Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Review

There are a lot of unlockable planes and weapons in this game. New planes and weapons become available for use in the next missions based on your mission scores (which are dependent on time spent and overall performance). Also, some planes and weapons become available just because you finish the mission and have nothing to do with your mission score. Unlockables urge players to retry missions with new planes and weapons to achieve higher scores for even more unlockables! Really, it becomes quite a vicious cycle.

Ace Combat 6 finally has a multiplayer! Unfortunately due to the limitations of the PS2, it is only available with one other person. Also, players are forced to play split-screen, which can be lame but is only a small detractor to the great experience! There are seven available stages and several combat situations to choose from. You can play one-on-one, lead a squadron against one another, and work together to successfully raid an enemy camp. There are a few others as well, but each is exciting and well-executed. It is too bad that the PS2 had to limit this fun multiplayer to only two people. What happened to the intentions to connect players across the world?

Although far from revolutionary, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is a worthy installment in the Ace Combat series. The missions, unlockables, improved AI, and great multiplayer all make up for the weak story and somewhat monotonous aerial combat. Ace Combat 6 is extremely fun to play and is sure to please fans of the genre, as well as attract many newcomers.

	REPORT CARD : Ace Combat Zero: The Balkan War category rating comments Originality 3 Ace Combat has been done before, approximately 5 times, but it does add multiplayer! Longevity 4 The multiplayer and unlockables will keep you going for hours and hours… Graphics 5 It does what it is set out to do, and targets don’t look like squares on the ground! Sound 4 Music is fitting, but I could do without the drum machine. Fun Factor 4 Great multiplayer and missions, although the missions can be monotonous. FINAL VERDICT: 4 out of 5 stars