weaponry to purchase. If you've played an AC in Japanese you'll be right at home. Was in my top 5 for a good while. Highly recommended