ACE COMBAT 2 (PSX)
Type: Air Combat
Developer: Namco
Publisher:  Namco
Number of players: 1
Rating: Teen - 13+

PSX pilots have waited a long time for a game that provides the thrills and
excitement of an authentic flight sim.  Finally, that wait is over.  Namco's
Ace Combat 2 is the perfect blend between a realistic flight sim and an
arcade action game.  The end result is a game that can be summed up in one
word - "Fantastic".

The flight modeling for the aircraft in Ace Combat 2 conveys a sense of
accuracy.  You can experience the thrill of pulling sustained Gs and perform
a number of classic flight maneuvers.  The planes tend to stall quite a bit
therefore maintaining the proper speed, or energy management, is essential.

An invaluable 360 degree air/ground radar screen makes life a little easier
for you.  The radar will help keep you on course to your objective, show
threats and help identify targets.  After a target is designated, you should
direct your attention to the critical information projected on the Head-Up
Display (HUD).

Namco has paid exceptional attention to detail by creating a HUD that is
surprisingly realistic.  The HUD is one of the best you'll ever have the
pleasure of using in a flight sim.  It is in fact, better than HUDs modeled
in a number of popular PC flight sims.

The HUD contains the standard data such as speed, altitude and direction.
 But, there are a number of other features which deserve mentioning.  First
is the Target Designator box (TD).  This box appears around the selected
bogey.  You must maneuver your aircraft so the TD is inside the large Aiming
Reticle on the center of your HUD.  A Target Aspect Angle caret (just like in
real fighter aircraft) appears on the outside of the Aiming Reticle.  The
caret keeps track of the bogeys flight direction.  This helps you judge the
targets direction so you can place the TD inside the Aiming Reticle.  When
you're within range a diamond appears in the TD, the box turns red and you
get a missile lock tone.

Now, you can fire a pair of missiles and knock that bogey out of the sky.
 Well......almost.  If the bogey is heading directly away from you he's dead.
 But, if the bogey is cutting across your front you'll learn rather quickly
about the advantages of Lead Pursuit.

If you're a macho Top Gun kinda pilot you'll want to use just your gun to
bring down the bogey.  Now this is where the game really shines.  You'll be
hard pressed to find more exciting and challenging action than dogfighting
with just your gun.  The HUD has a realistic target pipper with a range
indicator for the gun.  The target pipper reacts to your aircraft's movement
and floats around the HUD to show exactly where your bullets will go.  Lining
up the bogey with the target pipper is a real challenge and requires some
skill.

Situational Awareness (SA) is the #1 ingredient that makes a flight sim
credible.  SA is fighter pilot lingo for knowing what is going on all around
you.  The SA in Ace Combat 2 is outstanding.  You have a feeling for speed,
altitude, distance to objects and the location of friends and foes.

If a lot of the above sounds like mumbo jumbo then you have a pretty good
idea just how much realism was included in this game.  If you're a Rookie
pilot, fear not, you can comfortably customize the game to your skill level
via numerous options.

There are over 30 exciting missions including the hidden missions.  The
missions include a wide variety of objectives such as eliminating air, land
or sea targets.  Some missions require you to fly down canyons while dodging
anti-aircraft fire on the way to the objective.  You begin the missions
airborne but there are a few (easy) carrier landings.  There's even a wingman
or wingwoman available on a number of missions.  You can assign them specific
tasks such as covering your tail or to attack air/ground targets.  The
artificial intelligence of the enemy is remarkable and provides a real
challenge.

The mission Briefings are very detailed explaining exactly what is expected.
 Following the mission there's a replay of your last action and then a
thorough Debriefing.  As you progress through the missions you earn cash,
promotions, medals and new planes.  Destroy hidden targets and additional
missions are awarded.  There are time limits which are enforced by running
out of fuel.

You begin with 2 mediocre fighters.  By the time you're half way through the
game you'll have over a dozen planes at your disposal.  You buy new aircraft
with the cash you won in previous missions.  If you're strapped for cash and
can't afford that A-10 Warthog you had your eye on, you can sell one of the
planes in your inventory to raise the extra bucks.  Each aircraft has its own
strengths and weaknesses.  Therefore, you must carefully select the
appropriate plane to complete the mission objective.  Incorrectly selecting a
fast fighter to attack ground targets might end in a failed mission.

Your weapons include a healthy supply of short range missiles (SRM) and
unlimited ammo for the gun.  The SRMs require you to get in close to your
target.  This becomes hazardous because your target isn't going to sit there
waiting to be destroyed.  You'll be taking evasive action to dodge incoming
missiles, anti-aircraft fire or those nasty tail guns on bombers.  The action
is so convincing you'll be turning and ducking in your seat.

The game supports analog controllers including the neGcon.  Sony's dual
analog joystick provides a truly remarkable gaming experience.  You have the
throttle in one hand and the flight stick in the other just like in the real
thing.

The smooth as silk graphics are beautifully rendered with a high amount of
detail.  Objects on the ground such as buildings and radar sites are
incredible and can be easily identified.  Added touches include: smoke trails
off your missiles, fiery explosions with a shower of debris, and flying
through clouds and smoke.  Simply a gorgeous game.

The sound is equally spectacular with the sound of your engine, missile
launches, gun firing, radar lock-on tone, and terrific verbal cues to help
you survive and accomplish your mission.

The replay value of Ace Combat 2 is high.

Bottom Line:  Palm sweating in your face explosive action that will please
both Rookie and Veteran flight sim pilots.  Some of the most exciting and
realistic dogfighting you'll ever experience in a PSX game.  Ace Combat 2
contains the right mix of realism and arcade action to equal absolutely
outstanding fun.  A salute and congratulations to Namco for a job well done.
 A MUST BUY!

Street Price:  $49.99

Password:  No

Memory Card:  1 Block

Supports:  Analog Controller Compatible
                
Graphics:  95

Sound:  95

Soundtrack:  80

Learning Curve:  Moderate

Difficulty:  Easy to Hard

Controller Options:  Numerous
                             Button Configuration Option

Manual:  Good

Replay Value:  High

FINAL SCORE:  98

=*=A Voltranic Syndicated Review=*=